JP2005337657A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner 1 capable of performing a heating and heat storing operation and a heating and defrosting operation by a rather simple control. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner 1 comprises a refrigerant circuit 10. The refrigerant circuit 10 comprises a compressor 111, a heat source side heat exchanger 112, a user side heat exchanger 171, a heat storage heat exchanger 141, and a switching mechanism. The heat storage heat exchanger 141 performs heat exchange with a heat storage material. The switching mechanism is switchable between a heating and heat storing state and a heating and defrosting state. In the heating and heat storing state, a delivered refrigerant is distributed to the user side heat exchanger 171 and the heat storing heat exchanger 141. In the heating and defrosting state, the delivered refrigerant is distributed to the user side heat exchanger 171 and the heat source side heat exchanger 112. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner for cold districts where the temperature is below freezing in winter and the like.

Conventionally, there is an air conditioner as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 as an air conditioner for a cold region where the temperature is below freezing in winter. This air conditioner has a heat storage tank that stores a heat storage heat exchanger and a heat storage material, and can store heat in the heat storage material while heating the air-conditioned room (hereinafter, such an operation). Is called heating and heat storage operation). And this air conditioner can remove the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger while heating the air-conditioned room by utilizing sufficient heat accumulated in the heat storage material (hereinafter, referred to as “the air conditioner”). Such operation is called heating and defrost operation).
JP-A-5-26542

  However, in this air conditioner, during the heating and temperature storage operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows in the order of the heat storage heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger. Sometimes the discharged refrigerant flows in the order of the indoor heat exchanger, the heat storage heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger. For this reason, in this air conditioner, the flow of the refrigerant and the state of the refrigerant are appropriately controlled, and in the heating / heat storage operation, the indoor heat exchanger (heating) and the heat storage heat exchanger (heat storage) are heated. It is necessary to distribute an appropriate amount of heat to the indoor heat exchanger (heating) and the outdoor heat exchanger (defrost) during the defrost operation. However, such control is very complicated and lacks feasibility.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can perform heating and heat storage operation and heating and defrost operation by comparatively simple control.

  The air conditioning apparatus according to the first invention includes a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a use side heat exchanger, a heat storage heat exchanger, and a switching mechanism. The heat storage heat exchanger performs heat exchange with the heat storage material. The switching mechanism can switch between a heating / heat storage state and a heating / defrost state. In the heating and heat storage state, the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger function as a condenser, and the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. In the heating and defrost state, the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger function as a condenser, and the heat storage heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. In the heating and heat storage state, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger. The “discharge refrigerant” here is refrigerant discharged from the compressor. In the heating and defrost state, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger.

  In this air conditioner, in the heating and heat storage state, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger. Further, in the heating and defrost state, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger. Therefore, in this air conditioner, an appropriate amount of heat is applied to the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating and heat storage state, and to the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state. For distribution, only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant need be considered. Therefore, in this air conditioner, heating and heat storage operation and heating and defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

  An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein in the heating and heat storage state, the refrigerant flowing out from the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant flowing out from the heat storage heat exchanger merge. Then, it is sucked into the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger. In the heating and defrost state, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger join together and are sucked into the compressor through the heat storage heat exchanger.

  In this air conditioner, in the heating and heat storage state, the refrigerant flowing out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant flowing out of the heat storage heat exchanger merge and are sucked into the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger. . Further, in the heating and defrost state, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger join together and are sucked into the compressor through the heat storage heat exchanger. For this reason, in this air conditioner, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating and heat storage state can be evaporated together in the heat source side heat exchanger, In the heating and defrost state, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use-side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat-source-side heat exchanger can be evaporated together by the heat storage heat exchanger. Therefore, in this air conditioner, the configuration of the refrigerant circuit can be simplified.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the switching mechanism includes a first control valve and a second control valve. The first control valve is a control valve for preventing the discharged refrigerant from directly flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and heat storage state. The second control valve is a control valve for preventing the discharged refrigerant from directly flowing into the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state.

In this air conditioner, the switching mechanism has a first control valve and a second control valve. For this reason, in this air conditioner, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / heat storage state and the heating / defrost state.
An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the switching mechanism can be switched to the cooling state. The “cooling state” herein refers to a state in which the heat source side heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the use side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. The switching mechanism further includes a third control valve. The third control valve is a control valve for preventing the discharged refrigerant from directly flowing into the use side heat exchanger in the cooling state and allowing the discharged refrigerant to flow into the use side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state. is there.

In this air conditioner, the switching mechanism can be switched to the cooling state and further includes a third control valve. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrosting state and the cooling state.
An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the refrigerant circuit accumulates liquid refrigerant in the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state. In addition, the refrigerant is filled.

  In this air conditioner, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state, but immediately after the heating and defrost operation starts, the heat source side heat is higher than the use side heat exchanger. Since the exchanger is at a lower temperature, the discharged refrigerant tends to flow more to the heat source side heat exchanger than to the use side heat exchanger. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus, the condensing temperature and the condensing pressure in the use side heat exchanger may decrease, and the heating capacity in the use side heat exchanger may decrease. However, in this air conditioner, the refrigerant circuit is filled with the refrigerant so that the liquid refrigerant accumulates in the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus, in the heating and defrost state, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensing temperature and condensing pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the use side heat exchanger. Therefore, in this air conditioner, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the use side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of heat appropriate for the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating / heat storage state, and in the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating / defrost state Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute the refrigerant. Therefore, in this air conditioner, heating and heat storage operation and heating and defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

  In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating and heat storage state can be collectively evaporated by the heat source side heat exchanger. In the heating and defrost state, the refrigerant flowing out from the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger. Therefore, in this air conditioner, the configuration of the refrigerant circuit can be simplified.

In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant flow can be appropriately controlled between the heating / heat storage state and the heating / defrost state.
In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant flow can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost state and the cooling state.
In the air conditioning apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the heating and defrost state, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensing temperature and condensing pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the use side heat exchanger. Therefore, in this air conditioner, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the use side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
A schematic refrigerant circuit 10 of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This air conditioner 1 is an air conditioner that can be used not only for cooling operation and heating operation, but also for defrost operation, heating and heat storage operation, and heating and defrost operation (for cold districts where the temperature is below freezing in winter etc.) Air conditioner), and includes a refrigerant circuit 10 including a main refrigerant circuit 1a, a bypass line 1b, and a heat storage line 1c.

The main refrigerant circuit 1a mainly includes a compressor 111, a four-way switching valve 113, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, a first electric expansion valve EV1, an indoor heat exchanger 171, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, and a gas-liquid separator 114. As shown in FIG. 1, each device is connected via a refrigerant pipe.
The bypass line 1b has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first outdoor-side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the four-way switching valve 113 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and the other end connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 1a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 171. Hereinafter, a connection point between the bypass line 1b and the first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a first BL connection point BC1, and a connection point between the bypass line 1b and the indoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second BL connection point BC2. The bypass line 1b is provided with a second opening / closing mechanism OC2.

  One end of the heat storage line 1c is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe) that connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the first electric expansion valve EV1, and the other end is connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 1a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a second outdoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the path switching valve 113. Hereinafter, a connection point between the heat storage line 1c and the outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and a connection point between the heat storage line 1c and the second outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 1c is provided with a heat storage heat exchanger 141 and a second electric expansion valve EV2, and each device connects the refrigerant pipes in the above order from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point HC1. Connected through.

  In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is a separation-type air conditioner, and mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 171, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a refrigerant gas pipe 181 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 182. An indoor unit 17, a heat storage heat exchanger 141, a heat storage tank 142, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, a second opening / closing mechanism OC2, a first refrigerant gas pipe 151, a second refrigerant gas pipe 153, and A heat storage unit 14 mainly having a refrigerant liquid pipe 152, a compressor 111, a four-way switching valve 113, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, a gas-liquid separator 114, a first refrigerant gas pipe 121, a second refrigerant gas pipe 123, and An outdoor unit 11 mainly having a refrigerant liquid pipe 122, a first refrigerant communication pipe 187 connecting the refrigerant liquid pipe 182 of the indoor unit 17 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 152 of the heat storage unit 14, The second refrigerant communication pipe 186 that connects the refrigerant gas pipe 181 of the inner unit 17 and the refrigerant gas pipe 151 of the heat storage unit 14, the refrigerant liquid pipe 152 of the heat storage unit 14, and the refrigerant liquid pipe 122 of the outdoor unit 11 are connected. The third refrigerant communication pipe 137, the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 136 connecting the first refrigerant gas pipe 151 of the heat storage unit 14 and the first refrigerant gas pipe 121 of the outdoor unit 11, and the second refrigerant gas pipe of the heat storage unit 14. It can be said that it is comprised from the 5th refrigerant | coolant communication piping 135 which connects 153 and the 2nd refrigerant | coolant gas piping 123 of the outdoor unit 11. FIG. The refrigerant liquid pipe 122 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 137 of the outdoor unit 11 are connected to the first refrigerant gas pipe 121 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 136 of the outdoor unit 11 via the liquid side shut-off valve 133 of the outdoor unit 11. The second refrigerant gas pipe 123 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 135 of the outdoor unit 11 are respectively connected via the second gas side stop valve 132 of the outdoor unit 11 and the first gas side stop valve 131 of the outdoor unit 11. It is connected.

In addition, when the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the first BL connection point BC1 belongs to the outdoor unit 11, and the second BL connection point BC2, the first HL connection point HC1, and the second HL connection. The point HC2 belongs to the heat storage unit 14.
(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 17 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 171, a first electric expansion valve EV1, an indoor fan (not shown), a refrigerant gas pipe 181 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 182.

The indoor heat exchanger 171 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.
The indoor fan is a fan for taking in air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 17 and sending out conditioned air, which is air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 171, into the air-conditioned room again.

  By adopting such a configuration, the indoor unit 17 exchanges heat between the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 171 during the cooling operation, thereby conditioned air (cold air). ) In the heating operation, in the heating / heat storage operation, and in the heating / defrost operation, the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 171 are heat-exchanged to conditioned air ( It is possible to generate (warm air).

(2) Heat storage unit The heat storage unit 14 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 141, a heat storage tank 142, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, a second opening / closing mechanism OC2, a first refrigerant gas pipe 151, A second refrigerant gas pipe 153 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 152 are provided.
The heat storage heat exchanger 141 is provided between the heat storage material (for example, polyethylene glycol, threitol, paraffin, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, etc.) stored in the heat storage tank 142 and the refrigerant. It is a heat exchanger for causing heat exchange.

  The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 includes a first electromagnetic valve SV1 and a first check valve 161 that can be opened and closed. In the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the first check valve 161 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The first check valve 161 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the second gas side shut-off valve 132 toward the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 11, 14, and 17 are connected. ing.

  The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 includes a second electromagnetic valve SV2 and a second check valve 162 that can be opened and closed. In the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the second check valve 162 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the second solenoid valve SV2 is disposed on the first BL connection point BC1 side, and the second check valve 162 is disposed on the second BL connection point BC2 side. The second check valve 162 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first gas side shut-off valve 131 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 11, 14, and 17 are connected. ing.

  By adopting such a configuration, the heat storage unit 14 accumulates the heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 141 during the heating / heat storage operation in the heat storage material, and stores the heat during the heating / defrost operation. By supplying warm heat accumulated in the heat storage material to the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 141, the liquid refrigerant can be evaporated. In addition, this heat storage material has a melting point of approximately 30 ° C. to 40 ° C., and can store warm heat as latent heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 11 mainly includes a four-way switching valve 113, a gas-liquid separator 114, a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, a first refrigerant gas pipe 121, a second refrigerant gas pipe 123, and A refrigerant liquid pipe 122 is provided.
The compressor 111 is a device for sucking and compressing the low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 125 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 126. In this embodiment, the compressor 111 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 113 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation. During the cooling operation, the defrost operation, and the heating and defrost operation, the discharge pipe 126 and the outdoor heat of the compressor 111 are used. The gas side of the exchanger 112 is connected and the suction pipe 125 of the compressor 111 and the second gas side shut-off valve 132 are connected via a gas-liquid separator 114, and compression is performed during heating operation and heating / heat storage operation. It is possible to connect the discharge pipe 126 of the compressor 111 and the second gas side shut-off valve 132 and connect the suction pipe 125 of the compressor 111 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the gas-liquid separator 114. It is.

The outdoor heat exchanger 112 is capable of condensing the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111 using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source during the cooling operation, and returning from the indoor heat exchanger 171 during the heating operation. It is possible to evaporate the refrigerant returning from the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the heat storage heat exchanger 141 during the heating and temperature storage operation.
[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation | movement operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 1 and FIG. As described above, the air conditioner 1 can perform a cooling operation, a heating operation, a heating / temperature storage operation, a defrost operation, and a heating / defrost operation.

(1) Cooling operation During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, that is, the discharge pipe 126 of the compressor 111 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and The suction pipe 125 of the machine 111 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 132 side via the gas-liquid separator 114. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is undercooled (hereinafter referred to as SC control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on and opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned off and closed (see FIG. 2). Then, the liquid side closing valve 133, the first gas side closing valve 131, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened.

When the compressor 111 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 10, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 111 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 126, the four-way switching valve 113, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 112 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 133 and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 171 to cool the indoor air and evaporate into a gas refrigerant.

The gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 132, the four-way switching valve 113, and the gas-liquid separator 114, It is sucked into the compressor 111 again. In this way, the cooling operation is performed.
(2) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 111 is connected to the second gas-side closing valve 132 and The suction side is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the gas-liquid separator 114. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 171 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 171. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted so as to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 2). Then, the liquid side closing valve 133, the first gas side closing valve 131, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened.

When the compressor 111 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 10, after the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 111 and compressed, the discharge pipe 126, the four-way switching valve 113, the second gas side shut-off valve 132, It is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 171 via the 2HL connection point HC2, the first check valve 161, and the second BL connection point BC2.
The gas refrigerant heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 171 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the first HL connection point HC1 and the liquid side closing valve 133, and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 112. It becomes a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 125 via the first BL connection point BC1, the four-way switching valve 113, and the gas-liquid separator 114, and is again sucked into the compressor 111. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(3) Heating and temperature storage operation At the time of heating and temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. In addition, the suction side of the compressor 111 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the gas-liquid separator 114. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 171 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 171. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted so as to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the second solenoid valve SV2 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 2). Then, the liquid side closing valve 133, the first gas side closing valve 131, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened.

  When the compressor 111 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 10, after the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 111 and compressed, the discharge pipe 126, the four-way switching valve 113, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened. Via the second HL connection point HC2. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second HL connection point HC2 then passes through the first check valve 161 and the second BL connection point BC2, and the first route that is a route toward the indoor heat exchanger 171 and heat for heat storage. It is distributed to the second path that is the path toward the exchanger 141.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 171 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the second path heats the heat storage material in the heat storage heat exchanger 141 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase, and mainly accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as latent heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2.

  The liquid refrigerant reaching the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the liquid refrigerant reaching the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 are connected to the first HL connection. After merging at the point, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the liquid side shut-off valve 133 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 112 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 125 via the first BL connection point BC1, the four-way switching valve 113, and the gas-liquid separator 114, and is again sucked into the compressor 111.

This heating and heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 1 is started, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat storage material provided in the heat storage tank 142 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. It is designed to switch to heating operation.
(4) Defrost operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, that is, the discharge pipe 126 of the compressor 111 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and The suction pipe 125 of the machine 111 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 132 side via the gas-liquid separator 114. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on and opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned off and closed (see FIG. 2). Then, the liquid side closing valve 133, the first gas side closing valve 131, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened.

When the compressor 111 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 10, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 111 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 126, the four-way switching valve 113, and the first BL connection point BC1. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and the frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is melted and condensed to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 133 and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 171. The air around the indoor heat exchanger 171 is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.

The gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 132, the four-way switching valve 113, and the gas-liquid separator 114, It is sucked into the compressor 111 again.
The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is intermittently performed between the heating operation and the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 171.

(5) Heating / Defrost Operation During the heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. In addition, the suction pipe 125 of the compressor 111 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 132 side via the gas-liquid separator 114. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully opened, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is subjected to high pressure control (hereinafter referred to as HP control). When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is HP-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is adjusted so that the discharge pressure of the compressor 111 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned off and closed, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned on and opened (see FIG. 2). Then, the liquid side closing valve 133, the first gas side closing valve 131, and the second gas side closing valve 132 are opened.

  When the compressor 111 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 10, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 111 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 126 and the four-way switching valve 113 to the first BL connection point BC1. It reaches. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the first BL connection point BC1 is a path toward the indoor heat exchanger 171 via the first gas side closing valve 131, the second switching mechanism OC2, and the second BL connection point BC2. It is distributed to a third path and a fourth path that is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 112.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 171 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid side shut-off valve 133.

  The liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid-side closing valve 133 are the first HL connection point. After joining in HC1, it is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 141, where it is evaporated by the heat storage material that accumulates the heat in the heat storage heat exchanger 141, and the gas refrigerant and Become. At this time, since the heat storage material releases the stored heat, it undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 125 via the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side shut-off valve 132, the four-way switching valve 113, and the gas-liquid separator 114, and again enters the compressor 111. Inhaled.

The refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a refrigerant so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 112 during the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations, but this surplus refrigerant is mainly stored in the gas-liquid separator 114.
The heating and defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111 (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) in the heating and temperature storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the heat storage heat exchanger 141. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the outdoor heat exchanger 112. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 1, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the heat storage heat exchanger 141 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 can perform the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, in the heating and temperature storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 141 are merged to form the outdoor heat exchanger 112. And is sucked into the compressor 111. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 join together and are sucked into the compressor 111 through the heat storage heat exchanger 141. For this reason, in this air conditioner 1, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 141 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 171 and the refrigerant flowing out from the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating and defrosting operation can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 141. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 1, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 10 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 includes the four-way switching valve 113 and the first electromagnetic valve SV1. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 1, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 can be switched to the cooling operation by the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and has the second electromagnetic valve SV2. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 1, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 1, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 171 in the heating and defrost operation. Therefore, in this air conditioner 1, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 171 in the heating and defrosting operation.

[Modification]
(A)
Even if an air conditioner 1A as shown in FIG. 3 is employed instead of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the present invention can be obtained.
In the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, in the main refrigerant circuit 1a configuring the refrigerant circuit 10, the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 is disposed between the second BL connection point BC2 and the second HL connection point HC2. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 1A according to this modification, the bidirectional solenoid valve SV1A is disposed between the second BL connection point BC2 and the second HL connection point HC2 in the main refrigerant circuit 1Aa constituting the refrigerant circuit 10A. The Note that the bidirectional solenoid valve SV1A belongs to the heat storage unit 14A.

(B)
Even if the air conditioner 1B as shown in FIG. 4 is adopted instead of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the present invention can be obtained.
In the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 is disposed between the second BL connection point BC2 and the second HL connection point HC2 in the main refrigerant circuit 1a constituting the refrigerant circuit 10, and the refrigerant circuit 10 The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 is disposed in the bypass line 1b constituting the. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 1B according to the present modification, the four-way switching valve 143 and the capillary tube 144 are arranged at a connection point on the indoor side between the main refrigerant circuit 1Ba and the bypass line 1Bb. The four-way switching valve 143 and the capillary tube 144 belong to the heat storage unit 14B. In the refrigerant circuit 10B, the four-way switching valve 143 is set to a state indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4 during the cooling operation, the heating operation, the heating / thermal storage operation, and the defrost operation, and during the heating / defrost operation. The state shown by the solid line in FIG.

Second Embodiment
[Configuration of air conditioner]
FIG. 5 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 20 of the air conditioner 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
This air conditioner 2 is an air conditioner that can perform not only cooling operation and heating operation, but also ice storage operation, cooling operation using ice storage, defrost operation, heating and heat storage operation, and heating and defrost operation (in winter and other temperatures) Is an air conditioner for cold districts where the temperature is below freezing), and includes a refrigerant circuit 20 including a main refrigerant circuit 2a, a bypass line 2b, a heat storage line 2c, and a utilization line 2d.

The main refrigerant circuit 2a mainly includes a compressor 211, a four-way switching valve 213, an outdoor heat exchanger 212, a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, a first electric expansion valve EV1, an indoor heat exchanger 271, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, And a gas-liquid separator 214 are provided, and each device is connected via a refrigerant pipe as shown in FIG.
The bypass line 2b has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the four-way switching valve 213 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212, and the other end connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 2a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 271. Hereinafter, the connection point between the bypass line 2b and the first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a first BL connection point BC1, and the connection point between the bypass line 2b and the indoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second BL connection point BC2. The bypass line 2b is provided with a second opening / closing mechanism OC2.

  One end of the heat storage line 2c is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter, referred to as an indoor refrigerant liquid pipe) that connects the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 and the first electric expansion valve EV1, and the other end is connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and a four-way switching valve. The main refrigerant circuit 2a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a second outdoor-side refrigerant gas pipe) that connects to H.213. Hereinafter, a connection point between the heat storage line 2c and the indoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and a connection point between the heat storage line 2c and the second outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 2c is provided with a third opening / closing mechanism OC3, a heat storage heat exchanger 241, and a second electric expansion valve EV2. Each device is directed from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point HC1. In this order, they are connected via a refrigerant pipe.

  The utilization line 2d has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe) connecting the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, and the other end connected to the third opening / closing mechanism OC3. The main refrigerant circuit 2a and the heat storage line 2c are connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a gas pipe side bypass pipe) connecting the heat exchanger 241. Hereinafter, a connection point between the use line 2d and the outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first IL connection point IC1, and a connection point between the use line 2d and the gas pipe side bypass pipe is referred to as a second IL connection point IC2. A fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 is provided in the use line 2d.

  In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 2 is a separation-type air conditioner, and mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 271, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a refrigerant gas pipe 281 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 282. Indoor unit 27, heat storage heat exchanger 241, heat storage water tank 242, second electric expansion valve EV2, first opening / closing mechanism OC1, second opening / closing mechanism OC2, third opening / closing mechanism OC3, fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, fifth opening / closing Ice storage unit 24 mainly having mechanism OC5, first refrigerant gas pipe 251, second refrigerant gas pipe 253, and refrigerant liquid pipe 252, compressor 211, four-way switching valve 213, outdoor heat exchanger 212, gas-liquid The outdoor unit 21 mainly including the separator 214, the first refrigerant gas pipe 221, the second refrigerant gas pipe 223, and the refrigerant liquid pipe 222, the refrigerant liquid pipe 282 of the indoor unit 27, and the ice heat storage unit. A first refrigerant communication pipe 287 that connects the refrigerant liquid pipe 252 of the hot water 24, a second refrigerant communication pipe 286 that connects the refrigerant gas pipe 281 of the indoor unit 27 and the refrigerant gas pipe 251 of the ice heat storage unit 24, The third refrigerant communication pipe 237 connecting the refrigerant liquid pipe 252 of the ice heat storage unit 24 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 222 of the outdoor unit 21, the first refrigerant gas pipe 251 of the ice heat storage unit 24, and the first refrigerant gas of the outdoor unit 21. The fourth refrigerant communication pipe 236 connecting the pipe 221 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 235 connecting the second refrigerant gas pipe 253 of the ice heat storage unit 24 and the second refrigerant gas pipe 223 of the outdoor unit 21 are configured. It can be said that. The refrigerant liquid pipe 222 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 237 of the outdoor unit 21 are connected to the first refrigerant gas pipe 221 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 236 of the outdoor unit 21 via the liquid side shut-off valve 233 of the outdoor unit 21. The second refrigerant gas pipe 223 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 235 of the outdoor unit 21 are connected to each other via the first gas side stop valve 231 of the outdoor unit 21. It is connected.

In addition, when the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the first BL connection point BC1 belongs to the outdoor unit 21, and the second BL connection point BC2, the first HL connection point HC1, and the second HL connection point. The HC 2, the first IL connection point IC 1, and the second IL connection point IC 2 belong to the ice heat storage unit 24.
(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 27 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 271, a first electric expansion valve EV1, an indoor fan (not shown), a refrigerant gas pipe 281 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 282.

The indoor heat exchanger 271 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.
The indoor fan is a fan for taking in air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 27 and sending out conditioned air, which is air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 271, into the air-conditioned room again.

  By adopting such a configuration, the indoor unit 27 heats the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 271 during the cooling operation and the cooling operation using ice heat storage. The conditioned air (cold air) is generated by exchanging the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 271 during the heating operation, the heating / heat storage operation, and the heating / defrost operation. It is possible to generate conditioned air (warm air) through heat exchange.

(2) Ice heat storage unit The ice heat storage unit 24 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 241, a heat storage water tank 242, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, a second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and a third opening / closing mechanism OC3. , A fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, a first refrigerant gas pipe 251, a second refrigerant gas pipe 253, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 252.

The heat storage heat exchanger 241 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage water stored in the heat storage water tank 242 and the refrigerant.
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 has a first electromagnetic valve SV1 and a first check valve 261 that can be opened and closed. In the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the first check valve 261 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The first check valve 261 is attached so as to allow only the flow of refrigerant from the second gas side shut-off valve 232 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 21, 24, 27 are connected. ing.

  The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 includes a second electromagnetic valve SV2 and a second check valve 262 that can be opened and closed. In the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the second check valve 262 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is disposed on the first BL connection point BC1 side, and the second check valve 262 is disposed on the second BL connection point BC2 side. The second check valve 262 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first gas side shut-off valve 231 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 21, 24, 27 are connected. ing.

The third opening / closing mechanism OC3 includes a third electromagnetic valve SV3 and a third check valve 263 that can be opened and closed. In the third opening / closing mechanism OC3, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 and the third check valve 263 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The third check valve 263 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the second HL connection point HC2 toward the second IL connection point IC2.
The fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 includes a fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 and a fourth check valve 264 that can be opened and closed. In the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 and the fourth check valve 264 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 is disposed on the first IL connection point IC1 side, and the fourth check valve 264 is disposed on the second IL connection point IC2 side. The fourth check valve 264 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first IL connection point IC1 to the second IL connection point IC2.

The fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 has a fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 and a fifth check valve 265 that can be opened and closed. In the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 and the fifth check valve 265 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The fifth check valve 265 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first HL connection point HC1 toward the first IL connection point IC1.
By adopting such a configuration, the ice heat storage unit 24 accumulates the cold heat of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 241 during the ice heat storage operation in the heat storage water, and heat storage heat during the ice heat storage operation. The cold state is supplied to the gaseous or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the exchanger 241 to condense the gaseous or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and the heat storage heat exchanger 241 is used in the heating and thermal storage operation. The heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage water is accumulated in the heat storage water, and the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by supplying the heat stored in the heat storage water to the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 241 during the heating and defrosting operation. Is possible. This water for heat storage accumulates the cold heat supplied from the liquid refrigerant as a latent heat by phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase during the ice heat storage operation, and the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant during the heating and heat storage operation. Accumulate as sensible heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 21 mainly includes a four-way switching valve 213, a gas-liquid separator 214, a compressor 211, an outdoor heat exchanger 212, a first refrigerant gas pipe 221, a second refrigerant gas pipe 223, and A refrigerant liquid pipe 222 is provided.
The compressor 211 is a device for sucking and compressing low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 225 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 226. In the present embodiment, the compressor 211 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 213 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation, and is used during cooling operation, ice heat storage operation, ice heat storage cooling operation, defrost operation, and heating and defrosting. During operation, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 are connected, and the suction pipe 225 of the compressor 211 and the second gas side shut-off valve 232 are connected via the gas-liquid separator 214. During the heating operation and the heating / heat storage operation, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 and the second gas side shut-off valve 232 are connected and the suction pipe 225 of the compressor 211 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 are connected to each other. It is possible to connect via the liquid separator 214.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 212 can condense the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 211 using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source during cooling operation, ice storage operation, and cooling operation using ice storage. Yes, it is possible to evaporate the liquid refrigerant that returns from the indoor heat exchanger 271 during the heating operation, and the liquid refrigerant that returns from the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the heat storage heat exchanger 241 during the heating and heat storage operation.

[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation | movement operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 2 is demonstrated using FIG. 5 and FIG. As described above, the air conditioner 1 can perform a cooling operation, an ice storage operation, an ice storage utilization cooling operation, a heating operation, a heating / temperature storage operation, a defrost operation, and a heating / defrost operation.
(1) Cooling operation During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, that is, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and compressed The suction pipe 225 of the machine 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232 side via the gas-liquid separator 214. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is undercooled (hereinafter referred to as SC control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on and opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off and closed ( (See FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 271 to cool the indoor air and evaporate into a gas refrigerant.

The gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 232, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, It is sucked into the compressor 211 again. In this way, the cooling operation is performed.
(2) Ice heat storage operation During the ice heat storage operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, that is, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212, and Then, the suction pipe 225 of the compressor 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232 side via the gas-liquid separator 214. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully closed, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on and opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off and closed ( (See FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the liquid side closing valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then supplied to the heat storage heat exchanger 241 to cool the heat storage water and evaporate to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase, and the cold supplied from the liquid refrigerant accumulates mainly as latent heat.

The gas refrigerant passes through the second IL connection point IC2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 232, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, It is sucked into the compressor 211 again. In this way, the ice heat storage operation is performed.
(3) Ice storage use cooling operation During ice storage use cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. The suction pipe 225 of the compressor 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232 side via the gas-liquid separator 214. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully opened. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the second IL connection point IC2 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 241 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the refrigerant on the second electric expansion valve EV2 side of 241 is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned off to be closed ( (See FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, and the first BL connection point BC1. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.
Then, the liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 241 via the liquid side closing valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, and the second IL connection point IC2. Further, the cold heat accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 241 becomes a liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant at a lower temperature.

Then, this lower temperature liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 271 to cool the indoor air and evaporate into a gas refrigerant.
The gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 232, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, It is sucked into the compressor 211 again. In this way, the cooling operation using ice heat storage is performed.

(4) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232, and the compressor 211 The suction side is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 via the gas-liquid separator 214. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 271 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 271. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1, the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, the fourth solenoid valve SV4, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, after the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, the second gas side shut-off valve 232, the second It is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 271 via the 2HL connection point HC2, the first check valve 261, and the second BL connection point BC2.
The gas refrigerant heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 271 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. After the pressure of the liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is reduced, outdoor heat exchange is performed via the first HL connection point HC1, the fifth check valve 265, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 233. Sent to the vessel 212 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 225 via the first BL connection point BC1, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, and is again sucked into the compressor 211. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(5) Heating / temperature storage operation At the time of heating / temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. In addition, the suction side of the compressor 211 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 via the gas-liquid separator 214. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 271 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 271. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second electromagnetic valve SV2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, after the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, and the second gas side closing valve 232 are opened. Via the second HL connection point HC2. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the second HL connection point HC2 then passes through the first check valve 261 and the second BL connection point BC2, the first route that is the route toward the indoor heat exchanger 271, and the third reverse It is distributed to the second path which is the path toward the heat storage heat exchanger 241 via the stop valve 263 and the second IL connection point IC2.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 271 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the second path heats the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 241 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as sensible heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

  The liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 are first HL connection. After merging at the point, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 212 via the fifth check valve 265, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 233, and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a gas refrigerant. . The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 225 via the first BL connection point BC1, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, and is again sucked into the compressor 211.

This heating / heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 2 is started, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for temperature detection of the heat storage water provided in the heat storage water tank 242 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is designed to switch to heating operation.
(6) Defrost operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, that is, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and is compressed. The suction pipe 225 of the machine 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232 side via the gas-liquid separator 214. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on and opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off and closed ( (See FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 226, the four-way switching valve 213, and the first BL connection point BC1. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to melt and condense frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. It is done. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 271. The air around the indoor heat exchanger 271 is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.

The gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 232, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, It is sucked into the compressor 211 again.
The defrost operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and the outside air temperature. In addition, this defrost operation is intermittently performed with the heating operation or the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 271.

(7) Heating / Defrost Operation During the heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 213 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, that is, the discharge pipe 226 of the compressor 211 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 212. In addition, the suction pipe 225 of the compressor 211 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 232 side via the gas-liquid separator 214. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully opened, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is subjected to high pressure control (hereinafter referred to as HP control). When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is HP-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is adjusted so that the discharge pressure of the compressor 211 becomes a predetermined value or more. Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 are turned off to be closed, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 are turned on to be opened ( (See FIG. 6). And the liquid side closing valve 233, the 1st gas side closing valve 231, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 232 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 211 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 20, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 211 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 226 and the four-way switching valve 213 to the first BL connection point BC1. It reaches. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the first BL connection point BC1 is a path toward the indoor heat exchanger 271 via the first gas side shut-off valve 231, the second switching mechanism OC2, and the second BL connection point BC2. The third path and the fourth path, which is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 212, are distributed.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 271 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid side shut-off valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1, and the first HL connection point via the liquid side closing valve 233, the first IL connection point IC1, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5. The liquid refrigerant that has reached HC1 joins at the first HL connection point HC1, and then is sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 241 via the second electric expansion valve EV2, and accumulates heat in the heat storage heat exchanger 241. It is evaporated by the heat storage water and becomes a gas refrigerant. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant passes through the second IL connection point IC2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 232, the four-way switching valve 213, and the gas-liquid separator 214, It returns to the suction pipe 225 and is sucked into the compressor 211 again.

The refrigerant circuit 20 is filled with refrigerant so that liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 during heating and defrosting operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations, but this surplus refrigerant is mainly stored in the gas-liquid separator 214.
The heating / defrost operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 211 (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) in the heating and temperature storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the heat storage heat exchanger 241. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the outdoor heat exchanger 212. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 2, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the heat storage heat exchanger 241 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the outdoor heat exchanger 212 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, in the air conditioner 2, the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, in the heating and heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 241 merge to form the outdoor heat exchanger 212. And is sucked into the compressor 211. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 merge and are sucked into the compressor 211 through the heat storage heat exchanger 241. For this reason, in the air conditioner 2, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 241 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 212. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 271 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 212 can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 241. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 2, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 20 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 20 includes a four-way switching valve 213 and a first electromagnetic valve SV1. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 2, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 20 can be switched to the cooling operation by the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and has the second electromagnetic valve SV2. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 2, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 20 so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 212 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 2, in the heating and defrost operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and the condensation pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 271. Therefore, in this air conditioner 2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 271 in the heating and defrosting operation.

(6)
In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, since the ice heat storage unit 24 is employed as the heat storage unit, an ice heat storage operation and an ice heat storage cooling operation can be performed. For this reason, in this air conditioner 2, the power peak can be adjusted in an environment where cooling operation is required, such as in summer.

[Modification]
(A)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 disposed in the main refrigerant circuit 2a of the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment is replaced with a bidirectional solenoid valve as shown in the modification (A) of the first embodiment. It doesn't matter. Similarly, the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 and the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 may be replaced with bidirectional solenoid valves.

(B)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 2a of the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment are arranged in four ways as shown in the modification (B) of the first embodiment. It may be replaced with a switching valve and a capillary tube.
(C)
Even if the air conditioner 2A as shown in FIG. 7 is employed instead of the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the present invention can be obtained.

  In the air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment, the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 is arranged between the first HL connection point HC1 and the first IL connection point IC1 in the main refrigerant circuit 2a constituting the refrigerant circuit 20, and the refrigerant circuit 20 The fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 is arranged in the use line 2d constituting the. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 2A according to this modification, the four-way switching valve 243 and the capillary tube 244 are arranged at the connection point between the main refrigerant circuit 2Aa and the use line 2d. The four-way switching valve 243 and the capillary tube 244 belong to the ice heat storage unit 24A. Further, in this refrigerant circuit 20A, the four-way switching valve 243 is indicated by a solid line in FIG. In the cooling state using ice storage heat storage, the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 7 is set.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 30 of the air conditioner 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This air conditioner 3 is an air conditioner that can be used not only for cooling operation and heating operation but also for defrost operation, heating / heat storage operation, and heating / defrost operation (for cold districts where the temperature is below freezing in winter etc.) An air conditioner), which includes a refrigerant circuit 30 including a main refrigerant circuit 3a, a bypass line 3b, and a heat storage line 3c.

The main refrigerant circuit 3a is mainly provided with a compressor 311, a four-way switching valve 313, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, an expansion circuit (expansion mechanism) 314, an indoor heat exchanger 371, and a first opening / closing mechanism OC1. As shown in FIG. 8, each device is connected via a refrigerant pipe.
The bypass line 3b has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the four-way switching valve 313 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and the other end connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 3a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 371. Hereinafter, a connection point between the bypass line 3b and the first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a first BL connection point BC1, and a connection point between the bypass line 3b and the indoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second BL connection point BC2. The bypass line 3b is provided with a second opening / closing mechanism OC2.

  The heat storage line 3c has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe) that connects the expansion circuit 314 and the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 371, and the other end to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the four-way switching valve. The main refrigerant circuit 3a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter, referred to as a second outdoor-side refrigerant gas pipe) that connects to 313. Hereinafter, a connection point between the heat storage line 3c and the outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and a connection point between the heat storage line 1c and the second outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 3c is provided with a heat storage heat exchanger 341 and a second electric expansion valve EV2, and each device connects the refrigerant pipes in the above order from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point HC1. Connected through.

  In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 3 is a separation type air conditioner, and includes an indoor unit 37 mainly including an indoor heat exchanger 371, a refrigerant gas pipe 381, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 382, and a heat storage apparatus. The heat exchanger 341, the heat storage tank 342, the second electric expansion valve EV2, the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the first refrigerant gas pipe 351, the second refrigerant gas pipe 353, and the refrigerant liquid pipe 352 are mainly used. An outdoor unit mainly including a heat storage unit 34, a compressor 311, a four-way switching valve 313, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, an expansion circuit 314, a first refrigerant gas pipe 321, a second refrigerant gas pipe 323, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 322. The unit 31, the first refrigerant communication pipe 387 connecting the refrigerant liquid pipe 382 of the indoor unit 37 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 352 of the heat storage unit 34, and the refrigerant gas of the indoor unit 37. A second refrigerant communication pipe 386 that connects the pipe 381 and the refrigerant gas pipe 351 of the heat storage unit 34, and a third refrigerant communication pipe 337 that connects the refrigerant liquid pipe 352 of the heat storage unit 34 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 322 of the outdoor unit 31. The fourth refrigerant communication pipe 336 connecting the first refrigerant gas pipe 351 of the heat storage unit 34 and the first refrigerant gas pipe 321 of the outdoor unit 31, the second refrigerant gas pipe 353 of the heat storage unit 34, and the outdoor unit 31. It can be said that the second refrigerant gas pipe 323 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 335 are connected to each other. The refrigerant liquid pipe 322 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 337 of the outdoor unit 31 are connected to the first refrigerant gas pipe 321 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 336 of the outdoor unit 31 via the liquid side shut-off valve 333 of the outdoor unit 31. The second refrigerant gas pipe 323 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 335 of the outdoor unit 31 are connected to each other via the first gas side stop valve 331 of the outdoor unit 31. It is connected.

In addition, when the air conditioning apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the first BL connection point BC1 belongs to the outdoor unit 31, and the second BL connection point BC2, the first HL connection point HC1, and the second HL connection. The point HC2 belongs to the heat storage unit 34.
(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 37 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 371, an indoor fan (not shown), a refrigerant gas pipe 381, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 382.

The indoor heat exchanger 371 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.
The indoor fan is a fan for taking in air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 37 and sending out conditioned air, which is air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 371, to the air-conditioned room again.

  By adopting such a configuration, the indoor unit 37 exchanges heat between the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 371 during the cooling operation, thereby conditioned air (cold air). ) In the heating operation, in the heating / heat storage operation, and in the heating / defrost operation, the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 371 are heat-exchanged to conditioned air ( It is possible to generate (warm air).

(2) Heat storage unit The heat storage unit 34 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 341, a heat storage tank 342, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, a second opening / closing mechanism OC2, a first refrigerant gas pipe 351, A second refrigerant gas pipe 353 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 352 are provided.
The heat storage heat exchanger 341 is provided between the heat storage material (for example, polyethylene glycol, threitol, paraffin, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, etc.) stored in the heat storage tank 342 and the refrigerant. It is a heat exchanger for causing heat exchange.

  The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 includes a first electromagnetic valve SV1 and a first check valve 361 that can be opened and closed. In the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the first check valve 361 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The first check valve 361 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the second gas side shut-off valve 332 toward the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 31, 34, and 37 are connected. ing.

  The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 includes a second electromagnetic valve SV2 and a second check valve 362 that can be opened and closed. In the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the second check valve 362 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the second solenoid valve SV2 is disposed on the first BL connection point BC1 side, and the second check valve 362 is disposed on the second BL connection point BC2 side. The second check valve 362 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first gas side shut-off valve 331 toward the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 31, 34, 37 are connected. ing.

  By adopting such a configuration, the heat storage unit 34 accumulates the heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heat storage heat exchanger 341 during the heating and temperature storage operation, and stores heat during the heating and defrost operation. By supplying warm heat accumulated in the heat storage material to the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 341, the liquid refrigerant can be evaporated. In addition, this heat storage material has a melting point of approximately 30 ° C. to 40 ° C., and can store warm heat as latent heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 31 mainly includes a four-way switching valve 313, a compressor 311, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, an expansion circuit 314, a first refrigerant gas pipe 321, a second refrigerant gas pipe 323, and a refrigerant liquid. A pipe 322 is provided.
The compressor 311 is a device for sucking and compressing the low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 325 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 326. In the present embodiment, the compressor 311 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 313 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation. During the cooling operation, the defrost operation, and the heating and defrost operation, the discharge pipe 326 and the outdoor heat of the compressor 311 are used. The gas side of the exchanger 312 is connected and connected via the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 and the second gas side shut-off valve 332, and the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is used during heating operation and heating / heat storage operation. And the second gas side shut-off valve 332 can be connected to each other, and the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 can be connected.

The outdoor heat exchanger 312 can condense the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 311 during the cooling operation using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source, and return from the indoor heat exchanger 371 during the heating operation. It is possible to evaporate the refrigerant returning from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341 during the heating and temperature storage operation.
The expansion circuit 314 is connected between the liquid side shut-off valve 333 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312, and is a circuit for decompressing the refrigerant flowing between the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312. The circuit 73 and a connection circuit 75 connected to the bridge circuit 73 are included. In the present embodiment, the bridge circuit 73 includes four check valves 74a to 74d. During the cooling operation, the defrost operation, and the heating and defrost operation, the bridge circuit 73 supplies the refrigerant from the heat source side heat exchanger 312 side. After flowing into the communication circuit 75, it is possible to circulate to the liquid side closing valve 333 side. During heating operation and heating / heat storage operation, refrigerant from the liquid side closing valve 333 flows into the communication circuit 75. Then, it can be circulated to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 side. Further, the communication circuit 75 is provided with a receiver 71 capable of temporarily storing liquid refrigerant and an electric expansion valve EV1 capable of adjusting the valve opening degree.

[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation | movement operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 3 is demonstrated using FIG. 8 and FIG. As described above, the air conditioner 3 can perform a cooling operation, a heating operation, a heating / heat storage operation, a defrost operation, and a heating / defrost operation.
(1) Cooling operation During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 113 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, that is, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and is compressed. The suction pipe 325 of the machine 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is superheated (hereinafter referred to as SH control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 371 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 371. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on and opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned off and closed (see FIG. 9). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the expansion circuit 314. The liquid refrigerant sent to the expansion circuit 314 is sent to the communication circuit 75 via the check valve 74 b of the bridge circuit 73 and is temporarily stored in the receiver 71. The liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver 71 is depressurized by the first electric expansion valve EV1, and then indoor heat passes through the check valve 74c of the bridge circuit 73, the liquid side closing valve 333, and the first HL connection point HC1. It is supplied to the exchanger 371.

  The liquid refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371 cools the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant is again sucked into the compressor 311 via the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313. The In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(2) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 332, and the compressor 311 The suction side is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 9). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, the second gas side closing valve 332, It is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371 via the 2HL connection point HC2, the first check valve 361, and the second BL connection point BC2.
The gas refrigerant heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is sent to the expansion circuit 314 via the first HL connection point HC1 and the liquid-side closing valve 333. The liquid refrigerant sent to the expansion circuit 314 is sent to the communication circuit 75 via the check valve 74 a of the bridge circuit 73 and is temporarily stored in the receiver 71. The liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver 71 is depressurized by the first electric expansion valve EV1, and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 via the check valve 74d of the bridge circuit 73. In the outdoor heat exchanger 312 It is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 313, and is again sucked into the compressor 311. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(3) Heating / temperature storage operation At the time of heating / temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas-side closing valve 332, In addition, the suction side of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the second solenoid valve SV2 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 9). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the second gas side closing valve 332 are opened. Via the second HL connection point HC2. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second HL connection point HC2 then passes through the first check valve 361 and the second BL connection point BC2 to the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat. It is distributed to the second route that is the route toward the exchanger 341.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the second path heats the heat storage material in the heat storage heat exchanger 341 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase, and mainly accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as latent heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

  The liquid refrigerant reaching the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the liquid refrigerant reaching the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 merged at the first HL connection point. After that, it is sent to the expansion circuit 314 via the liquid side closing valve 333. The liquid refrigerant sent to the expansion circuit 314 is sent to the communication circuit 75 via the check valve 74 a of the bridge circuit 73 and is temporarily stored in the receiver 71. The liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver 71 is depressurized by the first electric expansion valve EV1, and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 via the check valve 74d of the bridge circuit 73. In the outdoor heat exchanger 312 It is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 313, and is again sucked into the compressor 311. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

This heating and heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 3 is started, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat storage material provided in the heat storage tank 342 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Switch to heating operation.
(4) Defrost operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8, that is, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and The suction pipe 325 of the machine 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on and opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned off and closed (see FIG. 9). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the first BL connection point BC1. The frost that is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and melts on the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 is melted and condensed to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the expansion circuit 314. The liquid refrigerant sent to the expansion circuit 314 is sent to the communication circuit 75 via the check valve 74 b of the bridge circuit 73 and is temporarily stored in the receiver 71. The liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver 71 is depressurized by the first electric expansion valve EV1, and then indoor heat passes through the check valve 74c of the bridge circuit 73, the liquid side closing valve 333, and the first HL connection point HC1. It is supplied to the exchanger 371.

The liquid refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371 cools the air around the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.
Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313, and again enters the compressor 311. Inhaled.

The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is intermittently performed between the heating operation and the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 171.
(5) Heating / Defrost Operation During heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. In addition, the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled, the opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the second HL connection point HC2 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the refrigerant on the second electric expansion valve EV2 side of 341 is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned off and closed, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is turned on and opened (see FIG. 9). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326 and the four-way switching valve 313 to the first BL connection point BC1. It reaches. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the first BL connection point BC1 is a path toward the indoor heat exchanger 371 via the first gas side closing valve 331, the second switching mechanism OC2, and the second BL connection point BC2. The third path and the fourth path, which is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 312, are distributed.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant, and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant, and then sent to the expansion circuit 314. The liquid refrigerant sent to the expansion circuit 314 is sent to the communication circuit 75 via the check valve 74 b of the bridge circuit 73 and is temporarily stored in the receiver 71. The liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver 71 is depressurized by the first electric expansion valve EV1, and then reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the check valve 74c and the liquid side closing valve 333 of the bridge circuit 73.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 via the check valve 74c and the liquid-side closing valve 333 of the bridge circuit 73. Then, after joining at the first HL connection point HC1 and depressurizing by the second electric expansion valve EV2, it is sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 341 and evaporated by the heat storage material that accumulates the heat in the heat storage heat exchanger 341. Gas refrigerant. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313, and is again sucked into the compressor 311.

The refrigerant circuit 30 is filled with a refrigerant so that liquid refrigerant accumulates in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 during the heating and defrosting operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations, but this surplus refrigerant is mainly stored in the receiver 71.
The heating / defrost operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 3 according to the third embodiment, gas refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) discharged from the compressor 311 in the heating / heat storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, the air conditioner 3 can perform the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 3 according to the third embodiment, in the heating and heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 merge to form the outdoor heat exchanger 312. And is sucked into the compressor 311. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 join together and are sucked into the compressor 311 through the heat storage heat exchanger 341. For this reason, in this air conditioner 3, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 341. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 3, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 30 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 3 according to the third embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 30 includes the four-way switching valve 313 and the first electromagnetic valve SV1. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioner 3 according to the third embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 30 can be switched to the cooling operation by the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and has the second electromagnetic valve SV2. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioner 3 according to the third embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 30 so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3, in the heating and defrost operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and the condensation pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 371. Therefore, in this air conditioner 3, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 371 in the heating and defrosting operation.

[Modification]
(A)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 disposed in the main refrigerant circuit 3a of the air-conditioning apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment is replaced with a bidirectional solenoid valve as shown in the modification (A) of the first embodiment. It doesn't matter.

(B)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 3a of the air-conditioning apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment are arranged in four ways as shown in the modification (B) of the first embodiment. It may be replaced with a switching valve and a capillary tube.
<Fourth embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
A schematic refrigerant circuit 30A of an air conditioner 3A according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  This air conditioner 3A is an air conditioner that can be used not only for cooling operation and heating operation but also for defrost operation, heating and heat storage operation, and heating and defrost operation (for cold districts where the temperature is below freezing in winter etc.) An air conditioner), which includes a refrigerant circuit 30A including a main refrigerant circuit 30a, a bypass line 30b, a heat storage line 30c, and a degassing line 30d.

The main refrigerant circuit 30a is mainly provided with a compressor 311, a four-way switching valve 313, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, a first electric expansion valve EV1, an indoor heat exchanger 371, and a first opening / closing mechanism OC1. As shown in FIG. 10, each device is connected via a refrigerant pipe.
The bypass line 30b has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the four-way switching valve 313 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312, and the other end connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 30a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 371. Hereinafter, a connection point between the bypass line 30b and the first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a first BL connection point BC1, and a connection point between the bypass line 30b and the indoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second BL connection point BC2. The bypass line 30b is provided with a second opening / closing mechanism OC2.

  One end of the heat storage line 30c is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as indoor refrigerant liquid pipe) connecting the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the indoor heat exchanger 371, and the other end is connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the four-way switching valve. The main refrigerant circuit 30a is connected to the main refrigerant circuit 30a by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a second outdoor-side refrigerant gas pipe) connected to the H.313. Hereinafter, the connection point between the heat storage line 30c and the indoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and the connection point between the heat storage line 30c and the second outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 30c is provided with a third opening / closing mechanism OC3, a heat storage heat exchanger 341, a modulator 343, and a second electric expansion valve EV2. Each device is connected from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point. It is connected to the HC1 through the refrigerant pipe in the above order.

  One end of the gas vent line 30d is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a gas pipe bypass pipe) that connects the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 and the second HL connection point HC2 at one end to the upper portion of the modulator 343. To the main refrigerant circuit 30a and the heat storage line 30c. Hereinafter, a connection point between the gas vent line 30d and the gas pipe bypass pipe is referred to as a GL connection point GC. A capillary tube 364 is provided in the gas vent line 30d.

  In this embodiment, the air conditioner 3A is a separation type air conditioner, and includes an indoor unit 37a mainly including an indoor heat exchanger 371, a refrigerant gas pipe 381, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 382, and a heat storage apparatus. Heat exchanger 341, heat storage tank 342, second electric expansion valve EV2, modulator 343, capillary tube 364, first opening / closing mechanism OC1, second opening / closing mechanism OC2, third opening / closing mechanism OC3, first refrigerant gas pipe 351, second A heat storage unit 34A mainly including a refrigerant gas pipe 353 and a refrigerant liquid pipe 352, a compressor 311, a four-way switching valve 313, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, a first electric expansion valve EV 1, a first refrigerant gas pipe 321, Two refrigerant gas pipes 323 and an outdoor unit 31A mainly having a refrigerant liquid pipe 322, a refrigerant liquid pipe 382 and a heat storage unit of the indoor unit 37a A first refrigerant communication pipe 387 connecting the 4A refrigerant liquid pipe 352, a second refrigerant communication pipe 386 connecting the refrigerant gas pipe 381 of the indoor unit 37a and the refrigerant gas pipe 351 of the heat storage unit 34A, and the heat storage unit 34A. The refrigerant liquid pipe 352 of the outdoor unit 31A and the refrigerant liquid pipe 322 of the outdoor unit 31A, the first refrigerant gas pipe 351 of the heat storage unit 34A, and the first refrigerant gas pipe 321 of the outdoor unit 31A. The fourth refrigerant communication pipe 336, the second refrigerant gas pipe 353 of the heat storage unit 34A, and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 335 connecting the second refrigerant gas pipe 323 of the outdoor unit 31A can be said. The refrigerant liquid pipe 322 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 337 of the outdoor unit 31A are connected to the first refrigerant gas pipe 321 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 336 of the outdoor unit 31A via the liquid side shut-off valve 333 of the outdoor unit 31A. Through the second gas side shut-off valve 332 of the outdoor unit 31A, and the second refrigerant gas pipe 323 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 335 of the outdoor unit 31A through the first gas side shut-off valve 331 of the outdoor unit 31A, respectively. It is connected.

When the air conditioner 3A according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the first BL connection point BC1 belongs to the outdoor unit 31A, and the second BL connection point BC2, the first HL connection point HC1, and the second HL connection point. The HC2 and GL connection point GC belongs to the heat storage unit 34A.
(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 37a mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 371, an indoor fan (not shown), a refrigerant gas pipe 381, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 382.

The indoor heat exchanger 371 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.
The indoor fan is a fan for taking in air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 37a and sending out conditioned air, which is air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 371, to the air-conditioned room again.

  By adopting such a configuration, the indoor unit 37a exchanges heat between the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 371 during the cooling operation, thereby conditioned air (cold air). ) In the heating operation, in the heating / heat storage operation, and in the heating / defrost operation, the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 371 are heat-exchanged to conditioned air ( It is possible to generate (warm air).

(2) Heat storage unit The heat storage unit 34A mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 341, a heat storage tank 342, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a modulator 343, a capillary tube 364, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, a second opening / closing mechanism OC2, It has a third opening / closing mechanism OC3, a first refrigerant gas pipe 351, a second refrigerant gas pipe 353, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 352.

The heat storage heat exchanger 341 is provided between the heat storage material (for example, polyethylene glycol, threitol, paraffin, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, etc.) stored in the heat storage tank 342 and the refrigerant. It is a heat exchanger for causing heat exchange.
The modulator 343 is a device for storing surplus refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 30A is filled with the refrigerant so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 during the heating and defrosting operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations. It is the duty of this modulator 343 to store this excess refrigerant.

  The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 includes a first electromagnetic valve SV1 and a first check valve 361 that can be opened and closed. In the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the first check valve 361 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The first check valve 361 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the second gas side shut-off valve 332 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 31a, 34A, and 37a are connected. ing.

  The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 includes a second electromagnetic valve SV2 and a second check valve 362 that can be opened and closed. In the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the second check valve 362 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the second solenoid valve SV2 is disposed on the first BL connection point BC1 side, and the second check valve 362 is disposed on the second BL connection point BC2 side. The second check valve 362 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first gas side shut-off valve 331 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 31a, 34A, and 37a are connected. ing.

The third opening / closing mechanism OC3 includes a third electromagnetic valve SV3 and a third check valve 363 that can be opened and closed. In the third opening / closing mechanism OC3, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 and the third check valve 363 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The third check valve 363 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the GL connection point GC toward the heat storage heat exchanger 341.
By adopting such a configuration, the heat storage unit 34A accumulates the heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heat storage material during the heating and temperature storage operation, and also during the heating and defrost operation. The liquid refrigerant can be evaporated by supplying the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 341 to the warm heat accumulated in the heat storage material. In addition, this heat storage material has a melting point of about 30 ° C. to 40 ° C., and can store warm heat as latent heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 31A mainly includes a four-way switching valve 313, a compressor 311, an outdoor heat exchanger 312, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a first refrigerant gas pipe 321, a second refrigerant gas pipe 323, And a refrigerant liquid pipe 322.
The compressor 311 is a device for sucking and compressing the low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 325 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 326. In the present embodiment, the compressor 311 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 313 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation. During the cooling operation, the defrost operation, and the heating and defrost operation, the discharge pipe 326 and the outdoor heat of the compressor 311 are used. The gas side of the exchanger 312 is connected and the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 and the second gas side shut-off valve 332 are connected. During the heating operation and the heating / heat storage operation, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 It is possible to connect the two-gas side closing valve 332 and connect the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312.

The outdoor heat exchanger 312 can condense the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 311 during the cooling operation using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source, and return from the indoor heat exchanger 371 during the heating operation. It is possible to evaporate the refrigerant returning from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341 during the heating and temperature storage operation.
[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation of the air conditioner 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the air conditioner 3A can perform the cooling operation, the heating operation, the heating / heat storage operation, the defrost operation, and the heating / defrost operation.

(1) Cooling operation During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, that is, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and The suction pipe 325 of the machine 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is superheated (hereinafter referred to as SH control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully opened. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 371 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 371. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on to be opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the third electromagnetic valve SV3 are turned off to be closed (see FIG. 11). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30A, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371 via the liquid-side closing valve 333 and the first HL connection point HC1, thereby cooling and evaporating the indoor air. Gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 again via the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313. The In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(2) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 10, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 332, and The suction side is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second electromagnetic valve SV2, and the third electromagnetic valve SV3 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 11). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30A, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, the second gas side closing valve 332, the second The 2HL connection point HC2, the first check valve 361, and the second BL connection point BC2 are supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371. In the indoor heat exchanger 371, the indoor air is heated and condensed to be liquid refrigerant. Become. The liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the first HL connection point HC1 and the liquid side closing valve 333. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 313, and is again sucked into the compressor 311. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(3) Heating / temperature storage operation At the time of heating / temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 10, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332, In addition, the suction side of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second electromagnetic valve SV2, and the third electromagnetic valve SV3 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 11). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30A, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the second gas side closing valve 332 are opened. Via the second HL connection point HC2. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second HL connection point HC2 then passes through the first check valve 361 and the second BL connection point BC2 to the indoor heat exchanger 371, and the GC connection point. It is distributed to the second path, which is the path toward the heat storage heat exchanger 341 via the GC and the third check valve 363.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the second path heats the heat storage material in the heat storage heat exchanger 341 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase, and mainly accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as latent heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the modulator 343. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 merge at the first HL connection point. After that, it is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 333. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to become a gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 313, and is again sucked into the compressor 311.

This heating / heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 3A is activated, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat storage material provided in the heat storage tank 342 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is designed to switch to heating operation.
(4) Defrost operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, that is, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and The suction pipe 325 of the machine 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the second electric expansion valve EV2 are in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned on to be opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the third electromagnetic valve SV3 are turned off to be closed (see FIG. 11). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30A, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326, the four-way switching valve 313, and the first BL connection point BC1. It is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to melt and condense frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 371 via the liquid side closing valve 333 and the first HL connection point HC1, and around the indoor heat exchanger 371. Air is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.

Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313, and again enters the compressor 311. Inhaled.
The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is intermittently performed between the heating operation and the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 371.

(5) Heating / Defrost Operation During heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 313 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10, that is, the discharge pipe 326 of the compressor 311 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 312. In addition, the suction pipe 325 of the compressor 311 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 332 side. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 to the liquid side of the heat storage heat exchanger 341. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the refrigerant at is adjusted so as to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 is turned off and closed, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the third electromagnetic valve SV3 are turned on and opened (see FIG. 11). And the liquid side closing valve 333, the 1st gas side closing valve 331, and the 2nd gas side closing valve 332 are made into an open state.

  When the compressor 311 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 30A, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 311 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 326 and the four-way switching valve 313 to the first BL connection point BC1. It reaches. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the first BL connection point BC1 is a path toward the indoor heat exchanger 371 via the first gas side closing valve 331, the second switching mechanism OC2, and the second BL connection point BC2. The third path and the fourth path, which is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 312, are distributed.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant, and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant, which is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid-side closing valve 333 after being decompressed.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1 merge at the first HL connection point HC1. After that, it is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 341 via the modulator 343, and is stored in the heat storage heat exchanger 341 by the heat storage material that accumulates the heat. It is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 325 via the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the GL connection point GC, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 332, and the four-way switching valve 313, and again. Then, it is sucked into the compressor 311.

The heating / defrost operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).
[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment, gas refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) discharged from the compressor 311 in the heating and heat storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3A, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the outdoor heat exchanger 312 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, in this air conditioner 3A, the heating / heat storage operation and the heating / defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 join in the heating and heat storage operation, and the outdoor heat exchanger 312 is combined. And is sucked into the compressor 311. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 join together and are sucked into the compressor 311 through the heat storage heat exchanger 341. For this reason, in this air conditioner 3A, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 341 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 371 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 312 can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 341. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 3A, the configuration of the refrigerant circuit 30A can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 30A includes a four-way switching valve 313 and a first electromagnetic valve SV1. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3A, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature heat storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 30A can be switched to the cooling operation by the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and has the second electromagnetic valve SV2. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3A, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 30A so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 312 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 3A, in the heating and defrost operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and the condensation pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 371. Therefore, in this air conditioner 3A, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 371 in the heating and defrosting operation.

[Modification]
(A)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 30a of the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment is replaced with a bidirectional solenoid valve as shown in the modification (A) of the first embodiment. It doesn't matter.

(B)
As shown in the modification (B) of the first embodiment, the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 30a of the air conditioner 3A according to the fourth embodiment It may be replaced with a switching valve and a capillary tube.
<Fifth Embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
FIG. 12 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 40 of the air conditioner 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  This air conditioner 4 is an air conditioner that can perform not only cooling operation and heating operation, but also ice storage operation, cooling operation using ice storage, defrost operation, heating and heat storage operation, and heating and defrost operation (air temperature in winter, etc.) Air conditioner for cold districts where the freezing point is below freezing point), and includes a refrigerant circuit 40 including a main refrigerant circuit 4a, a bypass line 4b, a heat storage line 4c, a utilization line 4d, and a degassing line 4e. Yes.

The main refrigerant circuit 4a mainly includes a compressor 411, a four-way switching valve 413, an outdoor heat exchanger 412, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, an indoor heat exchanger 471, and a first opening / closing mechanism OC1. As shown in FIG. 12, each device is connected via a refrigerant pipe.
The bypass line 4b has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the four-way switching valve 413 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and the other end connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 4a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 471. Hereinafter, the connection point between the bypass line 4b and the first outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a first BL connection point BC1, and the connection point between the bypass line 4b and the indoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second BL connection point BC2. The bypass line 4b is provided with a second opening / closing mechanism OC2.

  One end of the heat storage line 4c is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor refrigerant liquid pipe) connecting the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, and the other end is connected to the first opening / closing mechanism OC1. The main refrigerant circuit 4a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a second outdoor side refrigerant gas pipe) connecting the switching valve 413. Hereinafter, a connection point between the heat storage line 4c and the indoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and a connection point between the heat storage line 4c and the second outdoor refrigerant gas pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 4c is provided with a third opening / closing mechanism OC3, a heat storage heat exchanger 441, a modulator 443, and a second electric expansion valve EV2, and each device is connected from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point. It is connected to the HC1 through the refrigerant pipe in the above order.

  One end of the utilization line 4d is a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe) that connects the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, and the other end exchanges heat with the third opening / closing mechanism OC3. The main refrigerant circuit 4a and the heat storage line 4c are connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first gas pipe side bypass pipe) that connects the container 441. Hereinafter, a connection point between the use line 4d and the outdoor refrigerant liquid pipe is referred to as a first IL connection point IC1, and a connection point between the use line 4d and the first gas pipe side bypass pipe is referred to as a second IL connection point IC2. A fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 is provided in the use line 4d.

  The degassing line 4e has one end connected to the upper portion of the modulator 443 and the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a second gas pipe side bypass pipe) connecting the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 and the second HL connection point HC2. Thus, the main refrigerant circuit 4a and the heat storage line 4c are connected. Hereinafter, a connection point between the gas vent line 4e and the second gas pipe side bypass pipe is referred to as a GL connection point GC. A capillary tube 464 is provided in the gas vent line 4e.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 4 is a separation-type air conditioning apparatus, and includes an indoor unit 47 mainly including an indoor heat exchanger 471, a refrigerant gas pipe 481, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 482; Heat exchanger 441, heat storage water tank 442, second electric expansion valve EV2, modulator 443, capillary tube 464, first opening / closing mechanism OC1, second opening / closing mechanism OC2, third opening / closing mechanism OC3, fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, fifth opening / closing An ice heat storage unit 44 mainly including a mechanism OC5, a first refrigerant gas pipe 451, a second refrigerant gas pipe 453, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 452, a compressor 411, a four-way switching valve 413, an outdoor heat exchanger 412, and a first An outdoor unit 41 mainly including an electric expansion valve EV1, a first refrigerant gas pipe 421, a second refrigerant gas pipe 423, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 422; The first refrigerant communication pipe 487 connecting the refrigerant liquid pipe 482 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 452 of the ice heat storage unit 44, and the refrigerant gas pipe 481 of the indoor unit 47 and the refrigerant gas pipe 451 of the ice heat storage unit 44 are connected. Two refrigerant communication pipes 486, a third refrigerant communication pipe 437 connecting the refrigerant liquid pipe 452 of the ice heat storage unit 44 and the refrigerant liquid pipe 422 of the outdoor unit 41, and the first refrigerant gas pipe 451 of the ice heat storage unit 44 and the outdoor. A fourth refrigerant connecting pipe 436 connecting the first refrigerant gas pipe 421 of the unit 41, a second refrigerant gas pipe 453 of the ice heat storage unit 44, and a second refrigerant gas pipe 423 of the outdoor unit 41 are connected. It can be said that the communication pipe 435 is configured. The refrigerant liquid pipe 422 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 437 of the outdoor unit 41 are connected to the first refrigerant gas pipe 421 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 436 of the outdoor unit 41 via the liquid side shut-off valve 433 of the outdoor unit 41. The second refrigerant gas pipe 423 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 435 of the outdoor unit 41 are connected via the first gas side stop valve 431 of the outdoor unit 41, respectively. It is connected.

In addition, when the air conditioning apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the first BL connection point BC1 belongs to the outdoor unit 41, and the second BL connection point BC2, the first HL connection point HC1, and the second HL connection point. The HC 2, the first IL connection point IC 1, the second IL connection point IC 2, and the GL connection point GC belong to the ice heat storage unit 44.
(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 47 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 471, an indoor fan (not shown), a refrigerant gas pipe 481, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 482.

The indoor heat exchanger 471 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.
The indoor fan is a fan for taking in the air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 47 and sending out conditioned air, which is the air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 471, to the air-conditioned room again.

  By adopting such a configuration, the indoor unit 47 heats the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 471 during cooling operation and cooling operation using ice heat storage. The conditioned air (cold air) is generated by the exchange, and the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 471 at the time of heating operation, heating / heat storage operation, and heating / defrost operation It is possible to generate conditioned air (warm air) by heat exchange.

(2) Ice heat storage unit The ice heat storage unit 44 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 441, a heat storage water tank 442, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a modulator 443, a capillary tube 464, a first opening / closing mechanism OC1, and a second opening / closing mechanism. OC2, a third opening / closing mechanism OC3, a fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, a first refrigerant gas pipe 451, a second refrigerant gas pipe 453, and a refrigerant liquid pipe 452.

The heat storage heat exchanger 441 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage water stored in the heat storage water tank 442 and the refrigerant.
The modulator 443 is a device for storing surplus refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 40 is filled with refrigerant so that liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 during heating and defrosting operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations. It is the duty of this modulator 443 to store this excess refrigerant.

  The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 has a first electromagnetic valve SV1 and a first check valve 461 that can be opened and closed. In the first opening / closing mechanism OC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the first check valve 461 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The first check valve 461 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the second gas side shut-off valve 432 to the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 41, 44, 47 are connected. ing.

  The second opening / closing mechanism OC2 includes a second electromagnetic valve SV2 and a second check valve 462 that can be opened and closed. In the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 and the second check valve 462 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 is disposed on the first BL connection point BC1 side, and the second check valve 462 is disposed on the second BL connection point BC2 side. The second check valve 462 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first gas side shut-off valve 431 toward the second BL connection point BC2 in a state where the units 41, 44, 47 are connected. ing.

The third opening / closing mechanism OC3 includes a third electromagnetic valve SV3 and a third check valve 463 that can be opened and closed. In the third opening / closing mechanism OC3, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 and the third check valve 463 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The third check valve 463 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the GL connection point GC toward the heat storage heat exchanger 441.
The fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 has a fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 and a fourth check valve 464 that can be opened and closed. In the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 and the fourth check valve 464 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 is disposed on the first IL connection point IC1 side, and the fourth check valve 464 is disposed on the second IL connection point IC2 side. The fourth check valve 464 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first IL connection point IC1 to the second IL connection point IC2.

The fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 includes a fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 and a fifth check valve 465 that can be opened and closed. In the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 and the fifth check valve 465 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The fifth check valve 465 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first HL connection point HC1 toward the first IL connection point IC1.
By adopting such a configuration, the ice heat storage unit 44 accumulates the cold heat of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 441 during the ice heat storage operation in the heat storage water, and heat storage heat during the ice heat storage operation. The cold state is supplied to the gaseous or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the exchanger 441 to condense the gaseous or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and the heat storage heat exchanger 441 is used during the heating and thermal storage operation. The heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage is accumulated in the heat storage water, and the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by supplying the heat stored in the heat storage water to the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 441 during heating and defrost operation. Is possible. This water for heat storage accumulates the cold heat supplied from the liquid refrigerant as a latent heat by phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase during the ice heat storage operation, and the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant during the heating and heat storage operation. Accumulate as sensible heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 41 mainly includes a four-way switching valve 413, a compressor 411, an outdoor heat exchanger 412, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a first refrigerant gas pipe 421, a second refrigerant gas pipe 423, And a refrigerant liquid pipe 422.
The compressor 411 is a device for sucking and compressing low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 425 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 426. In the present embodiment, the compressor 411 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 413 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation, and during cooling operation, ice heat storage operation, ice heat storage cooling operation, defrost operation, and heating and defrosting During operation, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 are connected, and the suction pipe 425 of the compressor 411 and the second gas side shut-off valve 432 are connected, so that the heating operation and the heating / heating temperature are performed. During the heat storage operation, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 and the second gas side shut-off valve 432 can be connected, and the suction pipe 425 of the compressor 411 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 can be connected.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 412 can condense high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 411 using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source during cooling operation, ice storage operation, and cooling operation using ice storage. Yes, it is possible to evaporate the liquid refrigerant that returns from the indoor heat exchanger 471 during the heating operation, and the liquid refrigerant that returns from the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the heat storage heat exchanger 441 during the heating and heat storage operation.

[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation | movement operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 4 is demonstrated using FIG. 12 and FIG. As described above, the air conditioner 4 can perform a cooling operation, an ice heat storage operation, an ice heat storage cooling operation, a heating operation, a heating / heat storage operation, a defrost operation, and a heating / defrost operation.

(1) Cooling operation During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, that is, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and compressed. The suction pipe 425 of the machine 411 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 432 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is superheated (hereinafter referred to as SH control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully opened. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 471 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 471. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on and opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off and closed (FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then the indoor heat exchanger via the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. 471 is supplied to cool indoor air and evaporate to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant is again sucked into the compressor 411 via the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 432, and the four-way switching valve 413. The In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(2) Ice heat storage operation During the ice heat storage operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12, that is, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412; Then, the suction pipe 425 of the compressor 411 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 432 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully opened, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the second IL connection point IC side of the heat storage heat exchanger 441 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the refrigerant temperature on the modulator 443 side of 441 is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off to be closed, and the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on to be opened. (See FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, and the first BL connection point BC1. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to become a liquid refrigerant.
The liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the first electric expansion valve EV1, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. . The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is decompressed and then supplied to the heat storage heat exchanger 441 via the modulator 443 to cool the heat storage water and evaporate to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase, and the cold supplied from the liquid refrigerant accumulates mainly as latent heat.

Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the second IL connection point IC2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 432, and the four-way switching valve 413 again to the compressor 411. Inhaled. In this way, the ice heat storage operation is performed.
(3) Cooling operation using ice heat storage During cooling operation using ice heat storage, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The suction pipe 425 of the compressor 411 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 432 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully opened, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled, the opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 471 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 471. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned off to be closed ( (See FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, and the first BL connection point BC1. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to become a liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.
The liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is used for heat storage via the first electric expansion valve EV1, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, and the second IL connection point IC2. It becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant by the cold heat sent to the heat exchanger 441 and accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 441.

Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the modulator 443. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 471 via the first HL connection point HC1 to cool the indoor air and evaporate to become a gas refrigerant.
Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side shut-off valve 432, and the four-way switching valve 413 again to the compressor 411. Inhaled. In this way, the cooling operation using ice heat storage is performed.

(4) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 12, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 411 is connected to the second gas side shut-off valve 432, and the compressor 411 The suction side is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1, the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, the fourth solenoid valve SV4, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

  When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, the second gas side shut-off valve 432, 2HL connection point HC2, first check valve 461, and second BL connection point BC2 are supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 471. In the indoor heat exchanger 471, the indoor air is heated and condensed to be liquid refrigerant. Become. The liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the first HL connection point HC1, the fifth check valve 465, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 433. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 425 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 413, and is again sucked into the compressor 411. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(5) Heating / temperature storage operation At the time of heating / temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. In addition, the suction side of the compressor 411 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1, the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, the fourth solenoid valve SV4, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned off and closed (see FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

  When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened. Via the second HL connection point HC2. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second HL connection point HC2 then passes through the first check valve 461 and the second BL connection point BC2 to the indoor heat exchanger 471, and the GC connection point. It is distributed to the second path, which is the path toward the heat storage heat exchanger 441 via the GC, the third check valve 463, and the second IL connection point IC2.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 471 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the second path heats the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 441 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as sensible heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the modulator 443. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 merged at the first HL connection point. After that, it is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the fifth check valve 465, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 433. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 to become a gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 425 via the first BL connection point BC1 and the four-way switching valve 413, and is again sucked into the compressor 411.

This heating / heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 4 is activated, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for temperature detection of the heat storage water provided in the heat storage water tank 442 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is designed to switch to heating operation.
(6) Defrost operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12, that is, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and is compressed. The suction pipe 425 of the machine 411 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 432 side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the second electric expansion valve EV2 are in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2, the third solenoid valve SV3, and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 are turned off to be closed ( (See FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 426, the four-way switching valve 413, and the first BL connection point BC1. The frost that is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and melts on the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 is condensed and becomes a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then the indoor heat exchanger via the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5, and the first HL connection point HC1. 471 is supplied, and the air around the indoor heat exchanger 471 is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.

Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the second BL connection point BC2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side shut-off valve 432, and the four-way switching valve 413 again to the compressor 411. Inhaled.
The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is intermittently performed between the heating operation and the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 471.

(7) Heating / Defrost Operation During heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 413 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12, that is, the discharge pipe 426 of the compressor 411 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 412. In addition, the suction pipe 425 of the compressor 411 is connected to the second gas side closing valve 432 side. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the second IL connection point IC2 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 441 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the refrigerant temperature on the modulator 443 side of 441 is adjusted to be a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 and the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 are turned off to be closed, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 are turned on to be opened ( (See FIG. 13). Then, the liquid side closing valve 433, the first gas side closing valve 431, and the second gas side closing valve 432 are opened.

  When the compressor 411 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 40, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 411 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 426 and the four-way switching valve 413 to the first BL connection point BC1. It reaches. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the first BL connection point BC1 is a path toward the indoor heat exchanger 471 via the first gas side closing valve 431, the second switching mechanism OC2, and the second BL connection point BC2. The third path and the fourth path that is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 412 are distributed.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 471 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant and reaches the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path melts the frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant, which is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 from the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid side closing valve 433, the first IL connection point IC1, and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5. The liquid refrigerant merges at the first HL connection point HC1, and then is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 441 via the modulator 443, and the heat storage water storing the heat in the heat storage heat exchanger 441 It is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant is sucked through the first IL connection point IC1, the third electromagnetic valve SV3, the GL connection point GC, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 432, and the four-way switching valve 413. It returns to the pipe 425 and is sucked into the compressor 411 again.

This heating and defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).
[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, gas refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) discharged from the compressor 411 in the heating / heat storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the heat storage heat exchanger 441. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the outdoor heat exchanger 412. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the heat storage heat exchanger 441 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the outdoor heat exchanger 412 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, the air conditioner 4 can perform the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, in the heating and heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 441 merge to form the outdoor heat exchanger 412. And is sucked into the compressor 411. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 join together and are sucked into the compressor 411 through the heat storage heat exchanger 441. Therefore, in the air conditioner 4, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 441 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 412. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 471 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 412 can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 441. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 40 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 40 includes the four-way switching valve 413 and the first electromagnetic valve SV1. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioning apparatus 4 according to the fifth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 40 can be switched to the cooling operation by the first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2, and has the second electromagnetic valve SV2. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 40 so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 412 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, in the heating and defrost operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and the condensation pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 471. Therefore, in this air conditioner 4, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 471 in the heating and defrosting operation.

(6)
In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, since the ice heat storage unit 44 is adopted as the heat storage unit, an ice heat storage operation and an ice heat storage cooling operation can be performed. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 4, a power peak can be adjusted in an environment where cooling operation is required, such as in summer.

[Modification]
(A)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 4a of the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment is replaced with a bidirectional solenoid valve as shown in the modification (A) of the first embodiment. It doesn't matter. Similarly, the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 and the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 may be replaced with bidirectional solenoid valves.

(B)
The first opening / closing mechanism OC1 and the second opening / closing mechanism OC2 arranged in the main refrigerant circuit 4a of the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment are arranged in four ways as shown in the modification (B) of the first embodiment. It may be replaced with a switching valve and a capillary tube.
(C)
Even if an air conditioner 4A as shown in FIG. 14 is employed instead of the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, the same function and effect as those of the present invention can be obtained.

  In the air conditioner 4 according to the fifth embodiment, the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 is disposed between the first HL connection point HC1 and the first IL connection point IC1 in the main refrigerant circuit 4a constituting the refrigerant circuit 40, and the refrigerant circuit 40 The fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 is arranged in the use line 4d constituting the. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 4A according to this modification, the four-way switching valve 444 and the capillary tube 445 are disposed at the connection point between the main refrigerant circuit 4Aa and the use line 4d. The four-way switching valve 444 and the capillary tube 445 belong to the ice heat storage unit 44A. Further, in the refrigerant circuit 40A, the four-way switching valve 444 is shown by a solid line in FIG. In the cooling state using ice heat storage, the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 14 is set.

<Sixth Embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
FIG. 15 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 50 of the air-conditioning apparatus 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
This air conditioner 5 is not only a cooling operation and a heating operation, but also an ice heat storage operation, a first ice heat storage cooling operation (power peak cut operation), a second ice heat storage cooling operation (power peak shift operation), and a heat storage operation. , An air conditioner that can also perform heating operation using heat storage, heating and heat storage operation, defrost operation, and heating and defrost operation (air conditioner for cold regions where the temperature is below freezing in winter), A refrigerant circuit 50 including a main refrigerant circuit 5a, a heat storage line 5b, a use line 5c, and a communication line 5d is provided.

The main refrigerant circuit 5a includes a switching circuit 50a, an outdoor gas side refrigerant line 50b, an outdoor heat exchanger 512, a liquid side refrigerant line 50c, an indoor heat exchanger 571, a low pressure gas side refrigerant line 50d, and a high pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e. It is composed of
The switching circuit 50a is mainly provided with a compressor 511, a four-way switching valve 513, a capillary tube 538, and a gas-liquid separator 514, and each device has a refrigerant pipe as shown in FIG. Connected through. That is, the discharge side of the compressor 511 and the first port of the four-way switching valve 513 are connected, the third port of the four-way switching valve 513 and the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 514 are connected, and the gas-liquid separator 514 is connected. Are connected to the suction side of the compressor 511, and the fourth port of the four-way switching valve 513 is connected to one end of the capillary tube 538. The other end of the capillary tube 538 is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a first low-pressure gas-side refrigerant pipe) connecting the third port of the four-way switching valve 513 and the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 514. . Hereinafter, a connection point between the other end of the capillary tube 538 and the first low-pressure gas refrigerant pipe is referred to as a CL connection point CC.

The outdoor gas side refrigerant line 50 b connects the second port of the four-way switching valve 513 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512.
One end of the liquid side refrigerant line 50 c is connected to the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512, and the other end is connected to the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 571. The liquid side refrigerant line 50c is provided with a sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6 and a first electric expansion valve EV1, and each device is connected to the refrigerant pipe from the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to the indoor heat exchanger 571 in the order described above. Connected through.

  The low-pressure gas-side refrigerant line 50d has one end connected to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the other end connected to the CL connection point CC and the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 514 (hereinafter referred to as the second low-pressure gas-side refrigerant). Connected to the pipe). Hereinafter, a connection point between the low-pressure refrigerant line 50c and the second low-pressure gas side refrigerant pipe is referred to as an LPL connection point LPC. A first electromagnetic valve SV1 'is provided in the low-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50d.

  One end of the high-pressure gas-side refrigerant line 50e is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor-side low-pressure gas-side refrigerant main pipe) that connects the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, and the other end is a compressor. 511 and a refrigerant pipe connecting the first port of the four-way selector valve 513 (hereinafter referred to as a high pressure gas side refrigerant pipe). Hereinafter, a connection point between the high pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e and the indoor low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe is referred to as a first HPL connection point HPC1, and a connection point between the high pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e and the high pressure gas side refrigerant pipe is referred to as a second HPL. It is called a connection point HPC2. The second electromagnetic valve SV2 'is provided in the high-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e.

  One end of the heat storage line 5b is connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an indoor side liquid side refrigerant main pipe) connecting the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6, and the other end is connected to the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′ by LPL. The main refrigerant circuit 5a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor low-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe) connecting the point LPC. Hereinafter, a connection point between the heat storage line 5b and the indoor liquid side refrigerant main pipe is referred to as a first HL connection point HC1, and a connection point between the heat storage line 5b and the outdoor low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe is referred to as a second HL connection point HC2. The heat storage line 5b is provided with a third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, a heat storage heat exchanger 541, and a second electric expansion valve EV2. Each device is moved from the second HL connection point HC2 to the first HL connection point HC1. It is connected through refrigerant piping in the above order.

  The usage line 5c has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor liquid side refrigerant main pipe) connecting the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6, and the other end connected to the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′. The main refrigerant circuit 5a is connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor high-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe) connecting the second HPL connection point HPC2. Hereinafter, a connection point between the use line 5c and the outdoor liquid side refrigerant main pipe is referred to as a first IL connection point IC1, and a connection point between the use line 5c and the outdoor high pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe is referred to as a second IL connection point IC2. The utilization line 5c is provided with a fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′ and a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, and each device has a refrigerant pipe arranged in the above order from the second IL connection point IC2 toward the first IL connection point IC1. Connected through.

  The communication line 5d has one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe side bypass pipe) connecting the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′ and the heat storage heat exchanger 541, and the other end connected to a fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′. The heat storage line 5b and the utilization line 5c are connected by pipe connection to a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter referred to as a high pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe side bypass pipe) connecting the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5. Hereinafter, a connection point between the communication line 5d and the low-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe bypass pipe is referred to as a first NL connection point NC1, and a connection point between the communication line 5d and the high-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe-side bypass pipe is referred to as a second NL connection point. It is called NC2.

  In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 5 is a separation-type air conditioner, and includes an indoor heat exchanger 571, a first electric expansion valve EV1, a low-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 581, and a liquid side refrigerant main pipe 582. The indoor unit 57, the heat storage heat exchanger 541, the heat storage water tank 542, the second electric expansion valve EV2, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the fourth electromagnetic An ice heat storage unit 54 mainly including a valve SV4 ′, a fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, a sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6, a low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 551, a high pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 553, and a liquid side refrigerant main pipe 552; Mainly includes a four-way switching valve 513, an outdoor heat exchanger 512, a gas-liquid separator 514, a capillary tube 538, a low-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 521, a high-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 523, and a liquid-side refrigerant main pipe 522. The outdoor unit 51, the first refrigerant communication pipe 587 connecting the liquid side refrigerant main pipe 582 of the indoor unit 57 and the liquid side refrigerant main pipe 552 of the ice heat storage unit 54, the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 581 of the indoor unit 57 and the ice. A second refrigerant communication pipe 586 connecting the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 551 of the heat storage unit 54, and a third refrigerant communication connecting the liquid side refrigerant main pipe 552 of the ice heat storage unit 54 and the liquid side refrigerant main pipe 522 of the outdoor unit 51. A pipe 537, a fourth refrigerant communication pipe 536 connecting the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 551 of the ice heat storage unit 54 and the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 521 of the outdoor unit 51, and a high pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 553 of the ice heat storage unit 54 It can be said that it is comprised from the 5th refrigerant | coolant communication piping 535 which connects the high pressure gas side refrigerant | coolant main pipe 523 of the outdoor unit 51. FIG. The liquid side refrigerant main pipe 522 and the third refrigerant communication pipe 537 of the outdoor unit 51 are connected to the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 521 and the fourth refrigerant communication pipe 536 of the outdoor unit 51 via the liquid side shut-off valve 533. Through the second gas side shut-off valve 532 of the outdoor unit 51, and the high-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 523 and the fifth refrigerant communication pipe 535 of the outdoor unit 51 through the first gas side shut-off valve 531 of the outdoor unit 51. Each is connected.

  When the air conditioner 5 according to the present embodiment is viewed in units as described above, the CL connection point CC, the LPL connection point LPC, and the second HPL connection point HPC2 belong to the outdoor unit 51, and the first HPL connection point HPC1. The first HL connection point HC1, the second HL connection point HC2, the first IL connection point IC1, the second IL connection point IC2, the first NL connection point NC1, and the second NL connection point NC2 belong to the ice heat storage unit 54.

(1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 57 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 571, an indoor fan (not shown), a first electric expansion valve EV1, a low-pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 581, and a liquid side refrigerant main pipe 582. ing.
The indoor heat exchanger 571 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between indoor air that is air in the air-conditioned room and the refrigerant.

The indoor fan is a fan for taking in air in the air-conditioned room into the unit 57 and sending out conditioned air, which is air after heat exchange with the refrigerant via the indoor heat exchanger 571, to the air-conditioned room again.
And this indoor unit 57 employ | adopts such a structure, at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation, at the time of 1st ice heat storage utilization cooling operation (electric power peak cut operation), and 2nd ice heat storage utilization air_conditioning | cooling operation (electric power peak shift operation) ) Occasionally, the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the liquid refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 571 are heat-exchanged to generate conditioned air (cold air). During heating operation, heating / heat storage operation, use of heat storage It is possible to generate conditioned air (warm air) by exchanging heat between the indoor air taken in by the indoor fan and the gas refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 571 during the heating operation and the heating / defrost operation. .

(2) Ice heat storage unit The ice heat storage unit 54 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 541, a heat storage water tank 542, a second electric expansion valve EV2, a first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, a second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, and a third electromagnetic. The valve SV3 ′, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′, the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6, the low pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 551, the high pressure gas side refrigerant main pipe 553, and the liquid side refrigerant main pipe 552 are provided.

The heat storage heat exchanger 541 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat storage water stored in the heat storage water tank 542 and the refrigerant.
The fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 includes a fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 ′ and a fifth check valve 565 that can be opened and closed. In the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 ′ and the fifth check valve 565 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′ is disposed on the first IL connection point IC1 side, and the fifth check valve 565 is disposed on the second NL connection point NC2 side. The fifth check valve 565 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first IL connection point IC1 toward the second NL connection point NC2.

  The sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6 includes a sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 'and a sixth check valve 566 that can be opened and closed. In the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6, the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 'and the sixth check valve 566 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The sixth check valve 566 is attached so as to allow only the flow of the refrigerant from the first HL connection point HC1 toward the first IL connection point IC1.

  By adopting such a configuration, the ice heat storage unit 54 accumulates the cold heat of the liquid refrigerant flowing in the heat storage heat exchanger 541 in the heat storage water during the ice heat storage operation, and the first ice heat storage cooling operation ( In the electric power peak cut operation) and in the second ice heat storage cooling operation (electric power peak shift operation), the gaseous state is obtained by supplying the cold heat to the gaseous or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 541. Alternatively, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state is condensed, and the heat of the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 441 is accumulated in the heat storage water during the heat storage operation and the heating / heat storage operation, and during the heat storage heating operation. During heating and defrosting operation, the liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat storage heat exchanger 541 can be evaporated by supplying the heat stored in the heat storage water to the liquid refrigerant. It has become. In addition, this water for heat storage accumulates cold energy supplied from the liquid refrigerant as the latent heat by phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase during the ice heat storage operation, and from the gas refrigerant during the heat storage operation and the heating / heat storage operation. The supplied heat is stored as sensible heat.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 51 mainly includes a four-way switching valve 513, a compressor 511, an outdoor heat exchanger 512, a gas-liquid separator 514, a capillary tube 538, a low-pressure gas-side refrigerant main tube 521, and a high-pressure gas-side refrigerant. It has a main pipe 523 and a liquid side refrigerant main pipe 522.
The compressor 511 is a device for sucking and compressing low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 525 and then discharging it to the discharge pipe 526. In the present embodiment, the compressor 511 is a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type.

  The four-way switching valve 513 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant corresponding to each operation. At the time of the cooling operation, the ice storage operation, the first ice storage use cooling operation (power peak cut operation), During the cooling operation using the second ice heat storage (power peak shift operation), the defrost operation, and the heating and defrost operation, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 are connected, and during the heating operation, It is possible to connect the suction pipe 525 of the compressor 511 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 at the time of the heat storage operation, the heating operation using the heat storage heat, and the heating / heat storage operation.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 512 is a compressor during cooling operation, during ice storage operation, during cooling operation using the first ice storage heat (power peak cut operation), and during cooling operation using the second ice storage heat (power peak shift operation). The high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from 511 can be condensed using air outside the air-conditioning room as a heat source. The liquid refrigerant returning from the indoor heat exchanger 571 during the heating operation is transferred from the heat storage heat exchanger 541 during the heat storage operation. It is possible to evaporate the returning liquid refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the heat storage heat exchanger 541 during the heating and temperature storage operation.

[Operation of air conditioner]
The operation | movement operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 5 is demonstrated using FIG. 15 and FIG. As described above, the air conditioner 5 includes the cooling operation, the ice storage operation, the first ice storage use cooling operation (power peak cut operation), the second ice storage use cooling operation (power peak shift operation), the heating operation, and the temperature. It is possible to perform a heat storage use heating operation, a heating / heat storage operation, a defrost operation, and a heating / defrost operation.

(1) Cooling operation During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 15, that is, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. . The first electric expansion valve EV1 is undercooled (hereinafter referred to as SC control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the temperature of the refrigerant on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, and the fifth solenoid valve are opened. The valve SV5 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC2, and the four-way switching valve 513. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′, and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 571, cools the indoor air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant passes through the first HPL connection point HPC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It is sucked into the compressor 511. In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(2) Ice heat storage operation At the time of ice heat storage operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 15, that is, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. It becomes. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully closed, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled, the opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, and the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′ are turned on to be in the open state, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′, and the fifth The electromagnetic valve SV5 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC2, and the four-way switching valve 513. Is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 via the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′, and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is supplied to the heat storage heat exchanger 541 after being depressurized, and cools the heat storage water and is evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase, and the cold supplied from the liquid refrigerant accumulates mainly as latent heat.

The gas refrigerant passes through the first NL connection point NC1, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It is sucked into the compressor 511 again. In this way, the ice heat storage operation is performed.
(3) 1st ice heat storage cooling operation (power peak cut operation)
During the cooling operation using the first ice heat storage, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 15, that is, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. . The first electric expansion valve EV1 is subjected to high pressure control (hereinafter referred to as HP control), and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully opened. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is HP-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is adjusted so that the discharge pressure of the compressor 511 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, and the fifth solenoid valve are opened. The valve SV5 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then reaches the second HPL connection point HPC 2 via the discharge pipe 526. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second HPL connection point HPC2 then passes through the first gas-side closing valve 531, the second IL connection point IC2, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′, the second NL connection point NC2, and the first NL connection point NC1. Then, it is distributed to a first path that is a path toward the heat storage heat exchanger 541 and a second path that is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 512 via the four-way switching valve 513.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the first path is condensed by the cold heat accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 541 and becomes a liquid refrigerant. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2.
The gas refrigerant distributed to the second path is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and passes through the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, and the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6. As a result, the first HL connection point HC1 is reached.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2, and the first HL connection point via the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, and the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6. The liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has reached HC1 merges at the first HL connection point HC1, and then is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 571, cools the indoor air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant.

The gas refrigerant passes through the first HPL connection point HPC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It is sucked into the compressor 511 again. In this way, the first ice heat storage utilization cooling operation is performed.
(4) Second ice heat storage cooling operation (power peak shift operation)
During the cooling operation using the second ice heat storage, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 15, that is, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. . Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully opened. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the first NL connection point NC1 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 541 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the refrigerant temperature on the first electric expansion valve EV1 side of 541 is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′ and the fifth electromagnetic valve SV5 ′ are turned on to be opened, and the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′, and the sixth electromagnetic valve. SV6 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC2, and the four-way switching valve 513. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 412 and condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.
The liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the liquid-side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, the fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5, the second NL connection point NC2, and the first NL connection point NC1 to store heat. It becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant by the cold heat sent to the exchanger 541 and accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 541.

Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 and the first HL connection point HC1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 571, cools the indoor air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant.
The gas refrigerant passes through the first HPL connection point HPC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It is sucked into the compressor 511 again. In this way, the second ice heat storage utilization cooling operation is performed.

(5) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. Connected. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 571 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 571. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned off to be closed, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′ and the third solenoid valve are closed. SV3 ′ is turned on and opened (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC 2, the first gas side closing valve 531, 2IL connection point IC2, second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, and first HPL connection point HPC1, and then supplied to indoor heat exchanger 571. In indoor heat exchanger 571, the indoor air is heated and condensed to be liquid refrigerant. Become.

  Then, this liquid refrigerant is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then exchanges outdoor heat via the first HL connection point HC1, the sixth check valve 566, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 533. Sent to the vessel 512 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 525 via the four-way switching valve 513, the CL connection point CC, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, and is again sucked into the compressor 511. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(6) Thermal storage operation During the thermal storage operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. It is in the state connected to the side. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully closed, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SC-controlled, the valve opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the first NL connection point NC1 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 541 to the heat storage heat exchanger. The difference obtained by subtracting the refrigerant temperature on the second electric expansion valve EV2 side of 541 is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′ and the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′ are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve. SV6 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC 2, the first gas side closing valve 531, 2IL connection point IC2, fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, second NL connection point NC2, and first NL connection point NC1 are supplied to the heat storage heat exchanger 541 and heat storage water is heated in the heat storage heat exchanger 541. At the same time, it is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then exchanges outdoor heat via the first HL connection point HC1, the sixth check valve 566, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side closing valve 533. Sent to the vessel 512 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 525 through the four-way switching valve 513, the CL connection point CC, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, and is again sucked into the compressor 511. In this way, the heat storage operation is performed.

(7) Heating / temperature storage operation At the time of heating / temperature storage operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. It is in a state connected to the gas side of the vessel 512. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is in a state of maintaining a predetermined opening degree. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 571 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 571. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned off to be closed, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′ and the fourth solenoid valve are closed. SV4 ′ is turned on and opened (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is activated in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC 2, and the first gas side closing valve 531 are opened. Via the second IL connection point IC2. The gas refrigerant that has reached the second IL connection point IC2 then passes through the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′ and the first HPL connection point HPC1, the third path that is the path toward the indoor heat exchanger 571, and the fourth electromagnetic wave. It is distributed to the fourth path, which is a path toward the heat storage heat exchanger 541 via the valve 564, the second NL connection point NC2, and the first NL connection point NC1.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the third path heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 571 and condenses to become liquid refrigerant, and is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the fourth path heats the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 541 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water accumulates the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as sensible heat. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

  The liquid refrigerant sent to the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1 and the liquid refrigerant sent to the first HL connection point HC1 via the second electric expansion valve EV2 are: After merging at the 1HL connection point, the gas is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 512 via the sixth check valve 566, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid side shut-off valve 433, and is evaporated and gas in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 Becomes a refrigerant. The gas refrigerant returns to the suction pipe 525 through the four-way switching valve 513, the CL connection point CC, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, and is again sucked into the compressor 511.

This heating / heat storage operation is mainly performed when the air conditioner 5 is started, and automatically when the value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat storage water provided in the heat storage water tank 542 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is designed to switch to heating operation.
(8) Heat storage use heating operation During the heat storage use heating operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 15, that is, the intake side of the compressor 511 is in the outdoor heat exchange via the gas-liquid separator 514. It is in a state connected to the gas side of the vessel 512. The first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC-controlled, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is SH-controlled. When the first electric expansion valve EV1 is SC controlled, the valve opening degree of the first electric expansion valve EV1 is changed from the refrigerant temperature on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 571 to the refrigerant on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 571. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature is adjusted to be a constant negative value (for example, −5 ° C.). Further, when the second electric expansion valve EV2 is subjected to superheat degree control (hereinafter referred to as SH control), the opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is the refrigerant on the first NL connection point NC1 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 541. The difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the refrigerant on the first electric expansion valve EV1 side of the heat storage heat exchanger 541 is adjusted to a constant positive value (for example, + 5 ° C.). Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned off to be closed, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′ and the third solenoid valve are closed. SV3 ′ is turned on and opened (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC 2, the first gas side closing valve 531, 2IL connection point IC2, second electromagnetic valve SV2 ', and first HPL connection point HPC1 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 571, indoor air is heated and condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 571 to become a liquid refrigerant, It is sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is depressurized and then sent to the first HL connection point HC1.

Then, the liquid refrigerant that has reached the first HL connection point HC1 is a path that is then directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 512 via the sixth check valve 566, the first IL connection point IC1, and the liquid-side closing valve 533. The distribution is divided into five paths and a sixth path that is a path toward the second electric expansion valve EV2.
The liquid refrigerant distributed to the fifth path is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 to become a gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant reaches the LPL connection point LPC via the four-way switching valve 513 and the CL connection point CC.

On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant distributed to the sixth path is depressurized by the second electric expansion valve EV2 and then sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 541, and is evaporated by the heat accumulated in the heat storage water to become a gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant reaches the LPL connection point LPC via the first NL connection point NC1, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, and the second gas side closing valve 532.
Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the LPL connection point LPC via the four-way switching valve 513 and the CL connection point CC, the first NL connection point NC1, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, and the second gas. The gas refrigerant that has reached the LPL connection point LPC via the side shut-off valve 532 joins at the LPL connection point LPC, then returns to the suction pipe 525 via the gas-liquid separator 514, and again becomes the compressor 511. Inhaled. In this way, heating operation using heat storage heat is performed.

(9) Defrost Operation During the defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 15, that is, the discharge pipe 526 of the compressor 511 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 512. . Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is maintained in a predetermined opening degree, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is fully closed. In addition, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve SV6 ′ are turned on to be opened, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, and the fifth solenoid valve are opened. The valve SV5 ′ is turned off and closed (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then passes through the discharge pipe 526, the second HPL connection point HPC 1, and the four-way switching valve 513. The frost that is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and melts on the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 is condensed and becomes a liquid refrigerant.
Then, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 passes through the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′, and the first HL connection point HC1, and thus the first electric expansion valve EV1. Sent to. The liquid refrigerant sent to the first electric expansion valve EV1 is decompressed and then supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 571. The air around the indoor heat exchanger 571 is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the indoor fan is controlled not to be driven so as not to actively cool the air-conditioned room.

The gas refrigerant passes through the first HPL connection point HPC1, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It is sucked into the compressor 511 again.
The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is intermittently performed between the heating operation and the like so that frost does not adhere to the indoor heat exchanger 571.

(10) Heating / Defrost Operation During heating / defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 513 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. It becomes a state. Further, the first electric expansion valve EV1 is fully opened, and the second electric expansion valve EV2 is HP-controlled. When the second electric expansion valve EV2 is HP-controlled, the opening degree of the second electric expansion valve EV2 is adjusted so that the discharge pressure of the compressor 511 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Further, the first solenoid valve SV1 ′, the fourth solenoid valve SV4 ′, and the fifth solenoid valve SV5 ′ are turned off to be closed, and the second solenoid valve SV2 ′, the third solenoid valve SV3 ′, and the sixth solenoid valve are closed. The valve SV6 ′ is turned on and opened (see FIG. 16). Then, the liquid side closing valve 533, the first gas side closing valve 531 and the second gas side closing valve 532 are opened.

  When the compressor 511 is started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 50, the gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 511 and compressed, and then reaches the second HPL connection point HPC 2 via the discharge pipe 526. Then, the gas refrigerant that has reached the second HPL connection point HPC2 is then subjected to indoor heat exchange via the first gas side closing valve 531, the second IL connection point IC2, the second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′, and the first HPL connection point HPC1. Distribution to a seventh path that is a path toward the vessel 571 and an eighth path that is a path toward the outdoor heat exchanger 512 via the four-way switching valve 513.

The gas refrigerant distributed to the seventh path heats indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 571 and is condensed to become liquid refrigerant, and reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1.
On the other hand, the gas refrigerant distributed to the eighth path melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, and the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′.

  Then, the liquid refrigerant that reaches the first HL connection point HC1 via the first electric expansion valve EV1, and the first HL connection via the liquid side closing valve 533, the first IL connection point IC1, and the sixth electromagnetic valve SV6 ′. The liquid refrigerant that reaches the point HC1 merges at the first HL connection point HC1, and then is sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2. The liquid refrigerant sent to the second electric expansion valve EV2 is depressurized and then sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 541, where it is evaporated by the heat storage water that accumulates the heat in the heat storage heat exchanger 541, and the gas refrigerant and Become. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant passes through the first NL connection point NC1, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 ′, the second HL connection point HC2, the second gas side closing valve 532, the LPL connection point LPC, and the gas-liquid separator 514, It returns to the suction pipe 525 and is sucked into the compressor 511 again.

The refrigerant circuit 50 is filled with refrigerant so that liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 during heating and defrosting operation. For this reason, the refrigerant becomes surplus during other operations, but this surplus refrigerant is mainly stored in the gas-liquid separator 514.
The heating / defrost operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 and the outside air temperature. Moreover, this defrost operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 511 (hereinafter referred to as discharged refrigerant) in the heating / heat storage operation is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the heat storage heat exchanger 541. In the heating and defrosting operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the outdoor heat exchanger 512. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 5, it is suitable for the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the heat storage heat exchanger 541 in the heating and temperature storage operation, and in the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the outdoor heat exchanger 512 in the heating and defrost operation. Only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered in order to distribute a large amount of heat. Therefore, the air conditioner 5 can perform the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, in the heating and heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 541 merge to form the outdoor heat exchanger 512. And is sucked into the compressor 511. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 join together and are sucked into the compressor 511 through the heat storage heat exchanger 541. For this reason, in this air conditioner 5, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 541 in the heating and heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512. In the heating and defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 571 and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 512 can be collectively evaporated by the heat storage heat exchanger 541. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 5, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 50 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 50 includes a four-way switching valve 513 and a fourth electromagnetic valve SV4 ′. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 5, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / temperature storage operation and the heating / defrost operation.
(4)
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 50 can be switched to the cooling operation, and has a second electromagnetic valve SV2 ′. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 5, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heating / defrost operation and the cooling operation.

(5)
In the air conditioning apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment, the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant circuit 50 so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 512 in the heating and defrost operation. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 5, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the condensation temperature and pressure of the discharged refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger 571 in the heating and defrost operation. Therefore, in this air conditioner 5, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 571 in the heating and defrosting operation.

(6)
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, since the ice heat storage unit 54 is employed as the heat storage unit, the ice heat storage operation, the first ice heat storage use cooling operation (power peak cut operation), and the second ice heat storage use are used. Cooling operation (power peak shift operation) can be performed. For this reason, in this air conditioner 2, the power peak can be adjusted in an environment where cooling operation is required, such as in summer.

[Modification]
(A)
Even if an air conditioner 5A as shown in FIG. 17 is employed instead of the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as those of the present invention can be obtained.
In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, in the main refrigerant circuit 5a constituting the refrigerant circuit 50, the first electromagnetic valve SV1 ′ is arranged in the low-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50d, and the second electromagnetic valve is arranged in the high-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e. Valve SV2 'was arranged. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 5A according to this modification, the four-way switching valve 545 and the connection point between the low-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50d and the high-pressure gas side refrigerant line 50e constituting the main refrigerant circuit 5Aa of the refrigerant circuit 50A are provided. A capillary tube 546 is disposed. The four-way switching valve 545 and the capillary tube 546 belong to the ice heat storage unit 54A. Further, in this refrigerant circuit 50A, the four-way switching valve 545 is in a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 17 and in a state indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, the third electromagnetic valve SV3 'is arranged in the heat storage line 5b constituting the refrigerant circuit 50, and the fourth electromagnetic valve 4' is arranged in the utilization line 5c. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 5A according to this modification, the four-way switching valve 543 and the capillary tube 544 are disposed at the connection point between the heat storage line 5b and the utilization line 5c. The four-way switching valve 543 and the capillary tube 544 belong to the ice heat storage unit 54A. Further, in this refrigerant circuit 50A, the four-way switching valve 543 is brought into a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 17 during the first ice heat storage cooling operation, the heating / heat storage operation, and the heat storage operation. 17, during the ice storage operation, during the cooling operation using the second ice storage, during the heating operation, during the heating operation using the warm storage heat, during the defrost operation, and during the heating and defrost operation, the state shown by the broken line in FIG.

  In the air conditioner 5 according to the sixth embodiment, the sixth opening / closing mechanism OC6 is disposed between the first HL connection point HC1 and the first IL connection point IC1 in the main refrigerant circuit 5a constituting the refrigerant circuit 50, and the refrigerant The fifth opening / closing mechanism OC5 is arranged in the use line 5c constituting the circuit 50. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 5A according to this modification, the four-way switching valve 547 and the capillary tube 548 are arranged at the connection point between the main refrigerant circuit 5Aa and the use line 5c. The four-way switching valve 547 and the capillary tube 548 belong to the ice heat storage unit 54A. Further, in the refrigerant circuit 50A, the four-way switching valve 547 includes a cooling operation, an ice storage operation, a first ice storage use cooling operation, a heating operation, a warm storage use heating operation, a defrost operation, a heating / heating temperature. During the heat storage operation, the heating / defrost operation, and the heat storage operation, the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 17 is set, and during the second ice heat storage cooling operation, the state shown by the broken line in FIG.

<Seventh embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
FIG. 18 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 60 of the air conditioner 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The air conditioner 6 is an apparatus used for indoor air conditioning such as a building by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. In addition, the air conditioner 6 has a specification capable of performing a defrost operation for removing frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 612, and is in a cold region where the temperature is below freezing in winter. Suitable for installation.

  The air conditioner 6 mainly includes one outdoor unit 61, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c, a single heat storage unit 64, and each of the indoor units 67a and 67b. , 67c and connection unit 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d connected to heat storage unit 64, and outdoor unit 61, indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, and heat storage unit 64 via connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d. Refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, and 693 are provided. For example, the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c are configured such that a certain air-conditioned space performs a cooling operation while another air-conditioned space performs a heating operation. It is configured to enable simultaneous cooling and heating according to the requirements of the indoor air-conditioned space where theThat is, the vapor compression refrigerant circuit 60 of the air conditioner 6 of the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 61, indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, a heat storage unit 64, connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, The refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, and 693 are connected to each other.

(1) Indoor unit The indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c are installed by being embedded or suspended in an indoor ceiling of a building or the like, or mounted on a wall surface of an indoor wall. The indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c are connected to the outdoor unit 61 via the refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, and 693 and the connection units 69a, 69b, and 69c, and constitute a part of the refrigerant circuit 60.

Next, the configuration of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c will be described. Since the indoor unit 67a and the indoor units 67b and 67c have the same configuration, only the configuration of the indoor unit 67a will be described here, and the description of each part of the configuration of the indoor units 67b and 67c will be omitted.
The indoor unit 67a mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 60, and includes an indoor refrigerant circuit 68a (in the indoor units 67b and 67c, the indoor refrigerant circuits 68b and 68c, respectively). The indoor refrigerant circuit 68a mainly includes an indoor expansion valve EV1a and an indoor heat exchanger 671a. In the present embodiment, the indoor expansion valve EV1a is an electric expansion valve connected to the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 671a in order to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the indoor refrigerant circuit 68a. In the present embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 671a is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger of a cross fin type constituted by a heat transfer tube and a large number of fins, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air. Equipment. In this embodiment, the indoor unit 67a includes a blower fan (not shown) for supplying indoor air as supply air after sucking indoor air into the unit and exchanging heat. It is possible to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 671a.

  The indoor unit 67a is provided with various sensors. A liquid temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is provided on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 671a, and a gas for detecting the temperature of the gas refrigerant is provided on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 671a. A side temperature sensor (not shown) is provided. Further, the indoor unit 67a is provided with an RA intake temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of indoor air sucked into the unit. The indoor unit 67a includes an indoor side control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the indoor unit 67a. The indoor control unit includes a microcomputer and a memory provided to control the indoor unit 67a, and exchanges control signals and the like with a remote controller (not shown). Control signals and the like can be exchanged with the unit 61.

(2) Heat storage unit The heat storage unit 64 is installed indoors, such as a building. The heat storage unit 64 is connected to the outdoor unit 61 via the refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, 693 and the connection unit 69d, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 60.
Next, the configuration of the heat storage unit 64 will be described. The heat storage unit 64 mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 60 and includes a heat storage refrigerant circuit 65. The heat storage refrigerant circuit 65 mainly includes a heat storage heat exchanger 641 and a heat storage expansion valve EV2. In the present embodiment, the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is an electric expansion valve connected to the liquid side of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 in order to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65. In the present embodiment, the heat storage heat exchanger 641 is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of heat transfer tubes and a large number of fins, and is stored in the refrigerant and the heat storage tank 642. It is a device for performing heat exchange with a heat storage material (for example, polyethylene glycol, threitol, paraffin, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, etc.).

  The heat storage unit 64 is provided with various sensors. A liquid temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is provided on the liquid side of the heat storage heat exchanger 641, and the temperature of the gas refrigerant is detected on the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 641. A gas side temperature sensor (not shown) is provided. Furthermore, the heat storage tank 642 is provided with a heat storage temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the heat storage material. Further, the heat storage unit 64 includes a heat storage control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the heat storage unit 64. The heat storage control unit includes a microcomputer and a memory provided for controlling the heat storage unit 64, and exchanges control signals and the like with a remote controller (not shown). Control signals and the like can be exchanged with 61.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 61 is installed on the rooftop of a building or the like, and is connected to the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c via the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d and the refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, 693. The refrigerant circuit 60 is configured between the indoor units 67 a, 67 b, 67 c and the heat storage unit 64.

  Next, the configuration of the outdoor unit 61 will be described. The outdoor unit 61 mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 60 and includes an outdoor refrigerant circuit 6a. The outdoor refrigerant circuit 6a mainly includes a compressor 611, a four-way switching valve 613, an outdoor heat exchanger 612, a gas-liquid separator 614, a pressure reducing circuit 60a, a liquid side closing valve 631, a high pressure gas side closing valve 633, and A low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 is provided.

In the present embodiment, the compressor 611 is a positive displacement compressor capable of changing an operation capacity by inverter control. In the present embodiment, the number of the compressors 611 is only one. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more compressors may be connected in parallel depending on the number of indoor units connected. Good.
The outdoor heat exchanger 612 is a heat exchanger that can function as a refrigerant evaporator and a refrigerant condenser. In this embodiment, the cross-fin type fin and・ Tube type heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger 612 has a gas side connected to the four-way switching valve 613 and a liquid side connected to the liquid side closing valve 631.

  The liquid side shut-off valve 631, the high-pressure gas side shut-off valve 633, and the low-pressure gas side shut-off valve 632 are provided at connection ports with external devices and pipes (specifically, refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, and 693). It is a valve. The liquid side closing valve 631 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 612. The high-pressure gas side closing valve 633 is connected to the discharge pipe 626 of the compressor 611. The low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 611 via a gas-liquid separator 614.

The decompression circuit 60 a has a capillary tube 638 and is connected to the four-way switching valve 613 and the gas-liquid separator 614.
The outdoor unit 61 is provided with various sensors. Specifically, the outdoor unit 61 includes a suction pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the suction pressure of the compressor 611, a discharge pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the discharge pressure of the compressor 611, and a compression mechanism. A discharge temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the discharge temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side 611 is provided. The outdoor unit 61 also includes an outdoor control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the outdoor unit 61. And the outdoor side control part has the microcomputer and memory which were provided in order to control the outdoor unit 61, and is a control signal etc. between indoor unit 67a, 67b, 67c indoor side control part. You can communicate.

(4) Connection unit The connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d are installed together with the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c and the heat storage unit 64 inside a building or the like. The connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d are interposed between the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c, the heat storage unit 64, and the outdoor unit 61 together with the refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, and 693. Part.

  Next, the configuration of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d will be described. Since the connection unit 69a and the connection units 69b and 69c have the same configuration, only the configuration of the connection unit 69a will be described here, and the description of each part of the configuration of the connection units 69b and 69c will be omitted. Although the connection unit 69d has the same configuration as the connection units 69a, 69b, and 69c, since the connection objects 67a and 64 are different in this embodiment, the connection unit 69d will be described together with the connection unit 69a.

  The connection units 69a and 69d mainly constitute part of the refrigerant circuit 60, and include connection-side refrigerant circuits 699a and 699d (in the connection units 69b and 69c, connection-side refrigerant circuits 699b and 699c, respectively). . The connection side refrigerant circuits 699a and 699d mainly include liquid connection pipes 691a and 691d, gas connection pipes 695a and 695d, high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1d, and low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2d.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid connection pipes 691a and 691d connect the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691, the indoor expansion valve EV1a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 68a, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65. The gas connection pipes 695a and 695d are high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a and 693d connected to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693, low-pressure gas connection pipes 692a and 692d connected to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692, and high-pressure gas connection pipes. 693a, 693d and low pressure gas connection pipes 692a, 692d are joined gas connection pipes 694a, 694d. The combined gas connection pipes 694a and 694d are connected to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 68a and the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65. In the present embodiment, the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1d are connected to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a and 693d, and are solenoid valves capable of circulating and blocking the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2d are connected to the low pressure gas connection pipes 692a and 692d, and are solenoid valves capable of circulating and blocking the refrigerant. As a result, when the indoor unit 67a performs the cooling operation, the connection unit 69a closes the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a and opens the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a so that the liquid is connected through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691. The refrigerant flowing into the connection pipe 691a is sent to the indoor side expansion valve EV1a of the indoor side refrigerant circuit 68a, decompressed by the indoor side expansion valve EV1a and evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 671a, and then the combined gas connection pipe 694a and the low pressure gas connection It can function to return to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 through the pipe 692a. In addition, when the indoor unit 67a performs the heating operation, the connection unit 69a closes the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a and opens the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a so that the high pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is used. The refrigerant flowing into the gas connection pipe 693a and the merged gas connection pipe 694a is sent to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 68a, condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 671a, and decompressed by the indoor expansion valve EV1a. It can function to return to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid connection pipe 691a. Further, the connection unit 69d closes the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and opens the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d when the heat storage unit 64 performs the heat storage operation (described later), and communicates with the high-pressure gas refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the high-pressure gas connection pipe 693d and the combined gas connection pipe 694d through the pipe 693 is sent to the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65 and condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 641 (at this time It is possible to function to return to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid connection pipe 691d after the pressure is reduced by the heat storage expansion valve EV2 (the heat is mainly accumulated as latent heat in the material). In addition, when the air conditioner 6 performs a defrost operation (described later), the connection unit 69d closes the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d and opens the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d to communicate with the liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the liquid connection pipe 691d through the pipe 691 is sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65, decompressed by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 641 (at this time the heat storage material From the combined gas connection pipe 694d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 692d, it can function to return to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692.

  Further, the connection units 69a and 69d include a connection-side control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the connection units 69a and 69d. And the connection side control part has the microcomputer and memory provided in order to control connection unit 69a, 69d, and has the indoor side control part of the indoor unit 67a, and the thermal storage control part of the thermal storage unit 64. Control signals and the like can be exchanged between them.

  As described above, the indoor refrigerant circuits 68a, 68b, 68c, the heat storage refrigerant circuit 65, the outdoor refrigerant circuit 6a, the refrigerant communication pipes 691, 692, 693, and the connection refrigerant circuits 699a, 699b, 699c, 699d are connected. Thus, the refrigerant circuit 60 of the air conditioner 6 is configured. And in the air conditioning apparatus 6 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to perform what is called simultaneous cooling and heating operation, for example, indoor unit 67c performs heating operation, while indoor unit 67a, 67b performs cooling operation. Yes.

[Operation of air conditioner]
Next, operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 6 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
The operation of the air conditioner 6 of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a heat storage unit non-use operation that does not use the heat storage unit 64 and a heat storage unit use operation that uses the heat storage unit 64. Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 6 will be described by dividing into a heat storage unit non-use operation and a heat storage unit use operation.

(1) Heat storage unit non-use operation The heat storage unit non-use operation is a heating operation in which all the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c are heated according to the air conditioning load of each indoor unit 67a, 67b, 67c. It can be further divided into a cooling operation in which all of 67b and 67c perform a cooling operation, and a cooling and heating simultaneous operation in which some of the indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c perform a cooling operation while another indoor unit performs a heating operation. As for the simultaneous cooling and heating operation, when the outdoor heat exchanger 612 of the outdoor unit 61 functions as an evaporator due to the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c (evaporation operation state), It can be divided into a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 612 of the unit 61 is operated as a condenser (condensation operation state). When the air conditioner 6 performs the heat storage unit non-use operation, the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d of the connection unit 69d are both closed, and the heat storage expansion valve of the heat storage unit 64 is closed. EV2 is fully opened.

(A) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 613 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 18, whereby the outdoor heat exchanger 612 functions as an evaporator, The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is supplied to the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c. In the connection units 69a, 69b and 69c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b and SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b and SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c is opened. , 671b, 671c are in a state of functioning as a condenser. In the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of supercooling (specifically, detected by the liquid side temperature sensor) of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c. The opening degree is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 633.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is branched into three and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, and 693c of the connection units 69a, 69b, and 69c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, 693c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c passes through the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c and the merged gas connection pipes 694a, 694b, 694c. It is sent to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c of 67a, 67b, 67c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merges.
Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merged is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the liquid side shut-off valve 631 of the outdoor unit 61, and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 612 to become low-pressure gas refrigerant. Become. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the four-way switching valve 613 and the gas-liquid separator 614. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(B) Cooling operation During the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 612 functions as a condenser by switching the four-way switching valve 613 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In the connection units 69a, 69b and 69c, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b and SV1c are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b and SV2c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c. , 671b, 671c function as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c and the suction side of the compressor 611 of the outdoor unit 61 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692. Connected. In the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c (specifically, the refrigerant detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature and the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor).

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the four-way switching valve 613. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 612 to become a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid side closing valve 631.
The liquid refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 is branched into three and sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c. The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c is sent to the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c. By performing, it is evaporated and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 694a, 694b, 694c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 694a, 694b, 694c is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 through the low-pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 692a, 692b, 692c. Be merged.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 and joined together is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 and the gas-liquid separator 614. In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(C) Simultaneous cooling / heating operation (evaporation load)
Of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, for example, in the cooling / heating simultaneous operation mode in which the indoor unit 67a is in cooling operation and the indoor units 67b, 67c are in heating operation, the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c Accordingly, an operation (evaporation operation) for causing the outdoor heat exchanger 612 of the outdoor unit 61 to function as an evaporator will be described. At this time, as in the heating operation mode described above, the four-way switching valve 613 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is supplied to the indoor units 67b and 67c through 693. In the connection unit 69a, the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a is closed and the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a is opened, so that the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor unit 67a functions as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 67a. 671a and the suction side of the compressor 611 of the outdoor unit 61 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692. In the indoor unit 67a, the indoor expansion valve EV1a is, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchanger 671a (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the cooling load of the indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference). In the connection units 69b and 69c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2b and SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1b and SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchangers 671b and 671c of the indoor units 67b and 67c function as condensers. It is like that. In the indoor units 67b and 67c, the indoor expansion valves EV1b and EV1c are, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 671b and 671c (specifically, the refrigerant temperature and the gas temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, for example, the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature detected by the sensor).

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 633.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is branched into two and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693b and 693c of the connection units 69b and 69c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693b and 693c of the connection units 69b and 69c passes through the high-pressure gas on-off valves SV1b and SV1c and the combined gas connection pipes 694b and 694c, and the indoor heat exchanger 671b of the indoor units 67b and 67c. , 671c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 671b and 671c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671b and 671c of the indoor units 67b and 67c. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 671b and 671c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1b and EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 691b and 691c of the connection units 69b and 69c.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691b and 691c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merges.
A part of the refrigerant sent to and merged with the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 is sent to the liquid connection pipe 691a of the connection unit 69a. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipe 691a of the connection unit 69a is sent to the indoor side expansion valve EV1a of the indoor unit 67a.

The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valve EV1a is decompressed by the indoor expansion valve EV1a and then evaporated by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 671a to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. . On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipe 694a of the connection unit 69a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipe 694a is sent to and merged with the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 through the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 692a.

Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 and the gas-liquid separator 614.
On the other hand, the remaining refrigerant excluding the refrigerant sent from the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 to the connection unit 69a and the indoor unit 67a is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the liquid-side shut-off valve 631 of the outdoor unit 61 to exchange outdoor heat. In the vessel 612, it is evaporated into a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism 21 via the four-way switching valve 613 and the gas-liquid separator 614. In this way, simultaneous cooling and heating operation (evaporation load) is performed.

(D) Simultaneous cooling and heating operation (condensation load)
Of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c, for example, in the cooling / heating simultaneous operation mode in which the indoor units 67a, 67b are in cooling operation and the indoor unit 67c is in heating operation, the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c Accordingly, an operation (condensation operation) for causing the outdoor heat exchanger 612 of the outdoor unit 61 to function as a condenser will be described. At this time, the four-way switching valve 613 is switched to the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged in step 1 is supplied. In the connection units 69a and 69b, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1b are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2b are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchangers 671a and 671b of the indoor units 67a and 67b function as an evaporator. At the same time, the indoor heat exchangers 671 a and 671 b of the indoor units 67 a and 67 b and the suction side of the compressor 611 of the outdoor unit 61 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692. In the indoor units 67a and 67b, the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b include, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 671a and 671b (specifically, the refrigerant temperature and the gas side temperature sensor detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature detected in step 1). In the connection unit 69c, the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2c is closed and the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1c is opened so that the indoor heat exchanger 671c of the indoor unit 67c functions as a condenser. In the indoor unit 67c, the indoor expansion valve EV1c is, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchanger 671c (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant detected by the gas side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the heating load of the indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on a temperature difference with respect to the temperature.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the four-way switching valve 613, and the high-pressure gas through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 633. It is also sent to the refrigerant communication pipe 693.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 612 to become a liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid side closing valve 631.

The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 693c of the connection unit 69c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 693c of the connection unit 69c is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 671c of the indoor unit 67c through the high-pressure gas on / off valve SV1c and the merged gas connection pipe 694c.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 671c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 671c of the indoor unit 67c. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 671c passes through the indoor expansion valve EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipe 691c of the connection unit 69c.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipe 691c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merged with the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid side shut-off valve 631.
The refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 is branched into two and sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a and 691b of the connection units 69a and 69b. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a and 691b of the connection units 69a and 69b is sent to the indoor side expansion valves EV1a and EV1b of the indoor units 67a and 67b.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b, and then evaporated by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671a and 671b. It becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 694a and 694b of the connection units 69a and 69b.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 694a and 694b is sent to and merged with the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 through the low-pressure gas on-off valves SV2a and SV2b and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 692a and 692b.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 and the gas-liquid separator 614. In this way, simultaneous cooling and heating operation (condensation load) is performed.

(2) Thermal storage unit utilization operation The thermal storage unit utilization operation is performed for each of the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c using the thermal storage operation for accumulating the thermal energy in the thermal storage material and the thermal energy accumulated in the thermal storage material by the thermal thermal storage operation. It can be further divided into a defrost operation in which the outdoor heat exchanger 612 is defrosted while the operation state is maintained. The heat storage unit utilization operation is mainly used in a situation where most or all of the plurality of indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c are operated for heating (that is, a situation where a high evaporation load is applied to the outdoor heat exchanger 612). The For this reason, here, the thermal storage operation and the defrost operation will be described as a typical example in which all the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c are in the heating operation.

(A) Thermal storage operation At the time of thermal storage operation, the four-way switching valve 613 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is supplied to the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c and the heat storage unit 64 through 693. In the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c, and SV2d are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c, and SV1d are opened, so that the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c are opened. The indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c and the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage unit 64 are in a state of functioning as a condenser. In the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, and EV1c are detected by, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, and 671c (specifically, detected by the liquid temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor. Further, in the heat storage unit 64, the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is, for example, detected by the degree of supercooling of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the gas side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 633.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is branched into four and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, 693c, and 693d of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d. . The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, 693c, and 693d of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d is the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c, SV1d, and the merged gas connection pipes 694a, 694b. , 694c and 694d, the heat is transferred to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b and 671c of the indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c and the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage unit 64.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c.

  On the other hand, the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 641 is condensed while heating the heat storage material stored in the heat storage tank 642 in the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage unit 64. At this time, the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase, and accumulates mainly the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as latent heat. The refrigerant condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 641 passes through the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipe 691d of the connection unit 69d.

The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c, and 691d is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merges.
Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merged is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the liquid side shut-off valve 631 of the outdoor unit 61, and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 612 to become low-pressure gas refrigerant. Become. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the four-way switching valve 613 and the gas-liquid separator 614. In this way, the heat storage operation is performed.

(B) Defrost operation At the time of defrost operation, the four-way switching valve 613 is switched to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 18, whereby the outdoor heat exchanger 612 functions as a condenser and through the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is supplied to the indoor unit 67c. In the connection units 69a, 69b and 69c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b and SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b and SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 671a of the indoor units 67a, 67b and 67c is opened. , 671b, 671c function as condensers. On the other hand, in the connection unit 69d, the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d is closed and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d is opened, whereby the heat storage heat exchanger 641 of the heat storage unit 64 functions as an evaporator and the heat storage of the heat storage unit 64. The heat exchanger 641 for outdoor use and the suction side of the compressor 611 of the outdoor unit 61 are connected through a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692. At this time, the heat storage material is given a heat storage heat exchanger 612 with an evaporation load that exceeds the sum of the maximum condensation loads in all the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c for a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes). Only the heat is accumulated. In the indoor units 67a, 67b, and 67c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, and EV1c are detected by, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, and 671c (specifically, detected by the liquid temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor. In the heat storage unit 64, the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is detected by, for example, the superheat degree of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the gas side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 60, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 611 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 through the four-way switching valve 613, and the high-pressure gas through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 633. It is also sent to the refrigerant communication pipe 693.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 612 melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 612 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid side closing valve 631.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 693 is sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, and 693c of the connection units 69a, 69b, and 69c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 693a, 693b, 693c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c passes through the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c and the merged gas connection pipes 694a, 694b, 694c. , 67b, 67c are sent to indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c of the indoor units 67a, 67b, 67c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1a, EV1b, EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, 691c of the connection units 69a, 69b, 69c.

The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 691a, 691b, and 691c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 and merged with the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 through the liquid-side closing valve 631.
The refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 691 is sent to the liquid connection pipe 691d of the connection unit 69d. The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipe 691d of the connection unit 69d is sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2 of the heat storage unit 64.

  Then, the refrigerant sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is depressurized by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then is evaporated by the heat stored in the heat storage material in the heat storage heat exchanger 641 to be a low-pressure gas refrigerant. Become. At this time, the heat storage material gradually releases the stored heat, and when the temperature reaches the freezing point (when the latent heat is used up), the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipe 694d of the connection unit 69d.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipe 694d is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 through the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 692d and merges.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 692 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 611 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 632 and the gas-liquid separator 614.

The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 612 and the outside air temperature.
[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 6 according to the seventh embodiment, gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 611 in the heat storage operation (hereinafter referred to as discharge refrigerant) is converted into indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c, and a heat storage heat exchanger 641. In the defrost operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c and the outdoor heat exchanger 612. Therefore, in the air conditioner 6, the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c and the heat storage heat exchanger 641 are used in the heat storage operation, and the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c and the outdoor heat exchanger are used in the defrost operation. In order to distribute an appropriate amount of heat to 612, only the refrigerant distribution ratio needs to be considered. Therefore, in the air conditioner 1, the heat storage operation and the defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 6 according to the seventh embodiment, in the heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, and 671c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 merge to form an outdoor heat exchanger. It is sucked into the compressor 611 through 612. In the defrost operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, and 671c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 612 are merged and sucked into the compressor 611 through the heat storage heat exchanger 641. . For this reason, in this air conditioner 6, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 671 a, 671 b, and 671 c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 641 in the heat storage operation are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 612. In the defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchangers 671a, 671b, 671c and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 612 can be collectively evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 641. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 6, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 60 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 6 according to the seventh embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 60 includes a four-way switching valve 613, a high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d, and a low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 6, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heat storage operation and the defrost operation.

[Modification]
In the air conditioner 6 according to the seventh embodiment, only one heat storage unit 64 is provided, but a plurality of heat storage units 64 may be provided.
<Eighth Embodiment>
[Configuration of air conditioner]
FIG. 19 shows a schematic refrigerant circuit 70 of the air conditioner 7 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner 7 is an apparatus used for indoor air conditioning such as a building by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. In addition, the air conditioner 7 has a specification capable of performing a defrost operation for removing frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 712, and to a cold district where the temperature is below freezing in winter or the like. Suitable for installation.
The air conditioner 7 mainly includes one outdoor unit 71, a plurality of (in this embodiment, three) indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, one ice heat storage unit 74, and each indoor unit 77a, 77b, 77c and connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, 79d connected to ice heat storage unit 74, refrigerant communication pipe 798 for directly connecting outdoor unit 71 and ice heat storage unit 74, and connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, Refrigerant communication pipes 792, 793 connecting the outdoor unit 71 to the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the ice heat storage unit 74 through 79d, and the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c through the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c A refrigerant communication pipe 791 that connects the ice heat storage unit 74, for example, Cooling and heating simultaneous operation is possible according to the requirements of the indoor air conditioning space where the indoor units 77a, 77b and 77c are installed, such as performing cooling operation for the space and heating operation for the other air-conditioned space. It is comprised so that it may become. That is, the vapor compression refrigerant circuit 70 of the air conditioner 7 of this embodiment includes an outdoor unit 71, indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, an ice heat storage unit 74, and connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d. The refrigerant communication pipes 791, 792, 793, and 798 are connected to each other.

(1) Indoor unit The indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are installed by being embedded or suspended in an indoor ceiling of a building or the like, or wall-mounted on an indoor wall surface. The indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are connected to the outdoor unit 71 via the refrigerant communication pipes 791, 792, 793, 798, the connection units 79a, 79b, and 79c, and the ice heat storage unit 74. Part.

Next, the configuration of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c will be described. Since the indoor unit 77a and the indoor units 77b and 77c have the same configuration, only the configuration of the indoor unit 77a will be described here, and the description of each part of the configuration of the indoor units 77b and 77c will be omitted.
The indoor unit 77a mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 70, and includes an indoor refrigerant circuit 78a (in the indoor units 77b and 77c, indoor refrigerant circuits 78b and 78c, respectively). The indoor refrigerant circuit 78a mainly includes an indoor expansion valve EV1a and an indoor heat exchanger 771a. In the present embodiment, the indoor expansion valve EV1a is an electric expansion valve connected to the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 771a in order to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the indoor refrigerant circuit 78a. In the present embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 771a is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of heat transfer tubes and a large number of fins, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air. Equipment. In the present embodiment, the indoor unit 77a includes a blower fan (not shown) for supplying indoor air as supply air after sucking indoor air into the unit and exchanging heat. It is possible to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 771a.

  Various sensors are provided in the indoor unit 77a. A liquid temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is provided on the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 771a, and a gas for detecting the temperature of the gas refrigerant is provided on the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 771a. A side temperature sensor (not shown) is provided. Further, the indoor unit 77a is provided with an RA intake temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of indoor air sucked into the unit. The indoor unit 77a includes an indoor side control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the indoor unit 77a. The indoor control unit includes a microcomputer and a memory provided to control the indoor unit 77a, and exchanges control signals and the like with a remote controller (not shown). It is possible to exchange control signals and the like with the unit 71.

(2) Ice heat storage unit The ice heat storage unit 74 is installed indoors, such as a building. The ice heat storage unit 74 is connected to the outdoor unit 71 via the refrigerant communication pipes 792, 793, 798 and the connection unit 79d, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 70.
Next, the configuration of the ice heat storage unit 74 will be described. The ice heat storage unit 74 mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 70 and includes a heat storage refrigerant circuit 75. The heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 mainly includes a liquid line 75a, a heat storage line 75b, and a utilization line 75c.

  The liquid line 75a is a line connected to a liquid connection pipe 791d and a refrigerant communication pipe 798 of the connection unit 79d described later, and has a third opening / closing mechanism OC3. In the present embodiment, the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 includes a third opening / closing valve SV3 and a third check valve 763 that can be opened and closed. In the third opening / closing mechanism OC3, the third opening / closing valve SV3 and the third check valve 763 are arranged in parallel to the refrigerant flow. The third check valve 763 allows only the flow of the refrigerant from the connection port (not shown) for the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d toward the connection port (not shown) for the refrigerant communication pipe 798. It is attached to do. Hereinafter, the liquid line 75a located between the connection port for the refrigerant communication pipe 798 in the liquid line 75a and the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 is referred to as a first liquid line 76a, and the connection unit 79d of the liquid line 75a is connected to the connection line 79a. The liquid line 75a located between the connection port for the liquid connection pipe 791d and the third opening / closing mechanism OC3 is referred to as a second liquid line 76b.

  The heat storage line 75b is a line in which one end is connected to a merging gas connection pipe 794d of a connection unit 79d described later and the other end is connected to a second liquid line 76b, and has a heat storage heat exchanger 741 and a heat storage expansion valve EV2. doing. In the heat storage line 75d, the heat storage exchanger 741 is disposed on the connection port (not shown) side for the merged gas connection pipe 794d, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is disposed on the connection point side with the second liquid line 76b. ing. In the present embodiment, the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is an electric expansion valve connected to the liquid side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 in order to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 and the like. In the present embodiment, the heat storage heat exchanger 741 is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of heat transfer tubes and a large number of fins, and is stored in the refrigerant and the heat storage water tank 742. This is a device for exchanging heat with heat storage water. Hereinafter, of the heat storage lines, the heat storage line 75b positioned between the connection port for the combined gas connection pipe 794d and the heat storage heat exchanger 741 is referred to as a combined gas side heat storage line 76c.

  The utilization line 75c is a line having one end connected to the combined gas side heat storage line 76c and the other end connected to the first liquid line 76a, and has a fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4. In the present embodiment, the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 includes a fourth opening / closing valve SV4 and a fourth check valve 764 that can be opened and closed. In the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4, the fourth opening / closing valve SV4 and the fourth check valve 764 are arranged in series with respect to the refrigerant flow. At this time, the fourth on-off valve SV4 is disposed on the first liquid line 76a side, and the fourth check valve 764 is disposed on the combined gas side heat storage line 76c side. The fourth check valve 764 is attached so as to allow only the refrigerant flow from the first liquid line 76a toward the combined gas side heat storage line 76c.

  The ice heat storage unit 74 is provided with various sensors. A liquid temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is provided on the liquid side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741, and the temperature of the gas refrigerant is detected on the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741. A gas side temperature sensor (not shown) is provided. Further, the heat storage water tank 742 is provided with a heat storage temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the heat storage water. Further, the ice heat storage unit 74 includes an ice heat storage control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each part constituting the ice heat storage unit 74. The ice heat storage control unit has a microcomputer and a memory provided to control the ice heat storage unit 74, and exchanges control signals and the like with a remote controller (not shown), Control signals and the like can be exchanged with the outdoor unit 71.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 71 is installed on the rooftop of a building or the like, and is connected to the ice heat storage unit 74 via the connection unit 79d and the refrigerant communication pipes 792, 793, 798, and the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the refrigerant communication pipes 791, 792, 793, 798, and the heat storage unit 74 are connected to the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, and the refrigerant circuit is connected between the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the ice heat storage unit 74. 70 is configured.

  Next, the configuration of the outdoor unit 71 will be described. The outdoor unit 71 mainly constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 70 and includes an outdoor refrigerant circuit 7a. The outdoor refrigerant circuit 7a mainly includes a compressor 711, a four-way switching valve 713, an outdoor heat exchanger 712, a gas-liquid separator 714, a pressure reducing circuit 70a, a liquid side closing valve 731, a high pressure gas side closing valve 733, and A low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 is provided.

In the present embodiment, the compressor 711 is a positive displacement compressor capable of changing an operation capacity by inverter control. In the present embodiment, the number of the compressors 711 is only one. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more compressors may be connected in parallel depending on the number of indoor units connected. Good.
The outdoor heat exchanger 712 is a heat exchanger that can function as a refrigerant evaporator and a refrigerant condenser.・ Tube type heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger 712 has a gas side connected to the four-way switching valve 713 and a liquid side connected to the liquid side closing valve 731.

  The liquid side shut-off valve 731, the high-pressure gas side shut-off valve 733, and the low-pressure gas side shut-off valve 732 are provided at connection ports with external devices / pipes (specifically, refrigerant communication pipes 792, 793, 798). It is a valve. The liquid side closing valve 731 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 712. The high-pressure gas side closing valve 733 is connected to the discharge pipe 726 of the compressor 711. The low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 711 via a gas-liquid separator 714.

The decompression circuit 70 a has a capillary tube 738 and is connected to a four-way switching valve 713 and a gas-liquid separator 714.
The outdoor unit 71 is provided with various sensors. Specifically, the outdoor unit 71 includes a suction pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the suction pressure of the compressor 711, a discharge pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the discharge pressure of the compressor 711, and a compression mechanism. A discharge temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the discharge temperature of the refrigerant on the discharge side 711 is provided. The outdoor unit 71 includes an outdoor side control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the outdoor unit 71. And the outdoor side control part has the microcomputer and memory which were provided in order to control the outdoor unit 71, control signals etc. between indoor unit 77a, 77b, 77c and the indoor side control part. You can communicate.

(4) Connection unit The connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d are installed together with the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c and the ice heat storage unit 74 inside a building or the like. The connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d are interposed between the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, the ice heat storage unit 74, and the outdoor unit 71 together with the refrigerant communication pipes 791, 792, and 793. Part of it.

  Next, the configuration of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d will be described. Since the connection unit 79a and the connection units 79b and 79c have the same configuration, only the configuration of the connection unit 79a will be described here, and the description of each part of the configuration of the connection units 79b and 79c will be omitted. The connection unit 79d has the same configuration as the connection units 79a, 79b, and 79c. However, since the connection objects 77a and 74 are different in this embodiment, the connection unit 79d will be described together with the connection unit 79a.

  The connection units 79a and 79d mainly constitute part of the refrigerant circuit 70, and include connection-side refrigerant circuits 799a and 799d (in the connection units 79b and 79c, connection-side refrigerant circuits 799b and 799c, respectively). . The connection-side refrigerant circuits 799a and 799d mainly include liquid connection pipes 791a and 791d, gas connection pipes 795a and 795d, high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1d, and low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2d.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid connection pipes 791a and 791d connect the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791, the indoor expansion valve EV1a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 78a, and the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75. The gas connection pipes 795a and 795d are high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a and 795d connected to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793, low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a and 792d connected to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792, and high-pressure gas connection pipes. 793a, 793d and low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a, 792d are joined gas connection pipes 794a, 794d. The combined gas connection pipes 794a and 794d are connected to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 78a and the combined gas side heat storage line 76c of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75. In the present embodiment, the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1d are connected to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a and 793d, and are solenoid valves capable of circulating and blocking the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2d are connected to the low pressure gas connection pipes 792a and 792d, and are solenoid valves capable of circulating and blocking the refrigerant. As a result, when the indoor unit 77a performs the cooling operation, the connection unit 79a closes the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a and opens the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a, and then connects the liquid through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791. The refrigerant flowing into the connection pipe 791a is sent to the indoor expansion valve EV1a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 78a, depressurized by the indoor expansion valve EV1a and evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 771a, and then the combined gas connection pipe 794a and the low pressure gas connection It can function to return to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the pipe 792a. In addition, when the indoor unit 77a performs the heating operation, the connection unit 79a closes the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a and opens the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a so that the high pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is used. The refrigerant flowing into the gas connection pipe 793a and the combined gas connection pipe 794a is sent to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor refrigerant circuit 78a, condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 771a, and decompressed by the indoor expansion valve EV1a. , And can return to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the liquid connection pipe 791a. The connection unit 79d is configured to close the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and open the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d when the ice heat storage unit 74 performs a heat storage operation (described later). The refrigerant flowing into the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793d and the combined gas connection pipe 794d through the communication pipe 793 is sent to the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 and condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 (at this time) It can function to be returned to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798 through the liquid line 75a after being depressurized by the heat storage expansion valve EV2 (heat is mainly accumulated as sensible heat in the heat storage water). In the refrigerant circuit 75, the third on-off valve SV3 and the fourth on-off valve SV4 are closed). Further, the connection unit 79d closes the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d and opens the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d when the air conditioner 7 performs a defrost operation (described later), and communicates with the liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the pipe 798 is sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2, decompressed by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 741. It can function to return to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the combined gas connection pipe 794d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 792d (in this case, in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, the third heat is released from the water). The on-off valve SV3 is opened, and the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed). Further, the connection unit 79d closes the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d and opens the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d when the ice heat storage unit 74 performs the ice heat storage operation (described later). The refrigerant flowing into the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the pipe 798 is sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2, decompressed by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 741. Cold water is accumulated mainly in the water as latent heat), and can function to return to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the merged gas connection pipe 794d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 792d (in this case, the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 The third on-off valve SV3 is opened, and the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed). The connection unit 79d closes the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and opens the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d when the air conditioner 7 performs the first ice heat storage cooling operation (described later). Then, the refrigerant flowing into the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793d and the combined gas connection pipe 794d through the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is sent to the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 and condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 741. (At this time, cold heat is released from the heat storage water), and can function to move to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the heat storage expansion valve EV2 and the liquid connection pipe 791d (in this case, the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75). The third on-off valve SV3 is opened, and the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed). In addition, when the air conditioner 7 performs the second ice heat storage cooling operation (described later), the connection unit 79d closes the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d and the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d to communicate with the liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the use line 75c of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the pipe 798 is sent to the gas side of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 and condensed or further cooled in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 (at this time, the cold heat is It can function to move to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the heat storage expansion valve EV2 and the liquid connection pipe 791d (in this case, in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, the third on-off valve SV3 is closed). And the fourth on-off valve SV4 is opened).

  In addition, the connection units 79a and 79d include a connection-side control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each unit constituting the connection units 79a and 79d. And the connection side control part has the microcomputer and memory provided in order to control connection unit 79a, 79d, the indoor side control part of the indoor unit 77a, and the ice thermal storage control part of the ice thermal storage unit 74 It is possible to exchange control signals and the like with each other.

  As described above, the indoor side refrigerant circuits 78a, 78b, 78c, the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, the outdoor side refrigerant circuit 7a, the refrigerant communication pipes 791, 792, 793, 798, and the connection side refrigerant circuits 799a, 799b, 799c, 799d are provided. The refrigerant circuit 70 of the air conditioner 7 is configured by being connected. And in the air conditioning apparatus 7 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to perform what is called simultaneous cooling and heating operation, for example, the indoor unit 77c performs a heating operation while the indoor units 77a and 77b perform a cooling operation. Yes.

[Operation of air conditioner]
Next, operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 7 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
The operation of the air conditioner 7 of the present embodiment is roughly divided into an ice heat storage unit non-use operation that does not use the ice heat storage unit 74 and an ice heat storage unit use operation that uses the ice heat storage unit 74. Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner 7 will be described by dividing into an ice heat storage unit non-use operation and an ice heat storage unit use operation.

(1) Ice heat storage unit non-use operation The ice heat storage unit non-use operation is a heating operation or indoor unit in which all the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are heated according to the air conditioning load of each indoor unit 77a, 77b, and 77c. 77a, 77b, 77c can be further divided into a cooling operation in which the cooling operation is performed, and a cooling / heating simultaneous operation in which a part of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c performs the cooling operation while the other indoor units perform the heating operation. . As for the simultaneous cooling and heating operation, when the outdoor heat exchanger 712 of the outdoor unit 71 is operated as an evaporator by the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c (evaporation operation state), the outdoor unit It can be divided into the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 712 of the unit 71 is operated as a condenser (condensation operation state). When the air conditioner 7 performs the ice heat storage unit non-use operation, the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d of the connection unit 79d are both closed. Further, the heat storage expansion valve EV2 of the ice heat storage unit 74 is fully opened, and the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed. Further, the third on-off valve SV3 of the ice heat storage unit 74 is opened during cooling operation and simultaneous cooling / heating operation (condensing operation state), and closed during heating operation and simultaneous cooling / heating operation (evaporation operation state). It is said.

(A) Heating operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 713 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is supplied to the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c is opened. , 771b and 771c are in a state of functioning as a condenser. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c (specifically, detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is branched into three and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, 793c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, 793c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c passes through the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c and the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c. 77a, 77b, 77c are sent to indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 and merges.
The refrigerant sent to and merged with the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d, the liquid line 75a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the liquid side closing valve 731 of the outdoor unit 71. Then, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the four-way switching valve 713 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the heating operation is performed.

(B) Cooling Operation During the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 712 functions as a condenser by switching the four-way switching valve 713 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c is opened. , 771b, 771c function as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. Connected. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c (specifically, the refrigerant detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature and the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor).

  In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and becomes liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, the liquid line 75a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, and the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d.

  The liquid refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is branched into three and sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c is sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c. By performing, it is evaporated and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a, 792b, 792c. Be merged.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 and joined together is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the cooling operation is performed.

(C) Simultaneous cooling / heating operation (evaporation load)
Of the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, for example, in the cooling / heating simultaneous operation mode in which the indoor unit 77a is in a cooling operation and the indoor units 77b and 77c are in a heating operation, the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c Accordingly, an operation (evaporation operation) for causing the outdoor heat exchanger 712 of the outdoor unit 71 to function as an evaporator will be described. At this time, as in the heating operation mode described above, the four-way switching valve 713 is switched to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. Through 793, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is supplied to the indoor units 77b and 77c. In the connection unit 79a, the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1a is closed and the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a is opened so that the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor unit 77a functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 77a. 771a and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected through a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. In the indoor unit 77a, the indoor expansion valve EV1a is, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchanger 771a (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted in accordance with the cooling load of the indoor unit, for example, the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference). In the connection units 79b and 79c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2b and SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1b and SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchangers 771b and 771c of the indoor units 77b and 77c function as a condenser. It is like that. In the indoor units 77b and 77c, the indoor side expansion valves EV1b and EV1c are, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 771b and 771c (specifically, the refrigerant temperature and the gas side temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, for example, the opening degree is adjusted based on a temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature detected by the sensor).

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is branched into two and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793b and 793c of the connection units 79b and 79c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793b and 793c of the connection units 79b and 79c passes through the high-pressure gas on-off valves SV1b and SV1c and the merged gas connection pipes 794b and 794c, and the indoor heat exchanger 771b of the indoor units 77b and 77c. , 771c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 771b and 771c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771b and 771c of the indoor units 77b and 77c. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 771b and 771c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1b and EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 791b and 791c of the connection units 79b and 79c.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791b and 791c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 and merges.
A part of the refrigerant sent to and merged with the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is sent to the liquid connection pipe 791a of the connection unit 79a. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipe 791a of the connection unit 79a is sent to the indoor side expansion valve EV1a of the indoor unit 77a.

The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valve EV1a is depressurized by the indoor expansion valve EV1a and then evaporated by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 771a to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. . On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794a of the connection unit 79a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794a is sent to and merged with the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2a and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 792a.

Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714.
On the other hand, the remaining refrigerant excluding the refrigerant sent from the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 to the connection unit 79a and the indoor unit 77a is the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d, the liquid line 75a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe. 798 and the liquid side shut-off valve 731 of the outdoor unit 71, and is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712, where it is evaporated to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compression mechanism 21 via the four-way switching valve 713 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, simultaneous cooling and heating operation (evaporation load) is performed.

(D) Simultaneous cooling and heating operation (condensation load)
Of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, for example, in the cooling / heating simultaneous operation mode in which the indoor units 77a, 77b are in cooling operation and the indoor unit 77c is in heating operation, the air conditioning load of the entire indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c Accordingly, an operation (condensing operation) for causing the outdoor heat exchanger 712 of the outdoor unit 71 to function as a condenser will be described. At this time, the four-way switching valve 713 is switched to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged in is supplied. In the connection units 79a and 79b, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a and SV1b are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a and SV2b are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchangers 771a and 771b of the indoor units 77a and 77b function as an evaporator. At the same time, the indoor heat exchangers 771a and 771b of the indoor units 77a and 77b and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. In the indoor units 77a and 77b, the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b include, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 771a and 771b (specifically, the refrigerant temperature and the gas side temperature sensor detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted in accordance with the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature detected in step 1). In the connection unit 79c, the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2c is closed and the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1c is opened, so that the indoor heat exchanger 771c of the indoor unit 77c functions as a condenser. In the indoor unit 77c, the indoor expansion valve EV1c is, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchanger 771c (specifically, the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant detected by the gas side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the heating load of the indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on a temperature difference with respect to the temperature.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713 and high-pressure gas through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733. It is also sent to the refrigerant communication pipe 793.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and becomes a liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, the liquid line 75a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, and the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d.

The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793c of the connection unit 79c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793c of the connection unit 79c is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 771c of the indoor unit 77c through the high-pressure gas on / off valve SV1c and the merged gas connection pipe 794c.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 771c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 771c of the indoor unit 77c. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 771c passes through the indoor expansion valve EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipe 791c of the connection unit 79c.

The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipe 791c is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791, and the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, the liquid line 75a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, and the liquid connection of the connection unit 79d. It merges with the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the pipe 791d.
The refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is branched into two and sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a and 791b of the connection units 79a and 79b. The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a and 791b of the connection units 79a and 79b is sent to the indoor side expansion valves EV1a and EV1b of the indoor units 77a and 77b.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a and EV1b, and then evaporated by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a and 771b. It becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a and 794b of the connection units 79a and 79b.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a and 794b is sent to and merged with the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on-off valves SV2a and SV2b and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a and 792b.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, simultaneous cooling and heating operation (condensation load) is performed.

(2) Ice heat storage unit utilization operation The ice heat storage unit utilization operation is performed in each of the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c using the heat storage operation for accumulating the heat in the heat storage water and the heat accumulated in the heat storage water by the heat storage operation. The electric power peak is adjusted using the defrost operation in which the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is defrosted while maintaining the operation state, the ice heat storage operation in which the cold energy is accumulated in the heat storage water, and the cold energy accumulated in the heat storage water by the ice heat storage operation. The operation can be further divided into a first ice storage use operation (power peak cut operation) and a second ice storage use operation (power peak shift operation). Of these operations, the heat storage operation and the defrost operation are mainly in a situation where most or all of the plurality of indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are operated for heating (that is, a high evaporation load is applied to the outdoor heat exchanger 712). Situation). For this reason, the heat storage operation and the defrost operation will be described by taking the situation where all of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c are in the heating operation as a representative. Further, the ice heat storage operation is performed mainly in a state where the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are stopped, such as at midnight. For this reason, the ice heat storage operation will be described by taking a situation in which all of the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are stopped as a representative. In addition, the first ice storage use operation and the second ice storage use operation are mainly in a situation where most or all of the plurality of indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c are in a cooling operation (that is, high condensation in the outdoor heat exchanger 712). It is used in situations where load is applied. For this reason, the first ice heat storage utilization operation and the second ice heat storage utilization operation will be described by taking the situation where all of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c are in the cooling operation as a representative.

(A) Thermal storage operation At the time of thermal storage operation, the four-way switching valve 713 is switched to the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. Through 793, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is supplied to the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the heat storage unit 74. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c, and SV2d are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c, and SV1d are opened, so that the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c are opened. The indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c and the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage unit 74 are in a state of functioning as a condenser. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, and EV1c are detected by, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c (specifically, a liquid side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor. Further, in the heat storage unit 74, the third on-off valve SV3 and the fourth on-off valve SV4 are closed, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is, for example, the degree of supercooling of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 (specifically, The degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is branched into four and sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, 793c, and 793d of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d. . The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, 793c, and 793d of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and 79d is the high-pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c, SV1d, and the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b. , 794c, 794d, the heat is transferred to the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage unit 74.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c passes through the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c and the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, and then communicates with the liquid refrigerant. It is sent to the pipe 791 and merges.

  On the other hand, the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 741 is condensed while heating the heat storage material stored in the heat storage tank 742 in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage unit 74. At this time, the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase, and accumulates mainly the heat supplied from the gas refrigerant as latent heat. The refrigerant condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 passes through the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then is sent to the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 and joined together joins the refrigerant sent to the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 and condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 741.
The refrigerant merged in the second liquid line 76 b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 passes through the first liquid line 76 a of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the liquid side shut-off valve 731 of the outdoor unit 71. Sent to the vessel 712 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This gas refrigerant is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the four-way switching valve 713 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the heat storage operation is performed.

(B) Defrosting operation During the defrosting operation, the four-way switching valve 713 is switched to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is supplied to the indoor unit 77c. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are closed and the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c is opened. , 771b and 771c function as condensers. On the other hand, in the connection unit 79d, the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d is closed and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d is opened, whereby the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the heat storage unit 74 functions as an evaporator and the heat storage of the heat storage unit 74. The heat exchanger 741 for outdoor use and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. At this time, the heat storage material is given a heat storage heat exchanger 712 with an evaporation load that exceeds the sum of the maximum condensation loads in all the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c for a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes). Only the heat is accumulated. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, and 77c, the indoor side expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, and EV1c are detected by, for example, the degree of supercooling of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c (specifically, a liquid side temperature sensor). The degree of opening is adjusted according to the heating load of each indoor unit, such as the degree of opening is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor. In the heat storage unit 74, the third on-off valve SV3 is opened, the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is, for example, the degree of superheat of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 ( Specifically, the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713 and high-pressure gas through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733. It is also sent to the refrigerant communication pipe 793.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 melts frost adhering to the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and is condensed to become a liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second liquid line 76 b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the liquid side closing valve 731 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, and 793c of the connection units 79a, 79b, and 79c. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipes 793a, 793b, 793c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c passes through the high-pressure gas on-off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c and the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c. , 77b, 77c are sent to indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c.

  The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c. Is done. On the other hand, indoor air is heated and supplied indoors. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c passes through the indoor expansion valves EV1a, EV1b, EV1c, and then is sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c.

The refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, and 791c is sent to the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791, and stores heat through the liquid side closing valve 731 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798. The refrigerant is joined to the refrigerant sent to the second liquid line 76b of the refrigerant circuit 75.
And the refrigerant | coolant which flows through the 2nd liquid line 76b of this thermal storage refrigerant circuit 75 is sent to expansion valve EV2 for thermal storage.

  The refrigerant sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is depressurized by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then evaporated by the heat accumulated in the heat storage material in the heat storage heat exchanger 741. Become. At this time, the heat storage material gradually releases the stored heat, and when the temperature reaches the freezing point (when the latent heat is used up), the heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794d of the connection unit 79d.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794d is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 792d and merges.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714.

The defrosting operation is switched based on parameters such as the temperature of the outer surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and the outside air temperature.
(C) Ice heat storage operation During the ice heat storage operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 712 functions as a condenser by switching the four-way switching valve 713 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c, SV1d and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are closed, and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d is opened. The heat storage heat exchanger 741 functions as an evaporator, and the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the ice heat storage unit 74 and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. It is in a state. In the ice heat storage unit 74, the third on-off valve SV3 is opened, the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is, for example, the degree of superheat (specifically) Specifically, the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the liquid side temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor.

  In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and becomes liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV <b> 2 through the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the second liquid line 76 b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75.

  The liquid refrigerant sent to the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is decompressed by the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then, in the heat storage heat exchanger 741, the heat storage water is cooled and evaporated to become a gas refrigerant. At this time, the heat storage water undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase, and the cold supplied from the liquid refrigerant accumulates mainly as latent heat. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794d of the connection unit 79d.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipe 794d is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on-off valve SV2d and the low-pressure gas connection pipe 792d.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the ice heat storage operation is performed.

(D) First ice heat storage operation (power peak cut operation)
During the first ice heat storage operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 712 functions as a condenser by switching the four-way switching valve 713 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c is opened. , 771b, 771c function as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. Connected. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c (specifically, the refrigerant detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature and the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor). In the connection unit 79d, the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d is closed and the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d is opened, so that the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the ice heat storage unit 74 functions as a condenser. In the ice heat storage unit 74, the third on-off valve SV3 is opened, the fourth on-off valve SV4 is closed, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is fully opened.

In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713 and high-pressure through the high-pressure gas side closing valve 733. It is also sent to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 793.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and becomes a liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is sent to the second liquid line 76b of the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 through the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the first liquid line 76a.

The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 793 is sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793d of the connection unit 79d. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the high-pressure gas connection pipe 793d of the connection unit 79d is sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the ice heat storage unit 74 through the high-pressure gas on-off valve SV1d and the merged gas connection pipe 794d.
The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 741 is condensed by the cold heat accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 of the ice heat storage unit 74 and becomes liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 passes through the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then is sent to the second liquid line 76b.

Then, the refrigerant sent to the second liquid line 76b is merged with the refrigerant sent to the second liquid line 76b through the liquid side closing valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the first liquid line 76a.
The refrigerant sent to the second liquid line 76b and merged is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d.

  The liquid refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is branched into three and sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c is sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c. By performing, it is evaporated and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a, 792b, 792c. Be merged.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 and joined together is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the first ice storage use operation is performed.

(E) Second ice heat storage operation (power peak shift operation)
During the second ice storage use operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 712 functions as a condenser by switching the four-way switching valve 713 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c, the high pressure gas on / off valves SV1a, SV1b, SV1c are closed and the low pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c are opened, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 771a of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c is opened. , 771b, 771c function as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c and the suction side of the compressor 711 of the outdoor unit 71 are connected via a low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792. Connected. In the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c, the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c are, for example, the degree of superheat of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c (specifically, the refrigerant detected by the liquid side temperature sensor). The opening degree is adjusted according to the cooling load of each indoor unit, such as the opening degree is adjusted based on the temperature and the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature detected by the gas side temperature sensor). In the connection unit 79d, the high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d and the low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d are closed. In the ice heat storage unit 74, the third on-off valve SV3 is closed, the fourth on-off valve SV4 is opened, and the heat storage expansion valve EV2 is fully opened.

  In such a configuration of the refrigerant circuit 70, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 711 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 through the four-way switching valve 713. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 712 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 and becomes a refrigerant in a liquid or gas-liquid two-phase state. The liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 741 through the liquid side shut-off valve 731, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 798, and the use line 75c.

  The liquid or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant sent to the heat storage heat exchanger 741 is condensed by the cold heat accumulated in the heat storage water in the heat storage heat exchanger 741 to become a liquid refrigerant or further cooled. Is done. The liquid refrigerant passes through the heat storage expansion valve EV2, and then is sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 through the second liquid line 76b and the liquid connection pipe 791d of the connection unit 79d.

  The liquid refrigerant sent to the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 791 is branched into three and sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c. Then, the refrigerant sent to the liquid connection pipes 791a, 791b, 791c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c is sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c of the indoor units 77a, 77b, 77c.

  The refrigerant sent to the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c is depressurized by the indoor expansion valves EV1a, Ev1b, EV1c, and then exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c. By performing, it is evaporated and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. On the other hand, indoor air is cooled and supplied indoors. Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c of the connection units 79a, 79b, 79c.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the merged gas connection pipes 794a, 794b, 794c is sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 through the low-pressure gas on / off valves SV2a, SV2b, SV2c and the low-pressure gas connection pipes 792a, 792b, 792c. Be merged.
Then, the low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the low-pressure gas refrigerant communication pipe 792 and joined together is returned to the suction side of the compressor 711 via the low-pressure gas side closing valve 732 and the gas-liquid separator 714. In this way, the second ice storage use operation is performed.

[Characteristics of air conditioner]
(1)
In the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 711 in the heat storage operation (hereinafter referred to as discharge refrigerant) includes indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c, and a heat storage heat exchanger 741. In the defrost operation, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c and the outdoor heat exchanger 712. Therefore, in the air conditioner 7, the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c and the heat storage heat exchanger 741 are used in the heat storage operation, and the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c and the outdoor heat exchanger are used in the defrost operation. In order to distribute an appropriate amount of heat to 712, only the distribution ratio of the refrigerant needs to be considered. Therefore, in the air conditioner 7, the heat storage operation and the defrost operation can be performed by comparatively simple control.

(2)
In the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment, in the heat storage operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 merge to form an outdoor heat exchanger. It is sucked into the compressor 711 through 712. In the defrost operation, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 712 are merged and sucked into the compressor 711 through the heat storage heat exchanger 741. . Therefore, in this air conditioner 7, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, and 771c and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger 741 are collectively evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 712 in the heat storage operation. In the defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchangers 771a, 771b, 771c and the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 712 can be collectively evaporated in the heat storage heat exchanger 741. Therefore, in this air conditioning apparatus 7, the structure of the refrigerant circuit 70 can be simplified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 70 includes a four-way switching valve 713, a high pressure gas on / off valve SV1d, and a low pressure gas on / off valve SV2d. For this reason, in this air conditioning apparatus 7, the flow of the refrigerant can be appropriately controlled between the heat storage operation and the defrost operation.

(4)
In the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment, since the ice heat storage unit 74 is adopted as the heat storage unit, the ice heat storage operation, the first ice heat storage use cooling operation (power peak cut operation), and the second ice heat storage use are used. Cooling operation (power peak shift operation) can be performed. For this reason, the air conditioner 6 can adjust the power peak in an environment where cooling operation is required, such as in summer.

[Modification]
(A)
In the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment, only one ice heat storage unit 74 is provided, but a plurality of ice heat storage units 74 may be provided.
(B)
The third opening / closing mechanism OC3 arranged in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 of the air-conditioning apparatus 7 according to the eighth embodiment is replaced with a bidirectional solenoid valve as shown in the modification (A) of the first embodiment. It doesn't matter.

(C)
The third opening / closing mechanism OC3 and the fourth opening / closing mechanism OC4 arranged in the heat storage refrigerant circuit 75 of the air conditioner 7 according to the eighth embodiment are arranged in four directions as shown in the modification (C) of the second embodiment. It may be replaced with a switching valve and a capillary tube.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention is characterized by being capable of performing heating and heat storage operation and heating and defrost operation by comparatively simple control, and is intended for cold regions where the temperature is below freezing in winter and the like. It is useful as an air conditioner.

The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electric expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification (A) of 1st Embodiment. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification (B) of 1st Embodiment. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electrically driven expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification (C) of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electrically driven expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | running of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electrically driven expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electric expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification (A) of 5th Embodiment. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. The table | surface which shows the state of the electrically driven expansion valve and electromagnetic valve at the time of each driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification (A) of 6th Embodiment. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6, 7 Air conditioner 10, 10A, 10B, 20, 20A, 30, 30A, 40, 40A, 50, 50A, 60, 70 Refrigerant circuit 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 Compressor 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger)
113, 213, 313, 413, 513, 613, 713 Four-way switching valve (first control valve)
141, 241, 341, 441, 541, 641, 741 Heat storage heat exchanger 143 Four-way switching valve (second control valve, third control valve)
171, 271, 371, 471, 571, 671 a, 671 b, 671 c, 771 a, 771 b, 771 c Indoor heat exchanger (use side heat exchanger)
SV1, SV1A First solenoid valve (second control valve)
SV1d High-pressure gas on-off valve (second control valve)
SV2, SV2 'second solenoid valve (third control valve)
SV4 '4th solenoid valve (2nd control valve)

Claims (5)

Compressors (111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711);
A heat source side heat exchanger (112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712);
Utilization side heat exchangers (171, 271, 371, 471, 571, 671a, 671b, 671c, 771a, 771b, 771c);
A heat storage heat exchanger (141, 241, 341, 441, 541, 641, 741) for exchanging heat with the heat storage material;
Heating and heat storage state in which the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger function as a condenser and the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger A switching mechanism capable of switching between a heating and defrost state that functions as a condenser and the heat storage heat exchanger functions as an evaporator;
A refrigerant circuit (10, 10A, 10B, 20, 20A, 30, 30A, 40, 40A, 50, 50A, 60, 70) having
In the heating and heat storage state, the discharged refrigerant that is the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat storage heat exchanger,
In the heating and defrost state, the discharged refrigerant is distributed to the use side heat exchanger and the heat source side heat exchanger.
Air conditioner (1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6, 7). In the heating and heat storage state, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage heat exchanger merge and are sucked into the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger,
In the heating and defrost state, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the use side heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger merge and are sucked into the compressor through the heat storage heat exchanger.
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1. The switching mechanism includes a first control valve (113, 213, 313, 413, 513, 613, 713) for preventing the discharged refrigerant from directly flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and heat storage state. A second control valve (143, SV1, SV1A, SV1d, SV4 ′) for preventing the discharged refrigerant from directly flowing into the heat storage heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state,
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The switching mechanism can be switched to a cooling state in which the heat source side heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the usage side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and in the cooling state, the discharged refrigerant is used as the usage side heat. A third control valve (143, SV2, SV2 ′) for preventing direct discharge into the exchanger and allowing the discharged refrigerant to flow into the use side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state;
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The refrigerant circuit is filled with a refrigerant so that liquid refrigerant accumulates in the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating and defrost state.
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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