JP2021156505A - Water cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent temperature rise of supplied cold water, in a water cooler in which water is cooled by using a refrigerant cooled by a refrigeration machine.SOLUTION: In a water cooler composed of a part of a refrigerant circulation passage 9 for circulating a refrigerant cooled by a refrigeration machine 3 and a part of a cold water circulation passage 8 exchanging heat with a refrigerant body, a water tank 1 for storing cold water is provided with a water level detection device 4 for detecting an H water level and an M water level successively from the water level of high order, and a water tank cold water temperature detecting device 12 for detecting a water temperature in the water tank. Make-up water is supplied to the water tank when the water temperature in the water tank is a set temperature or lower and not within a prescribed time from stop of an operation of the refrigeration machine in a case when the water level in the water tank is the M water level or higher and lower than the H water level, the make-up water is not supplied to the water tank in a case when the water temperature in the water tank is the set temperature or higher and within the prescribed time from the stop of the operation of the refrigeration machine, and the make-up water is supplied to the water tank regardless of the water temperature in the water tank and the operation state of the refrigeration machine in a case when the water level in the water tank is lower than the M water level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention has a refrigerant circulation path for circulating a refrigerant body cooled by a refrigerator between the refrigerator and a heat exchanger, and a cold water circulation path for circulating cold water stored in the water tank between the water tank and the heat exchanger. A chilled water device that produces cold water by cooling it with a refrigerant body in a heat exchanger and stores it in a water tank, so that cold water is supplied from the water tank, and prevents fluctuations in the temperature of the cold water supplied from the water tank. It is about a cold water device that can be used.

As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-325028, there is known a cold water device that generates cold water by exchanging heat with a refrigerant cooled by a refrigerator. In the cold water device using this refrigerator, a refrigerant circulation path for circulating the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator and a cold water circulation path for circulating the water stored in the water tank between the heat exchangers are installed. The refrigerant circulation path and the chilled water circulation path are connected to heat exchangers, respectively, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path and the cold water in the chilled water circulation path. The water in the chilled water circulation path is cooled by the cooled refrigerant, and the cooled chilled water is returned to the water tank.

In the cold water circulation path that connects the water tank and the heat exchanger, the cold water is cooled by the heat exchanger by circulating the cold water, and the cooled cold water is returned to the water tank to lower the temperature of the cold water stored in the water tank. Let me. A temperature detector is installed in the water tank for storing cold water so that the cold water is circulated until the temperature of the cold water in the water tank reaches a predetermined temperature, and the cold water at the predetermined temperature is stored in the water tank. The cold water supplied from the cold water device is designed to supply the cold water stored in the water tank, and by cooling the cold water temperature in the water tank to a predetermined temperature, the cold water at a predetermined temperature can be supplied. In addition, a water level detection device is provided in the water tank, and when it is detected that the water level in the water tank has dropped due to the supply of cold water, the amount of stored water is restored by supplying make-up water into the water tank, and the water tank is supplied with make-up water. When the temperature of the internal cold water rises, the operation of the refrigerator is restarted, and the cold water is circulated to keep the temperature of the cold water in the water tank at a predetermined temperature.

In a refrigerator that supplies a low-temperature refrigerant to a heat exchanger, the refrigerant is cooled by a refrigeration cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. This refrigerator has a problem that a problem occurs such that the life of the compressor is shortened if the refrigerator is repeatedly restarted in a short time after the operation is stopped. Therefore, in the refrigerator, the compressor protection time (about 3 minutes) is set, and once the compressor is stopped, the compressor protection control is performed so that the compressor is not restarted during the compressor protection time.

However, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-325028, the refrigerant cannot be cooled during the compressor protection time. If cold water is used during that time, the temperature of the cold water stored in the aquarium will rise. Depending on the usage of cold water, the temperature of the cold water may rise while the refrigerator cannot be started to protect the compressor, and it may not be possible to supply cold water at a desired temperature.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-325028

The problem to be solved by the present invention is a chilling water device that cools water using a refrigerant cooled by a chiller, and during the compressor protection time when the chiller is stopped. The purpose is to prevent the temperature of the supplied chilled water from rising due to the inability to restart the refrigerator.

The invention according to claim 1 is a portion of a refrigerant circulation path having a refrigerator and circulating a refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator, and a cold water circulation path having a water tank and circulating water stored in the water tank between heat exchangers. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path and the cold water in the chilled water circulation path are cooled by the refrigerant by passing through the heat exchanger, and the chilled water cooled by the heat exchanger is returned to the water tank and then returned to the place where the chilled water is used. It is a cold water device that supplies cold water and supplies make-up water to the water tank when the water level in the water tank drops. The operation of the chiller does not resume until the protection time elapses. In the chiller water device that controls the protection of the compressor, the presence or absence of water at the H water level and the M water level is detected in the water tank in order from the highest water level side. A water level detection device is installed, and a chilled water temperature detection device in the water tank that detects the water temperature in the water tank is installed. When the water level in the water tank is equal to or higher than the M water level and lower than the H water level, the water temperature in the water tank is set by supplying make-up water to the water tank when the water temperature in the water tank is below the set temperature and not within the specified time after the refrigerator operation is stopped. If the temperature is higher than the temperature or within the specified time from the shutdown of the refrigerator, the make-up water will not be supplied to the water tank. Regardless of this, it is characterized in that the make-up water is supplied to the water tank.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the chilled water device, a heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detecting device for detecting the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is installed, and the correct water temperature in the water tank is detected from the chilled water temperature detecting device in the water tank. If is not detected, water supply control is performed based on the cold water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet detected by the heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detector, and the water level in the water tank is equal to or higher than the M water level and lower than the H water level. In this case, if the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is below the set temperature and it is not within the specified time after the refrigerator operation is stopped, make-up water is supplied to the water tank, and the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is the set temperature. If the above or within the specified time from the shutdown of the refrigerator, the make-up water will not be supplied to the water tank, and if the water level in the water tank is less than the M water level, the temperature of the chilled water at the outlet of the heat exchanger and the refrigerator It is characterized in that the make-up water is supplied to the water tank regardless of the operating state of the water tank.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the cold water device, the water level detecting device for detecting the water level in the water tank detects the presence or absence of water even at the L water level lower than the M water level, and supplies the make-up water to the water tank. , In addition to normal water supply, make it possible to perform rapid water supply with a larger amount of water supply than normal water supply, and if the water level in the water tank is above the L water level and below the M water level, perform normal water supply and the water level in the water tank is L. When the water level is lower than the water level, rapid water supply is performed.

By carrying out the present invention, it becomes possible to continue to supply a certain amount of cold water at a desired temperature even after the refrigerator is stopped.

A flow chart showing a schematic configuration of a cold water apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a schematic configuration of a cold water device according to the present invention. The chilled water device of the present invention manufactures and supplies cold water using the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator 3, a portion of the refrigerant circulation path 9 for circulating the refrigerant and a portion of the chilled water circulation path 8 for cooling the water. Consists of. The refrigerant circulation path 9 circulates the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator 3 between the refrigerator 3 and the heat exchanger 2, and the chilled water circulation path 8 collects the cold water stored in the water tank 1 between the water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 2. It circulates between.

In the heat exchanger 2, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing on one side and the cold water flowing on the other side, and the temperature of the cold water is lowered by the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator 3. A chilled water circulation pump 5 is provided in the chilled water circulation path 8, and a detour 13 and a three-way valve 14 are installed on the side of the water tank 1 with respect to the chilled water circulation pump 5. When cooling the cold water stored in the water tank 1, the three-way valve 14 closes the detour 13 side so that the cold water circulates between the water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 2, and the cold water taken out from the water tank 1 is used as the heat exchanger. The cold water sent to 2 and cooled by the heat exchanger is returned to the water tank 1. When the cold water is supplied to the cold water use place, the cold water is taken out from the water tank 1 and supplied to the cold water use place by operating the water supply pump 7 in the middle of the water supply pipe connected to the water tank 1.

A water level detection device 4 is installed in the water tank 1, and the water level detection device 4 detects the presence or absence of water at the H water level, the M water level, the L water level, and the LL water level in order from the highest side to detect the water level in the water tank 1. To detect. Above the H water level is the water level that stops the supply of make-up water, and above the M water level and below the H water level is the water level that supplies the make-up water. The water level that supplies make-up water, the water level that supplies make-up water even under the specific conditions, the water level that rapidly supplies make-up water above the LL water level and below the L water level, and the water level below the LL water level is regarded as an abnormal water level of the cold water device. The water level is set to stop the operation.

In addition, a plurality of temperature detection devices for detecting the cold water temperature are installed. Heat exchanger inlet chilled water temperature detector 10 at the heat exchanger inlet portion of the chilled water circulation path 8, heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detector 11 at the heat exchanger outlet portion of the chilled water circulation path 8, and chilled water temperature detection inside the water tank 1 The device 12 is installed. The temperature detected by these temperature detection devices and the water level information detected by the water level detection device 4 are output to the control device 6 that controls the operation of the cold water device, and the control device 6 outputs the temperature and water level information. Control the operation of the cold water device based on.

The supply of make-up water to the water tank 1 is normally supplied through the water supply valve 15 and the rapid water supply valve 16. The normal water supply valve 15 is a water supply valve used for normal water supply, and the rapid water supply valve 16 is a water supply valve used for supplying a larger capacity than normal water supply. Water supply is possible.

In the cooling operation, the refrigerator 3 is operated to circulate the refrigerant between the refrigerator 3 and the heat exchanger 2, and the chilled water circulation pump 5 is operated to circulate cold water between the water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 2. Make a cycle. When cold water is circulated in the cold water circulation path 8 while the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator 3 is being supplied to the heat exchanger 2, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the cold water in the heat exchanger 2, and the refrigerant is exchanged. Cools the cold water. By repeatedly circulating cold water between the water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 2, the temperature inside the water tank 1 decreases.

When the chilled water temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger detected by the chilled water temperature detector 11 at the outlet of the heat exchanger installed on the outlet side of the heat exchanger becomes equal to or lower than the cooling stop temperature, the refrigerant circulates and chilled water in the refrigerant circulation path 9. The cold water circulation in the circulation path 8 is stopped, and the operation of the refrigerator is stopped. Further, when the water temperature in the water tank detected by the cold water temperature detecting device 12 in the water tank becomes equal to or higher than the starting temperature of the circulation pump, the operation of the chilled water circulation pump 5 is started to start the circulation of cold water.

Then, when the heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detected by the heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detecting device 11 becomes equal to or higher than the cooling restart temperature, the circulation of the refrigerant is started and the operation of the refrigerator is restarted. In the refrigerator, compressor protection control is performed to prevent frequent start and stop. In the compressor protection control, the operation of the refrigerator is not restarted until the "compressor protection time" has elapsed after the compressor operation signal is turned off, and the refrigerator is operated after the compressor protection time has elapsed. To resume. Therefore, even if the temperature of the cold water in the water tank detected by the cold water temperature detection device 12 in the water tank becomes equal to or higher than the starting temperature of the circulation pump and the operation of the cold water circulation pump 5 is started, until the "compressor protection time" elapses. The operation of the refrigerator will not resume.

The control device 6 controls the supply of make-up water to the water tank 1 based on the water level in the water tank 1 detected by the water level detection device 4. When the water level in the water tank is higher than the H water level, it is not necessary to supply water, and the normal water supply valve 15 and the rapid water supply valve 16 are turned off. When the water level in the water tank drops and the water level in the water tank becomes less than the H water level, the water supply valve 15 is normally turned on to supply make-up water to the water tank. In this case, water is supplied if certain conditions are met, and water is not supplied if the conditions are not met. The conditions here are the temperature of the chilled water in the water tank and the operating status of the refrigerator. The control device 6 detects the information from the chilled water temperature detecting device 12 in the water tank and the state of the compressor protection operation for the refrigerator to supply water. To control. For water supply, the water supply valve 15 is normally turned on when the cold water temperature in the water tank is equal to or lower than the water supply start temperature and the compressor protection control is not in progress, and the cold water temperature in the water tank is equal to or higher than the water supply stop temperature or compressor protection. During control, the water supply valve 15 is normally turned off and the make-up water is not supplied to the water tank.

When the temperature of the cold water in the water tank is low, even if the temperature of the cold water in the water tank rises slightly due to the supply of make-up water, the cold water of the predetermined temperature can be supplied as long as the water temperature in the water tank can be maintained below the predetermined temperature. If the hot make-up water is supplied to the water tank while the temperature of the cold water in the water tank is high, the temperature of the cold water in the water tank becomes high, and it becomes impossible to supply the cold water below the predetermined temperature to the place where the cold water is used. In addition, when the compressor protection control is in progress, even if the water temperature in the water tank rises due to the supply of make-up water, the refrigerator cannot be operated and the cold water cannot be cooled. The temperature of the cold water in the water tank becomes high, and it becomes impossible to supply the cold water below the predetermined temperature to the place where the cold water is used.

Therefore, when the water level in the water tank 1 is above the M water level and below the H water level, when the amount of water stored is relatively large, the water tank is not supplied with make-up water unless the above conditions are satisfied. By not supplying the make-up water to the aquarium, the temperature of the cold water stored in the aquarium will not be raised by the make-up water. Cold water cannot be cooled during compressor protection control, but during that time, the supply of make-up water is stopped to prevent the temperature of the cold water in the tank from rising so that cold water at a predetermined temperature can be continuously supplied. do.

However, if the water level in the water tank 1 is further lowered by not supplying water and the water level in the water tank is equal to or higher than the L water level and lower than the M water level, water is supplied regardless of the above conditions. If the amount of water stored in the water tank is insufficient, the cold water device cannot be operated, so water is supplied to prevent the situation where the amount of water becomes insufficient. When water is supplied here, normal water is supplied by opening the normal water supply valve 15, which has a relatively small amount of water supply. Even if normal water supply is performed, the water level in the water tank 1 further drops, and if the water level in the water tank is above the LL water level and below the L water level, the water supply amount is relatively large. And supply more water.

In the above, the control is performed based on the cold water temperature in the water tank detected by the cold water temperature detection device 12 in the water tank, but the correct water temperature in the water tank cannot be detected due to an abnormality in the cold water temperature detection device 12 in the water tank. In this case, the control is performed based on the chilled water temperature in the chilled water circulation path 8 detected by the heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detecting device 11. In that case, when the water level in the water tank is M water level or higher and lower than H water level, the normal water supply valve 15 is turned on when the cold water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is lower than the water supply start temperature and the compressor protection control is not in progress. When the cold water temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger is equal to or higher than the water supply stop temperature or the compressor protection control is in progress, the water supply valve 15 is normally turned off and control is performed so that the make-up water is not supplied to the water tank. Even if an abnormality occurs in the cold water temperature detection device 12 in the water tank, the above control is performed based on the cold water temperature detection device 11 at the outlet of the heat exchanger, and the supply of make-up water is stopped to prevent the temperature of the cold water in the water tank from rising. As a result, cold water having a predetermined temperature can be continuously supplied.

The present invention is not limited to the examples described above, and many modifications can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical idea of the present invention.

1 Water tank 2 Heat exchanger 3 Refrigerator 4 Water level detector 5 Cold water circulation pump 6 Control device 7 Water supply pump 8 Cold water circulation path 9 Coolant circulation path 10 Heat exchanger inlet Cold water temperature detector 11 Heat exchanger outlet Cold water temperature detector 12 Cold water temperature detector in water tank 13 Detour 14 Three-way valve 15 Normal water supply valve 16 Rapid water supply valve

Claims (3)

It consists of a part of the refrigerant circulation path that has a refrigerator and circulates the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator, and a part of the cold water circulation path that has a water tank and circulates the water stored in the water tank between the heat exchangers. The chilled water in the chilled water circulation path is cooled by the refrigerant by passing through the heat exchanger, and the chilled water cooled by the chilled water is returned to the chilled water tank and then the chilled water is supplied to the place where the chilled water is used, and the water level in the chilled water tank rises. It is a chilling water device that supplies make-up water to the water tank when it drops, and in the control device that controls the operation of the chilling water device, when the operation of the chiller is stopped, the chiller is used until the compressor protection time elapses. In the chiller water device that controls the protection of the compressor, a water level detection device that detects the presence or absence of water at the H water level and the M water level is installed in the water tank in order from the side with the highest water level. A chilled water temperature detector in the water tank that detects the internal water temperature is installed, and if the water level in the water tank is H water level or higher, the make-up water is not supplied to the water tank, and the water level in the water tank is M water level or higher. If it is less than, if the water temperature in the water tank is below the set temperature and not within the specified time after the refrigerator operation is stopped, make-up water is supplied to the water tank, and the water temperature in the water tank is above the set temperature or specified after the refrigerator operation is stopped. If it is within the time, the make-up water will not be supplied to the water tank, and if the water level in the water tank is less than M water level, the make-up water will be supplied to the water tank regardless of the temperature of the water in the water tank and the operating condition of the refrigerator. A chilled water device characterized by being designed to perform. In the chilled water device according to claim 1, a heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detecting device for detecting the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is installed, and the correct water temperature in the water tank is not detected from the chilled water temperature detecting device in the water tank. In this case, the water supply control shall be performed based on the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet detected by the heat exchanger outlet chilled water temperature detector, and if the water level in the water tank is M water level or more and less than H water level, the heat exchanger When the chilled water temperature at the outlet is below the set temperature and not within the specified time after the refrigerator operation is stopped, make-up water is supplied to the water tank, and the chilled water temperature at the heat exchanger outlet is above the set temperature or the refrigerator is operated. If it is within the specified time from the stop, the make-up water will not be supplied to the water tank, and if the water level in the water tank is less than M water level, regardless of the temperature of the chilled water at the outlet of the heat exchanger and the operating condition of the refrigerator. A cold water device characterized by supplying make-up water to the water tank. In the cold water device according to claim 1 or 2, the water level detection device that detects the water level in the water tank detects the presence or absence of water even at the L water level lower than the M water level, and the supply of make-up water to the water tank is usually water supply. In addition, make it possible to perform rapid water supply with a larger amount of water supply than normal water supply, and if the water level in the water tank is L water level or more and less than M water level, normal water supply is performed and the water level in the water tank is less than L water level. A cold water device characterized by providing rapid water supply in some cases.

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