JP3861807B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat pump hot water supply apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A heat pump hot water supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant flow path of a refrigerant water heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are connected in an annular shape, a hot water storage tank, and a refrigerant A hot water flow path of the water heat exchanger is connected with a hot water pipe, a hot water circuit having a circulation pump in the middle, and a controller for controlling the refrigerant compressor, the expansion valve, and the circulation pump, A boiling operation is performed in which hot water is stored in a hot water storage tank so that the boiling temperature of the hot water becomes the target boiling temperature.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-206805 (pages 10 to 11, FIG. 6)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional hot water supply apparatus has the following problems.
During operation standby (after completion of the boiling operation), power for operation is supplied to the controller and the inverter for driving the refrigerant compressor, and thus power (about 9 W) is consumed.
[0005]
Further, even when the user puts the hot water supply device into the operation stop state with the remote controller, the operation power is supplied to the controller and the inverter for driving the refrigerant compressor. Continue to consume.
Although this standby power is not as large as about 9 W, considerable power is wasted when the period of not using the hot water supply device for several weeks is several weeks.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that reduces standby power during operation standby.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[About claim 1]
The heat pump cycle is formed by annularly connecting a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a refrigerant flow path of a refrigerant water heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger. The compressor is driven via a compressor driving circuit.
Moreover, the heat pump cycle, the compressor drive circuit, and the heat pump cycle side controller are arranged on the heat pump unit side.
[0008]
In the hot water circuit, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water for hot water supply and a hot water flow path of the refrigerant water heat exchanger are connected by hot water piping, and a circulation pump is provided in the middle. In view of energization, it is preferable to arrange the circulation pump on the heat pump unit side.
[0009]
The heat pump cycle controller controls the expansion valve, circulation pump, and compressor drive circuit based on the sensor output from each connected sensor, and performs a boiling operation to store hot water at the target boiling temperature in the hot water storage tank. Do.
[0010]
In addition, while the energization controller supplies operating power to the heat pump cycle side controller or the like, communication is possible between the tank side controller arranged on the tank unit side and the heat pump cycle side controller. .
[0011]
When there is no need to perform the boiling operation, etc., judging from the tank status on the tank unit side when the boiling operation is completed, the tank side controller is used as the energization controller and the heat pump cycle side controller. And instructs the compressor drive circuit to shut off the operating power.
[0012]
Thereby, when it is not necessary to perform the boiling operation or the like, the power consumed by the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit can be cut, so that standby power during operation standby can be reduced.
[0013]
[About claim 2]
The tank-side controller instructs the energization controller to shut off operating power to the heat pump cycle-side controller and the compressor drive circuit in the following cases during operation standby.
[0014]
・ When the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor connected to the tank side controller exceeds the specified temperature (it is not necessary to perform anti-freezing operation).
• When the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature on the feed water side of the hot water storage tank exceeds the set temperature (no need to perform boiling operation).
-When the average water supply temperature that exceeds the set value by adding the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank during hot water supply exceeds the set value (no need to perform the boiling operation).
[0015]
As a result, when there is no need to perform a boiling operation or the like, the power consumed by the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit during operation standby can be cut, so that standby power can be reduced.
[0016]
[About claim 3]
Since the hot water supply device has an outside air temperature sensor connected to the heat pump cycle side controller, when the energization controller cuts off the power for operation, the tank side controller arranged on the tank unit side and the heat pump cycle side controller Communication cannot be performed between them, and the outside temperature data cannot be sent to the tank side controller.
[0017]
Therefore, the data of the outside air temperature detected during the boiling operation after the set time has elapsed from the start of the boiling operation is sent to the tank side controller by communication and stored in the memory of the tank side controller. In order to obtain a stable temperature behavior, the outside air temperature detected after a set time has elapsed since the start of the boiling operation is used.
[0018]
When the outside air temperature stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined temperature, the tank side controller is used to operate the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit when the boiling operation is completed and the operation is shifted to standby. Instruct the energization controller to cut off the power.
[0019]
Thereby, when it is not necessary to perform anti-freezing operation, the power consumed by the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit during operation standby can be cut, and standby power can be reduced.
[0020]
[About claim 4]
Since the hot water supply device has an outside air temperature sensor connected to the heat pump cycle side controller, when the energization controller cuts off the power for operation, the tank side controller arranged on the tank unit side and the heat pump cycle side controller Communication cannot be performed between them, and the outside temperature data cannot be sent to the tank side controller.
[0021]
Therefore, the tank-side controller instructs the energization controller to temporarily supply the operating power during operation standby after the elapse of a predetermined time from the end of the boiling operation.
Thereby, the electric power for operation | movement is temporarily supplied to the heat pump cycle side controller, and the data of outside temperature can be sent to a tank side controller.
[0022]
If the outside air temperature detected at this time exceeds a predetermined temperature, the tank-side controller instructs the energization controller to shut off the operating power.
Thereby, when it is not necessary to perform anti-freezing operation, the power consumed by the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit during operation standby can be cut, and standby power can be reduced.
[0023]
[About Claim 5]
The higher the target boiling temperature at the end of the boiling operation, the higher the hot water temperature in the hot water circuit. For this reason, even if the outside air temperature is low, there is no risk of freezing for a long time. Therefore, the length of the predetermined time from the end of the boiling operation until the energization controller is instructed to supply the operating power temporarily. The time until the outside air temperature is detected is lengthened.
Thereby, the power consumed by the heat pump cycle controller and the compressor drive circuit during operation standby can be cut as much as possible, and standby power can be reduced.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1 and 2) will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
1 and 2, the hot water supply apparatus A includes a compressor 1, a refrigerant flow path 21 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2, an expansion valve 3, an air heat exchanger 4 provided with an outdoor fan 41, and an accumulator (not shown). ) Are connected annularly by a refrigerant pipe 42, a hot water storage tank 5 for storing hot water for hot water supply, and a hot water flow path 22 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2 are connected by a hot water pipe 51, and a circulation pump is provided on the way. 6, a hot water circuit W, an inverter (compressor drive circuit) 11, a heat pump cycle side ECU (heat pump cycle side controller) 7, and a tank side ECU (tank side controller) disposed in the tank unit 80. 8 and a relay (energization controller) 71.
[0026]
Each member of the heat pump cycle H, the inverter 11, the circulation pump 6, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7, and the relay 71 are arranged in the heat pump unit 70.
[0027]
The compressor 1 is driven by a three-phase motor, and compresses and discharges the gas-phase refrigerant sucked from the accumulator to a critical pressure or higher.
By controlling the frequency of the voltage applied to the three-phase motor by the inverter 11, the rotational speed is determined, and the capacity of the compressor 1 is increased or decreased. The target compressor speed is instructed from the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 to the inverter 11.
[0028]
The refrigerant water heat exchanger 2 includes a refrigerant channel 21 through which refrigerant (carbon dioxide) discharged from the compressor 1 flows, and a hot water channel 22 through which hot water flows. And the high temperature refrigerant | coolant (hot gas) which discharges from the compressor 1 and flows through the refrigerant | coolant flow path 21 radiates heat to the hot water which flowed out from the hot water storage tank 5, and hot water rises in temperature.
[0029]
A feed water temperature sensor 61 for detecting the feed water temperature Twi and a boiling temperature sensor 62 for detecting the boiling temperature Two are arranged on the inlet side and the outlet side of the hot water flow path 22 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2, respectively. ing. Further, an outlet side refrigerant temperature sensor 63 for detecting the outlet side refrigerant temperature Tro and an inlet side refrigerant temperature sensor 64 for detecting the inlet side refrigerant temperature Tco are respectively provided on the outlet side and the inlet side of the refrigerant flow path 21. It is arranged.
[0030]
Further, on the inlet side, the air inlet side, and the outlet side of the air heat exchanger 4, a refrigerant inlet temperature sensor 43 that detects the refrigerant inlet temperature Tei, an outdoor air temperature sensor 44 that detects the outdoor air temperature Tam, and a frost temperature, respectively. A frost temperature sensor 45 for detecting Tf is provided.
[0031]
The expansion valve 3 has a valve body (not shown) driven by a stepping motor (not shown), and the valve opening degree can be varied linearly according to the amount of current supplied to the stepping motor.
The air heat exchanger 4 evaporates the refrigerant expanded and decompressed by passing through the expansion valve 3 by exchanging heat with the outside air blown by the outdoor fan 41 (atmospheric heat absorption). The evaporated refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 through the accumulator.
The target rotational speed is instructed from the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 to the outdoor fan 41.
[0032]
An accumulator is provided for gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant flowing out of the air heat exchanger 4, and the gas-phase refrigerant is sent to the compressor 1.
The refrigerant compressed to a high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 1 flows in the refrigerant flow path 21 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2 and in the hot water flow path 22 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2 in the direction opposite to the refrigerant flow. Heat the flowing hot water.
[0033]
The hot water pipe 51 is a pipe that connects between a hot water outlet 52 provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 5 and a hot water inlet 53 provided in the upper part.
During operation, hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 is discharged from the hot water outlet 52 by the circulation pump 6, passes through the hot water pipe 22 of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 2 via the hot water pipe 51, and passes through the hot water inlet 53. Return to 5.
[0034]
During the boiling operation, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 includes the feed water temperature sensor 61, the boiling temperature sensor 62, the outlet side refrigerant temperature sensor 63, the refrigerant inlet temperature sensor 43, the outside air temperature sensor 44, the frost temperature sensor 45, and the inlet side refrigerant temperature. Based on each output of the sensor 64, the inverter 11, the outdoor fan 41, the circulation pump 6, and the expansion valve 3 are controlled to store hot water at the target boiling temperature in the hot water storage tank 5. The operating power to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 is supplied via a normally open contact of the relay 71.
[0035]
The tank-side ECU 8 is always supplied with operating power. The tank side ECU 8 can communicate with the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 while the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7. Reference numeral 81 denotes a remote controller.
[0036]
Further, the tank-side ECU 8 detects an outside air temperature sensor 82 for detecting the outside air temperature on the tank unit 80 side, a water supply temperature sensor 83 for detecting the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5, and the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5. A hot water sensor 84 is connected. While the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 is operating, the detected values of the outside air temperature sensor 82 and the feed water temperature sensor 83 are invalid.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus A will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0038]
When an operation start instruction is issued from the remote controller 81 to the hot water supply device A in which the normally open contact of the relay 71 is open during operation standby (including when operation is stopped), the tank side ECU 8 first energizes the relay 71. To close the normally open contact of the relay 71 and supply the operating power to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the like. Next, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 initializes each control variable and timer (step s1).
[0039]
Further, when the operation power is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 due to the shift from step S5 and the boiling operation is shifted to, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 initializes each control variable and timer (step s1).
[0040]
In step s2, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 takes in sensor signals output from each sensor and performs input processing.
[0041]
In step s3, based on the sensor signal from each sensor, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs the boiling determination and performs the boiling operation (including the continuation of the boiling operation). If YES, the process proceeds to step s4, and if the boiling operation is not performed (including the end of the boiling operation), the process proceeds to step s8.
[0042]
In step s4, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs expansion valve control based on the temperature difference ΔT.
ΔT = outlet side refrigerant temperature Tro−feed water temperature Twi
[0043]
In step s5, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs pump control based on the boiling temperature difference ΔdT.
ΔdT = target boiling temperature Tp−boiling temperature Two
[0044]
In step s6, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs fan control.
In step s7, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs compressor control and returns to step s2.
[0045]
In step s8, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 instructs the tank side ECU 8 to cut off the power supply to the relay 71 by communication. Thereby, the tank side ECU 8 cuts off the energization to the relay 71, and the relay 71 is turned off.
[0046]
When the relay 71 is turned off, the normally open contact is opened, and the supply of operating power to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11 is cut off. Thereby, the hot-water supply apparatus A will be in an operation standby state.
[0047]
In step S <b> 1 shown in FIG. 4, the tank side ECU 8 detects the outside air temperature on the tank unit 80 side based on the sensor output of the outside air temperature sensor 82. In step S 1, the tank-side ECU 8 detects the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5 based on the sensor output of the water supply temperature sensor 83, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 based on the sensor output of the hot water amount sensor 84. Detect the amount of water.
[0048]
In step S2, based on the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5 and the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5, it is determined whether or not the tank side ECU 8 performs boiling, and when boiling is not performed (NO). Proceeds to step S3, and if boiling is performed (YES), proceeds to step S5.
[0049]
Specifically, when the hot water temperature decreases below the determination temperature due to the passage of time or the like, or when the amount of hot water decreases below the determination amount due to the use of hot water, it is determined that the tank side ECU 8 performs the boiling operation.
[0050]
In step S3, the tank-side ECU 8 determines whether or not the operation of the hot water circuit W such as air bleed is necessary based on the elapsed time from the standby state and each detection result. If device operation is not necessary (NO), the process proceeds to step S4, and if device operation such as air bleeding is necessary (YES), the process proceeds to step S6.
[0051]
In steps S2 and S3, the operation of the remote controller 81 can be used to forcibly perform the equipment operation such as the boiling operation and the air bleeding.
[0052]
In step S4, the tank-side ECU 8 determines whether or not the outside air temperature on the tank unit 80 side is 4 ° C. or lower, and if it exceeds 4 ° C. (NO), the process returns to step S1 with the relay off state continued. When it is 4 ° C. or lower (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.
[0053]
In step S <b> 5, the tank side ECU 8 energizes the relay 71 to close the normally open contact of the relay 71. Thereby, the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the like, and the process proceeds to the boiling operation of FIG.
[0054]
In step S6, the tank side ECU 8 energizes the relay 71 to close the normally open contact of the relay 71. Thereby, the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the like, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs the air bleeding operation (step S7), and proceeds to step S10 after the air bleeding operation is completed.
[0055]
In step S8, the tank-side ECU 8 energizes the relay 71 to close the normally open contact of the relay 71. Thereby, the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the like, the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 performs the freeze prevention operation (step S9), and proceeds to step S10 after the freeze prevention operation is completed.
[0056]
In step S10, the tank-side ECU 8 stops energizing the relay 71, and returns to step S1.
When the energization of the relay 71 is stopped, the normally open contact is opened, and the supply of operating power to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11 is stopped.
[0057]
The hot water supply apparatus A of the present embodiment has the following advantages.
[A] When the hot water supply device A does not need to perform a boiling operation or the like during operation standby (shown below), the tank-side ECU 8 turns off the relay 71 and the heat pump cycle-side ECU 7 and the inverter 11 It is the structure which stops the electric power supply to. For this reason, standby power during operation standby can be significantly reduced (about 20 W → 1 W or less).
[0058]
When the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 82 connected to the tank side ECU 8 exceeds 4 ° C. (it is not necessary to perform the freeze prevention operation).
When the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor 83 that detects the hot water temperature on the feed water side of the hot water storage tank 5 exceeds the judgment temperature (there is no need to perform a boiling operation).
When the amount of hot water detected by the hot water sensor 84 that detects the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 exceeds the determination amount (no need to perform a boiling operation).
[0059]
[A] When the hot water supply device A is in a standby state, the hot water storage tank is operated by the tank side ECU 8 which is always energized even when the relay 71 is turned off and the power supply to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11 is stopped. 5 is monitored, and when necessary, power is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11 to perform a boiling operation or the like.
For this reason, problems such as freezing of the hot water circuit W, a decrease in the hot water supply temperature, or a shortage of the amount of hot water do not occur.
[0060]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1 and 3) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 (also refer to FIG. 2).
[0061]
The hot water supply apparatus B is different from the hot water supply apparatus A in the following points.
As shown in FIG. 5, the tank-side ECU 8 is connected to a water supply temperature sensor 83 that detects the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5 and a hot water amount sensor 84 that detects the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5. Note that while the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 is operating, the detected value of the feed water temperature sensor 83 is invalid.
Further, an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature on the tank unit 80 side is not provided.
[0062]
The tank-side ECU 8 is always supplied with operating power. The tank side ECU 8 can communicate with the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 while the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 6, the hot water supply device B is based on the sensor output of the outside air temperature sensor 44 (see FIG. 2) when a certain time (for example, 2 hours) elapses from the start of the boiling operation (during the heating operation). The heat pump cycle side ECU 7 sends the data of the outside air temperature Tam (after 2 hours) detected by the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 to the tank side ECU 8 by communication, and the tank side ECU 8 stores the data as the daily outside temperature Tamday in the memory 85. Store.
[0064]
The hot water supply apparatus B also operates according to the flowcharts of FIGS.
However, the following steps are different.
In step S <b> 1 shown in FIG. 4, the tank side ECU 8 reads the outside air temperature Tamday stored in the memory 85. In this step S 1, the hot water temperature and the hot water amount are detected by the tank side ECU 8 based on the sensor output of the water supply temperature sensor 83 and the sensor output of the hot water amount sensor 84.
[0065]
In step S4, the tank-side ECU 8 determines whether or not the outside air temperature Tamday read from the memory 85 is 4 ° C. or less. If the tank side ECU 8 exceeds 4 ° C. (NO), the relay OFF state is continued and step S1 is continued. If the temperature is 4 ° C. or lower (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.
[0066]
The hot water supply apparatus B of the present embodiment has the following advantages.
[C] The hot water supply device B in which the outside air temperature sensor is not disposed on the tank side ECU 8 side uses the data of the outside air temperature detected during the boiling operation after a predetermined time (2 hours) has elapsed since the start of the boiling operation. In this configuration, it is sent to the tank-side ECU 8 by communication, stored in the memory 85 of the tank-side ECU 8 as the outside air temperature Tamday, and used for determining whether or not the anti-freezing operation is performed in step S4 during operation standby.
[0067]
For this reason, even if the outside air temperature sensor is not disposed on the tank side ECU 8 side, standby power during operation standby can be greatly reduced while preventing the hot water circuit W from being frozen.
Since the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 44 is stored in the memory 85 two hours after the start of the boiling operation, temperature data suitable for freezing determination can be obtained.
[0068]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1 and 4) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7 (also refer to FIG. 2).
[0069]
The hot water supply apparatus C is different from the hot water supply apparatus A in the following points.
As shown in FIG. 5, the tank-side ECU 8 is connected to a water supply temperature sensor 83 that detects the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5 and a hot water amount sensor 84 that detects the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5.
Further, an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature on the tank unit 80 side is not provided.
[0070]
The tank-side ECU 8 is always supplied with operating power. The tank side ECU 8 can communicate with the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 while the power for operation is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the hot water supply device C, when a certain time (for example, 1 hour) elapses from the end of the boiling operation (during operation standby), the tank-side ECU 8 temporarily energizes the relay 71, and the heat pump Electric power for operation is supplied to the cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11, and data on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 44 is sent to the tank side ECU 8 by communication.
[0072]
The hot water supply device C also operates according to the flowcharts of FIGS.
However, the following steps are different.
Upon completion of the boiling operation (NO in step s3 in FIG. 3), the process proceeds to step s8, where the relay 71 is turned off and the operation standby state in FIG. 4 is entered.
[0073]
In step S <b> 1 shown in FIG. 4, if the outside air temperature Tamday is stored in the memory 85, the tank side ECU 8 reads it.
The hot water supply apparatus C has a configuration in which the tank-side ECU 8 temporarily energizes the relay 71 when a certain time (for example, 1 hour) elapses from the end of the boiling operation.
[0074]
During temporary energization, operating power is supplied to the heat pump cycle side ECU 7 and the inverter 11, the outside air temperature sensor 44 detects the outside air temperature, and the data is sent to the tank side ECU 8 by communication and stored in the memory 85.
The temporary energization time for the relay 71 may be a minimum time that can be detected by the outside air temperature sensor 44 and stored in the memory 85, and may be several seconds to several minutes.
[0075]
In step S <b> 1, the hot water temperature and the hot water amount are detected by the tank side ECU 8 based on the sensor output of the water supply temperature sensor 83 and the sensor output of the hot water amount sensor 84.
[0076]
In step S2, based on the hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank 5 and the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 5, it is determined whether or not the tank side ECU 8 performs boiling, and when boiling is not performed (NO). Proceeds to step S3, and if boiling is performed (YES), proceeds to step S5.
[0077]
When the hot water temperature decreases below the determination temperature due to the passage of time or the like, or when the amount of hot water decreases below the determination amount due to the use of hot water, it is determined that the tank side ECU 8 performs the boiling operation.
[0078]
In step S3, the tank-side ECU 8 determines whether or not the operation of the hot water circuit W such as air bleed is necessary based on the elapsed time from the standby state and each detection result. If device operation is not necessary (NO), the process proceeds to step S4, and if device operation such as air bleeding is necessary (YES), the process proceeds to step S6.
In steps S2 and S3, the operation of the remote controller 81 can be used to forcibly perform the equipment operation such as the boiling operation and the air bleeding.
[0079]
In step S4, the tank-side ECU 8 determines whether or not the outside air temperature Tamday read from the memory 85 is 4 ° C. or less. If the tank side ECU 8 exceeds 4 ° C. (NO), the relay OFF state is continued and step S1 is continued. If the temperature is 4 ° C. or lower (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.
Note that if the outside air temperature Tamday is not stored in the memory 85 immediately after the boiling operation ends, the process returns to step S1.
[0080]
The hot water supply apparatus C of the present embodiment has the following advantages.
[D] In the water heater C in which the outside air temperature sensor is not disposed on the tank side ECU 8 side, the tank side ECU 8 temporarily energizes the relay 71 after a certain time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed since the end of the boiling operation. Then, the data of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 44 is sent to the tank side ECU 8 through communication, stored in the memory 85 of the tank side ECU 8 as the outside air temperature Tamday, and whether or not the freeze prevention operation is performed in step S4. This is a configuration used for the determination.
[0081]
For this reason, even if the outside air temperature sensor is not disposed on the tank side ECU 8 side, standby power during operation standby can be greatly reduced while preventing the hot water circuit W from being frozen.
Note that since the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 44 is stored in the memory 85 one hour after the boiling operation is stopped, temperature data suitable for freezing determination can be obtained.
[0082]
The present invention includes the following embodiments in addition to the above embodiments.
a. When two relays 71 are used (a relay for controlling the energization of the inverter 11 and a relay for controlling the energization of the heat pump cycle side ECU 7), and the operation of the compressor 1 is unnecessary, the tank side ECU 8 is connected to the inverter 11. It is only necessary to turn off the relay that energizes the.
[0083]
b. In each of the above embodiments, the circulation pump 6 is disposed on the heat pump unit 70 side, but may be disposed on the tank unit 80 side. In this case, the determination value of 4 ° C. is set to a low temperature.
[0084]
c. Although the relay 71 may be disposed on the tank unit 80 side, it is necessary to extend a power line from the tank unit 80 and connect it to the heat pump unit 70.
[0085]
d. In the water heater C, the time from the end of the boiling operation until the tank-side ECU 8 temporarily energizes the relay 71 is increased as the target boiling temperature is higher (harder to freeze) as shown below. You may make it like (corresponding to claim 5).
Target boiling temperature 65 ° C → 1 hour
Target boiling temperature 90 ° C → 1.5 hours
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the hot water supply apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart at the time of boiling operation of the hot water supply apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart during standby of the hot water supply apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a main part block diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to second and third embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram relating to acquisition of outside air temperature in a hot water supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram relating to acquisition of outside air temperature in a hot water supply apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
AC hot water supply device
H Heat pump cycle
W Hot water circuit (hot water circuit)
1 Compressor (refrigerant compressor)
2 Refrigerant water heat exchanger
3 Expansion valve
4 Air heat exchanger
5 Hot water storage tank
6 Circulation pump
7 Heat pump cycle side ECU (heat pump cycle side controller)
8 Tank side ECU (tank side controller)
11 Inverter (compressor drive circuit)
21 Refrigerant flow path
22 Hot water passage
42 Refrigerant piping
43 Refrigerant inlet temperature sensor (sensor)
44 Outside temperature sensor (sensor)
51 Hot water piping
61 Water supply temperature sensor (sensor)
62 Boiling temperature sensor (sensor)
70 Heat pump unit
71 Relay (energization controller)
80 tank units
82 Outside air temperature sensor
83 Water supply temperature sensor
85 memory

Claims (5)

A heat pump cycle in which a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a refrigerant flow path of a refrigerant water heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are annularly connected via a refrigerant pipe;
A hot water storage tank connected with a hot water storage tank for storing hot water for hot water supply and a hot water flow path of the refrigerant water heat exchanger, and having a circulation pump in the middle;
A compressor driving circuit for driving the compressor;
A heat pump cycle that controls the expansion valve, the circulation pump, and the compressor drive circuit based on sensor outputs from various connected sensors, and performs a boiling operation for storing the hot water at a target boiling temperature in a hot water storage tank. A side controller;
Energizing controller to switch the supply or interruption of operation power to the heat pump cycle side controller and the compressor drive circuit,
A tank side controller that is arranged on the tank unit side and that is always supplied with operating power and communicates with the heat pump cycle side controller,
A hot water supply apparatus in which the heat pump cycle, the compressor drive circuit, and the heat pump cycle side controller are arranged on the heat pump unit side,
The hot water supply apparatus, wherein the tank-side controller controls the energization controller based on a tank condition on the tank unit side during operation standby.   The tank-side controller detects a hot water temperature on the water supply side of the hot water storage tank when an outside air temperature detected by an outside air temperature sensor connected to the tank-side controller exceeds a predetermined temperature during operation standby. When the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature, or the average feed water temperature obtained by integrating the feed water temperatures detected by the feed water temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature on the feed water side of the hot water storage tank during hot water supply is averaged. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the power supply controller is instructed to cut off the operating power. An outside air temperature sensor is connected to the heat pump cycle side controller, and the outside air temperature detected after the elapse of a set time from the start of the boiling operation is stored in the memory of the tank side controller,
2. The tank controller according to claim 1, wherein when the outside air temperature stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined temperature, the tank-side controller instructs the energization controller to shut off the operating power during operation standby. Water heater. An outside air temperature sensor is connected to the heat pump cycle side controller, and the tank side controller is supplied to the energization controller so as to temporarily supply operating power during operation standby after the elapse of a predetermined time from the end of the boiling operation. Direct,
The tank-side controller instructs the energization controller to shut off the operating power when an outside air temperature detected when the operating power is temporarily supplied exceeds a predetermined temperature. Item 2. A hot water supply apparatus according to item 1.   The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the length of the predetermined time is increased as the target boiling temperature at the end of the boiling operation is higher.

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