JP4013897B2 - Heat pump water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump hot water supply apparatus provided with heating means for recovering atmospheric heat and heating hot water.

  Conventionally, this type of heat pump water heater separates a heat pump unit that collects atmospheric heat into a refrigerant and heats water through a heat exchanger, and a hot water storage tank unit that stores hot water heated by the heat pump unit. In general, the heat pump unit and the hot water storage tank unit are used as pipe connections. In this case, piping connection work was required to connect each of them. However, recently, there has been a configuration in which a heat pump unit and a hot water storage tank unit are integrated in order to reduce the labor of pipe connection work (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, the conventional configuration will be described. In order to clarify the difference in configuration from the present invention, the configuration will be described using a configuration slightly different from that of Patent Document 1.

  In FIG. 4, a heat pump hot water supply device 41 is configured by connecting a cylindrical first hot water storage tank 42 and a second hot water storage tank 43 in series by a connecting pipe 44 to form a hot water storage tank unit, and is connected to the second hot water storage tank 43. Water is supplied from the water supply pipe 45, the water in the second hot water storage tank 43 is led to the heat pump unit 47 by the heat pump forward pipe 46 and heated through the heat exchanger, and the heated hot water is supplied through the heat pump return pipe 48. Hot water is stored in the tank 42. The stored hot water is discharged from a hot water pipe 49 connected to the first hot water storage tank 42 via a currant 50.

The hot water storage tank unit and the heat pump unit 47 are housed in a single housing to form an integrated configuration.
JP 2003-314892 A

  In recent years, hot water storage water heaters such as heat pump water heaters are desired to have a thin main body with a small depth dimension of the equipment body that can be installed in a narrow passage around a house or installed on a veranda adapted to the Japanese housing situation. Yes. On the other hand, hot water storage tanks tend to have a large capacity so that there is no need to worry about running out of hot water, and the installation area of equipment tends to increase. Therefore, in order to increase the capacity and reduce the thickness of the device body, a plurality of hot water storage tanks having a thin trunk diameter are connected in series.

  However, due to the integration of the heat pump unit and hot water storage tank, the width of the main body of the equipment increases as the number of hot water storage tanks increases despite the fact that the width is increased, and it is installed in the passage around the house. In some cases, there is a problem that sufficient installation space cannot be secured and installation on the veranda is difficult, and if the capacity of the hot water storage tank is determined to be constant, a constant amount of hot water is boiled regardless of the amount of hot water used. Therefore, when the amount used is small, there is also a problem of performing useless boiling.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the amount of hot water used according to a use easily while improving the freedom degree of installation conditions.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the heat pump hot water supply apparatus of the present invention is heated by a heat pump heating unit that recovers atmospheric heat into a refrigerant and heats water through a hot water supply heat exchanger, and the heat pump heating unit. A heat pump hot water supply apparatus in which a separate hot water storage unit is provided in parallel with a heat pump unit in which a first hot water storage tank for storing hot water is integrally formed via a detachable pipe connection, and water is supplied from a water supply pipe to a water supply path. Switch for switching to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side, and the incoming water switch for switching the hot water supply to the hot water heat exchanger to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side A valve, a three-way valve that switches whether hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger flows to the upper part of the tank or the lower part of the tank, and the three-way valve when the three-way valve is switched to the lower part of the tank. A return water switching valve for switching to a hot water storage tank side or a separate hot water storage unit side, a control unit for controlling each switching valve, and an operation unit, wherein the operation unit is independent of the heat pump unit or separate from the heat pump unit. A selection switch for instructing the parallel operation of the hot water storage units is provided, and the control unit controls each switching valve based on a predetermined switching operation according to the operation mode instructed by the selection switch.

  By installing a separate hot water storage unit in parallel with a heat pump unit that has a hot water storage tank to secure the minimum required amount of hot water, the amount of hot water can be arbitrarily set according to the application using the selection switch provided on the operation unit. It is possible to provide a device with a high degree of freedom of installation, which can be increased and the installation location of the separate hot water storage unit can be selected as appropriate.

  In the heat pump hot water supply apparatus of the present invention, since a separate hot water storage unit that can be attached to and detached from the heat pump unit can be provided side by side, it is possible to perform operation by selecting the amount of hot water storage according to the user's request with a selection switch provided in the operation unit. In addition, since it is not always necessary to install the heat pump unit and the separate hot water storage unit in the same place, it is possible to provide a device with a high degree of installation freedom.

  1st invention collect | recovers atmospheric heat to a refrigerant | coolant, and heat pump heating means which heats water via the heat exchanger for hot water supply, and the 1st hot water storage tank which stores the hot water heated by the said heat pump heating means are comprised integrally. A heat pump hot water supply apparatus in which a separate hot water storage unit is juxtaposed to a connected heat pump unit via a detachable pipe connection, and the water supply from the water supply pipe to the water supply path is on the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side A water supply switching valve for switching to the hot water supply heat exchanger, a water supply switching valve for switching the hot water supply to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side, and hot water from the hot water heat exchanger. A three-way valve that switches between flowing to the top or bottom of the tank, and switching to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side when the three-way valve switches to the tank lower side A return water switching valve, a control unit for controlling each switching valve, and an operation unit, wherein the operation unit is selected to instruct a single operation of the heat pump unit or a parallel operation of the heat pump unit and a separate hot water storage unit. A switch is provided, and the control unit controls each switching valve based on a predetermined switching operation in accordance with the operation mode instructed by the selection switch. A separate hot water storage unit detachably attached to the heat pump unit is provided. Since it can be installed side by side, the amount of hot water stored can be increased according to the amount of hot water used by the user and the family structure simply by operating the selection switch provided on the operation unit, and the heat pump unit and the separate hot water storage unit are always installed in the same place. Since it is not necessary, it is possible to provide equipment that matches the housing situation in Japan with a high degree of freedom in installation.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided temperature detecting means for detecting the outlet side temperature of the hot water supply heat exchanger, and when the temperature detecting means is below a predetermined temperature, the three-way valve is switched to the tank lower side, and the operation unit selection switch Is switched to the first hot water storage tank side when instructed to operate alone, and switched to the separate hot water storage unit side when instructed to operate in parallel. An effective hot water storage form can be secured by returning the low temperature water in the initial stage of the boiling operation during the installation operation to the lower part of the tank.

  The third aspect of the invention switches the water supply switching valve and the incoming water switching valve to the first hot water tank side when the single operation is instructed by the selection switch of the operation unit, and when the parallel operation is instructed, The switching valve and the incoming water switching valve are switched to the separate hot water storage unit side, and the heat pump unit single operation or parallel operation in the parallel arrangement form of the heat pump unit and the separate hot water storage unit can be easily selected by operating the switch on the operation unit. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily change the amount of hot water stored according to the amount of hot water used by the user and the family structure, and it is possible to provide convenience in consideration of energy saving.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a heat pump hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a heat pump unit, 2 is a heat pump heating means, 3 is a compressor that heats the refrigerant, 4 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply that heats the heated refrigerant to heat water, and 5 is a pressure-reducing refrigerant. An expansion valve for expansion, 6 is an atmospheric heat exchanger that recovers heat from the atmospheric heat and vaporizes and evaporates the refrigerant, and 7 is a blower that supplies outside air to the atmospheric heat exchanger 6. The compressor 3 and the heat exchanger 4 for hot water supply The expansion valve 5, the atmospheric heat exchanger 6, and the blower 7 form the heat pump heating means 2.

  8 is a cylindrical first hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heat pump heating means 2, 9 is a water supply pipe for supplying tap water to the first hot water storage tank 8, and a pressure reducing valve 10 for reducing the water supply pressure in the middle of the piping; A water supply switching valve 11 for switching the water supply path is also attached to a separate hot water storage tank other than the first hot water storage tank 8 so that water can be supplied. Reference numeral 12 denotes a water supply connection port for connection to a separate hot water storage tank provided in the water supply switching valve 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a tank connection port for connecting a separate hot water storage tank connected to the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 8, and reference numeral 14 denotes an HP outgoing pipe. The water at the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 8 is used as a heat exchanger 4 for hot water supply. The water exchanged and heat-exchanged is stored in the first hot water storage tank 8 through the HP return pipe 15.

  In the middle of the piping of the HP forward pipe 14, the incoming water switching valve is configured to switch the flow path for guiding the water to be sent to the hot water heat exchanger 4 from the first hot water storage tank 8 or from the separate hot water storage tank. 16 and a laminated pump 17 for sending water from the first hot water storage tank 8 from the bottom to the top. In the middle of the HP return pipe 15, a three-way valve 18 is attached, and a boiling thermistor S that is a temperature detector indicates that the hot water temperature after heat exchange with the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 is not more than a predetermined temperature. When detected, the flow path of the three-way valve 18 is switched to guide the hot water from the flow path leading to the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 8 to the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 8 through the hot water tank return pipe 21. .

  That is, the first hot water storage tank 8, the HP outgoing pipe 14, the incoming water switching valve 16, the stacking pump 17, the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the three-way valve 18, and the HP return pipe 15 form a boiling circuit 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes an incoming water connection port for connecting a separate hot water storage tank attached to the incoming water switching valve 16. Reference numeral 22 denotes a return water switching valve attached in the middle of the hot water tank return pipe 21. When a separate hot water storage tank is connected, a flow path is provided so that the hot water guided from the three-way valve 18 is guided to the separate hot water storage tank. It is for switching and is provided with a switching connection port 23 for connection to a separate hot water storage tank.

  As is clear from the above description, when a separate hot water storage tank is connected to the heat pump unit 1, the pipe connection made by the water supply connection port 12, the tank connection port 13, and the incoming water connection port 20 switching connection port 23 is detachable. It connects to the piping connection part M which is the right through piping. Further, in this embodiment, the pipe connection portion M is disposed so as to face the front surface F of the heat pump unit 1, and the arrangement is arranged from the right side of the main body to the water supply connection port 12, the tank connection port 13, the switching connection port 23, and the water input connection port. They are arranged in the order of 20. An electric mixing valve 24 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 25 and the water supply pipe 9 which are connected to the first hot water storage tank 8 by piping, and a valve body (not shown) built in according to the set temperature. It is set as the structure which obtains mixed water of desired temperature by controlling an opening degree ratio. 26 is a hot water supply thermistor which is a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the mixed water mixed, and 27 is a hot water outlet pipe to which a curan 28 which is a hot water supply port is connected.

  In addition, switching between a single operation in which the operation is performed only by the heat pump unit 1 and a parallel operation in a parallel configuration in which a separate hot water storage tank is connected to the heat pump unit 1 is performed by operating a selection switch 39a provided in the operation unit 39. The selection signal is sent to the control unit 39, and the feed water switching valve 11, the incoming water switching valve 16, and the return water switching valve 22 are controlled based on a predetermined switching operation to respond to the selection signal. Perform the operation.

  Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described. First, when boiling is performed in a single operation of the heat pump unit 1, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. On the other hand, the water in the lower part of the first hot water storage tank 8 flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the HP forward pipe 14 by the stacking pump 17, where the water in the HP forward pipe 14 is heated by the heat of condensation of the refrigerant. The hot water is stored in the hot water from the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 8 through the HP return pipe 15. The condensed and vaporized refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve 5, evaporated and evaporated by the atmospheric heat recovered by the atmospheric heat exchanger 6, and flows into the compressor 3 again to be operated for one cycle. When the boiling thermistor S detects that the temperature of the hot water is below a predetermined temperature during the boiling operation by the heat pump heating means 2, the three-way valve 18 switches the flow path, and the hot water is returned from the hot water tank return pipe 21 to the return water. It returns to the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 8 through the switching valve 22. When the boiling thermistor S detects a hot water temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the flow path of the three-way valve 18 is controlled so that the heated hot water flows through the HP return pipe 15 to the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 8.

  Next, the hot water supply operation will be described. When the currant 28 is opened, the temperature detected by the incoming water thermistor 26 is compared with the set temperature, and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 8 and the tap water from the water supply pipe 9 are mixed by the mixing valve 24 so that the set temperature is reached. The hot water at a desired temperature is discharged. On the other hand, hot water is discharged into the first hot water storage tank 8 and at the same time, tap water is supplied from the water supply pipe 9 into the first hot water storage tank 8.

  In the present embodiment, since a separate hot water storage unit is not connected to the heat pump unit 1, the water supply connection port 12, the tank connection port 13, the water input connection port 16, and the switching connection port 23 are closed by a cap nut or the like.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the heat pump hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3A is a pipe connection when the heat pump unit of the heat pump hot water supply apparatus and a separate hot water storage unit are arranged side by side. The figure which shows a state, (b) is a figure which shows the pipe connection state at the time of installing the heat pump unit and separate hot water storage unit of the heat pump hot water supply apparatus back to back, (c) is the heat pump unit of the heat pump hot water supply apparatus and separate hot water storage It is a figure which shows the pipe connection state at the time of installing a unit facing each other.

  In FIG. 2, a different part from Embodiment 1 will be described. A is a separate hot water storage unit, 29 is a separate hot water storage tank connected to the first hot water storage tank 8, and the water supply connection port 12 of the first hot water storage tank 8 and the water supply A second water supply connection port 31 connected via the connection pipe 30, a second water supply connection port 33 connected via the water input connection port 20 and the water input connection pipe 32, a tank connection port 13 and a tank connection pipe 34. A second tank connection port 35 to be connected, a switching connection port 23 and a second switching connection port 37 to be connected via a water supply return pipe 36, and a second water supply connection port 31 and a second water inlet connection port 33. A second pipe connection portion N is formed by the second tank connection port 35 and the second switching connection port 37. In the second embodiment, the second water supply connection port 31, the tank connection port 35, the second water supply connection port 33, and the second switching connection port 37 are arranged in this order from the left of the separately installed hot water storage unit A. The arrangement of the pipe connection portions M is reversed.

  Next, the operation will be described with the above configuration. First, the case where water is supplied to the first hot water storage tank 8 and the separate hot water storage tank 29 will be described. When performing parallel operation of the heat pump unit 1 that requires a lot of hot water and the separate hot water storage unit A, if the parallel operation is selected with the selection switch 39a of the operation unit 39, the control unit 38 supplies water from the water supply pipe 9 Is switched from the separate hot water storage tank 29 side through the tank connection pipe 34 to the first hot water storage tank 8 so that the flow path of the water supply switching valve 11 is switched. When not so much hot water is required, the single operation of the heat pump unit 1 may be selected. In that case, the flow path is switched so that the water supply switching valve 11 is supplied only to the first hot water storage tank 8 side.

  Next, the case where boiling is performed by the juxtaposed operation of the heat pump unit 1 and the separately installed hot water storage unit A will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. On the other hand, when the separate hot water storage tank 29 is connected, the flow path of the incoming water switching valve 16 is switched so as to guide the water at the bottom of the separate hot water storage tank 29 to the heat pump heating means 2. The water is heated from 30 through the HP going pipe 14 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, where water is heated by the heat of condensation of the refrigerant, and becomes hot water and flows into the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 8 through the HP return pipe 15. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve 5, vaporized and evaporated by the atmospheric heat recovered by the atmospheric heat exchanger 6, flows into the compressor 3 again, and is operated for one cycle. When the boiling thermistor S, which is a temperature detecting means, detects that the temperature of the heat-exchanged hot water is equal to or lower than a predetermined boiling temperature at the start of boiling by the heat pump heating means 2, the three-way valve 18 stores hot water in the hot water storage tank. The flow path is switched so as to lead to the return pipe 21 side, and the flow path of the return water switching valve 22 is switched so as to return the hot water to the bottom of the separate hot water storage tank 29 through the water supply return pipe 36. When the boiling thermistor S detects a predetermined temperature or higher, the heated water flows through the HP return pipe 15 to the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 8.

  In addition, the boiling operation in the case of performing independent operation with the heat pump unit 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Next, in FIG. 3 (a)-(c), the piping connection at the time of arranging the heat pump unit 1 and the separate hot water storage unit A in parallel will be described.

  FIG. 3A shows a case where the heat pump unit 1 and the separate hot water storage unit A are arranged side by side, and the second pipe connection portion of the separate hot water storage unit A with respect to the arrangement of the pipe connection portions M of the heat pump unit 1. Since the arrangement of N is reversed, the water supply connection pipe 30, the tank connection pipe 34, the water supply connection pipe 32, and the water supply return pipe 36 can be piped without crossing each other. In the case where the heat pump unit 1 and the separately installed hot water storage unit A have the same height and depth dimensions, the appearance is further improved.

  FIG. 3B shows a case where the heat pump unit 1 and the separate hot water storage unit A are installed back to back, and in this case as well, the position where the pipe connection part M and the second pipe connection part N face each other as in FIG. Therefore, the water supply connection pipe 30, the tank connection pipe 34, the water input connection pipe 32, and the water supply return pipe 36 can be piped without crossing each other. Further, the pipe connection part M and the second pipe connection part N are arranged so as to face the front surface F and the front surface G which are the same exterior surfaces, so that the water supply connection pipe 30, the tank connection pipe 34 and the water inlet connection pipe 32 are provided. It is also possible to pass the water supply return pipe 36 between the device main body and the grounding surface, and since the piping does not go out of the device main body, it is easy to construct and looks good.

  FIG. 3C shows a case where the heat pump unit 1 and the separate hot water storage unit A are installed face to face. In this case as well, the pipe connection part M and the second pipe connection part N are opposed to each other as in FIG. Because it comes to the position, it is easy to construct and looks good.

  As described above, the heat pump hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention provides a configuration in which a separate hot water storage unit can be added to the heat source unit with a built-in basic tank according to the actual usage, and is limited to a water heater using a heat pump as a heat source. It can be used for all hot water storage water heaters that use electricity, gas or the like as a heat source.

The system block diagram of the heat pump hot-water supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The system block diagram of the heat pump hot-water supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention (A) The figure which shows the pipe connection state at the time of arranging the heat pump unit and separate hot water storage unit of the same heat pump hot water supply apparatus side by side (b) When the heat pump unit of the same heat pump hot water supply apparatus and the separate hot water storage unit are installed back to back (C) The figure which shows the pipe connection state at the time of installing the heat pump unit and separate hot water storage unit of the heat pump hot-water supply apparatus facing each other System configuration diagram of conventional heat pump water heater

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat pump unit 2 Heat pump heating means 4 Heat exchanger for hot water supply 8 First hot water storage tank 9 Water supply pipe 11 Water supply switching valve 16 Water input switching valve 18 Three-way valve 38 Control part 39 Operation part 39a Selection switch A Separate hot water storage unit M Piping connection part

Claims (3)

A heat pump heating unit that collects atmospheric heat into a refrigerant and heats water through a hot water supply heat exchanger, and a heat pump unit in which a first hot water storage tank that stores hot water heated by the heat pump heating unit is configured integrally, A heat pump hot water supply apparatus in which a separate hot water storage unit is arranged in parallel through a detachable pipe connection part, and a water supply switching valve for switching the water supply from the water supply pipe to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side in the water supply path; , An incoming water switching valve for switching the hot water supply to the hot water supply heat exchanger to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side, and whether the hot water from the hot water heat exchanger flows to the upper part of the tank A three-way valve that switches whether to flow to the bottom, and a return water switching valve that switches to the first hot water storage tank side or the separate hot water storage unit side when the three-way valve switches to the tank lower side A control unit for controlling each switching valve, and an operation unit, the operation unit is provided with a selection switch for instructing an independent operation of the heat pump unit or a parallel operation of the heat pump unit and a separate hot water storage unit, The control unit is a heat pump hot water supply apparatus that controls each switching valve based on a predetermined switching operation in accordance with an operation mode instructed by the selection switch. There is provided temperature detection means for detecting the outlet side temperature of the hot water supply heat exchanger, and when the temperature detection means is below a predetermined temperature, the three-way valve is switched to the lower side of the tank, and the selection switch of the operation unit instructs single operation. 2. The heat pump hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return water switching valve is switched to the first hot water storage tank side when it is, and is switched to the separate hot water storage unit side when the parallel operation is instructed. When the single operation is instructed by the selection switch of the operation unit, the water supply switching valve and the incoming water switching valve are switched to the first hot water storage tank side, and when the parallel operation is instructed, the water supply switching valve and the incoming water switching valve are switched. The heat pump hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat pump is switched to the separately installed hot water storage unit side.

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