JP4486205B2

JP4486205B2 - Air conditioning and hot water supply system

Info

Publication number: JP4486205B2
Application number: JP2000046241A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 裕一河北; 敏郎黒川; 泰寛濱田; 永治桑原; 靖二大越
Original assignee: Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc; Toshiba Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc; Toshiba Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2000-02-23
Filing date: 2000-02-23
Publication date: 2010-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-23
Also published as: JP2001235252A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、空気調和機および電気温水器を備えた空調・給湯システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、電気温水器は、安価な深夜電力を利用して夜間に電気ヒータを動作させ、その電気ヒータの発熱により貯湯槽内の水を加熱して湯を溜め、溜めた湯を昼間の給湯に利用する機器である。
【０００３】
空気調和機いわゆるエアコンは、室外機および室内機にヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを搭載し、夏期には室内空気の熱を奪ってそれを室外に放出することにより冷房を行い、冬期には室外空気から熱を汲み上げてそれを室内に放出することにより暖房を行う。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
電気温水器は、ヒータで加熱するため加熱効率は約０．９であり、ガスや石油給湯器の効率を若干上回る程度であった。
【０００５】
一方、空気調和機は、冷暖房に使うのが主であり、中間期には休止したままとなることが多く、年間で見ると稼働率がかなり低い。
【０００６】
この発明は上記の事情を考慮したもので、その目的とするところは、空気調和機のヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを利用して電気温水器の水を高効率に加熱することができ、しかも空気調和機の稼働率を高めることができる省エネルギ性および経済性にすぐれた空調・給湯システムを提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に係る発明の空調・給湯システムは、室外機および室内機にヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを搭載してなる空気調和機と、上記ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルに接続し冷凍サイクルの冷媒と熱交換させ貯湯用の循環水を加熱させるための給湯用水配管および冷媒配管を備えた給湯熱交換器を有する貯湯分岐ユニットと、この貯湯分岐ユニットの給湯熱交換器と水配管で連結される貯湯槽を備えるとともに、この貯湯槽内の水を加熱するための電気ヒータを有する電気温水器とを備える。そして、貯湯分岐ユニットは、上記ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルにおける上記室外機および上記室内機からの接続配管と接続し、上記ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルにおける上記室外機と上記室内機とを連結する第１の冷媒循環サイクルまたは上記室外機と上記給湯熱交換器とを連結する第２の冷媒循環サイクルを構成するとともに、この各冷媒循環サイクルを切換える冷媒流路切換手段と、上記冷媒循環サイクルのいずれか一方の流路を選択する選択手段と、上記室内機の制御器と上記室外機の制御器とを接続する電気配線と、上記電気温水器の制御器に対し接続する運転信号線と、電源からの電源配線を接続するための入力端子と、この入力端子に配線接続した出力端子と、この出力端子と上記電気温水器とを接続する電源配線と、上記入力端子と上記出力端子との間の配線に設けた電流センサと、を備える。
【０００８】
請求項２に係る発明の空調・給湯システムは、請求項１に係る発明において、電気温水器が、貯湯槽内の水を加熱するための電気ヒータを有する。貯湯分岐ユニットの選択手段は、上記空気調和機に対し設定される運転モードおよび上記電気ヒータの通電状態に基づいて選択を行う。
【００１０】
請求項３に係る空調・給湯システムは、請求項１に係る発明において、貯湯分岐ユニットが、給湯熱交換器と電気温水器を連結させる水配管に介在させた水循環用ポンプと、冷媒配管を流れる冷媒の温度を検知する冷媒温度センサと、水配管を流れる循環水の温度を検知する水温度センサと、分岐制御器とをさらに備える。そして、分岐制御器は、上記室内機からの運転モード信号および上記電流センサの検知結果に基づいて上記冷媒流路切換手段および上記水循環用ポンプを制御する。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の一実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。
図１に示すように、室外機１に貯湯分岐ユニット２を冷媒配管により接続し、その貯湯分岐ユニット２に室内機３を冷媒配管接続し且つ電気温水器４を給湯用水配管接続する。電気温水器４は、筐体外周面に運転操作用の操作部５を有する。
【００１２】
室外機１と室内機３とで空気調和機を成し、その室外機１および室内機３にヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを搭載した構成となっている。さらに、室外機１および室内機３との間のヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルの配管に貯湯分岐ユニット２における後述の給湯熱交換器２６を連通した構成となっている。
【００１３】
ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクル、貯湯分岐ユニット２、および電気温水器４の具体的な構成を図２に示す。
【００１４】
室外機１は、圧縮機１１、四方弁１２、電動膨張弁（ＰＭＶ：パルスモータバルブ）１３、および室外熱交換器１４などを備える。室内機３は、室内熱交換器３１などを備える。
【００１５】
上記圧縮機１１の吐出口に四方弁１２を介して室内熱交換器３１を配管接続し、その室内熱交換器３１に電動膨張弁（ＰＭＶ：パルスモータバルブ）１３を介して室外熱交換器１４を配管接続する。そして、室外熱交換器１４を上記四方弁１２を介して圧縮機１１の吸込口に接続し、ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを構成している。
【００１６】
貯湯分岐ユニット２では、四方弁１２と室内熱交換器３１との間の配管に開閉弁（二方弁）２１を設け、室内熱交換器３１と電動膨張弁１３との間の配管に開閉弁２２を設ける。さらに、四方弁１２と二方弁２１との間の配管に冷媒配管２５の一端を接続し、その一端部に開閉弁２３を設けるとともに、冷媒配管２５の他端を開閉弁２２と電動膨張弁１３との間の配管に接続し、その他端部に開閉弁２４を設ける。
【００１７】
そして、冷媒配管２５において、開閉弁２３，２４の相互間に給湯熱交換器２６の冷媒配管（一次側管）を連通する。給湯熱交換器２６は貯湯用の循環水を加熱させるための給湯用水配管（二次側管）をさらに備えており、その給湯用水配管に給湯用水配管２７を連通し、その給湯用水配管２７の一端を水循環用ポンプ２８を介して電気温水器４における貯湯槽４１に連結するとともに、給湯用水配管２７の他端を同じく貯湯槽４１に連結する。給湯熱交換器２６は、冷媒と貯湯用の潤滑水との熱交換を行う。
【００１８】
開閉弁２１，２２，２３，２４は、室外機１および室内機３からの接続配管と接続した冷媒配管と共に、室外機１と室内機３とを連結する第１の冷媒循環サイクル、または室外機１と給湯熱交換器２６とを連結する第２の冷媒循環サイクルを構成するとともに、この各冷媒循環サイクルを切換える冷媒流路切換手段として機能する。
【００１９】
冷媒配管２５に冷媒温度検知用の冷媒温度センサＴｒを取付け、給湯熱交換器２６の二次側管と水循環用ポンプ２８との間の給湯用水配管２７に循環水温度検知用の水温センサＴｗを取付けている。
【００２０】
電気温水器４では、給湯用水配管２７の一端を水抜き用の開閉弁４３を介して排水口（図示しない）に連通するとともに、給湯用水配管２７の他端部を給湯制御用の開閉弁４４を介して外部に導出する。
【００２１】
図３は、室外機１、貯湯分岐ユニット２、室内機３、電気温水器４に搭載している制御回路である。
室外機１は、室外制御器１０を備え、その室外制御器１０に圧縮機モータ１１Ｍ、四方弁１２、電動膨張弁１３を接続している。
【００２２】
貯湯分岐ユニット２は、分岐制御器２０を備え、その分岐制御器２０に開閉弁２１，２２，２３，２４、ポンプモータ２８Ｍ、冷媒温度センサＴｒ、水温センサＴｗを接続している。
【００２３】
室内機３は、室内制御器３０を備え、その室内制御器３０に運転モード設定・表示用の操作表示部３１を接続している。
電気温水器４は、電温制御器４０を備え、その電温制御器４０に電気ヒータ４２および開閉弁４３，４４を接続している。さらに、電温制御器４０と分岐制御器２０とを運転信号線５０により接続している。
【００２４】
室内制御器３０は商用交流電源１００Ｖに接続し、その室内制御器３０から室外制御器１０にかけて、分岐制御器２０を介して、電源電圧供給用の電源配線ＡＣＬおよびデータ送受信用の電気配線（シリアル信号ライン）ＳＬを接続する。
【００２５】
分岐制御器２０は、電源配線により専用の商用交流電源１００Ｖに接続する。また、電源用の入力端子５４ａおよび出力端子５４ｂを有し、その入力端子５４ａを電源配線により商用交流電源２００Ｖに接続し、出力端子５４ｂを電源配線５１により電温制御器４０に接続している。分岐制御器２０では、入力端子５４ａと出力端子５４ｂとの間の配線に電流センサ２９を取付け、その電流センサ２９の出力により、電気温水器４の電気ヒータ４２への通電状態を検知するようにしている。
【００２６】
分岐制御器２０は、ＣＰＵ５２およびメモリ５３を有し、メモリ５３に図４に示す運転モード決定条件を記憶している。
【００２７】
運転モード決定条件は、室内制御器３０から室外制御器１０へ送られる運転モード信号の内容、および電流センサ２９の検知結果（電気温水器４の電気ヒータ４２への通電状態）を判定基準とし、それに空気調和機の運転モードおよび電気温水器４の運転モードを対応付けている。
【００２８】
ＣＰＵ５２は、主要な機能として次の［１］［２］の手段を備える。
［１］室内制御器３０から室外制御器１０へ送られる運転モード信号の内容（冷房・暖房・ドライ等）を捕らえ、その内容および電流センサ２９の検知結果（電気ヒータ４２への通電状態）に応じてメモリ５３内の運転モード決定条件を参照することにより、空気調和機の運転モードおよび電気温水器４の運転モードを決定する決定手段。
【００２９】
［２］決定手段の決定内容に応じて、貯湯分岐ユニット２の開閉弁２１，２２，２３，２４および水循環用ポンプ２８を制御し、室外機１と室内機３とを連結する第１の冷媒循環サイクルおよび室外機１と給湯熱交換器２６とを連結する第２の冷媒循環サイクルのいずれか一方の流路を選択する選択手段。
【００３０】
つぎに、上記の構成の作用を説明する。
室内制御器３０から室外制御器１０へ伝送される運転モード信号の内容が冷房・暖房・ドライのいずれかであれば、分岐制御器２０は室外機１と室内機３との間の冷媒循環を選択するとともに室外制御器１０に運転指令を送り、冷房・暖房・ドライのいずれかの空調運転を実行する。
【００３１】
たとえば、運転モード信号の内容が“暖房”の場合、分岐制御器２０は、図２に示すように、貯湯分岐ユニット２の開閉弁２１，２２を開いて開閉弁２３，２４を閉じ（図示黒塗り）、室外機１と室内機３との間で矢印方向の冷媒循環サイクルを形成するとともに、室外制御器１０に暖房運転指令を送る。
【００３２】
こうして、外気の熱を室外熱交換器１４で汲み上げ、その汲み上げ熱を暖房熱として室内熱交換器３１から被空調室内へ供給する。
【００３３】
夜間、深夜電力時間帯になると、電気温水器４は電気ヒータ４２を起動し、その電気ヒータ４２の発熱により貯湯槽４１内の水を加熱せしめる。いわゆるヒータ貯湯運転の実行となる。
【００３４】
このとき、分岐制御器２０と電温制御器４０との間の電源配線５１にヒータ動作電流が流れ、電流センサ２９の出力信号が論理“１”となる。分岐制御器２０は、電流センサ２９の出力が論理“１”となることで、電気ヒータ４２が動作状態に入ったことを察知する。
【００３５】
電気ヒータ４２の動作中、運転モード信号の内容が停止になると、分岐制御器２０は、図５に示すように、貯湯分岐ユニット２の開閉弁２３，２４を閉じて（図示黒塗り）、開閉弁２１，２２を開き、室外機１と貯湯槽熱交換器２６との間で矢印方向の冷媒循環サイクルを形成するとともに（室内熱交換器３１には冷媒を流さない）、循環水ポンプ２８を起動して電気温水器４の貯湯槽４１内の水を給湯用水配管２７および給湯熱交換器２６を通して循環させる。さらに分岐制御器２０は、電温制御器４０にヒータ停止指令を送って電気ヒータ４２の動作を停止する。
【００３６】
こうして、外気の熱を室外熱交換器１４で熱を汲み上げ、その汲み上げ熱を給湯熱交換器２６を介して貯湯槽４１内の水に供給し、貯湯槽４１内の水を加熱せしめる。いわゆるヒートポンプ貯湯運転の実行となる。
【００３７】
このとき、電源ライン５１にヒータ動作電流が流れなくなり、電流センサ２９の出力信号が論理“０”となる。
【００３８】
このヒートポンプ貯湯運転では、ヒートポンプ暖房で知られているように効率（ＣＯＰ）が“３”から“４”と高く、電気ヒータ発熱の場合よりも高効率の加熱を行うことができる。
【００３９】
また、ヒートポンプ貯湯運転時、貯湯槽４１からの循環水の温度を水温センサＴｗが検知しており、その検知温度が予め定めた設定値たとえば５５℃以上に上昇すると、分岐制御器２０は、室外制御器１０に停止指令を送るとともに、電温制御器４０に対するヒータ停止指令を解除する。これにより、ヒートポンプ貯湯運転が終了となる。
なお、冷房時の冷媒の流れを図６に示している。
【００４０】
以上のように、ヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルに貯湯分岐ユニット２を設け、その貯湯分岐ユニット２によって室外機１および電気温水器４を制御することにより、室外機１を使って電気温水器４内の水を高効率に加熱できる。ひいては、電気温水器４のランニングコストが安くなるとともに、室外機１の稼働率を上げることができ、省エネルギ性および経済性にすぐれたものとなる。
【００４１】
なお、この発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、要旨を変えない範囲で種々変形実施可能である。
【００４２】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたようにこの発明によれば、空気調和機のヒートポンプ式冷凍サイクルを利用して電気温水器の水を高効率に加熱することができ、しかも空気調和機の稼働率を高めることができる省エネルギ性および経済性にすぐれた空調・給湯システムを提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】一実施形態の全体的な構成を示す図。
【図２】一実施形態の具体的な構成および暖房時の冷媒の流れを示す図。
【図３】一実施形態の制御回路のブロック図。
【図４】一実施形態における運転モード決定条件のフォーマットを示す図。
【図５】一実施形態におけるヒートポンプ貯湯運転時の冷媒および循環水の流れを示す図。
【図６】一実施形態における冷房時の冷媒の流れを示す図。
【符号の説明】
１…室外機
２…貯湯分岐ユニット
３…室内機
４…電気温水器
１１…圧縮機
１２…四方弁
１４…室外熱交換器
２１，２２，２３，２４…開閉弁
２６…給湯熱交換器
２７…給湯用水配管
２８…水循環用ポンプ
３１…室内熱交換器
４１…貯湯槽
４２…電気ヒータ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioning / hot water supply system including an air conditioner and an electric water heater.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, an electric water heater operates an electric heater at night using inexpensive late-night power, heats the water in the hot water tank by the heat generated by the electric heater, and stores the hot water in the daytime. It is a device to use.
[0003]
Air conditioners, so-called air conditioners, are equipped with heat pump refrigeration cycles in outdoor units and indoor units. In summer, they cool the air by taking heat from the room air and releasing it outside. Heating is performed by pumping up and discharging it into the room.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the electric water heater is heated by a heater, the heating efficiency is about 0.9, which is slightly higher than the efficiency of gas and oil water heaters.
[0005]
On the other hand, air conditioners are mainly used for air conditioning and heating, and often remain idle during the intermediate period.
[0006]
The present invention takes the above-mentioned circumstances into consideration, and an object of the present invention is to heat the water of the electric water heater with high efficiency by using the heat pump refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner, and to the air conditioner It is an object to provide an air conditioning / hot water supply system that can increase the operation rate of the battery and is excellent in energy saving and economical efficiency.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An air conditioning / hot water supply system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an outdoor unit and an air conditioner in which a heat pump refrigeration cycle is mounted on an indoor unit, and heat exchange with a refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle connected to the heat pump refrigeration cycle. Ru with a hot water storage branching unit having a hot water supply heat exchanger having a hot water supply water piping and refrigerant piping for heating the circulating water use, the hot water storage tank are connected by the hot water supply heat exchanger of the hot water branch unit and water pipe And an electric water heater having an electric heater for heating the water in the hot water tank . The hot water storage branch unit is connected to the outdoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle and a connection pipe from the indoor unit, and connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle. A second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the cycle or the outdoor unit and the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow path switching means for switching each refrigerant circulation cycle, and a flow of either one of the refrigerant circulation cycles A selection means for selecting a path, an electric wiring for connecting the controller of the indoor unit and the controller of the outdoor unit, an operation signal line connected to the controller of the electric water heater, and a power wiring from a power source An input terminal for connecting the output terminal, an output terminal wired to the input terminal, a power supply wiring connecting the output terminal and the electric water heater, and the input terminal And a current sensor provided in the wiring between the terminal and the output terminal.
[0008]
An air conditioning / hot water supply system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the electric water heater has an electric heater for heating the water in the hot water storage tank. The selection means of the hot water storage branch unit performs selection based on the operation mode set for the air conditioner and the energization state of the electric heater.
[0010]
Air conditioning and hot water supply system according to claim 3, flows in the invention according to claim 1, the hot water storage branch unit, and a water circulation pump is interposed in the water pipe linking the hot water supply heat exchanger and an electric water heater, the refrigerant pipe A refrigerant temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant, a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the circulating water flowing through the water pipe, and a branch controller are further provided. The branch controller controls the refrigerant flow switching means and the water circulation pump based on the operation mode signal from the indoor unit and the detection result of the current sensor.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water storage branch unit 2 is connected to an outdoor unit 1 by a refrigerant pipe, an indoor unit 3 is connected to the hot water storage branch unit 2 by a refrigerant pipe, and an electric water heater 4 is connected to a hot water supply water pipe. The electric water heater 4 has an operation unit 5 for driving operation on the outer peripheral surface of the housing.
[0012]
The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 form an air conditioner, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 are equipped with a heat pump refrigeration cycle. Further, the heat pump refrigeration cycle pipe between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 is connected to a hot water supply heat exchanger 26 described later in the hot water storage branch unit 2.
[0013]
A specific configuration of the heat pump refrigeration cycle, the hot water storage branch unit 2, and the electric water heater 4 is shown in FIG.
[0014]
The outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 11, a four-way valve 12, an electric expansion valve (PMV: pulse motor valve) 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the like. The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31 and the like.
[0015]
An indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 11 via a four-way valve 12, and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 31 via an electric expansion valve (PMV: pulse motor valve) 13. Connect the pipe. And the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to the suction inlet of the compressor 11 through the said four-way valve 12, and the heat pump type | mold refrigerating cycle is comprised.
[0016]
In the hot water storage branch unit 2, an open / close valve (two-way valve) 21 is provided in the pipe between the four-way valve 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 31, and the open / close valve is provided in the pipe between the indoor heat exchanger 31 and the electric expansion valve 13. 22 is provided. Further, one end of the refrigerant pipe 25 is connected to the pipe between the four-way valve 12 and the two-way valve 21, and the opening / closing valve 23 is provided at one end thereof, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe 25 is connected to the opening / closing valve 22 and the electric expansion valve. 13 is connected to a pipe between the two and an opening / closing valve 24 is provided at the other end.
[0017]
In the refrigerant pipe 25, the refrigerant pipe (primary side pipe) of the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 is communicated between the on-off valves 23 and 24. The hot water supply heat exchanger 26 is further provided with a hot water supply water pipe (secondary side pipe) for heating circulating water for hot water storage. The hot water supply water pipe 27 is connected to the hot water supply water pipe, and the hot water supply water pipe 27 is connected to the hot water supply water pipe 27. One end is connected to the hot water storage tank 41 in the electric water heater 4 through the water circulation pump 28, and the other end of the hot water supply water pipe 27 is connected to the hot water storage tank 41. The hot water supply heat exchanger 26 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the lubricating water for hot water storage.
[0018]
The on-off valves 21, 22, 23, and 24 are the first refrigerant circulation cycle that connects the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 together with the refrigerant pipe connected to the connection pipes from the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3, or the outdoor unit. 1 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 are configured to function as a refrigerant flow path switching means for switching between the refrigerant circulation cycles.
[0019]
A refrigerant temperature sensor Tr for detecting the refrigerant temperature is attached to the refrigerant pipe 25, and a water temperature sensor Tw for detecting the circulating water temperature is provided in the hot water supply water pipe 27 between the secondary side pipe of the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 and the water circulation pump 28. It is installed.
[0020]
In the electric water heater 4, one end of the hot water supply water pipe 27 is communicated with a drain port (not shown) via a drainage on / off valve 43, and the other end of the hot water supply water pipe 27 is connected to an on / off valve 44 for hot water supply control. Derived outside through
[0021]
FIG. 3 shows a control circuit mounted on the outdoor unit 1, the hot water storage branch unit 2, the indoor unit 3, and the electric water heater 4.
The outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor controller 10, and a compressor motor 11 </ b> M, a four-way valve 12, and an electric expansion valve 13 are connected to the outdoor controller 10.
[0022]
The hot water storage branch unit 2 includes a branch controller 20, and on-off valves 21, 22, 23, 24, a pump motor 28 </ b> M, a refrigerant temperature sensor Tr, and a water temperature sensor Tw are connected to the branch controller 20.
[0023]
The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor controller 30, and an operation display unit 31 for operation mode setting / display is connected to the indoor controller 30.
The electric water heater 4 includes an electric temperature controller 40, and an electric heater 42 and on-off valves 43 and 44 are connected to the electric temperature controller 40. Further, the electric temperature controller 40 and the branch controller 20 are connected by an operation signal line 50.
[0024]
The indoor controller 30 is connected to a commercial AC power supply 100V, and from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10, via the branch controller 20, the power supply wiring ACL for power supply voltage and the electrical wiring for data transmission / reception (serial Signal line) SL is connected.
[0025]
The branch controller 20 is connected to a dedicated commercial AC power supply 100V by power supply wiring. Further, the power supply has an input terminal 54 a and an output terminal 54 b, the input terminal 54 a is connected to the commercial AC power supply 200 V through a power supply wiring, and the output terminal 54 b is connected to the electric temperature controller 40 through the power supply wiring 51. . In the branch controller 20, the current sensor 29 is attached to the wiring between the input terminal 54 a and the output terminal 54 b, and the energization state to the electric heater 42 of the electric water heater 4 is detected by the output of the current sensor 29. ing.
[0026]
The branch controller 20 has a CPU 52 and a memory 53, and stores the operation mode determination conditions shown in FIG.
[0027]
The operation mode determination condition is based on the content of the operation mode signal sent from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 and the detection result of the current sensor 29 (energization state of the electric heater 42 of the electric water heater 4). The operation mode of the air conditioner and the operation mode of the electric water heater 4 are associated with it.
[0028]
The CPU 52 includes the following means [1] and [2] as main functions.
[1] The contents (cooling, heating, dry, etc.) of the operation mode signal sent from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 are captured, and the contents and the detection result of the current sensor 29 (energized state of the electric heater 42) are captured. Accordingly, determination means for determining the operation mode of the air conditioner and the operation mode of the electric water heater 4 by referring to the operation mode determination condition in the memory 53 accordingly.
[0029]
[2] A first refrigerant that connects the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 by controlling the open / close valves 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the hot water storage branch unit 2 and the water circulation pump 28 according to the determination content of the determination unit. Selection means for selecting one of the flow paths of the circulation cycle and the second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
If the content of the operation mode signal transmitted from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 is any one of cooling, heating and dry, the branch controller 20 causes the refrigerant circulation between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 to be performed. In addition to the selection, an operation command is sent to the outdoor controller 10 to perform any one of the air conditioning operations of cooling, heating, and dry.
[0031]
For example, when the content of the operation mode signal is “heating”, the branch controller 20 opens the on-off valves 21 and 22 of the hot water storage branch unit 2 and closes the on-off valves 23 and 24 (shown in black in the drawing), as shown in FIG. Coating), a refrigerant circulation cycle in the direction of the arrow is formed between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3, and a heating operation command is sent to the outdoor controller 10.
[0032]
Thus, the heat of the outside air is pumped up by the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the pumped heat is supplied as heating heat from the indoor heat exchanger 31 to the air-conditioned room.
[0033]
In the nighttime or midnight power time zone, the electric water heater 4 starts the electric heater 42 and heats the water in the hot water storage tank 41 by the heat generated by the electric heater 42. The so-called heater hot water storage operation is executed.
[0034]
At this time, the heater operating current flows through the power supply wiring 51 between the branch controller 20 and the electric temperature controller 40, and the output signal of the current sensor 29 becomes logic "1". The branch controller 20 senses that the electric heater 42 has entered the operating state when the output of the current sensor 29 becomes logic “1”.
[0035]
If the content of the operation mode signal is stopped during the operation of the electric heater 42, the branch controller 20 closes the open / close valves 23, 24 of the hot water storage branch unit 2 as shown in FIG. The valves 21 and 22 are opened to form a refrigerant circulation cycle in the direction of the arrow between the outdoor unit 1 and the hot water tank heat exchanger 26 (no refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 31). It starts and circulates the water in the hot water storage tank 41 of the electric water heater 4 through the hot water supply water pipe 27 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26. Further, the branch controller 20 sends a heater stop command to the electric temperature controller 40 to stop the operation of the electric heater 42.
[0036]
In this way, heat from the outside air is pumped up by the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the pumped heat is supplied to the water in the hot water storage tank 41 through the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 to heat the water in the hot water storage tank 41. The so-called heat pump hot water storage operation is executed.
[0037]
At this time, the heater operating current does not flow through the power supply line 51, and the output signal of the current sensor 29 becomes logic “0”.
[0038]
In this heat pump hot water storage operation, the efficiency (COP) is as high as “3” to “4” as is known in heat pump heating, and heating can be performed more efficiently than in the case of heat generation from an electric heater.
[0039]
Further, during the heat pump hot water storage operation, the temperature of the circulating water from the hot water storage tank 41 is detected by the water temperature sensor Tw. When the detected temperature rises to a predetermined set value, for example, 55 ° C. or more, the branch controller 20 While sending a stop command to the controller 10, the heater stop command for the electric temperature controller 40 is released. Thereby, the heat pump hot water storage operation ends.
In addition, the flow of the refrigerant at the time of cooling is shown in FIG.
[0040]
As described above, the hot water storage branch unit 2 is provided in the heat pump refrigeration cycle, and the outdoor unit 1 and the electric water heater 4 are controlled by the hot water storage branch unit 2, so that the water in the electric water heater 4 is used by using the outdoor unit 1. Can be heated with high efficiency. As a result, the running cost of the electric water heater 4 is reduced, the operating rate of the outdoor unit 1 can be increased, and the energy saving and economic efficiency are excellent.
[0041]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible in the range which does not change a summary.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the water of the electric water heater can be heated with high efficiency using the heat pump refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner, and the operating rate of the air conditioner can be increased. Air conditioning and hot water supply system with excellent energy saving and economic efficiency can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of one embodiment and a refrigerant flow during heating.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of an operation mode determination condition in one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant and circulating water during a heat pump hot water storage operation in one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a refrigerant flow during cooling in an embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outdoor unit 2 ... Hot water storage branch unit 3 ... Indoor unit 4 ... Electric water heater 11 ... Compressor 12 ... Four-way valve 14 ... Outdoor heat exchangers 21, 22, 23, 24 ... On-off valve 26 ... Hot water supply heat exchanger 27 ... Hot water supply water pipe 28 ... Water circulation pump 31 ... Indoor heat exchanger 41 ... Hot water tank 42 ... Electric heater

Claims

An air conditioner having a heat pump refrigeration cycle mounted on an outdoor unit and an indoor unit,
A hot water storage branching unit having a hot water supply heat exchanger provided with a hot water supply water pipe and a refrigerant pipe for connecting the heat pump refrigeration cycle and exchanging heat with the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle to heat the circulating water for hot water storage;
Rutotomoni comprises a hot water tank which is connected with the hot water supply heat exchanger and the water for hot water supply pipe of the hot water storage branch unit, comprising an electric water heater having an electric heater for heating the water in the hot water storage tank,
The hot water storage branch unit is in contact with the outdoor unit and the connection pipe from the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle, and connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle. A second refrigerant circulation cycle that connects the outdoor unit and the hot water supply heat exchanger is configured, and a refrigerant flow switching means for switching each refrigerant circulation cycle and one of the refrigerant circulation cycles are selected. A selection means, an electrical wiring connecting the controller of the indoor unit and the controller of the outdoor unit, an operation signal line connected to the controller of the electric water heater, and a power wiring from the power source An input terminal, an output terminal connected to the input terminal, a power supply wiring connecting the output terminal and the electric water heater, the input terminal and the front terminal Air conditioning and hot water supply system characterized by comprising a current sensor provided in the wiring between the output terminal.

The electric water heater has an electric heater for heating water in the hot water tank,
The selection means of the hot water branch unit performs selection based on the operation mode set for the air conditioner and the energization state of the electric heater,
The air conditioning / hot water supply system according to claim 1.

The hot water storage branch unit includes a water circulation pump interposed in a water pipe connecting the hot water supply heat exchanger and the electric water heater, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe, and the circulating water flowing through the water pipe. The temperature controller further includes a water temperature sensor for detecting temperature, and a branch controller, the branch controller based on the operation mode signal from the indoor unit and the detection result of the current sensor, and the refrigerant flow switching means and the water circulation The air-conditioning / hot-water supply system according to claim 1 , wherein an air-conditioning pump is controlled.