JP5324692B1 - Heat storage device and air conditioner equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat storage device capable of efficiently storing heat generated in a compressor.
A heat storage device disposed so as to come into contact with a compressor and for storing heat generated by the compressor has a heat storage tank main body that stores a heat storage agent that stores heat generated by the compressor. A tank, a heat storage heat exchanger that is housed in the heat storage tank body and exchanges heat with the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body, and a stirring device that stirs the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat storage device and an air conditioner including the heat storage device.

  In the air conditioner, conventionally, when the outdoor heat exchanger is frosted during the heating operation by the heat pump type air conditioner, defrosting is performed by switching the four-way valve from the heating cycle to the cooling cycle. In this defrosting method, although the indoor fan is stopped in order not to cool the indoor space that should be heated, there is a disadvantage that a feeling of heating is lost because cold air is gradually discharged from the indoor unit.

  Therefore, a heat storage tank has been proposed that uses a compressor provided in the outdoor unit as a heat source, and defrosts using the waste heat of the compressor stored in the heat storage tank during heating operation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 shows a heat storage device 100 of an air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 12, in the heat storage device 100 for an air conditioner of Patent Document 1, a heat storage coil 104 is provided in a heat storage tank 101, a heat storage medium 102 is filled around the heat storage coil 104, and heat storage in the lower part of the heat storage tank 101 is performed. Convection generating means 103 such as a heat source device is provided in the medium 102. By promoting the natural convection in the heat storage tank 101 using the convection generating means 103, the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage medium 102 and the heat storage coil 104 is improved, and the heat storage capacity of the heat storage device 100 is increased.

JP 2001-116477 A

  However, in the heat storage device 100 for an air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, natural convection is promoted by using the temperature difference of the heat storage medium 102 in the heat storage tank 101 to the last. Therefore, the heat storage medium 102 may not be sufficiently circulated in the heat storage tank 101, and the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage medium 102 and the compressor and the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage medium 102 and the heat storage coil 104 are sufficient. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage medium 102 in the heat storage tank 101.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a heat storage device in which the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank is good.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a heat storage device that is disposed so as to come into contact with a compressor and stores heat generated by the compressor,
A heat storage tank having a heat storage tank body for storing a heat storage agent for storing heat generated by the compressor;
A heat storage heat exchanger that is housed in the heat storage tank body and exchanges heat with the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body;
A stirring device that stirs the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body.

  A heat storage device with good heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank can be provided.

The figure which shows the structure of the refrigerating cycle of the air conditioner provided with the heat storage apparatus concerning this Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of normal heating of the air conditioner of FIG. 1, and the flow of a refrigerant | coolant. The schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of defrosting and heating of the air conditioner of FIG. 1, and the flow of a refrigerant | coolant. The perspective view of the heat storage apparatus concerning this Embodiment of the state which attached the compressor and the accumulator 4 is an exploded perspective view of the heat storage device of FIG. Schematic sectional view of the heat storage device of FIG. The perspective view of the stirring apparatus concerning this Embodiment Schematic cross-sectional view of the stirring device in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the defrost operation sequence of the air conditioner concerning this Embodiment. Schematic sectional view of a heat storage device according to a modification The perspective view of the stirring apparatus concerning a modification Cross-sectional view of the heat storage device described in Patent Document 1

The heat storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a heat storage device that is disposed so as to contact the compressor and accumulates heat generated by the compressor,
A heat storage tank having a heat storage tank body for storing a heat storage agent for storing heat generated by the compressor;
A heat storage heat exchanger that is housed in the heat storage tank body and exchanges heat with the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body;
And a stirring device that stirs the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body.

  The heat storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above is intended to make the temperature of the heat storage agent uniform by agitating the heat storage agent with the stirring device, to increase the amount of heat storage, and to store the heat storage tank. Reducing the thickness of the temperature boundary layer on the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger and the outer surface of the heat storage heat exchanger, improving the heat transfer coefficient between the compressor and the heat storage agent, and between the heat storage agent and the heat storage heat exchanger, The heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent in the tank can be improved.

  In the heat storage device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the stirring device includes at least the stirring member in the first aspect, and the stirring member is configured to be a stirring blade.

  The heat storage device according to the second aspect of the present invention configured as described above can surely create the flow of the heat storage agent, and can sufficiently stir the heat storage agent in the entire heat storage tank.

  In the heat storage device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the stirring device according to the first or second aspect is configured to be accommodated in the heat storage tank body.

  The heat storage device according to the third aspect of the present invention configured as described above prevents the leakage of the heat storage agent from the heat storage tank main body and stores heat compared to the case where the stirring device is disposed outside the heat storage tank main body. It is possible to prevent wasteful leakage of heat quantity.

  In the heat storage device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the stirring device according to any one of the first to third aspects is configured to stir the heat storage agent by moving the heat storage agent from above to below. ing.

  The heat storage device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention configured as described above stirs the heat storage agent without making the liquid level of the heat storage agent rippled by changing the stirring direction of the heat storage agent from top to bottom. The heat storage agent can be prevented from evaporating and the function of the heat storage tank can be maintained permanently.

In the heat storage device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the stirring device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects includes a suction port for sucking the heat storage agent and a discharge for discharging the sucked heat storage agent. And an exit
The upper end of the suction port of the stirring device is configured to be positioned below the liquid surface of the heat storage agent.

  The heat storage device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention configured as described above can perform efficient stirring when the stirring device reliably sucks and discharges the heat storage agent.

  In the heat storage device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the upper end of the suction port of the stirring device according to the fifth aspect is configured to be positioned below the upper end of the heat storage heat exchanger.

  The heat storage device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention configured as described above can reduce the influence of the liquid surface of the heat storage agent on the stirring of the stirring device.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention may be configured to include the heat storage device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioner including a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 4 that are connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a compressor 6, a four-way valve 8, a strainer 10, an expansion valve 12, and an outdoor heat exchanger 14 are provided inside the outdoor unit 2. A heat exchanger 16 is provided, and these are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe to constitute a refrigeration cycle.

  More specifically, the compressor 6 and the indoor heat exchanger 16 are connected via a first pipe 18 provided with a four-way valve 8, and the indoor heat exchanger 16 and the expansion valve 12 are provided with a strainer 10. The second pipe 20 is connected. The expansion valve 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 are connected via a third pipe 22, and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the compressor 6 are connected via a fourth pipe 24 and a fifth pipe 25. A four-way valve 8 is disposed between the fourth pipe 24 and the fifth pipe 25 that connect the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the compressor 6. A three-way valve 42 is connected between the four-way valve 8 and the compressor 6 via a fifth pipe 25, and a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant are passed between the compressor 6 and the fifth pipe 25. An accumulator 26 is provided for separation. The third pipe 22 that connects the indoor heat exchanger 16 and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to the compressor 6 via a sixth pipe 28, and the sixth pipe 28 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 30. ing.

  Further, a heat storage tank 32 is provided around the compressor 6. A heat storage heat exchanger 34 is provided inside the heat storage tank 32, and a heat storage agent (for example, an ethylene glycol aqueous solution) 36 that is a liquid for exchanging heat with the heat storage heat exchanger 34 is filled therein. The heat storage device 31 is composed of the heat storage tank 32, the heat storage heat exchanger 34, the heat storage agent 36, and a stirring device 52 described later.

  The three-way valve 42 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 are connected via a seventh pipe 38 including the capillary tube 43. The fifth pipe 25 connecting the three-way valve 42 and the compressor 6 is connected to the heat storage heat exchanger 34 via the eighth pipe 40.

  In the interior of the indoor unit 4, in addition to the indoor heat exchanger 16, a blower fan (not shown), upper and lower blades (not shown), and left and right blades (not shown) are provided. The indoor heat exchanger 16 performs heat exchange between the indoor air sucked into the indoor unit 4 by the blower fan and the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 16. Due to heat exchange between indoor air and refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 16, air heated by heat exchange is blown into the room during heating, while air cooled by heat exchange is blown into the room during cooling.

  The compressor 6, the blower fan, the upper and lower blades, the left and right blades, the four-way valve 8, the expansion valve 12, the electromagnetic valve 30, the three-way valve 42, and the like are electrically connected to a control device 45 (for example, a microcomputer). Operates under control.

  In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the mutual connection relationship and function of each component will be described together with the flow of the refrigerant taking the heating operation as an example.

  The refrigerant discharged from the discharge port of the compressor 6 reaches the indoor heat exchanger 16 from the four-way valve 8 through the first pipe 18. The refrigerant condensed by exchanging heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 16 passes through the second pipe 20 through the indoor heat exchanger 16, expands through the strainer 10 that prevents foreign matter from entering the expansion valve 12. To valve 12. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 12 reaches the outdoor heat exchanger 14 through the third pipe 22. The refrigerant evaporated by exchanging heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 passes through the fourth pipe 24, the four-way valve 8, and the three-way valve 42, and then passes through the accumulator 26 from the fifth pipe 25 to the compressor 6. It returns to the compressor 6 through the suction port.

  The sixth pipe 28 branched from the first pipe 18 between the discharge port of the compressor 6 and the four-way valve 8 is connected to the expansion valve 12 of the third pipe 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 via the electromagnetic valve 30. I am joining in between.

  Furthermore, the heat storage tank 32 in which the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 are housed is disposed so as to be in contact with and surround the compressor 6, and the heat generated in the compressor 6 is stored in the heat storage agent 36.

  One of the three-way valves 42 is connected to the suction pipe of the four-way valve 8, the other is connected to the fifth pipe 25, and the other is connected to the seventh pipe 38. By controlling the opening and closing of the three-way valve 42 using the control device 45 described above, the refrigerant path flowing from the four-way valve 8 to the suction port of the compressor 6 through the fifth pipe 25 and the four-way valve 8 through the seventh pipe 38 are controlled. The path of the refrigerant flowing to the suction port of the compressor 6 through the heat storage heat exchanger 34 can be switched between each other.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of normal heating of an air conditioner and the flow of a refrigerant | coolant are demonstrated, referring the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant used for heating.

  During normal heating operation, the solenoid valve 30 is controlled to close, and the three-way valve 42 is controlled to open and close so that the fourth pipe 24 and the fifth pipe 25 communicate with each other. According to this control, the refrigerant does not flow through the sixth pipe 28 provided with the electromagnetic valve 30 or the seventh pipe 38 connected to the heat storage heat exchanger 34.

  The refrigerant discharged from the discharge port of the compressor 6 reaches the indoor heat exchanger 16 from the four-way valve 8 through the first pipe 18 as described above. The refrigerant condensed by exchanging heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 16 exits the indoor heat exchanger 16 and reaches the expansion valve 12 through the second pipe 20. The refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 12 reaches the outdoor heat exchanger 14 through the third pipe 22. The refrigerant evaporated by exchanging heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 reaches the four-way valve 8 through the fourth pipe 24, then passes through the three-way valve 42, and passes through the fifth pipe 25. Return to inlet.

  At this time, the heat generated in the compressor 6 is stored in the heat storage agent 36 housed in the heat storage tank 32 from the outer wall of the compressor 6 through the inner wall of the heat storage tank 32.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner during defrosting and heating and the flow of the refrigerant will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, the solid line arrow indicates the flow of the refrigerant used for heating, and the broken line arrow indicates the flow of the refrigerant used for defrosting.

  When the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is frosted during the above-described normal heating operation and the frosted frost grows, the ventilation resistance of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 increases and the air flow decreases, and the evaporation in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 increases. The temperature drops. As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment is provided with a temperature sensor 44 that detects the piping temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the evaporation temperature is higher than that during non-frosting. When the temperature sensor 44 detects that the temperature has decreased, the control device 45 outputs an instruction to switch from the normal heating operation to the defrosting / heating operation.

  When the normal heating operation is shifted to the defrosting / heating operation, the solenoid valve 30 is controlled to open. Thereby, in addition to the flow of the refrigerant flowing from the discharge port of the compressor 6 to the indoor heat exchanger 16 via the first pipe 18, the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is discharged from the discharge port of the compressor 6 via the sixth pipe 28. A new refrigerant flow is generated. When a part of the gas-phase refrigerant discharged from the discharge port of the compressor 6 flows into the sixth pipe 28, it passes through the electromagnetic valve 30 provided in the middle, and then merges with the refrigerant passing through the third pipe 22, and the outdoor heat It flows into the exchanger 14. The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 14 heats the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and condenses into a liquid phase. Thereafter, the liquid phase refrigerant reaches the three-way valve 42 via the four-way valve 8.

  In the normal heating operation, the three-way valve 42 is controlled to open and close so that the fourth pipe 24 and the fifth pipe 25 communicate with each other, whereas in the defrosting / heating operation, the three-way valve 42 is connected to the fourth pipe 24 and the seventh pipe. Opening / closing is controlled so as to communicate 38. According to this control, the refrigerant flows from the outdoor heat exchanger 14 to the heat storage heat exchanger 34 via the fourth pipe 24 and the seventh pipe 38 (from the outdoor heat exchanger 14 to the fourth pipe 24 and the fifth pipe 25. To the accumulator 26).

  The refrigerant that has passed through the three-way valve 42 is depressurized by the capillary tube 43 to become a low temperature, and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 absorbs the heat of the heat storage agent 36. The refrigerant that has absorbed heat reaches the accumulator 26 in a gas phase state or a high quality state, and returns to the suction port of the compressor 6.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 14 that has become below freezing temperature due to frost adhering during heating includes a gas-phase refrigerant exiting from the discharge port of the compressor 6 and a liquid-phase refrigerant or a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant returning from the indoor heat exchanger 16. Are heated by the mixed refrigerant. When the frost melts near zero and the frost melts, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 begins to rise again. When the temperature sensor 44 detects the temperature rise of the outdoor heat exchanger 14, it is determined that the defrosting has been completed, and an instruction to switch from the defrosting / heating operation to the normal heating operation is output from the control device 45.

  4-6 has shown the thermal storage apparatus 31 used with the air conditioner concerning this Embodiment. As described above, the heat storage device 31 includes the heat storage tank 32 filled with the heat storage agent 36, the heat storage heat exchanger 34, and a stirring device 52 described later. FIG. 4 shows a state where the compressor 6 and the accumulator 26 assembled to the compressor 6 are attached to the heat storage device 31. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heat storage device 31, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat storage device 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4-6, the heat storage tank 32 is made of a resin heat storage tank main body 46 having a side wall and a bottom wall and opened upward, and a resin made of resin that closes the upper opening of the heat storage tank main body 46. A lid 48 and a packing 50 interposed between the heat storage tank main body 46 and the lid 48 and made of silicon rubber or the like are provided. The heat storage tank main body 46 has a shape that extends in a substantially circumferential direction so as to surround the compressor 6 and has a short length (width) in the radial direction with respect to the length in the extending direction. Yes. The lid 48 is attached to the heat storage tank main body 46 via the packing 50. 5, illustration of the part facing the compressor 6 among the side walls of the heat storage tank main body 46 and illustration of the stirring member 52 are omitted for convenience.

  The heat storage heat exchanger 34 is, for example, a copper tube or the like bent in a serpentine shape, and is accommodated in the heat storage tank main body 46. Both ends of the heat storage heat exchanger 34 extend upward from the lid body 48, one end is connected to the seventh pipe 38 (see FIG. 1), and the other end is connected to the eighth pipe 40 (see FIG. 1). The Further, the heat storage heat exchanger 34 is accommodated, and the heat storage agent 36 is filled in the internal space of the heat storage tank main body 46 surrounded by the side wall and the bottom wall. An oil layer (not shown) for preventing evaporation of the heat storage agent 36 is disposed on the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank body 46.

  Next, the stirring device 52 accommodated in the inside of the heat storage tank main body 46 similarly to the heat storage heat exchanger 34 is demonstrated using FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stirring device 52, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stirring device 52.

  The stirring device 52 includes a partition member 56, a stirring member 54, a rotating shaft 66, and a motor 68.

  The partition member 56 is configured, for example, in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, and is disposed so that most of the partition member 56 is immersed in the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank main body 46. The upper part of the partition member 56 is provided with a suction port 60, and the lower end part is provided with a discharge port 62. The suction port 60 and the discharge port 62 form an opening, whereby the suction port 60 and the discharge port 62 are formed. Thus, the heat storage agent 36 can enter the space in the partition member 56.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the suction port 60 is positioned below the upper end of the liquid surface of the heat storage agent 36. Further, the upper end of the suction port 60 is positioned below the upper end of the heat storage heat exchanger 34. The “upper end” of the heat storage heat exchanger 34 referred to here is a portion of the heat storage heat exchanger 34 that substantially exchanges heat with the heat storage agent 36 (in this embodiment, it extends in the horizontal direction and meanders). It means the upper end of the lower part).

  In the present embodiment, the heat storage heat exchanger 34 has a shape in which a bare pipe extends in the horizontal direction and meanders, but is not limited to the horizontal direction, Needless to say, may be provided with fins for heat exchange and may have any heat exchange function.

  The discharge port 62 is located at the lower end portion of the partition member 56, and is inclined and opened to the end portion in the direction opposite to the end portion where the stirring device 52 is provided.

  The stirring device 52 further includes an attachment member 58. The attachment member 58 is configured to be fixed to the upper end portion of the partition member 56 and to be fixed to the lid body 48 of the heat storage device 31.

  In the space partitioned by the partition member 56, the stirring member 54 is disposed. The stirring member 54 is composed of, for example, a rotary blade, and is disposed between the suction port 60 and the discharge port 62 in the vertical direction.

  A rotating shaft 66 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the stirring member 54. The rotating shaft 66 is connected to the stirring member 54 below. On the other hand, a shaft of a motor 68 (motor shaft 72) disposed on the attachment member 58 is connected to the upper side of the rotation shaft 66 via an insulating member 70. Alternatively, the rotary shaft 66 and the stirring member 54 may be integrally formed of an insulating member and connected to the shaft of the motor 68 (motor shaft 72) disposed on the attachment member 58.

  The motor 68 is connected to a drive power source (not shown) and has a motor shaft 72 protruding downward at the bottom. The motor shaft 72 is connected to the insulating member 70 through an opening 74 formed in the bottom surface of the mounting member 58. The insulating member 70 is made of resin so that it can be easily molded.

  In the stirring device 52 configured as described above, when the motor 68 rotates the motor shaft 72 in the circumferential direction of the partition member 56 by the power source from the driving power source, the rotating shaft 66 and the tip of the rotating shaft 66 are arranged. The stirring member 54 is rotated in the same direction. The rotating blade that is the stirring member 54 is configured to allow the heat storage agent in the partition member 56 to flow as an axial flow from top to bottom. That is, by the rotation of the stirring member 54, a thrust from the top to the bottom is applied to the heat storage agent 36 in the partition member 56.

  A sealing member (not shown) is provided between the opening 74 on the bottom surface side of the mounting member 58 and the insulating member 70, and the sealing member rotates the insulating member 70 and the like even when the insulating member 70 rotates. This prevents the heat storage agent 36 from entering the mounting member 58. A flange 76 protruding outward is provided around the insulating member 70 (side surface). The direction in which the flange 76 protrudes is a direction that intersects the direction in which the motor shaft 72 or the rotation shaft 66 extends.

  Further, when the heat storage device 31 is used, a cover (not shown) is disposed so as to cover the attachment member 58 and the motor 68 from above. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper edge of the mounting member 58 is provided with an engaging portion 64 projecting in the lateral direction, and the mounting member 58 and the cover are both covered with the engaging portion 64. By being engaged with the body 48, the stirring device 52 is fixed at a predetermined position in the heat storage tank main body 46.

  Moreover, the stirring apparatus 52 is arrange | positioned at the edge part in the thermal storage tank main body 46, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the heat storage tank body 46 is provided with the heat storage heat exchanger 34 at the end in the extending direction. The “end” in the heat storage tank main body 46 in this specification includes not only a portion in contact with the inner wall of the end of the heat storage tank main body 46 but also a space near the inner wall of the end of the heat storage tank main body 46. Shall.

Next, the operation of the heat storage device 31 configured as described above will be described.
As described above, the heat storage device 31 accumulates the heat generated in the compressor 6 during the heating operation in the heat storage agent 36, and when the normal heating operation shifts to the defrosting / heating operation, the discharge port of the compressor 6 A part of the liquid refrigerant separated from the first pipe 18 between the indoor heat exchanger 16 absorbs heat from the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage heat exchanger 34, evaporates, and vaporizes. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat exchange efficiency between the compressor 6 and the heat storage agent 36 and the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 are higher (that is, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank 32 is higher). Is preferable).

  On the other hand, the temperature of the heat storage agent 36 is generally higher as it is positioned higher in the heat storage tank body 46 and lower as it is positioned lower (for example, a temperature difference of 10 ° C.). Thus, when there is a temperature difference in the heat storage agent 36, the amount of heat exchange between the heat storage agent 36, the compressor 6 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 decreases, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 deteriorates. . Therefore, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency, the temperature of the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank main body 46 is made uniform to secure a temperature difference with the compressor 6 to increase the amount of heat storage, and the heat storage tank The thickness of the temperature boundary layer on the inner wall surface of 32 and the outer surface of the heat storage heat exchanger 34 is reduced, and heat transfer between the compressor 6 and the heat storage agent 36 and between the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 is performed. It is preferable to improve the rate.

  Therefore, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the motor 68 is first driven to rotate the stirring member 54 around the rotation shaft 66. As described above, the rotating blades constituting the stirring member 54 are configured to apply a thrust from the top to the bottom with respect to the heat storage agent 36 to generate an axial flow of the heat storage agent 36 in the same direction. . Therefore, when the stirring member 54 is rotated, the heat storage agent 36 flows from the top to the bottom in the partition member 56, and the heat storage agent 36 is sucked from the suction port 60 provided above the partition member 56. The sucked heat storage agent 36 flows downward in the partition member 56 and is discharged downward from the discharge port 62 provided at the lower end of the partition member 56. As described above, the discharge port 62 of the partition member 56 is opened so as to face the end in the direction opposite to the end in the heat storage tank main body 46 where the stirring device 52 is provided. The stored heat storage agent 36 flows diagonally downward as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the heat storage agent 36 flows along the bottom wall of the heat storage tank body 46 to the opposite end in the heat storage tank body 46.

  The heat storage agent 36 that has flowed to the opposite end flows in an obliquely upward direction by colliding with the inner wall of the heat storage tank body 46, and then flows upward along the inner wall of the heat storage tank body 46. The heat storage agent 36 that has reached the vicinity of the liquid surface again flows toward the end where the stirring device 52 is disposed along the liquid surface of the heat storage agent 36.

  Due to the action of the stirrer 52 on the heat storage agent 36, the heat storage agent 36 flows so as to circulate in the heat storage tank body 46 as a whole as shown by the arrows in FIG. 36 is stirred. Note that the oil layer provided on the heat storage agent 36 has a specific gravity different from that of the heat storage agent 36 and is separated from the heat storage agent 36, and thus is not stirred, and only the heat storage agent 36 is stirred.

  As described above, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank main body 46 is made uniform by stirring the heat storage agent 36 using the stirring device 52. Thereby, the temperature difference of the thermal storage agent 36 can be made into 1 degreeC or less, for example, and the heat exchange efficiency of the thermal storage agent 36 in the thermal storage layer 32 can be improved. Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the convection of the heat storage agent 36 is forcibly generated using the stirring device 52 instead of promoting natural convection using a temperature difference as in the conventional heat storage device 31. Stirring. Thus, the convection of the heat storage agent 36 is further promoted to efficiently stir the heat storage agent 36 to increase the amount of heat storage, and the inner wall surface of the heat storage tank 32 and the outer surface of the heat storage heat exchanger 34. The heat transfer efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 is improved by improving the heat transfer rate between the compressor 6 and the heat storage agent 36 and between the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34. Can be improved.

  Moreover, in the heat storage apparatus 31 concerning this Embodiment, since the stirring apparatus 52 is arrange | positioned at the edge part of the heat storage tank main body 46, it produces the flow of the whole heat storage agent 36 in the heat storage tank main body 46. The heat storage agent 36 can be efficiently stirred, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 can be improved.

  Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, since the stirring device 52 is arranged inside the heat storage tank main body 46, unlike the case where it is arranged outside the heat storage tank main body 46, the stirring device 52 and the heat storage tank main body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat storage agent 36 from leaking from the inside of the heat storage tank main body 46 and to prevent unnecessary leakage of the stored heat quantity.

  Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the stirring device 52 is stirring the heat storage agent 36 by moving the heat storage agent 36 from above to below. Thus, efficient stirring is performed by setting the stirring direction of the heat storage agent 36 from top to bottom, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 can be improved.

  Further, since the upper end of the suction port 60 of the stirring device 52 is positioned below the liquid level of the heat storage agent 36, the stirring device 52 can reliably suck in and discharge the heat storage agent 36. Thereby, the heat storage agent 36 can be efficiently stirred and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the upper end of the suction port 60 of the stirring device 52 is positioned below the upper end of the heat storage heat exchanger, the influence of the liquid level of the heat storage agent 36 on the stirring of the stirring device 52 can be reduced.

  Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the stirring device 52 includes the stirring member 54 and a partition member 56 that partitions the stirring member 54 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34, and the stirring device 52 and the heat storage heat exchanger are provided. 34 is provided in the extending direction of the heat storage tank main body. According to such a configuration, since the flow path of the heat storage agent 36 flowing around the partition member 56 can be formed, the heat storage agent 36 is efficiently stirred and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat storage agent 36 is improved. be able to.

  Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, in the stirring device 52, the shaft of the motor 68 (motor shaft 72) and the rotating shaft 66 are connected via an insulating member 70 or a rotation constituted by an insulating member. Since it is comprised by the axis | shaft 66, generation | occurrence | production of the lightning surge at the time of operation | movement of the thermal storage apparatus 31 can be suppressed, and the motor 68 of the stirring apparatus 52 can be protected.

  Further, in the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, since the flange 76 is provided around the insulating member 70 in the stirring device 52, the insulating property of the insulating member 70 is improved by increasing the creepage distance. be able to.

  Next, an example of a defrosting operation sequence of the air conditioner when the defrosting operation is performed using the heat storage device 31 having the above-described action will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the defrosting operation sequence of the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment includes the defrosting operation mode in which the defrosting operation is performed, the preparatory operation mode before the defrosting operation mode, and the defrosting operation. It consists of three modes, the rising operation mode after the mode.

  First, in the preparatory operation mode, the rotation speed of the compressor 6 and the pulse number of the expansion valve 12 are fixed to predetermined values, and then the operation is performed in the same cycle as the normal heating operation. When the preparation operation mode is performed for a predetermined time, the preparation operation mode is shifted to the defrosting operation mode. In the defrosting operation mode, the defrosting / heating operation using the heat storage device 31 described above is performed. That is, defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is performed using the heat of the heat storage device 31. After that, for example, when it is determined that the defrosting is completed by the defrosting completion detecting means such as the temperature detecting means of the temperature sensor 44 or a preset defrosting time, the operation mode is shifted to the rising operation mode. In the start-up operation mode, as in the preparation operation mode, the rotation speed of the compressor 6 and the pulse number of the expansion valve 12 are fixed to predetermined values, and the operation is performed in the same cycle as the normal heating operation. When the rising operation mode is carried out for a predetermined time, the rising operation mode is ended and the defrosting operation sequence is ended.

  According to the heat storage device 31 according to the present embodiment, the heat storage agent 36 is continuously stirred by the stirring device 52 of the heat storage device 31 during the defrosting operation sequence. Thus, the defrosting operation is performed while improving the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 by continuously stirring the heat storage agent 36 by the stirring device 52 at least during the defrosting operation. can do. Thereby, defrosting time can be shortened.

  Further, not only during the defrosting operation but also during the preparatory operation before the defrosting operation, the heat storage agent 36 is stirred by the stirrer 52 and the defrosting operation is performed in a state where the temperature of the heat storage agent 36 is equalized in advance. Is called. Thereby, since an efficient heat exchange state can be maintained from the beginning, the heat exchange efficiency between the heat storage agent 36 and the heat storage heat exchanger 34 can be further improved, and the heat storage amount can be stored in advance to the maximum. Therefore, the amount of heat that can be used for defrosting increases, and the defrosting time can be further shortened.

  Furthermore, heat can be efficiently stored by stirring the heat storage agent 36 by the stirring device 52 even during normal heating operation in which the heat storage circuit is not configured as in the rising operation mode.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement in another various aspect. For example, although the case where the three-way valve 42 is used has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and for example, a two-way valve may be used instead of the three-way valve 42.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the partition member 56 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, as shown in FIG. A partition member 84 having a shape may be used. Also in the heat storage device 80 provided with such a partition member 84, the stirrer 86 rotates around the rotation shaft 66 so that the stirrer 86 rotates around the rotation shaft 66. A flow path of the heat storage agent 36 can be formed by applying a thrust from above to below. Thereby, the heat storage agent 36 can be stirred.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the stirring member 54 forms an axial flow has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, a stirring device 90 that forms a mixed flow as shown in FIG. 11 may be used. good. The stirring device 90 includes a stirring member 92 that forms a mixed flow, and a partition member 94 provided with a suction port 60 and a discharge port 62. The partition member 94 has a cylindrical shape with a lower portion squeezed, and a lid having a central portion opened at the lower end of the suction port 60. When the stirring member 92 is rotated in the partition member 94 having such a shape, a diagonal flow of the heat storage agent 36 from the top to the bottom can be caused to flow in the partition member 94, and heat storage is performed in the heat storage layer main body 46. The agent 36 can be stirred.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the stirring device 52 applies the thrust so that the heat storage agent 36 is directed from the top to the bottom has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. May be.

  It is to be noted that, by appropriately combining any of the above-described various embodiments, the effects possessed by them can be produced.

  Since this invention can accumulate | store efficiently the heat | fever which generate | occur | produced with the compressor in a thermal storage agent, it can be applied to an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a water heater, a heat pump washing machine, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Outdoor unit 4 Indoor unit 6 Compressor 8 Four-way valve 10 Strainer 12 Expansion valve 14 Outdoor heat exchanger 16 Indoor heat exchanger 18 1st piping 20 2nd piping 22 3rd piping 24 4th piping 25 5th piping 26 Accumulator 28 Sixth pipe 30 Solenoid valve 31 Heat storage device 32 Heat storage tank 34 Heat storage heat exchanger 36 Heat storage agent 38 Seventh pipe 40 Eighth pipe 42 Three-way valve 43 Capillary tube 44 Temperature sensor 46 Heat storage tank body 48 Lid 50 Packing 52 Stirrer 54 Agitation member 56 Partition member 58 Mounting member 60 Suction port 62 Discharge port 64 Engaging portion 66 Rotating shaft 68 Motor 70 Insulating member 72 Motor shaft 74 Opening 76 Flange 78 Engaging portion

Claims (4)

A heat storage device arranged to contact the compressor and for storing heat generated by the compressor,
A heat storage tank having a heat storage tank body for storing a heat storage agent for storing heat generated by the compressor;
A heat storage heat exchanger that is housed in the heat storage tank body and exchanges heat with the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body;
A stirring device for stirring the heat storage agent in the heat storage tank body,
The stirring device has a hollow partition member and a stirring member that is a stirring blade provided inside the partition member, and a suction port for sucking a heat storage agent is formed on a side surface of the partition member at a lower end of the partition member. Is provided with a discharge port for discharging the stored heat storage agent, the upper end of the suction port is located below the liquid level of the heat storage agent ,
The heat storage device in which the upper end of the suction port of the stirring device is located below the upper end of the heat storage heat exchanger .   The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring device is accommodated in the heat storage tank main body.   The heat storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stirring device stirs the heat storage agent by moving the heat storage agent from above to below. An air conditioner comprising the heat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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