JP6326446B2 - Hot water supply system and power limiting system provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system that performs start-up control in an upper limit value setting mode in which an upper limit value is set for use power, use current, or use apparent power, and a power limiting system including the hot water supply system.

  Conventionally, demand control has been performed to suppress the power consumption of the compressor. In demand control during cooling, power consumption is reduced by reducing the operating capacity of the compressor.

  For example, in order to reduce the power consumption of the compressor by a signal from the HEMS controller that manages the power usage, the operating capacity of the compressor is reduced (see Patent Document 1), and when the power usage exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. It is conceivable to stop the compressor.

  As a heat pump unit using a compressor, hot water for hot water flowing out from a hot water tank is supplied to a hot water heat exchanger by a pump, and the hot water for hot water is heated by a hot water heat exchanger and returned to the hot water tank. Proposed. When the heat pump unit is normally started, the heat pump unit is stably started up by keeping the rotation speed of the pump constant.

JP 2012-247118 A

  However, if the heat pump unit is started in the same way as normal when reducing the power consumption, there is a problem that the power consumption, current usage, or apparent power usage of the compressor exceeds the upper limit value and the compressor stops.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When the heat pump unit is started, the compressor power consumption, current usage, or apparent power usage exceeds the upper limit value, and the compressor is stopped. An object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system that can be prevented and a power limiting system including the hot water supply system.

The hot water supply system according to the first invention is:
It can be operated in the normal mode and the upper limit value setting mode in which the upper limit value is set for the operating power, the operating current, or the apparent power of the compressor,
A refrigerant circuit having the compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing mechanism, and a use side heat exchanger;
A hot water circuit having a pump that circulates hot water that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the use side heat exchanger and supplies the hot water to the use side heat exchanger;
With
The rotation speed of the pump in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is greater than the rotation speed of the pump in the startup control in the normal mode.

  In this invention, the rotational speed of the pump in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger than the rotational speed of the pump in the startup control in the normal mode. By increasing the number of revolutions of the pump, the power used by the compressor, the current used, or the apparent power used can be reduced, and the compressor can be prevented from stopping during the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode.

The hot water supply system according to the second invention is:
The number of revolutions of the pump in the start control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger as the upper limit value is smaller.

  In this invention, the rotation speed of the pump in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger as the upper limit value is smaller. Thereby, even when the upper limit value of the used power, the used current, or the used apparent power is lowered, it is possible to reliably prevent the compressor from being stopped by reducing the power used, the used current, or the used apparent power.

A hot water supply system according to a third invention is:
The hot water circuit has a hot water temperature detection means for detecting a hot water temperature of hot water heated by the use side heat exchanger,
The target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode.

  In this invention, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Since the rotation speed of the pump is increased by lowering the target hot water temperature in the upper limit value setting mode, it is possible to reduce the power used by the compressor, the current used, or the apparent power used.

A hot water supply system according to a fourth invention is:
The target hot water temperature in the start control in the upper limit setting mode is changed toward the target hot water temperature in the start control in the normal mode.

  In the present invention, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is changed toward the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Thereby, the temperature of warm water can be brought close to a desired tapping temperature.

A hot water supply system according to a fifth invention is:
The compressor is activated by activation control for a predetermined time,
The time required for starting control in the upper limit setting mode is longer than the time required for starting control in the normal mode.

  In the present invention, the time required for the start control in the upper limit setting mode is longer than the time required for the start control in the normal mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the compressor from starting up rapidly, and to reliably prevent the compressor from being stopped by lowering the power, current used, or apparent power used by the compressor.

A power limiting system according to a sixth invention is:
A hot water supply system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions;
A HEMS controller that is connected to the hot water supply system and manages the power consumption, current consumption, or apparent power consumption of the compressor;
The control mode is switched from the normal mode to the upper limit setting mode by a signal from the HEMS controller to the hot water supply system.

  In the present invention, the control mode is switched from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by a signal from the HEMS controller. By using the HEMS controller, it is possible to reliably control the power consumption, current usage, or apparent power usage of the compressor.

A power limiting system according to a seventh invention is:
The HEMS controller is connected to the Internet;
A signal from the HEMS controller to the hot water supply system is changed based on an external signal received via the Internet.

  In the present invention, the signal from the HEMS controller is changed based on an external signal received via the Internet. Thereby, it is possible to switch from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by an external signal from the Internet.

  In the first invention, the rotational speed of the pump in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is larger than the rotational speed of the pump in the startup control in the normal mode. By increasing the number of revolutions of the pump, the power used by the compressor, the current used, or the apparent power used can be reduced, and the compressor can be prevented from stopping during the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode.

  In the second invention, the rotation speed of the pump in the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger as the upper limit value is smaller. As a result, even when the upper limit value of the power used is lowered, it is possible to reliably prevent the compressor from being stopped by lowering the power used by the compressor, the current used, or the apparent power used.

  In the third invention, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Since the rotation speed of the pump is increased by lowering the target hot water temperature in the upper limit value setting mode, it is possible to reduce the power used by the compressor, the current used, or the apparent power used.

  In the fourth invention, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is changed toward the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Thereby, the temperature of warm water can be brought close to a desired tapping temperature.

  In the fifth invention, the time required for the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is longer than the time required for the startup control in the normal mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the compressor from starting up rapidly, and to reliably prevent the compressor from being stopped by lowering the power, current used, or apparent power used by the compressor.

  In the sixth invention, the control mode is switched from the normal mode to the upper limit setting mode by a signal from the HEMS controller. By using the HEMS controller, it is possible to reliably control the power consumption, current usage, or apparent power usage of the compressor.

  In the seventh invention, the signal from the HEMS controller is changed based on an external signal received via the Internet. Thereby, it is possible to switch from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by an external signal from the Internet.

1 is a schematic diagram of a power network including a power limiting system of the present invention. The block diagram of the hot-water supply system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram when switching from a normal mode to an upper limit setting mode. The flowchart of starting control of the hot water supply system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The horizontal axis represents the time elapsed during start-up control, and the vertical axis represents the compressor current in FIG. 5 (a), the tapping temperature in FIG. 5 (b), and the pump speed in FIG. 5 (c). Graph of form. The flowchart of the starting control of the hot water supply system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The horizontal axis indicates the time elapsed during start-up control, and the vertical axis indicates the compressor current in FIG. 7 (a), the tapping temperature in FIG. 7 (b), and the pump speed in FIG. 7 (c). Graph of form. The flowchart of the starting control of the hot-water supply system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The horizontal axis indicates the time elapsed during start-up control, and the vertical axis indicates the compressor current in FIG. 9A, the tapping temperature in FIG. 9B, and the pump speed in FIG. 9C. Graph of form.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the power network 10 includes a power company 11 as a power supplier, and a power restriction system 13 connected to the power company 11 via the Internet 12. The power limiting system 13 includes a HEMS controller 15, a hot water supply system 20, an equipment device A, and an equipment device B. The hot water supply system 20, the equipment A and the equipment B are connected to the HEMS controller 15 in parallel.

  The hot water supply system 20 includes a heat pump unit 30 (see FIG. 2) including a compressor 31 and a fan 34, and a tank unit 40 (see FIG. 2) including a pump 41 and the like. The hot water supply system 20 includes a control device 21 connected to the HEMS controller 15. The control device 21 controls the compressor 31 of the heat pump unit 30, the fan 34, and the pump 41 of the tank unit 40, and is also used as these units 30 and 40. The equipment A and equipment B are, for example, an air conditioner, a television, and lighting connected to the HEMS controller 15, but are not limited thereto.

  The electric power company 11 supplies electric power generated by itself and / or electric power generated by others to the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A and the equipment B. In addition, for example, when the electric power company 11 wants to limit electric power in a predetermined period such as a certain time zone, the electric power company 11 restricts the electric power used in the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A, and the equipment B, and A cancel signal for canceling the restriction on power consumption is transmitted outside the predetermined period.

  The HEMS controller 15 is connected to the power company 11 via the Internet 12 and receives a restriction signal and a release signal that are external signals transmitted from the power company 11. The HEMS controller 15 manages the power used by the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A and the equipment B.

  The HEMS controller 15 includes a setting unit 16, a power detection unit 17, and a calculation unit 18. The setting unit 16 sets power limit values for the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A, and the equipment B based on the restriction signal. The power limit value is a limit value of the total power that can be used by the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A, and the equipment B. The power limit value is changed based on external signals (limit signal and release signal) from the power company 11 received by the HEMS controller 15 via the Internet 12.

  The power detection unit 17 detects the power used by the equipment A and equipment B. The calculation unit 18 calculates an upper limit value of power that can be used by the hot water supply system 20. The upper limit value for the hot water supply system is determined by the equipment A and the equipment B detected by the power detection unit 17 from the power limit values of the hot water supply system 20, the equipment A and the equipment B set by the setting unit 16. It is obtained by subtracting the power value used.

  The HEMS controller 15 calculates the upper limit value for the hot water supply system, and transmits an upper limit value setting signal for setting the upper limit value to the control device 21. Moreover, when the HEMS controller 15 receives the cancellation signal from the electric power company 11, the HEMS controller 15 transmits an upper limit value cancellation signal that does not set the upper limit value for the hot water supply system to the control device 21.

  When control device 21 receives the upper limit setting signal from HEMS controller 15, control device 21 switches the control mode of hot water supply system 20 (the control mode of heat pump unit 30) from the normal mode to the upper limit setting mode. On the other hand, when receiving the upper limit release signal from HEMS controller 15, control device 21 switches the control mode of hot water supply system 20 (the control mode of heat pump unit 30) from the upper limit setting mode to the normal mode. The upper limit value setting mode is a control mode in which a hot water supply system upper limit value is provided for the power used by the hot water supply system 20 and the hot water supply system 20 is operated so as not to exceed the upper limit value. The upper limit value setting mode is a control mode in which an upper limit value for the heat pump unit is provided for the electric power used by the heat pump unit 30 and the heat pump unit 30 is operated so as not to exceed the upper limit value. The normal mode is a control mode in which no upper limit value is set for the power consumption of the hot water supply system 20.

  The control device 21 includes a ROM in which control programs and data for various operations related to the hot water supply system 20 are stored, a CPU that executes various calculations to generate signals for controlling the operations of the respective parts of the hot water supply system 20, and various settings. And a member such as a RAM for temporarily storing data such as calculation results in the CPU. With these various members and software, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation control unit 22, a mode setting unit 23, a power detection unit 24, a calculation unit 25, and a storage unit 26 are formed in the control device 21.

  The operation control unit 22 controls the operation of the compressor 31, the fan 34, and the pump 41 based on the operation setting (for example, set temperature), and performs a heating operation (described later) that satisfies the user's request.

  When the mode setting unit 23 receives the upper limit value setting signal from the HEMS controller 15, the mode setting unit 23 sets the upper limit value setting mode. On the other hand, when receiving the upper limit release signal from the HEMS controller 15, the mode setting unit 23 sets the normal mode.

  The power detection unit 24 detects the power used by the heat pump unit 30 (compressor 31, fan 34, etc.) and the tank unit 40 (pump 41, etc.).

  The calculation unit 25 calculates the upper limit value of power that can be used by the compressor 31 of the heat pump unit 30. The upper limit value for the compressor is used by the tank unit 40 (such as the pump 41) and the electric power value used by other than the compressor 31 of the heat pump unit 30 detected by the power detection unit 24 from the upper limit value for the hot water supply system. It is obtained by subtracting the power value.

  The storage unit 26 stores the rotational speed a1 of the pump 41 in the startup control in the normal mode and the rotational speeds a2 and a3 of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode. As the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode, two rotation speeds a2 and a3 of the pump 41 are stored according to the compressor upper limit value in the upper limit value setting mode. The number of rotations of the pump 41 when the upper limit value for the compressor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a2. The rotation speed of the pump 41 when the upper limit value for the compressor is less than the predetermined value is a3, and a3 is larger than a2. When the heating load based on the outside air temperature or the incoming water temperature is the same, the rotation speed a2 and the rotation speed a3 in the upper limit setting mode are larger than the rotation speed a1 in the normal mode. In addition, the rotation speed of the pump 41 memorize | stored is not limited to this.

  The hot water supply system 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The hot water supply system 20 includes a heat pump unit 30 and a tank unit 40. The heat pump unit 30 includes a compressor 31, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger) 32, an expansion valve 33 as a pressure reducing mechanism, a hot water supply heat exchanger (use side heat exchanger) 37, and a fan 34. And a refrigerant pipe 35, a hot water temperature detection sensor 47, and a control device 21 (see FIG. 1). The control device 21 is also used as the heat pump unit 30 and the tank unit 40.

  The hot water temperature detection sensor 47 is disposed in the vicinity of the hot water outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37, detects the temperature of the hot water flowing out of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37, and outputs it to the control device 21. The operation control unit 22 ends the heating operation when the temperature output from the tapping temperature detection sensor 47 reaches the set temperature. The hot water temperature detection sensor 47 as the hot water temperature detection means may be any device as long as it can output the detected temperature to the control device 21.

  The heat pump unit 30 includes a refrigerant circuit 38 in which the refrigerant circulates in a refrigerant pipe 35 that connects the compressor 31, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the expansion valve 33, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 37. In the refrigerant circuit 38, the refrigerant inlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 31, and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 32 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 31. . One end of the expansion valve 33 is connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger 32, and the refrigerant outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37 is connected to the other end of the expansion valve 33. The fan 34 is disposed so as to face the indoor heat exchanger 32.

  The hot water supply system 20 can be operated such as a heating operation in both the normal mode and the upper limit value setting mode, and either operation is executed by the operation control unit 22 of the control device 21. In the heating operation, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 2, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 sequentially flows to the hot water supply side heat exchanger 39, the expansion valve 33, and the outdoor heat exchanger 32, and passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 32. A heating cycle (positive cycle) in which the refrigerant returns to the compressor 31 is formed. That is, the hot water supply side heat exchanger 39 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 32 functions as an evaporator. In this heating operation, the hot water supply hot water is heated by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing from the discharge side of the compressor 31 and the hot water supply hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 37.

  The tank unit 40 includes a pump 41, a hot water supply tank 42, a hot water supply terminal 43, water pipes 45 and 46, and a control device 21. The tank unit 40 includes a hot water circuit 48 in which hot water circulates in a water pipe 45 that connects the pump 41 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 37. In this hot water circuit 48, the discharge side of the pump 41 is connected to the hot water inlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37, and the suction side of the pump 41 is connected to one end of the hot water supply tank 42. The hot water outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 37 is connected to the other end of the hot water supply tank 42.

  In the hot water circuit 48, hot water that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 39 circulates. Specifically, when the heating operation is performed, hot water for hot water flowing out from the hot water supply tank 42 by the pump 41 is supplied to the hot water supply heat exchanger 37, and the hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 37 is supplied with hot water. Returned to the tank 42. In addition, the hot water supply terminal 43 connected to the hot water supply tank 42 through the water pipe 46 enables the hot water in the hot water supply tank 42 to be used by the user.

  Next, switching from the normal mode to the upper limit setting mode of the hot water supply system 20 including the heat pump unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, at step S1, the control device 21 operates the heat pump unit 30 in the normal mode. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the HEMS controller 15 has received an external signal (limit signal) from the electric power company 11 via the Internet 12, and if the limit signal has not been received, step S2 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the HEMS controller 15 has received the restriction signal from the electric power company 11, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S <b> 3, the setting unit 16 sets a power limit value in the hot water supply system 20, the facility device A, and the facility device B according to the power limit request from the power company 11.

  In step S4, the power detection unit 17 detects the power used by the equipment A and equipment B. In step S <b> 5, the calculation unit 18 calculates an upper limit value of electric power that can be used by the hot water supply system 20. At this time, the HEMS controller 15 transmits an upper limit setting signal to the control device 21.

  In step S6, the control device 21 receives the upper limit value setting signal from the HEMS controller 15, thereby switching the control mode from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode. Thus, the switching of the control mode from the normal mode to the upper limit setting mode is completed. In the upper limit value setting mode, the operation control unit 22 of the control device 21 performs the heating operation by controlling the compressor 31 based on the compressor upper limit value calculated by the calculation unit 25.

  In step S7, the power detection unit 24 detects the power used by the fan 34 and the like (other than the compressor 31) and the tank unit 40 (pump 41 and the like) of the heat pump unit 30. In step S <b> 8, the calculation unit 25 calculates an upper limit value for the compressor that can be used by the compressor 31. Then, it progresses to step S7 and the same process is performed.

  In FIG. 3, switching from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode has been described. However, for switching from the upper limit value setting mode to the normal mode, the HEMS controller 15 receives an external signal (release signal) from the power company 11, When control device 21 receives the upper limit release signal transmitted from HEMS controller 15, the control mode of hot water supply system 20 is switched from the upper limit setting mode to the normal mode. Thus, the switching of the control mode from the upper limit setting mode to the normal mode is completed. The operation control unit 22 of the control device 21 performs the heating operation by controlling the compressor 31 and the like in a state where no upper limit value is set.

  Hereinafter, activation control of the hot water supply system 20 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of activation control of the hot water supply system 20. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 indicates the time elapsed during the start-up control, and the vertical axis indicates the current of the compressor 31 in FIG. 5 (a), the tapping temperature in FIG. 5 (b), and the pump speed in FIG. 5 (c). It is a graph to show. Note that a current is used as a specific example of electric power. In FIG. 5, the solid line indicates the start control in the upper limit setting mode of the present invention, and the dotted line indicates the start control in the normal mode. In FIG. 5, the start control in the normal mode indicated by the dotted line is performed from the point t0 to the point t1, and the start control in the upper limit setting mode indicated by the solid line is performed from the point t0 to the point t2.

  In the normal mode, as shown in FIG. 5A, the current of the compressor 31 exceeds the upper limit value (overshoots) between the point t1 and the point t2, so the compressor 31 is activated when the hot water supply system 20 is started. Stops. The activation control in the upper limit setting mode according to the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S11, it is detected whether or not the control mode of hot water supply system 20 is the upper limit setting mode. If it is not the upper limit setting mode, the process proceeds to step S16. If it is the upper limit setting mode, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the operation control unit 22 activates the pump 41. The rotational speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is larger than the rotational speed of the pump in the startup control in the normal mode (see FIG. 5C). At this time, the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode increases as the compressor upper limit value decreases. Specifically, the pump 41 is started at a low rotational speed a2 when the compressor upper limit value is high, and at a high rotational speed a3 when the compressor upper limit value is low. While the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the normal mode is, for example, 1000 rpm, the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode is, for example, 2000 rpm, but is not limited thereto. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the current flowing through the compressor 31 is smaller in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode than in the normal mode.

  In step S13, the control device 21 detects whether or not the current value of the compressor 31 is equal to or greater than the upper limit current value for the compressor. If it is more than the compressor upper limit current value, the control device 21 stops the compressor 31. If it is less than the upper limit current value for the compressor, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control device 21 determines whether or not the first activation time has elapsed since the activation control was started. If the first activation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S13 and is repeated. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the control device 21 switches the hot water supply system 20 from the start control to the stable control, and the flow ends. At this time, the hot water temperature is switched to the target hot water temperature during the stable control, and the rotation speed of the pump 41 is controlled with the compressor frequency kept constant. The compressor 31 is activated by the activation control for a predetermined time. However, the first activation time in the upper limit setting mode shown from t0 to t2 in FIG. 5 is longer than the second activation time in the normal mode shown from t0 to t1. long.

  When the control mode detected in step S11 is not the upper limit value setting mode, in step S16, the control device 21 activates the hot water supply system 20 by the activation control in the normal mode. In step S17, the pump 41 is started at the rotation speed a1 in the start control in the normal mode.

  In step S18, the control device 21 determines whether or not the second activation time has elapsed since the activation control was started. Repeat if the second activation time has not elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the control device 21 switches the hot water supply system 20 from the start control to the stable control, and the flow ends.

[Features of the hot water supply system of this embodiment]
The hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment has the following features.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger than the rotational speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the normal mode. By increasing the rotation speed of the pump 41, the electric power used by the compressor 31 can be reduced, and the compressor 31 can be prevented from stopping during the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger as the upper limit value is smaller. As a result, even when the upper limit value of the power used decreases, it is possible to reliably prevent the compressor 31 from being stopped by reducing the power used by the compressor 31.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the time required for the start control in the upper limit setting mode is longer than the time required for the start control in the normal mode. As a result, the compressor 31 can be prevented from starting up rapidly, and the electric power used by the compressor 31 can be lowered to reliably prevent the compressor 31 from stopping.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the control mode is switched from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by a signal from the HEMS controller 15 to the control device 21. By using the HEMS controller 15, the power used by the compressor 31 can be reliably controlled.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the signal from the HEMS controller 15 to the control device 21 is changed based on an external signal received via the Internet 12. Thereby, it is possible to switch from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by an external signal from the Internet 12.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the hot water supply system 20 according to the second embodiment will be described. Since the outline of the electric power network 10, the configuration of the hot water supply system 20, and the control flow when switching from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. However, in the first embodiment, the rotational speed of the pump 41 is stored in the storage unit 26 of the control device 21. In contrast, the second embodiment is different in that the storage unit 26 stores the target hot water temperature.

  The storage unit 26 according to the second embodiment stores a target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode and target hot water temperatures a6 and a7 in the start control in the upper limit setting mode. The target hot water temperature in start-up control in the upper limit setting mode stores two target hot water temperatures a6 and a7 in accordance with the upper limit value for the compressor in the upper limit setting mode. The target hot water temperature when the compressor upper limit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a6. The target hot water temperature when the upper limit value for the compressor is less than the predetermined value is a7, and a6 is higher than a7. When the heating load based on the outside air temperature or the incoming water temperature is the same, the target hot water temperature a6 and the target hot water temperature a7 in the upper limit setting mode are lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the normal mode. The stored hot water temperature is not limited to this.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the startup control of the hot water supply system 20. FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in the current of the compressor 31, the hot water temperature, and the pump rotation speed over time during start-up control. In addition, since the description regarding the graph is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted. However, in FIG. 7, the starting control in the normal mode indicated by the dotted line is performed from the point t0 to the point t3, and the starting control in the upper limit setting mode indicated by the solid line is performed from the point t0 to the point t4. Different.

  The activation control in the upper limit setting mode according to the present embodiment will be described. First, in step S21, it is detected whether or not the control mode of the hot water supply system 20 is the upper limit value setting mode. If it is not the upper limit setting mode, the process proceeds to step S26. If it is the upper limit setting mode, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the hot water supply system 20 is started, but the target hot water temperature in the start control in the upper limit setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode (see FIG. 7B). At this time, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode becomes lower as the compressor upper limit value is smaller. Specifically, hot water supply system 20 is activated at a high target hot water temperature a6 when the upper limit value for the compressor is high, and at a lower target hot water temperature a7 when the upper limit value for the compressor is low. In the present embodiment, the hot water supply system 20 is activated at the target hot water temperature a6.

  Since the target hot water temperature a6 in the start control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode in step S22, the rotational speed of the pump 41 in the upper limit value setting mode as shown in FIG. However, it becomes higher than the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the normal mode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the current flowing through the compressor 31 is smaller in the start-up control in the upper limit setting mode than in the normal mode.

  In subsequent step S23, the control device 21 detects whether or not the current value of the compressor 31 is equal to or higher than the upper limit current value for the compressor. If it is more than the compressor upper limit current value, the control device 21 stops the compressor 31. If it is less than the upper limit current value for the compressor, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the control device 21 determines whether or not the third activation time has elapsed since the activation control was started. If the 3rd starting time has not passed, it will return to Step S23 and repeat. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the control device 21 switches the hot water supply system 20 from the start control to the stable control, and the flow ends. At this time, the hot water temperature is switched to the target hot water temperature during the stable control, and the rotation speed of the pump 41 is controlled with the compressor frequency kept constant. The compressor 31 is activated by the activation control for a predetermined time, but the third activation time in the upper limit setting mode shown in t0 to t4 in FIG. 7 is longer than the fourth activation time in the normal mode shown in t0 to t3. long.

  When the control mode detected in step S21 is not the upper limit value setting mode, in step S26, the control device 21 activates the hot water supply system 20 by the activation control in the normal mode. In step S27, the compressor 31 is started at the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode.

  In step S28, the control device 21 determines whether or not the fourth activation time has elapsed since the activation control was started. If the 4th starting time has not passed, it repeats. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, the control device 21 switches the hot water supply system 20 from the start control to the stable control, and the flow ends.

[Features of the hot water supply system of this embodiment]
The hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment has the following features.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Since the rotation speed of the pump 41 is increased by lowering the target hot water temperature in the upper limit setting mode, the power used by the compressor 31 can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the hot water supply system 20 according to the third embodiment will be described. Since the outline of the electric power network 10, the configuration of the hot water supply system 20, and the control flow when switching from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. However, regarding the storage unit 26 of the control device 21, in the first embodiment, the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the start-up control is stored. On the other hand, the third embodiment is different in that the storage unit 26 stores the target hot water temperature as in the second embodiment.

  The storage unit 26 according to the third embodiment stores a target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode and target hot water temperatures a8 to a13 in the start control in the upper limit setting mode. As for the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode, two sets of target hot water temperatures are stored in accordance with the upper limit value for the compressor in the upper limit value setting mode. The target hot water temperature when the upper limit value for the compressor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is one set of a8, a9, and a10. a8, a9, and a10 approach the target hot water temperature a5 in the startup control in the normal mode in this order. The target hot water temperature when the upper limit value for the compressor is less than the predetermined value is one set of a11, a12, and a13. a11, a12, a13 approach the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode in this order. The target hot water temperature a8 is higher than a11, the target hot water temperature a9 is higher than a12, and the target hot water temperature a10 is higher than a13. When the heating load based on the outside air temperature or the incoming water temperature is the same, the target hot water temperatures a8 to a13 in the upper limit setting mode are lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the normal mode. The stored hot water temperature is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of activation control of the hot water supply system 20. FIG. 9 is a graph showing changes in the current of the compressor 31, the hot water temperature, and the pump rotation speed over time during start-up control. In addition, since the description regarding the graph is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted. However, in FIG. 9, the starting control in the normal mode indicated by the dotted line is performed during the fifth starting time between the points t0 and t5, and the starting control in the upper limit setting mode indicated by the solid line is between the points t0 and t7. This is different in that it is performed at the sixth start time.

  The activation control in the upper limit setting mode according to the present embodiment will be described. The same steps as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S22A, the hot water supply system 20 is started, but the target hot water temperature in the start control in the upper limit setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode (see FIG. 9B). At this time, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode becomes lower as the compressor upper limit value is smaller. Specifically, the hot water supply system 20 is activated at a high target hot water temperature a8 when the upper limit value for the compressor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and at a lower target hot water temperature a9 when the upper limit value for the compressor is lower than the predetermined value. In the present embodiment, the hot water supply system 20 is activated at the target hot water temperature a8.

  In step S22A, the target hot water temperature a8 in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than the target hot water temperature a5 in the startup control in the normal mode, so that the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the upper limit value setting mode as shown in FIG. However, it becomes higher than the rotation speed of the pump 41 in the normal mode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, the current flowing through the compressor 31 is smaller in the startup control in the upper limit setting mode than in the normal mode.

  Further, the control device 21 switches the target hot water temperature a8 in the start control in the upper limit value setting mode to the target hot water temperatures a9 and a10 that are gradually increased toward the target hot water temperature a5 in the start control in the normal mode (FIG. 9B). )reference). This switching is performed by detecting an elapsed time after the hot water supply system 20 is activated. Specifically, the control device 21 detects that the time t7 has elapsed since the start, and switches (raises) the target hot water temperature a8 to a9. Similarly, the control device 21 detects that the time t8 has elapsed since the start, and switches the target hot water temperature a9 to a10. And the control apparatus 21 detects that time t9 passed since starting, and switches the target hot water temperature a10 to a5. In the present embodiment, the target hot water temperature in the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode is increased in three stages, but it may be in one stage and is not particularly limited.

  Note that the stepwise switching of the target hot water temperatures a8, a9, and a10 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the target hot water temperature may be switched in stages after the hot water temperature is stabilized. Specifically, the control device 21 detects that the time t7 has elapsed since the start, and switches the target hot water temperature a8 to a9. When the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 47 is within a predetermined temperature range with respect to the target hot water temperature a9 and this state continues for a predetermined time, the hot water temperature is determined to be stable and the target hot water temperature is set to a10. Switch. Similarly, the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 47 is within a predetermined temperature range with respect to the target hot water temperature a10, and when this state continues for a predetermined time, the target hot water temperature is switched to a5.

[Features of the hot water supply system of this embodiment]
The hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment has the following features.

  In the hot water supply system 20 of the present embodiment, the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is changed toward the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. Thereby, the temperature of warm water can be brought close to a desired tapping temperature.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, it should be thought that a specific structure is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not only by the above description of the embodiments but also by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  In the above-described embodiment, switching between the normal mode and the upper limit value setting mode is performed by receiving the upper limit value setting signal and the upper limit value canceling signal from the HEMS controller 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device 21 may switch the control mode by a signal from a power meter (not shown) attached to the heat pump unit 30 or a remote controller. The control mode may be switched by a signal from the hot water supply tank 42 of the tank unit 40. These switching controls may be combined with the following switching control.

  Further, the heat pump unit 30 itself may determine and switch. For example, the control mode may be switched when a pre-programmed condition is established in a calendar function built in the control device 21 of the heat pump unit 30 or a clock. Similarly, the control mode may be switched according to the outside air temperature, the usage status, or the current value.

  Instead of the HEMS controller 15, a BEMS controller, a MEMS controller, or the like may be employed.

  The upper limit value setting mode is not limited to a mode in which an operation is performed by setting an upper limit value for the power used by the compressor 31, and may be a mode in which an operation is performed by setting an upper limit value for the current used or the apparent power used by the compressor 31. . Current or apparent power is easier to detect than power, and can be detected with an inexpensive sensor.

  In addition, by controlling the rotation speed of the pump 47 during start-up control, it is possible to reduce the current used or the apparent power used in addition to the power used by the compressor 31.

12 Internet 15 HEMS controller 20 Hot water supply system 31 Compressor 32 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger)
33 Expansion valve (pressure reduction mechanism)
37 Heat exchanger for hot water supply (use side heat exchanger)
38 Refrigerant circuit 41 Pump 47 Hot water temperature detection sensor (hot water temperature detection means)
48 Hot water circuit

Claims (7)

It can be operated in the normal mode and the upper limit value setting mode in which the upper limit value is set for the operating power, the operating current, or the apparent power of the compressor,
A refrigerant circuit having the compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing mechanism, and a use side heat exchanger;
A hot water circuit having a pump that circulates hot water that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the use side heat exchanger and supplies the hot water to the use side heat exchanger;
With
The hot water supply system, wherein a rotation speed of the pump in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger than a rotation speed of the pump in the startup control in the normal mode.   The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the pump in the start-up control in the upper limit value setting mode is larger as the upper limit value is smaller. The hot water circuit has a hot water temperature detection means for detecting a hot water temperature of hot water heated by the use side heat exchanger,
3. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is lower than a target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode.   The hot water supply system according to claim 3, wherein the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the upper limit value setting mode is changed toward the target hot water temperature in the startup control in the normal mode. The compressor is activated by activation control for a predetermined time,
5. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a time required for starting control in the upper limit setting mode is longer than a time required for starting control in the normal mode. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A HEMS controller that is connected to the hot water supply system and manages the power consumption, current consumption, or apparent power consumption of the compressor;
The power limiting system, wherein the control mode is switched from the normal mode to the upper limit value setting mode by a signal from the HEMS controller to the hot water supply system. The HEMS controller is connected to the Internet;
The power limiting system according to claim 6, wherein a signal from the HEMS controller to the hot water supply system is changed based on an external signal received via the Internet.

Images