JP6421880B2 - Heat medium circulation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat medium circulation system.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a hot / cold water air conditioning system that uses a constant speed rotating AC power supply driven circulation pump. The system includes an outgoing water temperature sensor at the outlet of the heat pump heat source and a return water temperature sensor at the inlet of the heat pump heat source. The control device of the system includes a forward water temperature control for controlling the start and stop of the heat pump heat source based on a difference between the forward water temperature detected by the forward water temperature sensor and the target forward water temperature, and a return water temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor. Based on the difference from the target return water temperature, the return water temperature control for controlling the start and stop of the heat pump heat source is switched.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-45479

  The system of Patent Document 1 described above has the following problems. Since the circulation pump always rotates at a constant speed, the circulation flow rate of the heating water circuit is constant. When the heating load is smaller than the minimum heating capacity of the heat pump heat source, the outgoing water temperature or the return water temperature tends to exceed the target value. In that case, the heat pump heat source is repeatedly stopped and restarted, and as a result, the life of the heat pump heat source may be reduced. In addition, when the heating load is large, the efficiency of the heating operation is lowered when the temperature of the water before being heated by the heat pump heat source, that is, the heat medium and the heat medium after being heated by the heat pump heat source are reduced. there is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a heat medium circulation system capable of suppressing a decrease in the life of a heating means for heating a heat medium and suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of heating operation. For the purpose.

The heat medium circulation system of the present invention includes a heating means for heating the heat medium, a circulation pump for flowing the heat medium of the heating circuit passing through the heating means and the heating appliance, a downstream side of the heating means in the heating circuit and an upstream of the heating appliance. A supply temperature sensor that detects a supply temperature that is the temperature of the heat medium on the side, a first control means that controls activation and stop of the heating means in accordance with the detected supply temperature, and a circulation flow rate of the heat medium in the heating circuit. A second control means for controlling, when the frequency of activation and stop of the heating means is higher than the first reference , the second control means is heated compared to the circulating flow rate before the heating means is stopped. higher is to shall circulation flow after restarting means.
Further, the heat medium circulation system of the present invention includes a heating means for heating the heat medium, a circulation pump for causing the heat medium of the heating circuit to pass through the heating means and the heating appliance, a downstream side of the heating means in the heating circuit and the heating appliance. A supply temperature sensor for detecting a supply temperature, which is a temperature of the heat medium upstream of the first, a first control means for controlling the start and stop of the heating means according to the detected supply temperature, and circulation of the heat medium in the heating circuit And a second control means for controlling the flow rate, wherein the second control means increases the circulation flow rate when the frequency of activation and stop of the heating means is higher than the reference, and the second control means The means sets the circulation flow rate to the minimum flow rate during the first operation after the installation of the heat medium circulation system.
Further, the heat medium circulation system of the present invention includes a heating means for heating the heat medium, a circulation pump for causing the heat medium of the heating circuit to pass through the heating means and the heating appliance, a downstream side of the heating means in the heating circuit and the heating appliance. A supply temperature sensor for detecting a supply temperature, which is a temperature of the heat medium upstream of the first, a first control means for controlling the start and stop of the heating means according to the detected supply temperature, and circulation of the heat medium in the heating circuit Second control means for controlling the flow rate, the second control means increases the circulating flow rate when the frequency of activation and stop of the heating means is higher than the reference, and the second control means is the heating means During the operation, the circulation flow rate is controlled to be constant.

  According to the heat medium circulation system of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the life reduction of the heating means for heating the heat medium and the efficiency decrease of the heating operation.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a heat medium circulation system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a remote controller according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circulation circuit of the water at the time of the heating operation of the heat carrier circulation system of Embodiment 1. 3 is a functional block diagram of the heat medium circulation system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the control device in the heating operation of the heat medium circulation system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device included in the heat medium circulation system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a hardware configuration of a control device included in the heat medium circulation system according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is simplified or omitted. Note that the number, arrangement, orientation, shape, and size of the devices, instruments, and components in the present invention are not limited to the number, arrangement, orientation, shape, and size shown in the drawings in principle.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a heat medium circulation system according to the first embodiment. The heat medium circulation system 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a heat pump hot water supply / heating system. The heat medium circulation system 1 includes a heat pump device 100, a tank unit 200, and a control device 10. The heat pump device 100 and the tank unit 200 are connected via an outlet conduit 3, an inlet conduit 9, and electrical wiring (not shown). The heat medium circulation system 1 of Embodiment 1 has a configuration in which the heat pump device 100 and the tank unit 200 are separated. Not only this structure but the heat pump apparatus 100 and the tank unit 200 may be integrated.

  The heat pump device 100 according to Embodiment 1 is an example of a heating unit that heats a heat medium. The heat pump device 100 includes a compressor 13 that compresses a refrigerant, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15, a decompression device 16 that decompresses the refrigerant, an evaporator 17 that evaporates the refrigerant, and a refrigerant that connects these devices in a ring shape. A refrigerant circuit including the pipe 14 is provided. The heat pump device 100 heats water as a heat medium by operating a heat pump cycle, that is, a refrigeration cycle in this refrigerant circuit. The heat pump device 100 heats water by causing the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 to exchange heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 13 and water. The heat pump device 100 is activated by starting the operation of the compressor 13. The heat pump apparatus 100 stops by stopping the operation of the compressor 13. The fluid that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator 17 may be, for example, outside air, groundwater, waste water, solar hot water, or the like. The heat pump apparatus 100 may include a blower, a pump, and the like (not shown) that send the fluid to the evaporator 17.

  The heating means in the present invention is not limited to the heat pump apparatus described above, and any system may be used. For example, the heating means in the present invention may be a combustion heating device that heats with the combustion heat of fuel (for example, gas, kerosene, heavy oil, coal, etc.). The heating means in the present invention may include a plurality of heating devices. For example, the heating means in the present invention may include both a heat pump device and a combustion heating device. In addition, although the heat medium in Embodiment 1 is water, the heat medium in the present invention may be a liquid heat medium other than water, such as an antifreeze liquid or brine.

  The tank unit 200 includes a heat storage tank 2, a switching valve 6, and a circulation pump 11. Water is stored in the heat storage tank 2. In the heat storage tank 2, a temperature stratification in which the upper side is a high temperature and the lower side is a low temperature can be formed due to a difference in water density due to a difference in temperature. A water supply pipe 18 is connected to the lower part of the heat storage tank 2. Water supplied from a water source such as water is supplied into the heat storage tank 2 through the water supply pipe 18. A hot water supply pipe 19 is connected to the upper part of the heat storage tank 2. When the hot water is supplied to the outside, the hot water in the heat storage tank 2 is sent out to the hot water supply pipe 19 by the water source water pressure acting on the water supply pipe 18.

  The heat storage tank 2 has an outlet 25 and an inlet 26. Water inside the heat storage tank 2 comes out from the outlet 25. Hot water heated by the heat pump device 100 enters the heat storage tank 2 from the inlet 26. The outlet 25 is in the lower part of the heat storage tank 2. The inlet 26 is at the top of the heat storage tank 2. The switching valve 6 has a first port 6a, a second port 6b, and a third port 6c. The switching valve 6 has a state in which the third port 6c communicates with the first port 6a and shuts off the second port 6b, and a state in which the third port 6c communicates with the second port 6b and shuts off the first port 6a. Can be switched to.

  The lower pipe 8 connects between the outlet 25 of the heat storage tank 2 and the upstream end of the inlet conduit 9. The downstream end of the inlet conduit 9 is connected to the water inlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 of the heat pump device 100. A circulation pump 11 is connected in the middle of the inlet conduit 9. The output or rotation speed of the circulation pump 11 is variable. As the circulation pump 11, for example, a pump provided with a pulse width modulation control type DC motor capable of changing an output or a rotation speed by a speed command voltage from the control device 10 can be preferably used. In the first embodiment, the circulation pump 11 is installed in the tank unit 200. Instead of this configuration, the circulation pump 11 may be installed in the heat pump device 100. The outlet conduit 3 connects between the water outlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 of the heat pump device 100 and the third port 6 c of the switching valve 6. The upper pipe 4 connects between the first port 6 a of the switching valve 6 and the inlet 26 of the heat storage tank 2. In the first embodiment, the circulation pump 11 is connected in the middle of the inlet conduit 9. Instead of this configuration, the circulation pump 11 may be connected in the middle of the outlet conduit 3.

  The heating facility 12 is provided outside the heat pump device 100 and the tank unit 200. The heating facility 12 includes one or more heating appliances 24. By flowing water heated by the heat pump device 100 to the heater 24, the temperature of the indoor air is raised. As the heating appliance 24, for example, at least one of a floor heating panel installed under the floor, a radiator or panel heater installed on an indoor wall surface, and a fan convector can be used. When the heating facility 12 includes a plurality of heating appliances 24, the types thereof may be the same or different. When the heating facility 12 includes a plurality of heating appliances 24, the connection method of the plurality of heating appliances 24 may be any of a series, a parallel, a combination of series and parallel.

  The tank unit 200 and the heating facility 12 are connected via a first external pipe 22 and a second external pipe 23. The tank unit 200 has an outlet 27 and an inlet 28. The water supplied from the tank unit 200 to the heating facility 12 goes out of the tank unit 200 through the outlet 27. The first internal pipe 5 connects between the second port 6 b of the switching valve 6 and the outlet 27 inside the tank unit 200. The upstream end of the first outer pipe 22 is connected to the outlet 27 from the outside of the tank unit 200. The downstream end of the first outer pipe 22 is connected to the entrance of the heating facility 12. The upstream end of the second external pipe 23 is connected to the outlet of the heating facility 12. The downstream end of the second outer pipe 23 is connected to the inlet 28 from the outside of the tank unit 200. The second inner pipe 7 connects between the inlet 28 and the upstream end of the inlet conduit 9 inside the tank unit 200. Water returning from the heating facility 12 to the tank unit 200 enters the tank unit 200 through the inlet 28.

  The tank unit 200 contains the control device 10. The control device 10 and the remote controller 21 are connected to each other so as to be able to perform data communication in both directions by wireless or wired communication. The remote controller 21 is an example of a user interface provided in the heat medium circulation system 1. The remote controller 21 may be installed in a room provided with the heating appliance 24. The remote controller 21 may be installed in other locations. The user can input commands relating to the operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 and changes in set values from the remote controller 21. Actuators and sensors included in the heat medium circulation system 1 are electrically connected to the control device 10. The control device 10 controls the operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 based on the detection values of the sensors and the signal from the remote controller 21.

  A plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) are attached to the surface of the heat storage tank 2 at intervals in the vertical direction. The control device 10 can calculate the amount of stored hot water, the amount of stored heat, the amount of remaining hot water, etc. in the heat storage tank 2 by detecting the temperature distribution in the vertical direction in the heat storage tank 2 using these temperature sensors.

  The outlet conduit 3 is provided with a flow sensor 30 and a supply temperature sensor 31. The flow sensor 30 detects the flow rate of water passing through the outlet conduit 3. The supply temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature of water flowing out from the heat pump device 100. The supply temperature sensor 31 can detect the temperature of the water heated by the heat pump device 100. Hereinafter, the temperature of the water heated by the heat pump apparatus 100 is also referred to as “heat pump heating temperature”. In the first embodiment, the flow rate sensor 30 and the supply temperature sensor 31 are installed in the tank unit 200. Instead of this configuration, the flow sensor 30 and the supply temperature sensor 31 may be installed in the heat pump device 100.

  The inlet conduit 9 is provided with a return temperature sensor 32. The return temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature of water flowing into the heat pump apparatus 100. Hereinafter, the temperature of the water flowing into the heat pump apparatus 100 is also referred to as “heat pump return temperature”. In the first embodiment, the return temperature sensor 32 is installed in the tank unit 200. Instead of this configuration, the return temperature sensor 32 may be installed in the heat pump apparatus 100.

  The heat pump device 100 desirably has a variable heating capacity [kW]. The heating capacity is the amount of heat given to the heat medium by the heat pump device 100 per unit time. The control device 10 can control the heating capacity of the heat pump device 100 by changing the capacity of the compressor 13 of the heat pump device 100, for example. For example, the control device 10 can control the capacity of the compressor 13 by changing the rotational speed of the compressor 13. The control apparatus 10 can change the rotational speed of the compressor 13 by inverter control, for example.

  Next, the heat storage operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 will be described. The heat storage operation is the following operation. The switching valve 6 is controlled so that the third port 6c communicates with the first port 6a and the second port 6b is shut off. The heat pump device 100 and the circulation pump 11 are operated. In the heat storage operation, the low-temperature water in the lower part of the heat storage tank 2 passes through the outlet 25, the lower pipe 8, and the inlet conduit 9 and is sent to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 of the heat pump device 100. Then, the water heated to the high temperature by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 passes through the outlet conduit 3, the third port 6 c of the switching valve 6, the first port 6 a, the upper pipe 4, and the inlet 26. And flows into the upper part of the heat storage tank 2. In the heat storage operation, high-temperature water is stored in the heat storage tank 2 from the top to the bottom by circulating water as described above. Thereby, the heat storage amount of the heat storage tank 2 increases. The above-described water circulation circuit during the heat storage operation is referred to as a “heat storage circuit”.

  The control device 10 may start the heat storage operation when the remaining hot water amount or the heat storage amount in the heat storage tank 2 is equal to or lower than a preset low level. When the amount of stored hot water and the amount of heat stored in the heat storage tank 2 are increased by the heat storage operation and reach a preset high level, the control device 10 may end the heat storage operation.

  During the heat storage operation, the control device 10 may control the heat pump heating temperature detected by the supply temperature sensor 31 to be equal to the target value as follows. The control device 10 can control the heat pump heating temperature by increasing / decreasing the output or rotation speed of the circulation pump 11, that is, increasing / decreasing the circulation flow rate of water. When the heat pump heating temperature is higher than the target value, the control device 10 can reduce the heat pump heating temperature to the target value by increasing the water circulation flow rate. When the heat pump heating temperature is lower than the target value, the control device 10 can increase the heat pump heating temperature to the target value by reducing the circulating flow rate of water. The control device 10 may control the heat pump heating temperature by adjusting the operation of the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump device 100. The target value of the heat pump heating temperature during the heat storage operation may be, for example, a value in the range of about 60 ° C to 80 ° C.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the remote controller 21 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 21 in the present embodiment includes a display unit 21a, a first operation unit 21b, a second operation unit 21c, a speaker 21d, and a microphone 21e. The display unit 21a is a display capable of displaying information related to the state or setting contents of the heat medium circulation system 1. The first operation unit 21b and the second operation unit 21c will be described later.

  Next, the heating operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a water circulation circuit during heating operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 according to the first embodiment. The arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the direction in which water flows. The heating operation is the following operation. The switching valve 6 is controlled so that the third port 6c communicates with the second port 6b and the first port 6a is shut off. The heat pump device 100 and the circulation pump 11 are operated. In the heating operation, water heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 of the heat pump device 100 is discharged from the outlet conduit 3, the third port 6c of the switching valve 6, the second port 6b, the first inner pipe 5, the outlet 27, and The first external pipe 22 is sent to the heating facility 12. While the water passes through the heating appliance 24 of the heating facility 12, the temperature is lowered due to heat being taken away by the indoor air or the floor. The water whose temperature has decreased is returned to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 of the heat pump apparatus 100 through the second outer pipe 23, the inlet 28, the second inner pipe 7, and the inlet conduit 9. The water returned to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 is reheated and recirculated. The above-described water circulation circuit during heating operation is referred to as a “heating circuit”. In Embodiment 1, the heat storage circuit and the heating circuit can be switched by the switching valve 6.

  An indoor remote controller (not shown) provided with a room temperature sensor may be installed in the room provided with the heating appliance 24. The indoor remote controller and the control device 10 are connected so as to be able to perform data communication in both directions by wire or wirelessly. The indoor remote controller can transmit the room temperature information detected by the room temperature sensor to the control device 10. When the remote controller 21 described above is installed in a room provided with the heating appliance 24, the remote controller 21 may include a room temperature sensor, and the remote controller 21 may transmit room temperature information to the control device 10. Based on the information received from the indoor remote controller or the remote controller 21, the control device 10 may end the heating operation when the room temperature reaches the target temperature.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the heat medium circulation system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, elements that are not related to the heating operation among elements included in the heat medium circulation system 1 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 10 includes a heating operation determination unit 10a, a start / stop frequency determination unit 10b, and a circulation flow rate control unit 10c. Hereinafter, the heating operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 of the first embodiment will be further described.

  The supply temperature sensor 31 can detect the temperature of water downstream of the heat pump device 100 and upstream of the heating appliance 24 in the heating circuit. That is, the supply temperature sensor 31 can detect the supply temperature of water from the heat pump device 100 to the heating appliance 24. The heating operation determination unit 10a activates the heat pump device 100 according to the comparison result between the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 and the target supply temperature of the heating operation. For example, the heating operation determination unit 10a may activate the heat pump device 100 when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is lower than the target supply temperature of the heating operation. For example, when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is 30 ° C. and the target supply temperature of the heating operation is 50 ° C., the heating operation determination unit 10a may activate the heat pump device 100. Alternatively, the heating operation determination unit 10a may activate the heat pump device 100 when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is lower than a predetermined temperature difference compared to the target supply temperature of the heating operation.

  The heating operation determination unit 10a stops the heat pump device 100 according to the comparison result between the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 and the target supply temperature of the heating operation. For example, the heating operation determination unit 10a may stop the heat pump device 100 when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is higher than the target supply temperature of the heating operation. For example, when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is 51 ° C. and the target supply temperature of the heating operation is 50 ° C., the heating operation determination unit 10a may stop the heat pump device 100. Alternatively, the heating operation determination unit 10a may stop the heat pump device 100 when the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is higher than a predetermined temperature difference compared to the target supply temperature of the heating operation.

  The heating operation determination unit 10a may continue the operation of the circulation pump 11 when the heat pump device 100 is stopped. The heating operation determination unit 10a may stop the operation of the circulation pump 11 after stopping the heat pump device 100. When the operation of the circulation pump 11 is stopped, the heating operation determination unit 10a restarts the circulation pump 11 when the heat pump device 100 is restarted.

  The heating operation determination unit 10a may change the target supply temperature of the heating operation based on information such as the room temperature received from the indoor remote controller or the remote controller 21. The heating operation determination unit 10a may increase the target supply temperature of the heating operation as the room temperature is lower.

  In addition, the heating operation determination part 10a in this Embodiment is corresponded to the 1st control means which controls starting and a stop of the heat pump apparatus 100 according to the temperature detected by the supply temperature sensor 31.

  The control device 10 may increase the heating capacity of the heat pump device 100 when the heating load is high, for example, when the target supply temperature of the heating operation is high. The control device 10 may lower the heating capacity of the heat pump device 100 when the heating load is low, for example, when the target supply temperature of the heating operation is low.

  The start / stop frequency determination unit 10b determines whether the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 in the heating operation (hereinafter also referred to as “start / stop frequency”) is high or low. If the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 is high, the number of times the compressor 13 is started and stopped increases, which may reduce the life of the heat pump device 100, particularly the life of the compressor 13. The start / stop frequency determination unit 10b according to the present embodiment counts the number of times the heat pump apparatus 100 is started and stopped during a period within the past predetermined time (for example, within the past 30 minutes) from the present. The start / stop frequency determination unit 10b determines the level of the start / stop frequency by comparing the counted number with a threshold value. The threshold value may be three times, for example. In this specification, the number of times the heat pump device 100 is started and stopped is counted as one time from the start to the stop of the heat pump device 100. The number of times the heat pump device 100 is started and stopped is hereinafter referred to as “the number of times the heat pump device 100 is started and stopped”. The start / stop frequency determination unit 10b may determine the level of the start / stop frequency by another method. For example, the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b determines that the start / stop frequency is low when the average time obtained by arithmetically averaging the time from the start to the stop of the heat pump device 100 for the most recent predetermined number of times is long, and the average time If it is short, it may be determined that the frequency of starting and stopping is high.

  The circulating flow rate control unit 10c controls the circulating flow rate of water in the heating circuit. The circulation flow rate of water in the heating circuit is hereinafter referred to as “heating circulation flow rate”. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c can control the heating circulation flow rate by controlling the output or rotation speed of the circulation pump 11. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c in the present embodiment controls the heating circulation flow rate to be constant during the operation of the heat pump device 100. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c changes the heating circulation flow rate while the heat pump device 100 is stopped. If the heating circulation flow rate changes during operation of the heat pump device 100, the supply temperature of water from the heat pump device 100 to the heating appliance 24 tends to fluctuate. For this reason, if the heating circulation flow rate is changed during the operation of the heat pump apparatus 100, it may be difficult to control the supply temperature of water from the heat pump apparatus 100 to the heating appliance 24. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by controlling the heating circulation flow rate to be constant during the operation of the heat pump device 100, the water supply temperature from the heat pump device 100 to the heating appliance 24 is improved. Can be controlled.

  The circulation flow rate control unit 10c may control the output or rotation speed of the circulation pump 11 so that the heating circulation flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 30 is equal to the target circulation flow rate. The circulation flow rate control unit 10 c in the present embodiment does not change the target circulation flow rate during operation of the heat pump device 100, and changes the target circulation flow rate only when the heat pump device 100 is stopped. Thereby, if it is this Embodiment, it can suppress that a heating circulation flow rate fluctuates during the driving | operation of the heat pump apparatus 100. FIG.

  The circulation flow rate control unit 10c in the present embodiment controls the heating circulation flow rate by changing the target circulation flow rate according to the level of the start / stop frequency determined by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b.

  The circulation flow rate control unit 10c in the present embodiment increases the heating circulation flow rate when the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is higher than the first reference. Thereby, the following effects are acquired. The high start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 means that the occurrence frequency of the situation where the heat pump heating temperature detected by the supply temperature sensor 31 exceeds the target supply temperature of the heating operation is high. When the heating circulation flow rate is low, the time required for water to pass through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15, that is, the time during which water is heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 becomes longer. For example, when the heating supply flow rate is too low when the heating supply flow rate is too low, such as when the target supply temperature for heating operation is low, the water is heated in the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 for a long time, so that the heat pump heating temperature is heated. The occurrence frequency of the situation where the target supply temperature for operation is exceeded may increase. Thus, it is thought that the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is high because the heating circulation flow rate is too low. In this case, by increasing the heating circulation flow rate, the time during which the water is heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 is shortened. As a result, the occurrence frequency of the situation where the heat pump heating temperature exceeds the target supply temperature for the heating operation is reduced. In other words, it is possible to reduce the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100. If it is this Embodiment, it can suppress in this way that the start stop frequency of the heat pump apparatus 100 becomes high too much at the time of heating operation. For this reason, the lifetime reduction of the heat pump apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

  When the heating circulation flow rate is increased, the difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature is reduced. If this temperature difference is small, the efficiency of the heating operation may be lowered. According to the present embodiment, when the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 is not higher than the first reference, the heating circulation flow rate is not increased, so that a decrease in efficiency of the heating operation can be suppressed.

  Circulation flow rate control unit 10c in the present embodiment reduces the heating circulation flow rate when the start / stop frequency of heat pump device 100 is lower than the second reference, which is lower than the first reference. Thereby, the following effects are acquired. The low start-up / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 means that the occurrence frequency of the situation where the heat pump heating temperature exceeds the target supply temperature of the heating operation is low. When the heating circulation flow rate is high, the time required for water to pass through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15, that is, the time during which water is heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 is shortened. If the heating circulation flow rate is high, the heat exchange efficiency in the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 may be reduced. For example, when the heating supply flow rate is too high, such as when the target supply temperature for heating operation is high, if the heating circulation flow rate is too high, the time that the water is heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 is short, so that the heat pump heating temperature is It tends to be low. As a result, the occurrence frequency of the situation where the heat pump heating temperature exceeds the target supply temperature for the heating operation may be low. When the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is low, it is considered that the heating circulation flow rate is too high. If the heating circulation flow rate is too high, the difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature becomes small. If this temperature difference is too small, the efficiency of the heating operation is lowered. According to the present embodiment, in such a case, by reducing the heating circulation flow rate, the difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature is increased, so that the efficiency of the heating operation can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the control device 10 in the heating operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 according to the first embodiment. When the heat pump device 100 is restarted, the control device 10 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, after the heating operation determination unit 10a stops the heat pump device 100 according to the comparison result between the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 and the target supply temperature of the heating operation, the detected temperature of the supply temperature sensor 31 is the target supply of the heating operation. When the heat pump device 100 needs to be restarted because the temperature is lower than the temperature, the control device 10 may execute the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 5, the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b compares the number of start / stop times of the heat pump device 100 in a period within the past predetermined time (for example, within the past 30 minutes) from the present time with the first threshold value. The first threshold may be three times, for example. This period is referred to as “frequency determination period” in the following description. When the frequency | count of starting and stopping of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S2. On the other hand, when the frequency | count of start / stop of the heat pump apparatus 100 in a frequency determination period is less than a 1st threshold value, it transfers to step S3 from step S1. In step S1, the fact that the number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is equal to or greater than the first threshold corresponds to the fact that the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump apparatus 100 is higher than the first reference. As an example, assuming that the first threshold is 3 times, the following occurs. When the frequency | count of starting and stopping of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is 2 or less, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S3.

  In step S <b> 2, the circulation flow rate control unit 10 c sets the target circulation flow rate after restarting the heat pump device 100 to a value higher by 1 L / min than the target circulation flow rate during the previous operation of the heat pump device 100. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c controls the circulation pump 11 so that the circulation flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 30 is equal to the set target circulation flow rate. The process of step S2 is equivalent to increasing the heating circulation flow rate when the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is higher than the first reference. In the process of step S2, when the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is higher than the first reference, the heating circulation flow rate after restarting the heat pump device 100 is compared with the heating circulation flow rate before stopping the heat pump device 100. It is equivalent to raising it. According to the process of step S2, it can suppress that the start stop frequency of the heat pump apparatus 100 becomes high too much at the time of heating operation by suppressing heat pump heating temperature. For this reason, the lifetime reduction of the heat pump apparatus 100 can be suppressed. After the process of step S2, this routine is terminated.

  In step S3, the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b compares the number of start / stops of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period with the second threshold. The second threshold is a value smaller than the first threshold. When the frequency | count of starting and stopping of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4.

  In step S3, the fact that the number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is equal to or less than the second threshold corresponds to the fact that the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump apparatus 100 is lower than the second reference lower than the first reference. .

  The second threshold may be 0 times, for example. If the previous operation start time of the heat pump apparatus 100 is before the frequency determination period, the number of activations of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is 0. 0 times. As an example, if the period within the past 30 minutes from the present is the frequency determination period, the frequency determination is performed when the heat pump device 100 is continuously operated until the heat pump device 100 stops this time after the heat pump device 100 is started one hour ago. The number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 during the period is zero. As an example, assuming that the first threshold value is 3 times and the second threshold value is 0 times, the following occurs. When the frequency | count of starting and stopping of the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period is 0, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4. When the number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 in the frequency determination period is once or twice, this routine is finished after step S3.

  In step S4, the circulation flow rate control unit 10c sets the target circulation flow rate after the restart of the heat pump device 100 to a value lower by 1 L / min than the target circulation flow rate during the previous operation of the heat pump device 100. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c controls the circulation pump 11 so that the circulation flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 30 is equal to the set target circulation flow rate. The process of step S4 is equivalent to lowering the heating circulation flow rate when the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is lower than the second reference. In the process of step S4, when the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is lower than the second reference, the heating circulation flow rate after restarting the heat pump device 100 is compared with the heating circulation flow rate before stopping the heat pump device 100. It corresponds to lowering. According to the process of step S4, when it is thought that the efficiency of heating operation is low because the difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature is small, the heating circulation flow rate can be reduced. Thereby, as a result of the difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature being increased, the efficiency of the heating operation can be improved. After the process of step S4, this routine is terminated.

  In step S3, when the number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump apparatus 100 in the frequency determination period exceeds the second threshold value, this routine ends. In this case, the target circulation flow rate is not changed. That is, in this case, the circulation flow rate control unit 10c controls the circulation pump 11 so that the circulation flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 30 is equal to the target circulation flow rate at the previous operation of the heat pump device 100. As a result, it becomes as follows. When the number of times of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 during the frequency determination period is less than the first threshold and exceeds the second threshold, that is, when the frequency of starting and stopping the heat pump device 100 is between the first reference and the second reference, The heating circulation flow rate after the device 100 is restarted is equal to the heating circulation flow rate before the heat pump device 100 is stopped. When the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is between the first standard and the second standard, the current heating circulation flow rate is an appropriate value, and it is considered unnecessary to change the heating circulation flow rate. For this reason, appropriate heating operation can be implemented by making the heating circulation flow rate after the restart of the heat pump device 100 equal to the heating circulation flow rate before the heat pump device 100 stops.

  Note that the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c in the present embodiment control the heating circulation flow rate, and increase the heating circulation flow rate when the activation stop frequency of the heat pump device 100 is high. It corresponds to.

  At the time of the first heating operation after the installation of the heat medium circulation system 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 10 may control as follows. The circulation flow rate control unit 10c may set the heating circulation flow rate to the minimum flow rate. The minimum flow rate is determined according to, for example, the minimum rotation speed of the circulating pump 11 that can be set. The value of the minimum flow rate may be 3 L / min, for example. When the heating circulation flow rate is lowered, it becomes as follows. The heat exchange efficiency in the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 15 is improved. Heat pump heating temperature increases. The difference between the heat pump heating temperature and the heat pump return temperature increases. The efficiency of heating operation is improved. Therefore, at the time of the first heating operation after installation of the heat medium circulation system 1, the heating operation can be performed with high efficiency by setting the heating circulation flow rate to the minimum flow rate. At the time of the first heating operation after installation of the heat medium circulation system 1, the circulation flow rate control unit 10 c may make the heating circulation flow rate constant regardless of the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100.

  In the present embodiment, the user or the like operates the first operation unit 21b of the remote controller 21, thereby controlling the heating circulation flow rate by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c, that is, the second control unit. You can choose to disable it. That is, when the user or the like operates the first operation unit 21b, it is possible to select whether to permit or prohibit the control of the heating circulation flow rate by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c. When the control of the heating circulation flow rate by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c is selected, the control device 10 performs the control as shown in FIG. When prohibiting the control of the heating circulation flow rate by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c is selected, the circulation flow rate control unit 10c is not dependent on the start / stop frequency of the heat pump device 100, Keep the heating circulation flow constant. In the present embodiment, by providing the invalidating means as described above that enables selection of invalidating the control of the heating circulation flow rate by the second control means, the heating circulation flow rate of the second control means is reduced. A user who does not desire control can prohibit the control.

  In the present embodiment, when the user or the like operates the second operation unit 21c of the remote controller 21, the change amount of the heating circulation flow rate by the start / stop frequency determination unit 10b and the circulation flow rate control unit 10c, that is, the second control unit. Can be increased or decreased. In the example shown in FIG. 5 described above, the amount of change in the heating circulation flow rate in steps S2 and S4 is in increments of 1 L / min. When the user or the like operates the second operation unit 21c of the remote controller 21, the amount of change in the heating circulation flow rate can be increased or decreased. For example, the amount of change in the heating circulation flow rate in steps S2 and S4 in FIG. 5 can be reduced from 1 L / min increments to 0.5 L / min increments, or can be increased from 1 L / min increments to 2 L / min increments. If it is this Embodiment, the following effects are acquired by providing the above adjustment means which enables increase / decrease in the variation | change_quantity of the heating circulation flow volume by a 2nd control means. For example, by adjusting the amount of change in the heating circulation flow rate according to the use conditions of the heating appliance 24, it is possible to more reliably suppress the heating circulation flow rate from overshooting or undershooting the appropriate flow rate. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 10 included in the heat medium circulation system 1 according to the first embodiment. Each function of the control device 10 is realized by a processing circuit. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the processing circuit of the control device 10 includes at least one processor 101 and at least one memory 102. When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 101 and at least one memory 102, each function of the control device 10 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of software and firmware is described as a program. At least one of software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 102. At least one processor 101 implements each function of the control device 10 by reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 102. The at least one processor 101 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). For example, the at least one memory 102 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, etc.) Alternatively, a volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the hardware configuration of the control device 10 included in the heat medium circulation system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing circuit of the control device 10 includes at least one dedicated hardware 103. When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 103, the processing circuit may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field). -Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The function of each unit of the control device 10 may be realized by a processing circuit. Further, the functions of the respective units of the control device 10 may be collectively realized by a processing circuit.

  Further, a part of each function of the control device 10 may be realized by the dedicated hardware 103, and the other part may be realized by software or firmware. The processing circuit may realize each function of the control device 10 by hardware 103, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

  Moreover, it is not limited to the configuration in which the operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 is controlled by a single control device, and the operation of the heat medium circulation system 1 is controlled by cooperation of a plurality of control devices. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a hot water supply / heating system has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a heating-only system that does not perform hot water supply. The heat medium circulation system of the present invention may not include a heat storage tank, that is, a heat storage operation may not be performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat-medium circulation system, 2 Thermal storage tank, 3 Outlet pipe | tube, 4 Upper pipe, 5 1st internal pipe, 6 Switching valve, 6a 1st port, 6b 2nd port, 6c 3rd port, 7 2nd internal pipe, 8 Lower pipe, 9 inlet conduit, 10 control device, 10a heating operation determination unit, 10b start / stop frequency determination unit, 10c circulation flow rate control unit, 11 circulation pump, 12 heating equipment, 13 compressor, 14 refrigerant piping, 15 water-refrigerant Heat exchanger, 16 Pressure reducing device, 17 Evaporator, 18 Water supply pipe, 19 Hot water supply pipe, 21 Remote controller, 21a Display part, 21b First operation part, 21c Second operation part, 21d Speaker, 21e Microphone, 22 First external Pipe, 23 second outer pipe, 24 heating appliance, 25 outlet, 26 inlet, 27 outlet, 28 inlet, 30 Flow rate sensor, 31 Supply temperature sensor, 32 Return temperature sensor, 100 Heat pump device, 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 103 Hardware, 200 Tank unit

Claims (7)

Heating means for heating the heat medium;
A circulating pump for causing the heating medium in the heating circuit to flow through the heating means and the heating appliance;
A supply temperature sensor that detects a supply temperature that is a temperature of the heat medium downstream of the heating means and upstream of the heating appliance in the heating circuit;
First control means for controlling start and stop of the heating means according to the detected supply temperature;
Second control means for controlling the circulation flow rate of the heat medium in the heating circuit;
With
When the frequency of the starting and stopping of the heating unit is higher than the first reference, the second control unit is compared with the circulating flow rate before the heating unit is stopped, after the restarting of the heating unit. heat medium circulation system that increases the circulation flow rate. When the frequency is lower than the second reference, which is lower than the first reference, the second control means is compared with the circulating flow rate before the heating means is stopped, after the restarting of the heating means. The heat medium circulation system according to claim 1 , wherein the circulation flow rate is lowered. When the frequency is between the first reference and the second reference, the second control means determines the circulation flow rate after restarting the heating means before the heating means is stopped. The heat medium circulation system according to claim 2 , wherein the heat medium circulation system is equal to the circulation flow rate. Heating means for heating the heat medium;
A circulating pump for causing the heating medium in the heating circuit to flow through the heating means and the heating appliance;
A supply temperature sensor that detects a supply temperature that is a temperature of the heat medium downstream of the heating means and upstream of the heating appliance in the heating circuit;
First control means for controlling start and stop of the heating means according to the detected supply temperature;
Second control means for controlling the circulation flow rate of the heat medium in the heating circuit;
In the heat medium circulation system comprising:
The second control means increases the circulation flow rate when the frequency of starting and stopping of the heating means is higher than a reference,
It said second control means, when the initial operation after installation of the heating medium circulation system, the heat medium circulation system that sets the circulation flow rate to minimum flow. Heating means for heating the heat medium;
A circulating pump for causing the heating medium in the heating circuit to flow through the heating means and the heating appliance;
A supply temperature sensor that detects a supply temperature that is a temperature of the heat medium downstream of the heating means and upstream of the heating appliance in the heating circuit;
First control means for controlling start and stop of the heating means according to the detected supply temperature;
Second control means for controlling the circulation flow rate of the heat medium in the heating circuit;
With
The second control means increases the circulation flow rate when the frequency of starting and stopping of the heating means is higher than a reference,
It said second control means, the heat medium circulation system that controls so that the circulation flow rate becomes constant during operation of the heating means. The heat medium circulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a disabling unit that can select to disable the control of the circulating flow rate by the second control unit. The heat medium circulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising an adjustment unit that enables the second control unit to increase or decrease the amount of change in the circulation flow rate.

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