JP6548742B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner applied to a multi-air conditioner for buildings and the like.

Conventionally, in an air conditioning apparatus such as a building multi air conditioner, refrigerant is circulated between an outdoor unit, which is a heat source unit disposed outside the roof of a building, for example, and an indoor unit arranged in a building, etc. Thus, cooling or heating is carried to the room to perform cooling operation or heating operation.
As a refrigerant used in such an air conditioner, for example, an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant is widely used. Also, one using a natural refrigerant such as CO ₂ (carbon dioxide) has been proposed.
However, in the conventional air conditioner in which the HFC refrigerant is circulated, since the refrigerant is transported to the indoor unit and used, there is a problem that the refrigerant leaks into the room or the like and the environment of the room may be deteriorated.

  Moreover, in the air conditioner called a chiller, cold heat or heat is generated by a heat source machine disposed outside the building. Then, a heat exchanger such as water or antifreeze is heated or cooled by a heat exchanger disposed in the outdoor unit, and this is conveyed to a fan coil unit as an indoor unit, a panel heater or the like to perform cooling or heating.

In an air conditioner such as a chiller, the refrigerant is circulated only in the heat source unit disposed outdoors, and the refrigerant does not pass through the indoor unit. Therefore, the problem of refrigerant leakage into the room generated by the conventional air conditioner that circulates the HFC refrigerant does not occur.
However, in this air conditioner, it is necessary to heat or cool a heat medium such as water or antifreeze liquid in a heat source machine outside the building, and to transport the heat medium to the indoor unit. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve energy saving when the circulation path becomes long, the transport power becomes very large.

  Therefore, as a method of solving these problems, an intermediate heat exchanger is provided which performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and a safe heat medium even when leaking into a room different from the refrigerant, and a heat source unit and an intermediate heat exchange An air conditioner has been proposed and put into practical use, in which a refrigerant circulation circuit is constituted by a refrigerant and a heat medium circulation circuit is constituted by an intermediate heat exchanger and an indoor unit (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In such an air conditioning apparatus, since the heat medium is conveyed to the indoor unit disposed in the room or the like, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking into the room or the like. Further, when compared with the chiller, the circulation path of the heat medium can be shortened, so energy saving can be achieved.

International Publication No. 2010/049998 International Publication No. 2011/030429

In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle and the air in the room exchange heat between the heat medium and the intermediate heat exchanger to ensure sufficient performance as compared with the chiller.
However, when compared with a normal direct expansion type air conditioner, there is a problem that the air conditioning performance is lowered due to an increase in the number of heat exchanges and a difference in energy consumption due to the transfer of the heat medium as compared with the refrigerant. The

Moreover, the air conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, and the all-cooling operation mode in which the operation mode of all the plurality of indoor units is cooling, or the operation mode of all the plurality of indoor units In the case of the heating only operation mode where heating is heating, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved by switching the refrigerant circuit so that all intermediate heat exchangers perform heat exchange corresponding to cooling or heating. .
However, in the cooling / heating mixed operation mode in which the operation mode differs depending on the indoor unit, it is necessary to divide the plurality of intermediate exchangers into one for cooling or heating, so that sufficient improvement in heat exchange efficiency can not be achieved. there were.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above-mentioned prior art, and improves the air conditioning performance of an air conditioner having an intermediate heat exchanger and having a refrigerant circulation circuit and a heat medium circulation circuit. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of saving energy.

The air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a expansion device, a refrigerant circulation circuit that connects refrigerant channels of the first heat medium heat exchanger with refrigerant pipes and circulates the refrigerant; The heat medium side flow path of the first heat medium heat exchanger and the heat medium circulation circuit connecting the use side heat exchangers with heat medium pipes to circulate the heat medium, and between the first heat medium An air conditioning apparatus for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium in a heat exchanger, the heat storage tank having a heat storage tank for storing the heat medium, and a control apparatus for controlling the compressor and the expansion device A heat medium temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger, and an indoor temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the space provided with the use side heat exchanger; Tank temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank Wherein the heat medium circulation circuit, the heat storage tank connected to the heat medium circulation circuit by switching the flow path, the heat medium flow path switching apparatus capable of inflow and out of the heat medium for the heat storage tank And the control device switches the heat medium flow path based on the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor, the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor, and the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor. It is to switch the flow path of the device .

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the air conditioner having the refrigerant circulation circuit and the heat medium circulation circuit, the heat storage tank is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit by switching the flow path, and the heat storage provided in the heat storage tank. By using the heat medium in the tank, it is possible to improve the air conditioning performance and save energy.

It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of a circuit structure of the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of a circuit structure of the heat-medium circulation circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution channel of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the cooling only operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution channel of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the heating all operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution channel of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the cooling main operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution channel of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the heating main operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the heat medium at the time of the thermal storage tank non-use in the heat medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the heat carrier at the time of use of the thermal storage tank in the heat carrier circulation circuit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which judges the use availability of the thermal storage tank at the time of the air_conditioning | cooling operation in the heat-medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which judges the availability of the thermal storage tank at the time of heating operation in the heat-medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process which judges the use availability of the thermal storage tank at the time of completion | finish of cooling operation in the heat-medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which judges the availability of the thermal storage tank at the time of completion | finish of heating operation in the heat-medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which judges the use availability of the thermal storage tank at the time of defrosting operation in the heat-medium circulation circuit of FIG. It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of a circuit structure of the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic view for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in a cooling only operation mode and cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit of FIG. 16; FIG. 17 is a schematic view for explaining the flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit of FIG. 16; It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the heating only operation mode and cold heat storage in the refrigerant circuit of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the heating all operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. 16, and heat storage. FIG. 17 is a schematic view for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling main operation mode and the cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit of FIG. 16; FIG. 17 is a schematic view for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling main operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit of FIG. 16. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of heating main operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. 16, and cold heat storage. It is the schematic for demonstrating the distribution path of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of the heating main operation mode in the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit of FIG. 16, and heat storage.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1: is schematic which shows an example of a structure of the air conditioning apparatus 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 10 as a heat source unit, a plurality of indoor units 20, an intermediate heat exchanger 30, a heat storage tank 40, and a control device 50. In addition, although the case where two indoor units 20 are provided is shown in the example of FIG. 1, it is not restricted to this, for example, three or more indoor units 20 may be provided.

The outdoor unit 10 is connected to the refrigerant side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 by two refrigerant pipes 2 through which the refrigerant flows. The outdoor unit 10, the intermediate heat exchanger 30, and the refrigerant pipe 2 form a refrigerant circulation circuit 5.
Each of the plurality of indoor units 20 is connected to the heat medium side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 by the two heat medium pipes 3 in which the heat medium flows. Furthermore, the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 by two heat medium pipes 4 in which the heat medium flows. The heat medium circulation circuit 6 is formed by the plurality of indoor units 20, the intermediate heat exchanger 30, the heat storage tank 40, and the heat medium pipes 3 and 4.

[Circuit configuration of refrigerant circulation circuit]
FIG. 2: is schematic which shows an example of a circuit structure of the refrigerant | coolant circulation circuit 5 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.
As described above, the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 is configured by the outdoor unit 10, the intermediate heat exchanger 30, and the refrigerant pipe 2.
Intermediate heat exchanger 30 has a portion related to refrigerant circulation circuit 5 and a portion related to heat medium circulation circuit 6. In the intermediate heat exchanger 30 shown in FIG. 2, only the portion related to the refrigerant circuit 5 will be illustrated and described.

[Outdoor unit]
The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a first refrigerant flow switching device 12, a heat source side heat exchanger 13, and four check valves 14a to 14d.

  The compressor 11 sucks a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. As the compressor 11, for example, an inverter compressor or the like capable of controlling the capacity, which is the refrigerant delivery amount per unit time, can be used by arbitrarily changing the drive frequency.

  The first refrigerant flow switching device 12 switches the cooling operation and the heating operation by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. The 1st refrigerant | coolant flow path switching apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 2 shows the state at the time of heating operation. For example, a four-way valve can be used as the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, but other valves may be used in combination.

The heat source side heat exchanger 13 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air supplied from a heat source side fan such as a fan (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “outdoor air” as appropriate).
Specifically, the heat source side heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser that radiates the heat of the refrigerant to the outdoor air and condenses the refrigerant during the cooling operation and the defrosting operation. The heat source side heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant during the heating operation and cools the outdoor air by the heat of vaporization at that time.

The check valves 14 a to 14 d allow the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 2 only in a predetermined direction.
The check valve 14a is provided in the refrigerant pipe 2 between the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the intermediate heat of the refrigerant during the cooling operation including the cooling only operation and the cooling main operation described later It circulates in the direction from the exchanger 30 to the outdoor unit 10.
The check valve 14b is provided on the first connection pipe 2a connecting the two refrigerant pipes 2 and is used as a compressor for the refrigerant returned from the intermediate heat exchanger 30 during the heating operation including the heating only operation and the heating main operation. Distribute to the 11 suction side.
The check valve 14 c is provided in a second connection pipe 2 b connecting the two refrigerant pipes 2 and distributes the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 to the intermediate heat exchanger 30 during the heating operation.
The check valve 14 d is provided in the refrigerant pipe 2 between the heat source side heat exchanger 13 and the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and distributes the refrigerant in the direction from the outdoor unit 10 to the intermediate heat exchanger 30 during the cooling operation.

[Intermediate heat exchanger (refrigerant circuit side)]
The intermediate heat exchanger 30 includes two first heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b, two expansion devices 32a and 32b, two opening / closing devices 33a and 33b, two second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and It consists of 34b.

The first inter-heat medium heat exchangers 31 a and 31 b function as a condenser or an evaporator, and perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit 6.
The first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31 a is provided between the expansion device 32 a and the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a. The first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b is provided between the expansion device 32b and the second refrigerant flow switching device 34b.

The expansion devices 32 a and 32 b function as expansion valves that decompress and expand the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5. The expansion devices 32a and 32b are configured by, for example, valves capable of controlling the opening degree such as electronic expansion valves.
The expansion device 32a is provided on the upstream side of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31a in the refrigerant flow in the cooling only operation mode. Further, the expansion device 32b is provided on the upstream side of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31b in the refrigerant flow in the cooling only operation mode.

The opening and closing devices 33 a and 33 b are, for example, two-way valves, and open and close the refrigerant pipe 2.
The opening and closing device 33 a is provided in the refrigerant pipe 2 on the inlet side of the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 30. The opening and closing device 33 b is provided in a pipe that connects the refrigerant pipe 2 on the inlet side and the outlet side of the refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 30.

The second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b switch the flow direction of the refrigerant according to the operation mode. The second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b shown in FIG. 2 show the state during the heating operation. For example, a four-way valve can be used as the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, but other valves may be used in combination.
The second refrigerant flow switching device 34a is provided on the downstream side of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31a in the refrigerant flow in the cooling only operation mode. Further, the second refrigerant flow switching device 34b is provided downstream of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31b in the refrigerant flow in the cooling only operation mode.

[Circuit configuration of heat medium circulation circuit]
FIG. 3: is schematic which shows an example of a circuit structure of the heat-medium circulation circuit 6 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.
As described above, the heat medium circulation circuit 6 includes the plurality of indoor units 20 a to 20 c, the intermediate heat exchanger 30, the heat storage tank 40, and the heat medium pipes 3 and 4.

  In the intermediate heat exchanger 30 shown in FIG. 3, only the portion related to the heat medium circulation circuit 6 is illustrated and described. Moreover, although the case where three indoor units 20a-20c are provided is demonstrated in this example, the number of indoor units 20 is not restricted to this, For example, two units or four or more units may be sufficient.

[Intermediate heat exchanger (heat medium circulation circuit side)]
The intermediate heat exchanger 30 includes two first heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b, two pumps 35a and 35b, two first heat medium flow switching devices 36a and 36b, and six second heat waves. It comprises media flow path switching devices 37a to 37f and four heat medium temperature sensors 38a to 38d.

Pumps 35 a and 35 b are provided to circulate the heat medium flowing through at least one of heat medium pipes 3 and 4. It is preferable that the pumps 35a and 35b be constituted by, for example, pumps capable of capacity control, and the flow rate can be adjusted by the size of the load in the indoor unit 20.
The pump 35a is provided between the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a and the first heat medium channel switching device 36a. Further, the pump 35 b is provided in the heat medium pipe 3 between the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31 b and the first heat medium flow switching device 36 b.

The first heat medium flow switching devices 36a and 36b switch the flow direction of the heat medium according to the use state of the heat storage tank 40 described later. The first heat medium flow switching devices 36 a and 36 b shown in FIG. 3 show a state where the heat storage tank 40 is not used. For example, a four-way valve can be used as the first heat medium channel switching devices 36a and 36b, but other valves may be used in combination.
The first heat medium channel switching device 36a is provided downstream of the pump 35a. Further, the first heat medium flow switching device 36b is provided on the downstream side of the pump 35b.

  The second heat medium channel switching devices 37a to 37f are, for example, three-way valves, and switch the flow direction of the heat medium. The second heat medium flow path switching devices 37 a to 37 f are provided in a number corresponding to the number of indoor units 20 provided in the air conditioner 1.

The second heat medium channel switching device 37a is provided on the inlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21a provided in the indoor unit 20a described later. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37a, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36b At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use side heat exchanger 21a of the indoor unit 20a.
The second heat medium channel switching device 37b is provided on the outlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21a in the indoor unit 20a. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37b, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use side heat exchanger 21a of the indoor unit 20a.

The second heat medium channel switching device 37c is provided on the inlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21b provided in the indoor unit 20b described later. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37c, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36b At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use-side heat exchanger 21b of the indoor unit 20b.
The second heat medium channel switching device 37d is provided on the outlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21b in the indoor unit 20b. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37d, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use-side heat exchanger 21b of the indoor unit 20b.

The second heat medium channel switching device 37e is provided on the inlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21c provided in the indoor unit 20c described later. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37e, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium channel switching device 36b. At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use-side heat exchanger 21c of the indoor unit 20c.
The second heat medium channel switching device 37f is provided on the outlet side of the heat medium channel of the use-side heat exchanger 21c in the indoor unit 20c. In the second heat medium channel switching device 37f, one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and one of the three sides is connected to the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. At the same time, one of the three sides is connected to the use-side heat exchanger 21c of the indoor unit 20c.

  The heat medium temperature sensors 38a to 38d are provided on the heat medium pipe 3 on the inlet side and the outlet side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a and the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b, and the temperature of the heat medium To detect As the heat medium temperature sensors 38a to 38d, for example, thermistors can be used.

The heat medium temperature sensor 38a is provided in the heat medium pipe 3 on the outlet side of the first heat medium inter-heat exchanger 31a, and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a.
The heat medium temperature sensor 38b is provided in the heat medium pipe 3 on the inlet side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a.
The heat medium temperature sensor 38c is provided in the heat medium pipe 3 on the outlet side of the first heat medium inter-heat exchanger 31b, and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b.
The heat medium temperature sensor 38d is provided in the heat medium pipe 3 on the inlet side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b, and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b.
The temperature information obtained by these heat medium temperature sensors 38a to 38d is supplied to the control device 50 described later.

[Indoor unit]
The indoor units 20a to 20c perform, for example, cooling and heating of air in the indoor space (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "room air").
The indoor unit 20a is configured by the use side heat exchanger 21a and the indoor temperature sensor 22a. The indoor unit 20b is configured by the use side heat exchanger 21b and the indoor temperature sensor 22b. The indoor unit 20c is configured by the use side heat exchanger 21c and the indoor temperature sensor 22c.
In the following description, the indoor units 20a to 20c are simply referred to as "the indoor unit 20" when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Similarly, the use side heat exchangers 21a to 21b are simply referred to as "use side heat exchanger 21". Furthermore, the indoor temperature sensors 22a to 22c are also simply referred to as "indoor temperature sensor 22".

The use side heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between room air supplied by a use side fan such as a fan (not shown) and a heat medium. As a result, heating air or cooling air supplied to the indoor space is generated.
The use side heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator when the heat medium is carrying cold energy during the cooling operation, and cools indoor air by cooling it. In addition, the use side heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser when the heat medium is carrying heat during heating operation, and heats indoor air by heating.

The indoor temperature sensors 22 are provided at predetermined positions with respect to the indoor unit 20, respectively.
The indoor temperature sensor 22a is provided at a predetermined position of the indoor unit 20a, and detects the temperature of the indoor space in which the indoor unit 20a is provided. The indoor temperature sensor 22b is provided at a predetermined position of the indoor unit 20b, and detects the temperature of the indoor space where the indoor unit 20b is provided. The indoor temperature sensor 22c is provided at a predetermined position of the indoor unit 20c, and detects the temperature of the indoor space in which the indoor unit 20c is provided.
Temperature information indicating the temperature of the indoor space obtained as a detection result by the indoor temperature sensors 22 a to 22 c is supplied to the control device 50.

[Heat storage tank]
The heat storage tank 40 includes a heat storage tank 41 and a tank temperature sensor 42.
The heat storage tank 41 stores the heat medium flowing through the heat medium pipe 4. The heat storage tank 41 has a function of keeping the heat medium in the tank warm according to its material or mechanism.
The tank temperature sensor 42 is provided in the heat storage tank 41 and detects the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41. Temperature information indicating the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 obtained as the detection result is supplied to the control device 50.

The control device 50 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the entire air conditioner 1.
For example, based on detection results by various detection means such as a temperature sensor, etc., the control device 50 controls the driving frequency of the compressor 11, the number of rotations of the blower (including ON / OFF), and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. Switching, opening degree of the expansion devices 32a and 32b, opening and closing of the opening / closing devices 33a and 33b, switching of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, driving of the pumps 35a and 35b, the first heat medium flow switching device 36a And 36b, switching of the second heat medium flow switching devices 37a to 37f, and the like are controlled, and each operation mode described later is executed.
The control device 50 may be provided in a predetermined device such as the outdoor unit 10 or may be provided for each device.

[Operation of refrigerant circulation circuit]
Next, the operation of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode, the heating only operation mode, the cooling main operation mode, and the heating main operation mode in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration will be described.
The air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform the cooling operation or the heating operation by the control of the control device 50 based on an instruction from each indoor unit 20. That is, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, not only the operation in the same mode can be performed in all the indoor units 20, but also the operation in different modes can be performed for each of the indoor units 20.
Here, the operation mode in the case where all the indoor units 20 perform the cooling operation is referred to as a “cooling only operation mode”, and the operation mode in the case where the heating operation is performed is referred to as a “heating only operation mode”. Further, among the operations performed by all the indoor units 20, the operation mode in the case where cooling operation is the main operation is referred to as "cooling main operation mode", and the operation mode in the case where heating operation is the main operation is "heating main operation mode". It is called.

[Full cooling operation mode]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 4, the flow path indicated by a thick line is a refrigerant flow path in the cooling only operation mode, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by an arrow.

  In the cooling only operation mode, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing device 33a is opened, and the opening and closing device 33b is closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high temperature / high pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, becomes a supercooled high pressure liquid refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30.

  The high pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the expansion devices 32a and 32b via the opening / closing device 33a.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 32a is decompressed and expanded to be a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.
The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

On the other hand, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 32b is decompressed and expanded to form a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 via the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[All heating operation mode]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the refrigerant in the heating only operation mode in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 5, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating only operation mode, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In the heating only operation mode, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening / closing device 33a is closed and the opening / closing device 33b is opened.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14c provided in the second connection pipe 2b, and is intermediate It flows into the heat exchanger 30.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b.

  The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.

The high pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature, low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  On the other hand, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium and condenses while radiating heat to heat the heat medium, thereby heating the heat medium. And flow out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32b to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the expansion device 32b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14 b provided in the first connection pipe 2 a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Cooling-based operation mode]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling main operation mode in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 6, the flow path indicated by the thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the cooling main operation mode, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In the cooling main operation mode, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34a.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses heat while radiating, and thereby heats the heat medium to become liquid refrigerant, and the first heat medium It flows out from the heat exchanger 31a.
The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature and low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32a flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the expansion device 32b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out of the heat exchanger 1 b between heat medium 31 b.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31 b flows into the outdoor unit 10 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 through the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

  In this example, the heat medium is heated by one first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and the heat medium is cooled by the other first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. Is not limited to this example. For example, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched, the heat medium is cooled by one of the first heat medium heat exchangers 31a, and the heat medium is changed by the other first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. May be heated.

[Main heating operation mode]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the refrigerant in the heating main operation mode in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 7, the flow path indicated by the thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating main operation mode, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

In the heating main operation mode, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.
Then, the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14 c and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30.

The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34b.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, thereby heating the heat medium to become liquid refrigerant, and becoming the first heat medium It flows out from the heat exchanger 31b.

The liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31 b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32 b to become a low temperature and low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32 b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32b flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a via the expansion device 32a.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and the first heat transfer medium heat exchange Flow out of the vessel 31a.
The refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31 a flows into the outdoor unit 10 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a.

The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14b.
The refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and turns out as a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

  In this example, the heat medium is cooled by one first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, and the heat medium is heated by the other first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. Is not limited to this example. For example, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b are switched, the heat medium is heated by one of the first heat medium heat exchangers 31a, and the heat medium is changed by the other first heat medium heat exchanger 31b. May be cooled.

[Operation of heat medium circulation circuit]
Next, the operation of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of the air conditioner 1 will be described.
The air conditioner 1 can perform an operation according to the use state of the heat storage tank 40 by the control of the control device 50.

[When not using the heat storage tank]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the heat medium when the heat storage tank 40 is not used in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In FIG. 8, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the heat medium flow path when the heat storage tank 40 is not used, and the flow direction of the heat medium in the heat medium flow path is indicated by an arrow.
In this example, in order to prevent the description from being complicated, the flow path of the heat medium flowing between the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a and the use side heat exchanger 21a, and the first heat medium heat exchange Only the flow passage of the heat medium flowing between the vessel 31 b and the use side heat exchanger 21 c will be illustrated and described.
In addition, as a flow path of the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, in addition to this example, there is a flow path flowing through the use side heat exchangers 21b and 21c. Moreover, as a flow path of the heat medium which flows through the 1st heat medium heat exchanger 31b, there exists a flow path which flows through utilization side heat exchangers 21a and 21b other than this example.

  When the heat storage tank 40 is not used, first, the first heat medium channel switching devices 36a and 36b are switched as shown in FIG. Then, the heat medium cooled or heated by the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a passes through the pump 35a, the first heat medium flow path switching device 36a, and the second heat medium flow path switching device 37a. It flows out of the exchanger 30.

  The heat medium having flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the indoor unit 20a via the heat medium pipe 3 and flows into the use side heat exchanger 21a. The heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 21a exchanges heat with room air, absorbs heat or releases heat, cools or heats the room air, and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 21a. The heat medium flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 21 a flows out of the indoor unit 20 a and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 3.

  The heat medium flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a via the second heat medium flow switching device 37b, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

  On the other hand, the heat medium cooled or heated by the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is intermediately supplied via the pump 35b, the first heat medium flow switching device 36b, and the second heat medium flow switching device 37e. It flows out of the heat exchanger 30.

  The heat medium having flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the indoor unit 20c via the heat medium pipe 3 and flows into the use side heat exchanger 21c. The heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 21c exchanges heat with room air, absorbs heat or releases heat, cools or heats the room air, and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 21c. The heat medium flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 21 c flows out of the indoor unit 20 c and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 3.

  The heat medium flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the second heat medium flow switching device 37f, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[When using a heat storage tank]
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the heat medium when the heat storage tank 40 is used in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In FIG. 9, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the heat medium flow path when the heat storage tank 40 is used, and the flow direction of the heat medium in the heat medium flow path is indicated by an arrow.
In this example, in order to prevent the description from being complicated, the heat medium flow path of the heat medium flowing between the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a and the use side heat exchanger 21a via the heat storage tank 40; The heat medium flow path of the heat medium flowing between the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b and the use side heat exchanger 21c will be illustrated and described.
In addition, as a flow path of the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a, in addition to this example, there is a flow path flowing through the use side heat exchangers 21b and 21c via the heat storage tank 40. Moreover, as a flow path of the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b, in addition to this example, there is a flow path flowing through the use side heat exchangers 21a and 21b via the heat storage tank 40.

  In the case of using the heat storage tank 40, first, the first heat medium flow switching devices 36a and 36b are switched as shown in FIG. Then, the heat medium cooled or heated by the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the pump 35a and the first heat medium flow switching device 36a.

  The heat medium flowing out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the heat storage tank 40 via the heat medium pipe 4 and flows into the heat storage tank 41. When the heat medium flows into the heat storage tank 41, the heat medium stored in the heat storage tank 41, which is the same amount as the heat medium flowing into, flows out, and flows out from the heat storage tank 40.

  The heat medium flowing out of the heat storage tank 40 flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 4. The heat medium that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the first heat medium channel switching device 36a and the second heat medium channel switching device 37a.

  The heat medium having flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the indoor unit 20a via the heat medium pipe 3 and flows into the use side heat exchanger 21a. The heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 21a exchanges heat with room air, absorbs heat or releases heat, cools or heats the room air, and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 21a. The heat medium flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 21 a flows out of the indoor unit 20 a and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 3.

  The heat medium flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a via the second heat medium flow switching device 37b, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

  On the other hand, the heat medium cooled or heated by the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the pump 35 b and the first heat medium flow switching device 36 b.

  The heat medium flowing out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the heat storage tank 40 via the heat medium pipe 4 and flows into the heat storage tank 41. When the heat medium flows into the heat storage tank 41, the heat medium stored in the heat storage tank 41, which is the same amount as the heat medium flowing into, flows out, and flows out from the heat storage tank 40.

  The heat medium flowing out of the heat storage tank 40 flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 4. The heat medium flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the first heat medium flow switching device 36b and the second heat medium flow switching device 37e.

  The heat medium having flowed out of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the indoor unit 20c via the heat medium pipe 3 and flows into the use side heat exchanger 21c. The heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchanger 21c exchanges heat with room air, absorbs heat or releases heat, cools or heats the room air, and flows out from the use side heat exchanger 21c. The heat medium flowing out of the use side heat exchanger 21 c flows out of the indoor unit 20 c and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 via the heat medium pipe 3.

  The heat medium flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 30 flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the second heat medium flow switching device 37f, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

  As described above, during operation of the air conditioner 1, the heat storage tank 40 is not always included in the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and whether or not to use the heat storage tank 40 is determined according to preset conditions. Ru. Then, the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit 6 by switching the first heat medium channel switching devices 36 a and 36 b according to the result of the determination.

[Determination process of heat storage tank availability]
Next, the process of determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable or not will be described.
In the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, whether the heat storage tank 40 is used or not is determined according to the operating state such as the cooling operation or the heating operation, and various indoor temperature sensors 22a provided in the heat medium circulation circuit 6. It is performed based on the temperature information which -22c, 38a-38d and 42 show. Here, the flow of the process of determining the availability of the heat storage tank 40 will be described for each operating state.

[Cooling operation]
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable during cooling operation in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In the following, a route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35a will be described as an example. Further, the “cooling operation” in the following description indicates, for example, an operation in which the heat medium is cooled by the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 a such as a full cooling operation and a cooling main operation.

  First, in step S1, the control device 50 switches the first heat medium flow path switching device 36a and the second heat medium flow path switching devices 37a to 37f and drives the pump 35a to start the cooling operation.

Next, in step S2, the control device 50 compares the outlet water temperature of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a with the target water temperature.
Here, the target water temperature indicates a temperature calculated based on the indoor temperature requested from the indoor unit 20. Specifically, it indicates the temperature of the heat medium required to bring the temperature of the room air to the room temperature requested from the indoor unit 20, for example.
As described above, the temperature at which the indoor air is required by the heat medium flowing out from the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is to compare the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a with the target water temperature. It is for judging whether it can cool so that it may become.

As a result of comparison, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is higher than the target water temperature (step S2; YES), the process proceeds to step S3.
In step S3, the control device 50 stores heat based on the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the tank 41 is compared.
As described above, the reason why the outlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31 a and the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 are compared is to determine whether the heat storage tank 40 can be used.

As a result of comparison, if it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S3; YES), the process proceeds to step S4. .
In step S4, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and lower flow paths shown in FIG. 3 and connect the right and upper flow paths. . As a result, the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 flows into the heat medium circulation circuit 6.

Next, in step S5, the control device 50 compares the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38b with the predicted water temperature.
The predicted water temperature is calculated based on the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 22 of the indoor unit 20 in operation and the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 detected by the tank temperature sensor 42. The predicted temperature indicates the temperature of the heat medium when the heat medium flowing out of the heat storage tank 41 circulates through the heat medium circulation circuit 6 and flows into the first heat medium inter-heat exchanger 31a.
Thus, comparing the inlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a with the predicted water temperature determines whether the heat medium flowing out of the heat storage tank 41 has circulated through the heat medium circulation circuit 6 or not. It is for.

As a result of comparison, when it is determined that the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is less than or equal to the predicted water temperature (step S5; YES), the process proceeds to step S6.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is higher than the predicted water temperature (step S5; NO), the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is the predicted water temperature The process of step S5 is repeated until it becomes below.

  Next, in step S6, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and upper flow paths shown in FIG. Connect As a result, the heat storage tank 41 is separated from the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is less than or equal to the target water temperature (step S2; NO), a series of processing ends.
Further, when it is determined in step S3 that the outlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is equal to or less than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S3; NO), a series of processing ends. Do.

As described above, by performing the processing of steps S1 to S6 described above, the temperature of the indoor air can be made faster to the temperature required during the cooling operation as compared with the case where the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is not used. It can be approached.
In the above-mentioned example, although processing about a course to which a heat carrier circulates by pump 35a was explained, it is the same about processing to a course where a heat carrier circulates by pump 35b.

[During heating operation]
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable during heating operation in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In the following, a route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35a will be described as an example. Further, “heating operation” in the following description indicates, for example, an operation in which the heat medium is heated by the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31 a such as a heating only operation and a heating-based operation.

  First, in step S11, the control device 50 switches the first heat medium flow path switching device 36a and the second heat medium flow path switching devices 37a to 37f and drives the pump 35a to start the heating operation.

Next, in step S12, the control device 50 compares the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a with the target water temperature.
As a result of comparison, when the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is lower than the target water temperature (Step S12; YES), the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a causes the room to be indoors. It is determined that the air can be heated to the required temperature, and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the control device 50 stores heat based on the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the tank 41 is compared.
As a result of comparison, when the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is lower than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S13; YES), it is judged that the heat storage tank 40 is used The process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and lower flow paths shown in FIG. 3 and connect the right and upper flow paths. . As a result, the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 flows into the heat medium circulation circuit 6.

Next, in step S15, the control device 50 compares the inlet water temperature of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38b with the predicted water temperature.
As a result of comparison, when the inlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is equal to or higher than the predicted water temperature (step S15; YES), the heat medium flowing out of the heat storage tank 41 circulates through the heat medium circulation circuit 6. It is determined that the heat exchanger 31a has flowed into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is lower than the predicted water temperature (step S15; NO), the inlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is the predicted water temperature The process of step S15 is repeated until it becomes above.

  Next, in step S16, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and upper flow paths shown in the drawing of FIG. Connect As a result, the heat storage tank 41 is separated from the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is equal to or higher than the target water temperature (step S12; NO), a series of processing ends.
Further, in step S13, even when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is equal to or higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S13; NO), a series of processing ends. Do.

As described above, by performing the processing of step S11 to step S16 described above, the temperature of the indoor air can be made faster to the temperature required during the heating operation as compared to the case where the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is not used. It can be approached.
In the above-mentioned example, although processing about a course to which a heat carrier circulates by pump 35a was explained, it is the same about processing to a course where a heat carrier circulates by pump 35b.

[At the end of cooling operation]
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable or not at the end of the cooling operation in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In the following, a route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35a will be described as an example.

  First, in step S21, the control device 50 stops the cooling operation while maintaining the states of the first heat medium flow switching device 36a and the second heat medium flow switching devices 37a to 37f during the cooling operation. .

Next, in step S22, the control device 50 controls the temperature of the outlet water of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared based on the above.
As described above, the comparison of the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a with the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 makes it possible to recover the cold heat remaining in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 to the heat storage tank 41. It is to determine whether or not.

As a result of comparison, if it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is lower than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S22; YES), the process proceeds to step S23. .
In step S23, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and lower flow paths shown in FIG. 3 and connect the right and upper flow paths. . As a result, the heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 whose temperature is lower than that of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 flows into the heat storage tank 41.

Next, in step S24, the control device 50 controls the temperature of the outlet water of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared based on the above.
As described above, the reason for comparing the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a with the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is that cold heat remaining in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 can be recovered to the heat storage tank 41. It is to determine whether or not it was.

As a result of comparison, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is equal to or higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S24; YES), the process proceeds to step S25. .
On the other hand, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is lower than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S24; NO), the first heat exchanger related to heat medium exchanger The process of step S24 is repeated until the outlet water temperature 31a becomes equal to or higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41.

  Depending on the structure of the heat storage tank 41 and the installation position of the tank temperature sensor 42, it may be difficult to accurately detect the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41. Therefore, when it is difficult to satisfy the condition of step S24, for example, a margin may be given to the temperature used for the determination.

  Next, in step S25, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow path switching device 36a to connect the left and upper flow paths shown in the drawing of FIG. Connect Thus, the heat storage tank 41 is disconnected from the heat medium circulation circuit 6.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S22 that the outlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is equal to or higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S22; NO), the process proceeds to step S26. Transition.

  Then, in step S26, the control device 50 stops the driving of the pump 35a. Thus, the series of processing ends.

As described above, the cold heat in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 remaining at the time of the cooling operation stop can be recovered to the heat storage tank 41 by performing the processes of step S21 to step S26 described above.
In the above-mentioned example, although processing about a course to which a heat carrier circulates by pump 35a was explained, it is the same about processing to a course where a heat carrier circulates by pump 35b.

[At the end of heating operation]
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable or not at the end of the heating operation in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In the following, a route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35a will be described as an example.

  First, in step S31, the control device 50 stops the heating operation while maintaining the states of the first heat medium flow switching device 36a and the second heat medium flow switching devices 37a to 37f during the heating operation. .

Next, in step S32, the control device 50 controls the temperature of the outlet water of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared based on the above.
As described above, comparing the temperature of the outlet of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31 a with the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 allows the heat storage tank 41 to recover the heat remaining in the heat medium circulation circuit 6. It is to determine whether or not.

As a result of comparison, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a is higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S32; YES), the process proceeds to step S33. .
In step S33, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow channel switching device 36a to connect the left and lower flow paths shown in FIG. 3 and connect the right and upper flow paths. . As a result, the heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 whose temperature is higher than that of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 flows into the heat storage tank 41.

Next, in step S34, the control device 50 controls the temperature of the outlet water of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a based on the temperature information supplied from the heat medium temperature sensor 38a and the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42. The water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared based on the above.
Thus, in comparing the temperature of the outlet of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a with the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41, the heat remaining in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 can be recovered to the heat storage tank 41. It is to determine whether or not it was.

As a result of comparison, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is less than or equal to the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S34; YES), the process proceeds to step S35. .
On the other hand, when it is determined that the outlet water temperature of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a is higher than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S34; NO), the first heat exchanger related to heat medium heat exchanger The process of step S34 is repeated until the outlet water temperature 31a becomes equal to or lower than the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41.

  Depending on the structure of the heat storage tank 41 and the installation position of the tank temperature sensor 42, it may be difficult to accurately detect the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41. Therefore, if it is difficult to satisfy the condition of step S34, for example, a margin may be given to the temperature used for the determination.

  Next, in step S35, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and upper flow paths shown in the drawing of FIG. Connect Thus, the heat storage tank 41 is disconnected from the heat medium circulation circuit 6.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S32 that the outlet water temperature of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is less than or equal to the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (step S32; NO), the process proceeds to step S36. Transition.

  Then, in step S36, the control device 50 stops the driving of the pump 35a. Thus, the series of processing ends.

As described above, by performing the processing of step S31 to step S36 described above, the heat in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 remaining at the time of the heating operation stop can be recovered to the heat storage tank 41.
In the above-mentioned example, although processing about a course to which a heat carrier circulates by pump 35a was explained, it is the same about processing to a course where a heat carrier circulates by pump 35b.

[During defrosting operation]
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for determining whether the heat storage tank 40 is usable during the defrosting operation in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 of FIG. 3.
In this example, cold heat is applied to the first heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b. Further, it is assumed that all the indoor units 20a to 20c start the defrosting operation during the heating operation.
In the following, a route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35a will be described as an example.

When the defrosting operation is started in step S41, in step S42, the control device 50 compares the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 based on the temperature information supplied from the tank temperature sensor 42 with the heating application temperature. .
Here, the heating application temperature indicates the water temperature of the heat medium calculated based on the temperature information supplied from the indoor temperature sensor 22 of the indoor unit 20 in the heating operation, and will be described in the processing during the heating operation shown in FIG. It is defined as a value lower than the target water temperature. The heating application temperature is a temperature that can raise the temperature from the current room temperature, although there is no heat amount until the room temperature reaches the target temperature required from the indoor unit 20.
As described above, the reason why the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared with the heating application temperature is to determine whether the heating operation can be performed using the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41. is there.

If it is determined that the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is higher than the heating application temperature as a result of comparison (step S42; YES), the process proceeds to step S43.
In step S43, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and lower flow paths shown in FIG. 3 and connect the right and upper flow paths. . As a result, the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 flows into the heat medium circulation circuit 6. Therefore, the heat medium having the heat from the heat storage tank 41 can be supplied also to the path in which the heat medium is circulated by the pump 35a which can not receive the heat for defrosting, and the heating operation is performed even during the defrosting operation. It can continue.

Next, in step S45, the control device 50 compares the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 with the heating application temperature, as in the process of step S42.
If it is determined that the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is higher than the heating application temperature as a result of comparison (step S45; YES), the process proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, the control device 50 determines whether or not the defrosting operation has ended.
The determination as to whether or not the defrosting operation has ended may, for example, be a method of requesting information indicating the current operation mode from the control device 50 to the outdoor unit 10. Further, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control device 50 may receive information indicating the current operation mode from the outdoor unit 10 when the operation mode changes.

  If it is determined that the defrosting operation has ended (step S46; YES), the process proceeds to step S48. On the other hand, when it is determined that the defrosting operation has not ended (step S46; NO), the process returns to step S45.

  Next, in step S48, the control device 50 controls the first heat medium flow switching device 36a to connect the left and upper flow paths shown in FIG. 3 as well as the right and lower flow paths. Connect As a result, the heat storage tank 41 is separated from the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S42 that the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is equal to or lower than the heating application temperature (step S42; NO), the process proceeds to step S44.
In step S44, the control device 50 performs control to stop the fans of all the indoor units 20 as in the normal defrosting operation.

If it is determined in step S45 that the water temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is equal to or lower than the heating application temperature (step S45; NO), the process proceeds to step S47.
In step S47, the control device 50 performs control to stop the fans of all the indoor units 20 as in the process of step S44.

Thus, after performing the process of step S41-step S48, the control apparatus 50 starts the process according to the operation mode which changed from defrost operation, such as air conditioning operation or heating operation.
The process for the route through which the heat medium circulates by the pump 35 b is the same as the above example.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the temperature of the heat medium flowing in and out of the first heat medium heat exchangers 31 a and 31 b and the temperature in the heat storage tank 41 at the start of the cooling operation or the heating operation. Whether or not the heat storage tank 40 is used is determined by comparing the temperature of the heat medium. Then, when the conditions are satisfied, the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 having more cold energy or heat than the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 is used.
Thus, the temperature of the room air can be brought closer to the requested temperature more quickly than when the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is not used.

  That is, by using the heat medium in the heat storage tank 40 at the start of the cooling operation, at the start of the heating operation, at the operation switching, etc., improvement of the air conditioning performance by shortening the operation switching time and energy saving can be achieved. it can.

Further, at the end of the cooling operation or the heating operation, the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium inter-heat exchangers 31a and 31b is compared with the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41. Then, when the conditions are satisfied, the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 is stored in the heat storage tank 41.
Thereby, the cold heat or the heat remaining in the heat medium circulation circuit 6 can be recovered to the heat storage tank 41.

Furthermore, in the defrosting operation, the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is compared with the heating application temperature. Then, when the conditions are satisfied, the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit 6, and the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is circulated to the heat medium circulation circuit 6.
Thus, the heating operation can be continued even during the defrosting operation.

Second Embodiment
Next, an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, cold heat or heat is stored in the heat storage tank 40 by causing the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit 6 to flow into the heat storage tank 41.
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the heat storage tank is provided with an inter-heat medium heat exchanger for cooling or heating the heat medium in the heat storage tank. Thereby, cold heat or heat is stored in the heat storage tank 41.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 15, the air conditioning apparatus 101 includes an outdoor unit 10 as a heat source unit, a plurality of indoor units 20, an intermediate heat exchanger 130, a heat storage tank 140, and a control device 50. Although the example of FIG. 15 shows the case where two indoor units 20 are provided, the invention is not limited to this. For example, three or more indoor units 20 may be provided.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Further, the indoor unit 20 in the air conditioning apparatus 101, the heat medium circulation circuit 6 side of the intermediate heat exchanger 130, and the heat medium circulation circuit 6 side of the heat storage tank 140 are the same as in the first embodiment. I omit explanation.

  The outdoor unit 10 is connected to the refrigerant side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 by the two refrigerant pipes 2 through which the refrigerant flows. Further, the refrigerant side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 is connected to the refrigerant side flow passage of the heat storage tank 140 by the three refrigerant pipes 7. A refrigerant circulation circuit 5 is formed by the outdoor unit 10, the intermediate heat exchanger 130, the heat storage tank 140, and the refrigerant pipes 2 and 7.

  Each of the plurality of indoor units 20 is connected to the heat medium side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 by the two heat medium pipes 3 in which the heat medium flows. Furthermore, the heat medium side flow passage of the heat storage tank 40 is connected to the heat medium side flow passage of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 by the two heat medium pipes 4 in which the heat medium flows. The heat medium circulation circuit 6 is formed by the plurality of indoor units 20, the intermediate heat exchanger 130, the heat storage tank 140, and the heat medium pipes 3 and 4.

[Circuit configuration of refrigerant circulation circuit]
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an example of the circuit configuration of the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of the air conditioning apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
As described above, the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 includes the outdoor unit 10, the intermediate heat exchanger 130, the heat storage tank 140, and the refrigerant pipes 2 and 7.
Intermediate heat exchanger 130 and heat storage tank 140 have a portion related to refrigerant circulation circuit 5 and a portion related to heat medium circulation circuit 6. In the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and the heat storage tank 140 shown in FIG. 16, only portions related to the refrigerant circuit 5 will be illustrated and described.
Moreover, since the outdoor unit 10 is the same as that of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

[Intermediate heat exchanger (refrigerant circuit side)]
In addition to the configuration of the intermediate heat exchanger 30 according to Embodiment 1, the intermediate heat exchanger 130 is provided with three refrigerant pipes 7 connected to the heat storage tank 140.

[Heat storage tank (refrigerant circuit side)]
The heat storage tank 140 includes the second heat medium heat exchanger 141, the expansion device 142, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.

The second heat medium heat exchanger 141 functions as a condenser or an evaporator, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 and the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 (not shown) in the heat storage tank 140. Do.
The second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 is provided between the expansion device 142 and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.

The expansion device 142 functions as an expansion valve that decompresses and expands the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5. The throttling device 142 is constituted by, for example, a valve such as an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling the opening degree.
The expansion device 142 is provided on the upstream side of the second inter-heat medium heat exchanger 141 in the flow of refrigerant when heat storage is stored in the heat storage tank 140.

The third refrigerant flow switching device 143 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant according to the operation mode. The third refrigerant flow switching device 143 shown in FIG. 16 shows a state where heat storage is stored in the heat storage tank 140. For example, a four-way valve can be used as the third refrigerant flow switching device 143, but other valves may be used in combination.
The third refrigerant flow switching device 143 is provided on the downstream side of the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31 a in the flow of refrigerant when heat storage is stored in the heat storage tank 140.

[Operation of refrigerant circulation circuit]
Next, an operation of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode, the heating only operation mode, the cooling main operation mode, and the heating main operation mode in the refrigerant circuit 5 of the air conditioner 101 having the above configuration will be described.
Moreover, below, in each of these operation modes, the case where the heat medium in the thermal storage tank 41 is further cooled or heated is demonstrated.

[All-cooling operation mode, cold heat storage]
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode and cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 17, a flow path indicated by a thick line is a refrigerant flow path in the cooling only operation mode and cold heat storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by an arrow.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing device 33a is opened, and the opening and closing device 33b is closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high temperature / high pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, becomes a supercooled high pressure liquid refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the expansion devices 32a and 32b via the opening / closing device 33a. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 32a is decompressed and expanded to be a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.
The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium exchanger 31 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

On the other hand, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 32b is decompressed and expanded to form a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 140 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 142 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows into the second heat exchanger related to heat medium heat exchanger 141.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 to absorb heat and evaporate to cool the heat medium. It becomes a gas refrigerant and flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143, and the intermediate heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipe 7 It flows into 130.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 via the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[All-cooling operation mode, thermal storage]
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling only operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 18, the flow paths indicated by thick lines are the refrigerant flow paths in the cooling only operation mode and the thermal storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by arrows.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is, and flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second inter-heat medium heat exchanger 141 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes liquid refrigerant It flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.
The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 142 to become a low temperature and low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 142 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b through the expansion devices 32a and 32b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out from the heat exchanger 1a between heat medium 31a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

On the other hand, the low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 through the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[All heating operation mode, cold heat storage]
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the heating only operation mode and cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 19, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating only operation mode and the cold heat storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14c provided in the second connection pipe 2b, and is intermediate It flows into the heat exchanger 130.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b.

  The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.

  The high pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature, low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.

  On the other hand, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium and condenses while radiating heat to heat the heat medium, thereby heating the heat medium. And flow out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32b to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the expansion device 32b.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion devices 32 a and 32 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and flows into the heat storage tank 140 through the refrigerant pipe 7.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 via the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 to absorb heat and evaporate to cool the heat medium. It becomes a gas refrigerant and flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143, and the intermediate heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipe 7 It flows into 130.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14 b provided in the first connection pipe 2 a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[All heating operation mode, thermal storage]
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the heating only operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 20, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating only operation mode and the thermal storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening / closing device 33a is closed and the opening / closing device 33b is opened.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14c provided in the second connection pipe 2b, and is intermediate It flows into the heat exchanger 130.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchangers 31a and 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b. Further, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

  The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a.

The high pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature, low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  On the other hand, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium and condenses while radiating heat to heat the heat medium, thereby heating the heat medium. And flow out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32b to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the expansion device 32b.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

In addition, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second inter-heat medium heat exchanger 141 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 142 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out of the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 142 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14 b provided in the first connection pipe 2 a.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Cooling-main operation mode, cold heat storage]
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling main operation mode and the cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 21, the flow paths indicated by thick lines are the refrigerant flow paths in the cooling main operation mode and the cold heat storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by arrows.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34a.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses heat while radiating, and thereby heats the heat medium to become liquid refrigerant, and the first heat medium It flows out from the heat exchanger 31a.
The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature and low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32a flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the expansion device 32b. The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out of the heat exchanger 1 b between heat medium 31 b.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 via the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, It becomes a refrigerant and flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143, and the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7. Flow into
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and flows into the outdoor unit 10 as it is.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 through the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Cooling-main operation mode, thermal storage]
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the cooling main operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 22, the flow paths indicated by thick lines are the refrigerant flow paths in the cooling main operation mode and the thermal storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow paths is indicated by arrows.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the first refrigerant flow switching device 12. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, condenses while radiating heat, and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 via the check valve 14 d and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31a via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34a. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 as it is and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses heat while radiating, and thereby heats the heat medium to become liquid refrigerant, and the first heat medium It flows out from the heat exchanger 31a.
The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 31a is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32a to become a low temperature and low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out from the expansion device 32a.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, thereby heating the heat medium and becoming a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 142 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out of the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 142 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the expansion device 32a and the low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the expansion device 142 into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 are between the first heat medium via the expansion device 32b. It flows into the heat exchanger 31b.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out of the heat exchanger 1 b between heat medium 31 b.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 b flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 is sucked into the compressor 11 through the check valve 14a and the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Heating main operation mode, cold heat storage]
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the heating main operation mode and the cold heat storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 23, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating main operation mode and in the cold heat storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14c provided in the second connection pipe 2b, and is intermediate It flows into the heat exchanger 130.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34b.

  The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, thereby heating the heat medium and becoming a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32b to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the expansion device 32b.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32b flows into the first heat medium heat exchanger 31a via the expansion device 32a. The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out from the heat exchanger 1a between heat medium 31a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141 via the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, It becomes a refrigerant and flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143, and the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7. Flow into
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and flows into the outdoor unit 10 as it is.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14 b provided in the first connection pipe 2 a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Heating main operation mode, thermal storage]
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for describing a flow path of the refrigerant in the heating main operation mode and the thermal storage in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 of FIG.
In FIG. 24, the flow path indicated by a thick line is the refrigerant flow path in the heating main operation mode and the thermal storage to the heat storage tank 140, and the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path is indicated by the arrow.

  In this case, first, the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 34a and 34b, and the third refrigerant flow switching device 143 are switched as shown in FIG. Further, the opening and closing devices 33a and 33b are closed.

The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 11 and discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows out of the outdoor unit 10 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12 and the check valve 14c provided in the second connection pipe 2b, and is intermediate It flows into the heat exchanger 130.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows into the first inter-heat medium heat exchanger 31b via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34b. The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 and also flows into the heat storage tank 140 through the refrigerant pipe 7.

  The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31b exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, thereby heating the heat medium and becoming a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the first heat exchanger related to heat medium 31b.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31b is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 32b to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and flows out from the expansion device 32b.

In addition, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage tank 140 flows into the second inter-heat medium heat exchanger 141 via the third refrigerant flow switching device 143.
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 exchanges heat with the heat medium, condenses while radiating heat, heats the heat medium, and becomes a supercooled high-pressure liquid refrigerant It flows out of the second heat exchanger related to heat medium 141.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat-medium heat exchanger 141 is decompressed and expanded by the expansion device 142 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows out of the expansion device 142.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 142 flows out of the heat storage tank 140 and flows into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the refrigerant pipe 7.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the opening / closing device 33 b and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

  The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device 32b and the low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the heat storage tank 140 into the intermediate heat exchanger 130 are between the first heat medium via the expansion device 32a. It flows into the heat exchanger 31a.

The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat-medium heat exchanger 31a exchanges heat with the heat medium, absorbs heat and evaporates to cool the heat medium, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. It flows out from the heat exchanger 1a between heat medium 31a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the first heat medium heat exchanger 31 a flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger 130 via the second refrigerant flow switching device 34 a and flows into the outdoor unit 10.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 via the check valve 14 b provided in the first connection pipe 2 a.
The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outdoor air, absorbs heat and evaporates, and flows out from the heat source side heat exchanger 13.

  The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is drawn into the compressor 11 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 12, and the above-described circulation is repeated.

[Determination process of heat storage tank availability]
The determination process of the availability of the heat storage tank 140 in the second embodiment is the same as the determination process of the availability of the heat storage tank 40 in the first embodiment described above, and thus the description is omitted here.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 is cooled by the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5 by providing the second heat medium heat exchanger 141 in the heat storage tank 140. Or can be heated. As a result, cold heat or heat can be stored in the heat storage tank 41 without operating the pumps 35 a and 35 b provided in the heat medium circulation circuit 6.
That is, energy saving can be achieved by using the heat in the refrigerant circulation circuit 5.

  Moreover, in the second embodiment, cold heat or heat can be stored in the heat medium in the heat storage tank 41 of the heat storage tank 140 in all the operation modes. Therefore, necessary heat can be stored according to the user's need.

  In addition, it is preferable to perform heat storage to such a heat storage tank 140 at night when the power rate is low, for example. By storing heat at night, more energy saving can be achieved.

  1, 101 air conditioner, 2 refrigerant piping, 2a first connection piping, 2b second connection piping, 3, 4 heat medium piping, 5 refrigerant circulation circuit, 6 heat medium circulation circuit, 7 refrigerant piping, 10 outdoor unit , 11 compressor, 12 first refrigerant flow switching device, 13 heat source side heat exchanger, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d check valve, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c indoor unit, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c Use-side heat exchangers 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Indoor temperature sensors 30, 130 Intermediate heat exchangers, 31a, 31b First heat exchange between heat media, 32a, 32b Throttling device, 33a, 33b Opening and closing device, 34a, 34b second refrigerant flow switching device, 35a, 35b pump, 36a, 36b first heat medium flow switching device, 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, 37e, 37f Heat medium flow switching device, 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d heat medium temperature sensor, 40, 140 heat storage tank, 41 heat storage tank, 42 tank temperature sensor, 50 controller, 141 second heat medium heat exchanger, 142 throttle device, 143 third refrigerant flow switching device.

Claims (6)

A compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion device, a refrigerant circulation circuit connecting refrigerant side flow paths of the first inter heat medium heat exchanger with refrigerant pipes to circulate the refrigerant, and the first inter heat medium heat And a heat medium circulation circuit connecting the heat medium side flow path of the exchanger and the use side heat exchanger with a heat medium pipe to circulate the heat medium, and in the first heat medium heat exchanger, the refrigerant and the heat medium circulation circuit An air conditioner that performs heat exchange with a heat medium,
A heat storage tank having a heat storage tank for storing a heat medium;
A controller that controls the compressor and the expansion device;
A heat medium temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat medium heat exchanger;
An indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the space in which the use-side heat exchanger is provided;
A tank temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank;
The heat medium circulation circuit is
It has a heat medium channel switching device which connects the heat storage tank to the heat medium circulation circuit by switching the flow path and enables the heat medium to flow into and out of the heat storage tank,
The controller is
Air conditioning that switches the flow path of the heat medium flow switching device based on the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor, the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor, and the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor apparatus. The controller is
In the cooling operation, when the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor is higher than the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor, the heat storage tank is switched by switching the flow path of the heat medium flow switching device. Connect to heat medium circulation circuit,
In the heating operation, when the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor is lower than the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor, the heat storage tank is switched by switching the flow path of the heat medium flow switching device. air conditioner according to claim 1 connected to a heat medium circulation circuit. The controller is
When stopping the cooling operation, when the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor is lower than the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor, the heat storage tank switching the flow path of the heat medium flow path switching device Connected to the heat medium circulation circuit,
When stopping the heating operation, if the temperature detected by the heat medium temperature sensor is higher than the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor, the heat storage tank switching the flow path of the heat medium flow path switching device The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the heat medium circulation circuit is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit. The controller is
During the defrosting operation, when the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor is higher than the heating application temperature calculated based on the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor, the flow path of the heat medium flow path switching device is switched The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the heat storage tank is connected to the heat medium circulation circuit. The heat storage tank is
The heat exchanger further includes a second heat medium heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium stored in the heat storage tank,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a refrigerant side flow passage of the second heat medium heat exchanger is connected to the refrigerant circulation circuit. During the cooling operation, the heat medium stored in the heat storage tank is heated by the second heat medium heat exchanger,
The air conditioner according to claim 5 , wherein the heat medium stored in the heat storage tank is cooled by the second heat medium heat exchanger during the heating operation.

Images