JPS6219652A - Heat pump - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a heat pump, and particularly relates to an improvement in a heat pump equipped with a heat storage material that stores surplus heat during operation and releases the stored heat to a refrigerant passage when necessary. .

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

As is well known, a heat pump is a combination of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, etc., and can be used for cooling by simply switching the refrigerant flow path, so it is widely used for heating homes. There is.

By the way, when such a heat pump is used for heating, it usually takes a considerable amount of time from the start of operation until hot air starts blowing out. This is because the refrigeration cycle components such as the compressor are cold at the start of operation. For residents, it is desirable for warm air to blow out from the moment the compressor starts operating, and in order to meet this demand, 1. Usually, an electric heater is attached to the case of the compressor, and the electric heater is energized at the same time as the compressor starts operating. This method shortens the time it takes for hot air to blow out. However, the method of attaching an electric heater as described above involves power consumption by the electric heater.

This method cannot be said to be preferable in terms of energy saving.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such problems.

Recently, a proposal has been made to shorten the time until hot air is blown by storing surplus heat during heating operation in a heat storage material and releasing the heat when the next day's operation starts.

However, even with the method of providing a heat storage material as described above, there are the following problems. Namely.

In order to realize this method, the prerequisite is that the heat storage material store heat stably over a long period of time. In order to satisfy this condition, the heat storage tank must have a sufficiently insulating structure to suppress heat radiation loss from the heat storage tank containing the heat storage material. For this reason, it has been difficult to put it into practical use due to the high price and overall size of the heat insulating structure.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a heat pump that can be made smaller and cheaper as a whole without impairing the characteristics of the heat storage method. It is in.

[Summary of the invention]

According to the present invention, a heat pump main body is formed by combining a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, etc.

In a heat pump, the heat storage material is housed in a heat storage tank and stores surplus heat during operation of the heat pump main body, and releases the stored heat to a refrigerant passage when necessary. A heat pump is provided that includes a latent heat storage material that maintains a supercooled state, and a stimulation device that applies stimulation to the latent heat storage material to release heat from the latent heat storage material when the heat pump main body starts operating.

〔Effect of the invention〕

There are various latent heat storage materials, but one of them is that when it is heated above the phase change temperature (melting point) Tm to liquefy and then cooled below Tm, it does not solidify at Tm but becomes a liquid at a temperature lower than Tm. Some things enter a supercooled state and stably maintain this supercooled state. Examples of such latent heat storage materials include sodium acetate-based hydrated salts. When the latent heat storage material in the supercooled state is stimulated in this way, it all rapidly solidifies and releases latent heat at this time. The heat pump according to the present invention utilizes the above-mentioned phenomenon. That is, as an example, during the previous day's operation, the latent heat storage material is heated to the phase change temperature Tm or higher using surplus heat. and,
The latent heat storage material is cooled to a supercooled state during the period from when the operation is stopped until the next day when the operation is started, as the outside temperature decreases at night. At the start of operation the next day, the latent heat storage material is stimulated.

The retained heat is released, and this heat is used to rapidly raise the temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor, for example. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from the start of operation until the hot air starts blowing out. In this case, there is no need to insulate the heat storage tank containing the latent heat storage material from the outside air, so that the overall size and cost can be reduced.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the figure, 1 indicates a compression mode, 2 indicates a heat exchanger with a blowing mode which is placed indoors and is used as a condenser during heating operation and as an evaporator during cooling operation, and 3 indicates a heat exchanger with an air blowing mode placed indoors. A heat exchanger with an air blower is shown, which is arranged and used as an evaporator during heating operation and as a condenser during cooling operation, and 4 represents a four-way valve for switching between heating and cooling operation.

5 indicates an expansion valve.

The compressor 1 is constructed as shown in FIG.

It is housed in a heat storage tank 6 made of a metal material or the like. In the heat storage tank 6, a latent heat storage material 7 is housed, for example, at a level where most of the compressor case is submerged.

As this latent heat storage material 7.

A material having a phase change temperature of around 30° C. and maintaining a stable supercooled state, such as a sodium acetate-based hydrated salt, is used. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, when cooled from a state heated above the phase change temperature Tm, the supercooled state is stably maintained until the humidity is below Tm without solidifying at Tm, and in this state, stimulation occurs. When given, it becomes Tm and starts coagulation. In the heat storage tank 6, a stimulation mechanism 8 is disposed above the latent heat storage material 7, as shown in FIG. The stimulation mechanism 8 includes a lever 9 whose central portion is rotatably supported, has a needle N at one end whose tip can penetrate into the latent heat storage material 7, and has an iron piece I at the other end.

A spring 10 that always applies a force to the lever 9 in a direction in which the needle P moves away from the latent heat storage material 7, and a spring 10 that is placed in a position facing the iron piece (■) and when biased, attracts the iron piece (■) and the needle N multi stone 1 that allows the latent heat storage material 7 to penetrate into the latent heat storage material 7
1 and Ishibashi 1. And above 1! The magnet 11 and the compressor 1 are controlled by a control device 12 in the relationship described below.

Next, the operation of the heat pump configured as described above will be explained.

First, it is assumed that heating operation is already being performed. At this time, the refrigerant flows through the path of compression 11 - four-way valve 4 - heat exchanger 2 - expansion valve 5 - heat exchanger 3 - four-way valve 4 - compression l111. Since the refrigerant compressed by the compression till is kept at a high temperature, warm air is blown out from the heat exchanger 2 through which this high-temperature refrigerant flows.

In the end, blank heating will be performed. At this time, the latent heat storage material 7 in the heat storage tank 6 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the phase change temperature Tm by heat conduction from the case of the compressor 1, and is maintained in a liquid state.

The heating operation as described above can be stopped at any time when the room is no longer needed, but it is assumed that the heating operation is stopped at time t shown in FIG. 4 as the user falls asleep. When stopped in this way, the latent heat storage material 7 is cooled by the outside air, and its temperature gradually decreases.

In this case, since the latent heat storage material 7 has the characteristics described above, the latent heat storage material 7 has a phase change temperature Tm
Retains liquid state even when cooled below. That is, the supercooled state is stably maintained.

However, in order to start heating operation the next morning.

When a command is given to the control device 12 at time t1 shown in FIG. 4, the control device 12 starts operating the compressor 1 and at the same time energizes the electromagnet 11 for a short period of time. When the electromagnet 11 is energized, the lever 9 rotates and the needle N enters into the latent heat storage material 7 to stimulate the latent heat storage material 7. When stimulated in this way, the latent heat storage material 7 instantaneously rises in temperature to the phase change temperature Tm, starts solidifying, and releases the latent heat that has been stored up until now. The released heat is conducted through the case of the compressor 1 and heats the refrigerant within the compressor 1. For this reason.

After a very short period of time has passed from the start of operation, warm air is blown out from the heat exchanger 2, providing highly comfortable heating.

In this way, hot air can be blown out in a short time from the start of operation, contributing to comfortable heating. In this case, the latent heat storage material 7 having the characteristics described above is used, and the latent heat storage material 7 is cooled to a supercooled state with outside air.

There is no need to insulate the heat storage tank 6 from the outside air. For this reason, the overall price increases, which tends to occur when a heat storage method is adopted.
Enlargement can be prevented, and the above-mentioned effects can be achieved after all.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a heat pump according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same symbols. Therefore, explanation of the overlapping portion will be omitted.

This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in the way in which a heat storage tank 6 containing a latent heat storage material 7 is provided.

That is, in this embodiment, a heat storage tank 6 is provided independently, and two heat exchangers 14 and 15 are arranged in the heat storage tank 6 together with the latent heat storage material 7.

Valves 16 and 17 are interposed in the refrigerant passages between the discharge port of the compressor 1 and the four-way valve 4 and between the four-way valve 4 and the suction port of the compressor 1, respectively. The heat exchanger 14 is connected through the valve 17, and the heat exchanger 15 is connected to both ends of the valve 17 through valves 19. The opening and closing of each valve is controlled by a control device (not shown) as follows.

That is, during heating operation, valves 18 and 17 are open;
Also, valves 16 and 19 are controlled to be closed.

As a result. Refrigerant flows from compressor 1 to valve 18 to heat exchanger 14
- Four-way valve 4 - Heat exchanger 2 - Expansion valve 5 - Heat exchanger 3 - Four-way valve 4 - Valve 17 - Compressor 1 . At this time. The latent heat storage material 7 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the phase change temperature Tm by the surplus heat. Then, when the heating operation is stopped, the latent heat storage material 7 is cooled by the outside air and maintained in a supercooled state, as in the previous embodiment. Next, when heating operation is started, valves 18 and 17 are controlled to be open, and valves 16 and 19 are controlled to be open. Furthermore, the stimulation mechanism 8 is energized.

This bias releases the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material 7, thereby releasing the heat stored in the latent heat storage material 7 to the low pressure line. Therefore, similarly to the embodiment described above, the start-up of the heating operation can be accelerated. After rising, valves 16 and 19 are closed, and valves 18 and 18 are closed.
17 is controlled to be open, and steady operation is executed. On the other hand, when defrosting is performed during heating operation, the following control is performed. In other words. At the same time as the heating operation is stopped, the valves 18, 17 are closed, the valves 16, 19 are opened, and the four-way valve 4 is switched. Simultaneously, the stimulation mechanism 8 is energized. At this time. Refrigerant is compressed Vs
1 - valve 16 - four-way valve 4 - heat exchanger 3 - expansion valve 5 - heat exchanger 2 - four-way valve 4 - valve 19 - heat exchanger 15 - compressor 1. Then, the latent heat stored in the latent heat storage material 7 is injected into the refrigerant flowing through this path. Therefore, defrosting will be completed in a short time. Of course, this configuration may also be used.

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the invention.

In this figure as well, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the explanation of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a valve 20 is interposed between the suction port of the compressor 1 and the four-way valve 4. and. A heat exchanger 21 is placed in the storage space of the latent heat storage material 7 housed in the heat storage tank 6 so as to be in contact with the case of the compressor 1, and one end side of the heat exchanger 21 is connected to the suction port of the compressor l11. At the same time, the other end side is connected to the inlet side of the valve 20 via a valve 22. Then, the valve 20
, 22 and the stimulation mechanism 8 are controlled by a control device (not shown) as follows depending on the driving mode.

That is, during heating operation, valve 20 is open and valve 22 is open.
is controlled to close. At this time, the latent heat storage material 7 is heated to a phase change temperature Tm or higher due to surplus heat.

and. DI! When the chamber is stopped. The latent heat storage material 7 is cooled by the outside air and maintained in a supercooled state. Next, when the heating operation is started, the valve 20 is controlled to open and the valve 22 is controlled to close. Simultaneously with the start of the heating operation, the stimulation mechanism 8 is activated and the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material 7 is released. Since the refrigerant is heated by this release, the start-up at the start of heating is accelerated, as in the embodiment described above.

Also, when defrosting during heating operation, the valve 2
0 is closed, the valve 22 is controlled to be open, and at the same time, the stimulation mechanism 8 is energized for a short time. Further, the four-way valve 4 is switched and operated in a reverse cycle. Even with this configuration, the same effects as in each of the embodiments described above can be achieved.

Also. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments. As a means of stimulating the latent heat storage material 7, a so-called mechanical stimulation method is adopted. As shown in FIG. 7, electrodes 318 and 31b are inserted into the latent heat storage material 7, and these electric rods 31
a. Stimulation may be applied by passing a current between 3 lbs, or chemical stimulation may be applied. Also, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. @The stimulus is given at the same time as the compressor starts to operate, but the stimulus may be given before the compressor is driven. It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic system diagram of a heat bomb according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the compressor and the latent heat storage material in the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is the embodiment. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the same embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the main parts of a heat pump according to another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic phylogenetic diagram. FIG. 6 is a schematic system diagram of the main parts of a heat pump according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the stimulation means. 1...Compressor, 2.3...Heat exchanger, 4...Four-way valve. 5... Expansion valve, 6... Heat storage tank, 7... Latent heat storage material. 8... Stimulation applying mechanism, 12... Control device. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4r4 Figure 5 Figure 6

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A heat pump body consisting of a combination of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, etc., and a heat storage tank that stores excess heat during operation of the heat pump body and releases the stored heat to the refrigerant passage when necessary. A heat pump comprising: a latent heat storage material housed in the heat storage tank and maintaining a stable supercooled state below the melting point; and a heat pump that stimulates the latent heat storage material when the heat pump main body starts operating. A heat pump characterized by comprising: an acceleration imparting means for releasing heat from the latent heat storage material. (2) The heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation applying means is one type selected from mechanical, electrical, and chemical stimulation means.