KR101254367B1 - Hot water circulation system associated with heat pump and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system and a control method, by defrosting while the hot water supply or heating operation is performed, there is an effect that the phenomenon that the heating efficiency is lowered.

Water refrigerant heat exchanger, hot water unit, heat pump

Description

Hot water circulation system associated with heat pump and method for controlling the same}

The present invention relates to a system and a control method for performing a hot water supply and heating function in conjunction with a heat pump.

The hot water supply and heating device interlocked with the heat pump is a device in which a heat pump cycle and a hot water circulation unit are combined. The hot water supply and the floor heating are performed by allowing the water discharged from the compressor constituting the heat pump refrigerant circuit to exchange heat with water. It is a device to make.

In the conventional system, the water flowing along the closed circuit for heating and the water flowing for the hot water supply are separated, and heat exchange is performed at different points of the compressor outlet pipe of the heat pump refrigerant circuit. That is, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heating and a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for hot water supply are formed separately.

In addition, in the conventional system, the water supplied for the hot water supply is heat-exchanged immediately after the heat exchange with the refrigerant while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger for hot water supply.

Accordingly, the above-described heat pump interlock hot water supply and heating device have the following problems.

First, when frost is generated on the surface of the evaporator constituting the heat pump refrigerant circuit to perform defrosting operation, the heating function and the hot water supply function must be completely stopped until the defrosting operation is completed. Therefore, not only hot water may be supplied in the defrosting operation but also the room temperature may decrease. If the heating operation is performed even while the defrosting operation is performed, since the heat is transferred to the refrigerant from the water refrigerant heat exchanger, the temperature of the circulating water falls and the temperature of the indoor floor is lowered.

Second, even if hot water supply and heating are resumed after the defrosting operation is completed, the heating circuit reaches a normal level, and it takes a long time for the supplied hot water to reach the set temperature.

 Third, since the water-cooling heat exchanger for heating and the water-cooling heat exchanger for hot water supply must be provided separately, the installation process is complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

The present invention has been proposed to improve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system and a control method for reducing the installation process and the installation cost and smoothly supplying hot water even during defrosting operation. do.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system and a defrosting operation method in which hot water supply is normally performed and defrosting operation is performed.

The scope of the right of the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system and the control method according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

First, an outdoor unit comprising a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion unit to perform a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water refrigerant heat exchanger for exchanging water between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a water collection tank for storing water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water discharged from the water collection tank; And a hot water circulating unit for receiving hot water from the water pumped from the water pump to perform hot water supply or heating, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is less than or equal to a defrost required temperature in a hot water supply or heating process. If lowered, bypass means for bypassing a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger is included.

Second, an outdoor unit comprising a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion unit to perform a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water refrigerant heat exchanger for exchanging water between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a water collection tank for storing water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water discharged from the water collection tank; And a hot water circulating unit for receiving hot water from the water pumped from the water pump to perform hot water supply or heating, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted in the process of hot water supply or heating. When the temperature is lower than the required temperature, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is bypassed to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the driving state of the water pump is controlled.

According to the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system and control method constituting the above configuration, there is an effect that the hot water supply for hot water supply and floor heating are selectively performed using a single hot water circulation closed circuit.

In detail, by providing only one water refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the heat pump refrigerant cycle, there is an effect that the installation process and manufacturing cost of the system is reduced.

In addition, there is an effect that the hot water is smoothly performed in the process of the defrosting operation.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described an embodiment in which the spirit of the present invention is implemented.

1 is a view showing a heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the indoor unit constituting the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system.

Hereinafter, the heat pump interlocked hot water circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as being limited to operating in the heating mode.

1 and 2, a heat pump interlocked hot water circulation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 2 including a heat pump refrigerant cycle and a phase change along the heat pump refrigerant cycle. An indoor unit 3 for exchanging heat with a refrigerant to heat water, a hot water supply part 4 connected to the heat exchanger in any part of the indoor unit 3 to supply hot water, and the indoor unit 3 It includes a heating unit (5) consisting of a water pipe extending from).

In detail, the heat pump refrigerant cycle includes a compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant at a high temperature and a high pressure, a four-way valve 22 for adjusting a flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21, A water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31 for exchanging high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant passing through the four-way valve 22 with water flowing along the water pipe of the indoor unit 3, and the water-cooled heat exchanger An expansion part 24 for allowing the refrigerant passing through the 31 to expand at low temperature and low pressure and an outdoor heat exchanger 23 for allowing the refrigerant passing through the expansion part 24 to heat exchange with the outdoor air. In addition, a temperature sensor (not shown) may be attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to detect a pipe surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. That is, it is determined whether defrosting operation is necessary according to the pipe temperature value detected by the temperature sensor.

In addition, a bypass valve 26 is mounted on the discharge side of the compressor 21, and a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 when the defrosting operation is required is bypassed to the inlet side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. You can do that.

In detail, the bypass pipe 27 extends from the flow path switching valve 26 and is connected to the inlet side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. In addition, a pressure reducing device 28 is provided on one side of the bypass pipe 27 so that the pressure of the bypassed refrigerant drops to the inlet pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

In addition, an induction heater 60 may be mounted outside the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to generate heat using an induced current by a magnetic field.

In detail, the induction heater 60 includes a coil 62 through which electric current flows to generate a magnetic field, and a ceramic plate 61 provided for insulation on the coil 62.

In general, the induction heater 60 is a heater using an induction current generated by a magnetic field as a heat source, and is composed of an electromagnet through which a high frequency alternating current can pass. The electromagnet has a shape in which the coil 62 is wound around a conductor.

Hereinafter, the heat generating action of the induction heater 60 will be described.

When an alternating current passes through the coil 62, an alternating magnetic field is formed in the coil 62 which changes in direction with time. Then, an alternating magnetic force is applied to the conductor wound on the coil 62, and a eddy current (eddy current) is generated by the electromagnetic induction phenomenon. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is heated by Joule heat generated by the eddy current. In detail, when a high frequency current flows in the coil 62 while the induction heater 60 is installed outside the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the magnetic force line 122 is connected to the ceramic plate 61 and the outdoor heat exchanger. Pass (23). Then, an induced current is generated in the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and thus a predetermined heat is generated. Therefore, frost or ice formed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is melted.

The induction heater 60 is a heater that heat is supplied by the induction current, has the advantage of low heat loss and good efficiency.

For example, the air conditioner can be defrosted until the temperature of the evaporator is -8 ° C by the induction heater 60. In the conventional defrosting method it can be seen that the defrosting ability is much superior to the defrosting was possible only when the temperature of the evaporator is -1 ℃.

On the other hand, the parts are connected by the refrigerant pipe 25 to form a closed circuit. The outdoor unit 2 includes the compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, an expansion unit 24, and an outdoor heat exchanger 23. When the outdoor unit 2 is operated in the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 performs the function of the condenser, and when the outdoor unit 2 is operated in the heating mode, the outdoor unit 2 performs the function of the evaporator. In addition, temperature sensors TH1 and TH2 may be mounted to the inlet refrigerant pipe and the outlet refrigerant pipe of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, respectively.

In addition, the indoor unit 3 is mounted on the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 and a water pipe extending on the outlet side of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, and a flow switch for sensing the flow of water. (32), an expansion tank (33) branched at a point spaced apart from the flow switch (32) in the direction of water flow, and water extending from the outlet side of the water refrigerant heat exchanger (31). An end of the pipe is inserted, and a water collecting tank 34 provided with an auxiliary heater 35 therein, and a water pump 36 provided at a point of an outlet pipe of the water collecting tank 34. Included.

In detail, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 is a portion in which the refrigerant flowing along the heat pump refrigerant cycle and the water flowing along the water pipe exchange heat. In the water refrigerant heat exchanger (31), heat (QH) is transmitted from the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant passing through the compressor (21) to the water flowing along the water pipe. Water introduced into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 is lukewarm through a hot water supply process or a heating process. In addition, temperature sensors TH3 and TH4 may be mounted to the inlet and outlet pipes of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, respectively.

In addition, the expansion tank 33, while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 performs a buffer function that absorbs when the volume of the heated water is expanded to an appropriate level or more. The expansion tank 33 contains a diaphragm to move in response to a volume change of water in the water pipe. The expansion tank 33 is filled with nitrogen gas.

In addition, the collection tank 34 is a container in which water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 is collected. In addition, an auxiliary heater 35 is mounted inside the collection tank 34 to selectively operate when the amount of heat intake through the defrosting operation or the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 does not reach the required amount of heat. In addition, an air vent 343 is formed at an upper side of the collecting tank 34 to discharge the superheated air present in the collecting tank 34. In addition, a pressure gauge 341 and a relief valve 342 may be provided at one side of the collecting tank 35 so that the pressure inside the collecting tank 35 may be properly adjusted. For example, when the water pressure inside the collection tank 35 displayed through the pressure gauge 341 is excessively high, the relief valve 342 may be opened so that the pressure in the tank may be properly adjusted. In addition, a temperature sensor TH5 for measuring the temperature of water may be mounted on one side of the collecting tank 34.

In addition, the water pump 36 pumps the water discharged through the water pipe extending from the outlet side of the collecting tank 34 so as to be supplied to the hot water supply unit 4 and the heating unit 5.

In addition, a control box 38 for storing various electrical components is mounted on one side of the indoor unit 3, and a control panel 37 is provided on the front of the indoor unit 3. In detail, the control panel 37 may be provided with a display unit such as an LCD panel and various input buttons. In addition, operation information such as the operating state of the indoor unit 3 or the temperature of water passing through the indoor unit 3, and other menus may be checked through the display unit.

On the other hand, the hot water supply unit 4 is a portion that the user warms and supplies the water required for work such as washing or washing dishes.

In detail, at some point spaced apart from the water pump 36 in the flow direction of the water, a flow path switching valve 71 for controlling the flow direction of the water is provided. The flow path switching valve 71 may be a three-way valve for allowing the water pumped by the water pump 36 to flow into the hot water supply unit 4 or the heating unit 5. Accordingly, the hot water supply pipe 48 extending to the hot water supply unit and the heating pipe 53 extending to the heating unit 5 are connected to the outlet side of the flow path switching valve 71. The water pumped by the water pump 36 selectively flows into either the hot water supply pipe 48 or the heating pipe 53 under the control of the flow path switching valve 71.

The hot water supply unit 4 includes a hot water tank 41 for storing water supplied from the outside and allowing the stored water to be heated, and an auxiliary heater 42 provided inside the hot water tank 41. In addition, an auxiliary heat source for supplying heat to the hot water tank 41 may be further added according to the installation form. As the auxiliary heat source that can be presented, a heat storage tank 43 using a solar cell panel is possible. In addition, one side of the hot water supply unit 4 is provided with an inlet 411 for introducing cold water and a water outlet 412 for discharging the heated water.

In detail, a part of the hot water supply pipe extending from the flow path switching valve 71 is introduced into the hot water tank 41 to heat the water stored in the hot water tank 41. That is, heat is transferred from the hot water flowing along the inside of the hot water supply pipe 48 to the water stored in the hot water tank 41. And, in certain cases, the auxiliary heater 42 and the auxiliary heat source may operate to supply additional heat. For example, it may operate when the water needs to be heated in a short time, such as when the user needs a lot of hot water to take a bath. In addition, one side of the hot water tank 41 may be equipped with a temperature sensor (TH6) for detecting the temperature of the water.

According to an embodiment, the water outlet 412 may be connected to a hot water discharge device such as a shower 45 or a home appliance such as a humidifier 46. When the heat storage tank 43 using solar heat is used as the auxiliary heat source, the heat storage pipe 47 extending from the heat storage tank 43 may be inserted into the hot water tank 41. In addition, an auxiliary pump 44 for controlling the flow rate inside the heat storage pipe closed circuit is mounted on the heat storage pipe 47, and a direction switching valve VA for controlling the flow direction of water in the heat storage pipe 47 is mounted. Can be. In addition, a temperature sensor TH7 for measuring the temperature of the water may be mounted on any one side of the heat storage pipe 47.

The auxiliary heat source structure, such as the heat storage unit using the solar heat as shown above, is not limited to the embodiments shown, it will be found that it can be mounted in different positions in various forms.

On the other hand, in the heating unit 5, a part of the heating pipe 53 is formed by embedding a floor heating unit 51 embedded in the floor of the room, and branched from any point of the heating pipe 53, the floor heating unit An air heating unit 52 connected in parallel with 51 is included.

In detail, the floor heating unit 51 may be buried in the form of a meander line on the indoor floor as shown. The air heating unit 52 may be a fan coil unit or a radiator. The air heating unit 52 is provided with a part of the air heating pipe 54 branched from the heating pipe 53 as a heat exchange means. At the point where the air heating pipe 54 is branched, flow path switching valves 55 and 56, such as three-way valves, are installed, and refrigerant flowing along the heating pipe 53 is supplied with the floor heating unit 51 and air. It may be divided into the heating unit 52 or flow in only one direction.

In addition, an end portion of the hot water supply pipe 48 extending from the flow path switching valve 71 is laminated at a point spaced apart from the outlet end of the air heating pipe 54 in the direction of water flow. Therefore, in the hot water supply mode, the refrigerant flowing along the hot water supply pipe 48 is introduced into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 after being recombined with the heating pipe 53.

Here, the check valve (V) is installed at the point requiring the back flow block, such as the point where the hot water supply pipe 48 is joined with the heating pipe 53, it is possible to prevent the back flow of water. In the same context, in addition to the method of installing the flow path switching valve 56, a check valve may be installed at the outlet end of the air heating pipe 54 and the outlet end of the floor heating unit 51, respectively.

Hereinafter, the flow of water occurring in the heat pump linked hot water circulation system will be described by dividing the operation mode.

When the hot water supply mode is selected first, the flow path switching valve 71 controls the flow of water to flow into the hot water supply pipe 48. Therefore, water circulates along the closed circuit B which connects the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, the collection tank 34, the water pump 36, the flow path switching valve 71 and the hot water supply pipe 48. In this circulation process, the cold water flowing into the water inlet 411 of the hot water tank 41 is heated and then discharged to the outside through the water outlet 412 to be supplied to the user.

In the heating mode, the flow path switching valve 71 controls the flow of water to the heating pipe 53. Therefore, water circulates along the closed circuit A which connects the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, the collection tank 34, the water pump 36, the flow path switching valve 71, and the heating pipe 53. As shown in FIG. The water flowing along the heating pipe 53 flows to the air heating unit 52 or the floor heating unit 51.

In the system having the above configuration, when the outdoor unit 2 performs a heat pump refrigerant cycle for a long time, the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 freezes to prevent heat exchange with external air. Therefore, when the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is lower than the set temperature, the defrosting operation is performed to remove ice generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

Under this purpose, when the defrosting operation is started in the outdoor unit 2, the flow path switching valve 71 is operated so that the water passing through the water pump 36 flows toward the hot water supply pipe 48, It may be returned to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 without passing through the heating unit (5). That is, water flows along the closed circuit B leading to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, the collecting tank 34, the water pump 36, and the hot water supply pipe 48. Then, since water does not flow toward at least the heating unit 5, there is an advantage that the phenomenon of rapidly decreasing the floor heating efficiency is eliminated. Of course, if the user wants to use hot water during the defrosting operation, the auxiliary heater 42 installed in the hot water tank 41 may operate.

In addition, in order to minimize the defrosting operation time, the auxiliary heater 35 installed in the collecting tank 34 may be operated to increase the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and water in the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31.

In the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a part of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 21 before the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 falls below a defrost required temperature is changed to the outdoor heat exchanger ( 23) to be bypassed. That is, a part of the high temperature refrigerant is supplied before the outdoor heat exchanger 23 falls below the defrost required temperature, thereby preventing the need for defrosting operation in advance.

In detail, when the outdoor unit 2 performs a heat pump refrigerant cycle, the outdoor unit 23 acts as an evaporator, so that the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 becomes a low temperature state. When the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is lower than the external temperature, condensed water forms on the surface. When the external temperature is below the freezing temperature, the condensed water freezes on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. As this condition progresses for a long time, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is deteriorated in the heat exchange performance with the outside air due to the freezing phenomenon, and finally to perform the defrost operation to remove the frozen ice on the surface.

At this time, without performing the defrosting operation, when the temperature required for the defrosting operation is reached, a portion of the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is introduced into the evaporator 23. Then, the surface temperature of the evaporator 23 is increased to melt the ice formed on the surface.

In order to perform the bypass function, the bypass valve 26 is operated to allow a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 to flow into the bypass pipe 27. Then, the refrigerant branched along the bypass pipe 27 is lowered to the inlet pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 while passing through the pressure reducing device 28. Then, the branched refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 23 so that the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 increases. As a result, moisture condensed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is melted.

Here, even if the bypass valve 26 is operated to perform the defrosting operation, the water pump 36 continues to operate to allow the hot water to circulate. Therefore, the hot water supply and heating are smoothly performed even during the defrosting operation. The opening degree of the bypass valve 26 may be controlled according to the degree of freezing of the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

On the other hand, when the defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is not completely performed only by the operation of the bypass valve 26, that is, by adjusting the opening degree of the bypass valve 26, the induction heater 60 may be operated. Can be. In other words, defrost through the refrigerant bypass and defrost using the induction heater 60 may be performed at the same time. Alternatively, the induction heater 60 may be driven first before the refrigerant bypass, and the refrigerant bypass may be selectively performed according to the defrosting effect.

In addition, when a part of the refrigerant passing through the compressor 21 is bypassed to the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the amount of heat exchange in the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31 may be reduced. In this case,

According to the above configuration, the water circulating in the indoor unit 3 and the hot water supply unit 5 or the heating unit 5 is deprived of heat from the water refrigerant pipe 31 so that the phenomenon of cooling does not occur. That is, the defrosting effect can be obtained without performing the defrosting operation, and there is an advantage of not having to stop the operation of the hot water circulation system. Thus, the hot water supply to the user can be made continuously, the floor heating is kept constant.

1 is a view showing a heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the indoor unit constituting the heat pump linked hot water circulation system.

Claims (9)

An outdoor unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion unit configured to perform a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water refrigerant heat exchanger for exchanging water between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a water collection tank for storing water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water discharged from the water collection tank; And In the heat pump linked hot water circulation system including a hot water circulation unit for receiving hot water from the water pumped from the water pump to perform hot water supply or heating, And a bypass means for allowing a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to be bypassed to the outdoor heat exchanger when the outdoor heat exchanger becomes lower than a defrosting required temperature during hot water supply or heating. The method of claim 1, In the bypass means, A bypass pipe branched from the outlet side of the compressor and connected to the outdoor heat exchanger inlet side; A bypass valve provided at an inlet side of the bypass pipe and Heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system comprising a decompression device provided at any point of the bypass pipe. The method of claim 1, And an induction heater provided outside the outdoor heat exchanger to generate defrost heat. The method of claim 3, wherein The induction heater and the bypass means operates independently or interlocked with each other, the heat pump interlocked hot water circulation system. An outdoor unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion unit configured to perform a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water refrigerant heat exchanger for exchanging water between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a water collection tank for storing water passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water discharged from the water collection tank; And In the control method of the heat pump linked hot water circulation system including a hot water circulation unit for receiving hot water from the water pumped from the water pump to perform hot water supply or heating, When the outdoor heat exchanger is lowered below a defrost required temperature while hot water supply or heating is performed, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is bypassed to the outdoor heat exchanger, The control method of the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system, characterized in that controlled to maintain the driving state of the water pump. 6. The method of claim 5, And when the outdoor heat exchanger falls below a defrost required temperature, an induction heater provided on the outside of the outdoor heat exchanger is driven. The method of claim 6, The control method of the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system, characterized in that only one of the process of bypassing the refrigerant and the driving of the induction heater is performed, or all of them are performed. The method of claim 6, The control method of the heat pump interlocking hot water circulation system, characterized in that the step of bypassing the refrigerant and the process of driving the induction heater is performed simultaneously or sequentially. 6. The method of claim 5, And the degree of opening of the bypass valve provided on the discharge side of the compressor is adjusted according to the degree of freezing of the outdoor heat exchanger.

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