KR101517234B1 - Hot water circulation system associated with heat pump and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hot water circulation system and a control method of a heat pump interlocked with a heat pump, wherein a thermostat is provided in an auxiliary heat source device for heating a hot water tank, so that the hot water supply function is performed without lowering the heating efficiency.

Water pump, water refrigerant heat exchanger

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water circulation system,

The present invention relates to a system and a control method for performing a hot water supply and heating function in cooperation 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 circulating unit are combined. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor constituting the heat pump refrigerant circuit is heat-exchanged with water, .

In the conventional system, the water flowing along the heating closed loop and the water flowing water for hot water supply are separately separated and heat exchanged 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 are separately provided.

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

It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump circulating hot water circulating system and a control method which can provide an improved structure compared to a conventional heat pump circulating hot water circulating system and minimize a decrease in indoor heating efficiency in a hot water process.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water circulating system for a heat pump, comprising: an outdoor unit for performing a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging refrigerant circulating in the outdoor unit, a water collecting tank for storing water passing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water stored in the water collecting tank; A hot water supply unit including a hot water tank for receiving hot water from the water pipe to supply hot water; An auxiliary pipe in the form of a closed circuit connected to the hot water tank to transmit heat; A heat storage tank for supplying heat to the auxiliary pipe; And a thermostat provided at any point of the rupture pipe to sense and adjust the temperature of water in the auxiliary pipe.

Further, a method of controlling a hot water circulation system associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: operating an outdoor unit performing a heat pump refrigerant cycle; A step of operating an indoor unit including a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant circulating in the outdoor unit, a water collecting tank for storing water passing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water stored in the water collecting tank ; A step of inputting the hot water supply mode and / or the hot water temperature through the thermostat constituting the auxiliary heat source device; And circulating the water in the auxiliary heat source device toward the hot water tank when the water reaches the input temperature.

According to the hot water circulating system and control method of the present invention having the above-described structure, the hot water tank can be heated through the auxiliary heat source, and hot water supply and indoor heating can be simultaneously performed .

Further, since auxiliary heat sources such as solar heat can be used without heating auxiliary heaters for heating the hot water tank, power consumption can be reduced.

Further, the thermostat is mounted on the water pipe provided in the auxiliary heat source, and the direction switching valve selectively operates according to the temperature result detected by the thermostat, so that the water flows toward the hot water tank, so that the hot water tank heating can be performed in a short time It is effective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a hot water circulation system for interlocking with a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of an indoor unit constituting the hot water circulation system connected with the heat pump.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a heat pump circulating hot water circulation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 2 including a heat pump refrigerant cycle, A hot water supply unit 4 for supplying hot water in any part of the indoor unit 3 so as to be heat-exchangeable, and an indoor unit 3 for heating the indoor unit 3, And a water pipe extending from a water pipe (not shown).

In detail, the heat pump refrigerant cycle includes a compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure, a four-way valve 22 for regulating the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21, A water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31 in which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant passed through the four-way valve 22 is heat-exchanged with the water flowing along the water pipe of the indoor unit 3, An expansion part 24 for allowing refrigerant that has passed through the expanding section 31 to expand to a low temperature and a low pressure and an outdoor heat exchanger 23 for allowing refrigerant that has passed through the expansion section 24 to exchange heat with outdoor air. The components are connected by a refrigerant pipe 25 to constitute a closed circuit. The outdoor unit 2 includes the compressor 21, the four-way valve 22, the expansion unit 24, and the 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 operates in the heating mode, the outdoor unit 2 performs the function of the evaporator. Temperature sensors (TH1, TH2) may be mounted on the inlet-side refrigerant pipe and the outlet-side refrigerant pipe of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31), respectively.

The following description will be limited to the operation in the heating mode except for the defrosting operation.

On the other hand, the indoor unit 3 is provided with a water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31 and a flow switch installed in a water pipe extending to the outlet side of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31, An expansion tank 33 branched from the flow switch 32 at a position separated from the flow switch 32 in a direction in which water flows and an expansion tank 33 extending from the outlet side of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, A water pump 36 provided at any point of an outlet water pipe of the water collecting tank 34 is provided with a water collecting tank 34 in which an end of a pipe is inserted and an auxiliary heater 35 is provided therein, .

In detail, the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31) is a part where heat exchange is performed between refrigerant flowing along the heat pump refrigerant cycle and water flowing along the water pipe, and a plate heat exchanger is applicable. In the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31), heat (QH) is transferred from the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant which has passed through the compressor (21) to the water flowing along the water pipe. The water flowing into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31) is in a lukewarm state through a hot water supply process or a heating process. Temperature sensors (TH3, TH4) can also be mounted on the inlet-side water pipe and the outlet-side water pipe of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31), respectively.

In addition, the expansion tank 33 performs a buffering function of absorbing the water when the volume of the heated water is expanded to an appropriate level or higher while passing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31. A diaphragm is contained in the expansion tank 33 to move in response to a volume change of water inside the water pipe. The inside of the expansion tank 33 is filled with nitrogen gas.

The water collecting tank (34) is a container for collecting water that has passed through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31). An auxiliary heater 35 is installed in the water collecting tank 34 to selectively operate when the amount of heat absorbed through the defrosting operation process or the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31 is less than a required heat quantity. An air vent 343 is formed on the upper side of the collecting tank 34 so that the superheated air existing in the collecting tank 34 is discharged. A pressure gauge 341 and a relief valve 342 are provided on either side of the water collecting tank 35 so that the pressure inside the water collecting tank 35 can be appropriately adjusted. For example, when the water pressure inside the water collecting tank 35 displayed through the pressure gauge 341 is excessively high, the relief valve 342 is opened so that the pressure in the tank can be appropriately adjusted. A temperature sensor TH5 for measuring the temperature of water may be mounted on one side of the collecting tank 34. [

The water pump 36 pumps the water discharged through the water pipe extending from the outlet side of the water collecting tank 34 and supplies the water to the water heating unit 4 and the heating unit 5.

A control box 38 in which various electrical parts are stored is mounted on one side of the indoor unit 3 and a control panel 37 is provided on the front side of the indoor unit 3. In detail, the control panel 37 may include a display unit such as an LCD panel, and various input buttons. Through the display unit, operation information such as the operating state of the indoor unit 3, the temperature of the water passing through the indoor unit 3, and other menus can be confirmed.

On the other hand, the hot water supply unit 4 is a part for warming and supplying water required for a work such as washing or washing dishes.

Specifically, at a point away from the water pump 36 in the water flow direction, a flow path switching valve 71 for controlling the flow direction of water is provided. The flow path switching valve 71 may be a three-way valve that allows the water pumped by the water pump 36 to flow into the hot water supply unit 4 or the heating unit 5. 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 to either the hot water 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 heating the stored water and an auxiliary heater 42 provided inside the hot water tank 41. The water supply unit 4 includes a water inlet 411 for introducing cold water and a water outlet 412 for discharging heated water.

Part of the hot water supply pipe extending from the channel switching valve 71 is drawn 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 pipe 48 to the water stored in the hot water tank 41. In a specific case, the auxiliary heater 42 and the auxiliary heat source may operate to further supply additional heat. For example, it can operate when water needs to be warmed up in a short time, such as when the user needs a lot of hot water to bathe. A temperature sensor (TH6) for sensing the temperature of water may be mounted on one side of the hot water tank (41).

According to the embodiment, the water outlet 412 may be connected to a hot water discharge device such as a shower 45 or a household appliance such as a humidifier 46.

On the other hand, an auxiliary heat source for supplying heat to the hot water tank 41 may be further added depending on the installation mode. As a possible auxiliary heat source, a heat storage tank 43 using a solar cell panel is possible. When the heat storage tank 43 using the solar cell panel is used as the auxiliary heat source, the auxiliary pipe 47 extending from the heat storage tank 43 may be inserted into the hot water tank 41. An auxiliary pump 44 for controlling the flow rate in the auxiliary pipe closed circuit is mounted on the auxiliary pipe 47 and a directional switching valve VA for controlling the flow direction of water in the auxiliary pipe 47 is mounted . A check valve (V) may be installed in the auxiliary pipe (27) to allow water to flow in only one direction. For example, the check valve V may be installed near a point where the branch pipe 471 extending from the directional control valve VA meets the auxiliary pipe 47. The state in which the heated water is circulated along the auxiliary pipe 47, the directional control valve VA and the branch pipe 471 by receiving heat from the heat storage tank 43 is referred to as a circulation of water in the auxiliary heat source device .

A thermostat 48 may be installed between the heat storage tank 43 and the directional control valve VA. More specifically, when the thermostat 48 is mounted, it senses the temperature of the water in the auxiliary pipe 47 (which may be referred to as the temperature of the auxiliary pipe) as well as the temperature of the water in the auxiliary pipe 47 to the thermostat 48). ≪ / RTI > When the thermostat 48 is connected to the control unit, the control of the indoor unit or the operation of the directional control valve VA can be controlled according to the temperature value of the water sensed by the thermostat 48. The drive control of the thermostat 48 and the directional control valve VA will be described in more detail below with reference to the flowcharts.

It is to be noted that the auxiliary heat source structure such as the heat storage tank using the solar cell panel described above is not limited to the illustrated embodiment but can be mounted in different locations with various shapes.

The heating unit 5 includes a floor heating unit 51 formed by partially embedding the heating pipe 53 in the floor of the room and a floor heating unit 51 branched from any point of the heating pipe 53, And an air heating unit 52 connected in parallel with the air conditioning unit 51.

In detail, the floor heating unit 51 may be embedded in a meander line on the floor of the room as shown in FIG. The air heating unit 52 may be a fan coil unit, a radiator, or the like. A part of the air heating pipe 54 branched from the heating pipe 53 is provided in the air heating unit 52 as heat exchanging means. A flow path switching valve 55 or 56 such as a three-way valve is provided at a branch point of the air heating pipe 54 so that the refrigerant flowing along the heating pipe 53 flows into the floor heating unit 51, It can be divided into the heating unit 52 or flow only to either side.

The end of the hot water supply pipe 48 extending from the flow path switching valve 71 is connected at a point where it is separated from the outlet end of the air heating pipe 54 in the direction of water flow. Therefore, in the hot water supply mode, water flowing along the hot water supply pipe (48) is reintroduced into the heating pipe (53) and then flows into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (31).

Here, a check valve V is provided at a point where the reverse flow shutoff is required, such as a point where the hot water pipe 48 is merged with the heating pipe 53, so that backflow of water can be prevented. In the same manner, it is also possible to provide a check valve at the outlet end of the air heating pipe 54 and at the outlet end of the bottom heating unit 51, respectively, in addition to the method in which the flow path switching valve 56 is installed.

Hereinafter, the flow of water occurring in the hot-water circulating system associated with the heat pump will be described separately for each operation mode.

When the hot water supply mode is selected, the flow of the water is controlled by the flow path switching valve (71) to flow into the hot water supply pipe (48). Therefore, the water circulates along the closed circuit B connecting the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 31, the water collecting tank 34, the water pump 36, the flow path switching valve 71 and the hot water 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 and supplied to the user.

In the heating mode, the flow of the water is controlled by the flow path switching valve 71 to flow into the heating pipe 53. Therefore, the water circulates along the closed circuit A connecting the water refrigerant heat exchanger 31, the water collecting tank 34, the water pump 36, the flow path switching valve 71 and the heating pipe 53. The water flowing along the heating pipe 53 flows into the air heating unit 52 or the floor heating unit 51.

In addition, through the control of the thermostat 48 and the directional control valve (VA), the hot-water supply function may be performed while the system continues to operate in the heating mode. Hereinafter, a method of operating the hot water supply through the control of the thermostat 48 and the directional control valve VA will be described.

3 is a flow chart showing a control method of a hot water circulation system associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system is operating in the floor heating mode (S10). The water flowing along the auxiliary pipe 47 of the auxiliary heat source device connected to the hot water tank 41 is circulated only in the auxiliary heat source device along the directional control valve VA and the branch pipe 471 at step S20. . In this state, the hot water supply mode and / or the hot water supply temperature are inputted by the user (S30). In many cases, the thermostat provided in the conventional indoor heating system is provided with a hot water supply button and a temperature control knob. Accordingly, the user presses the hot water supply button and then sets the temperature of the hot water by using the temperature control knob. Another type of thermostat is that the hot water temperature for hot water is basically set, and hot water is supplied to the set temperature by pressing only the hot water button. Accordingly, it can be understood that the step (S30) includes input of the hot water supply command by the user.

When the hot water supply mode command for hot water supply is inputted, the temperature sensing unit connected to the thermostat 48 senses the temperature of water in the auxiliary pipe 47, ) (Step S40). If the water in the auxiliary pipe 47 does not reach the input temperature, water is circulated only in the auxiliary heat source device until the input temperature is reached (S41). That is, the directional control valve VA is kept open to the branch pipe 471.

More specifically, when it is determined that the temperature of water in the auxiliary pipe 47 has reached the input temperature, the opening direction of the directional control valve VA is switched to open to the auxiliary pipe 47 extending to the hot water tank (S50 ). Subsequently, the auxiliary pump 44 mounted on one side of the auxiliary pipe 47 is driven (S60) and circulated along the closed circuit connecting the storage tank 43 to the auxiliary pipe 47 and the auxiliary pump 44 . The heat transferred from the heat storage tank 43 to the auxiliary pipe 47 is transferred to the inside of the hot water tank 41 so that water in the hot water tank 41 is heated at step S70.

On the other hand, the temperature of the hot water tank 41 is sensed by the temperature sensor TH6 mounted on the hot water tank 41, and the control unit determines whether or not the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 41 has reached the input temperature (S80 ). In detail, if it is determined that the temperature of the water in the hot water tank has reached the input temperature, the directional control valve VA returns to its home position to maintain the open state toward the branch pipe 471 (S90). At the same time, the auxiliary pump 44 is also stopped (S100). Then, water having passed through the heat storage tank 43 is circulated only in the auxiliary heat source device along the directional control valve VA and the branch pipe (S110).

In this state, the controller determines whether a system stop signal has been input (S120), and if the stop signal has not been input, periodically determines whether the temperature of the water in the hot water tank falls below the input temperature (S121) . In other words, it is determined whether the water in the hot water tank is maintained at the input temperature, and water is prevented from flowing to the auxiliary pipe 47 extending to the hot water tank 41 (S100 and subsequent steps) while the temperature is maintained at the input temperature. On the other hand, if it is determined that the water in the hot water tank has dropped below the input temperature, the process of transferring heat from the auxiliary heat source device to the hot water tank (step S40 and subsequent steps) is repeated.

According to the control method as described above, when the system according to the present invention is operated in the floor heating mode, when the hot water supply is required, hot water can be effectively supplied without switching the operation to the hot water supply mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing a hot water circulation system connected with a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an indoor unit constituting the hot-water circulation system associated with the heat pump.

3 is a flowchart showing a control method of a hot water circulation system associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

An outdoor unit that performs a heat pump refrigerant cycle; An indoor unit including a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging refrigerant circulating in the outdoor unit, a water collecting tank for storing water passing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water stored in the water collecting tank; A hot water supply unit including a hot water tank for supplying hot water by receiving heat from a water pipe extending from the indoor unit; An auxiliary pipe in the form of a closed circuit connected to the hot water tank to transmit heat; A heat storage tank for supplying heat to the auxiliary pipe; And And a thermostat provided at a certain point of the auxiliary piping to sense and adjust the temperature of water in the auxiliary piping. The method according to claim 1, A direction switching valve provided at a certain position of the auxiliary pipe to switch a flow direction of the water, Further comprising a branch pipe extending from the directional control valve and connected to a point of the auxiliary pipe. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the water is circulated through either one of an auxiliary pipe extending to the hot water tank or a branch pipe through which the water absorbing heat while passing through the heat storage tank is operated by the operation of the direction switching valve. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the thermostat is mounted between the heat storage tank and the directional switching valve. 3. The method of claim 2, An auxiliary pump provided at one side of the auxiliary pipe, Further comprising a check valve to prevent backflow of water flowing into the branch pipe. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the heat storage tank includes a solar battery panel. Operating an outdoor unit performing a heat pump refrigerant cycle; A step of operating an indoor unit including a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant circulating in the outdoor unit, a water collecting tank for storing water passing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water pump for pumping water stored in the water collecting tank ; A step of inputting the hot water supply mode and / or the hot water temperature through the thermostat constituting the auxiliary heat source device; And circulating the water in the auxiliary heat source device toward the hot water tank when the water reaches the input temperature. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the temperature of the water inside the auxiliary heat source device is sensed by a temperature sensing unit included in the thermostat. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein when the temperature of the water in the auxiliary heat source device reaches the input temperature, the direction switching valve provided in the auxiliary heat source device operates to allow water to flow through the auxiliary pipe connected to the hot water tank. Control method of hot water circulation system. 10. The method of claim 9, And the auxiliary pump provided in the auxiliary pipe is driven together with the operation of the directional control valve. 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein when the water in the hot water tank reaches the input temperature, the directional control valve operates to shut off water circulation to the auxiliary pipe connected to the hot water tank. 12. The method of claim 11, Wherein when the circulation of water to the auxiliary pipe is interrupted, the driving of the auxiliary pump provided to the auxiliary pipe is stopped. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the hot water circulation system connected to the heat pump operates in a heating mode.

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