KR102248206B1 - Heat storage air conditioner equipped with heat storage tank monitoring and air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a technology to greatly improve the maintenance properties of a heat storage air conditioner apparatus in using the apparatus by preventing a heat storage tank from being destroyed in accordance with an increase in a fluid volume due to an excessive formation of ice in the heat storage tank and making it possible to automatically control a heat storage function in accordance with the level of the fluid in the heat storage tank. The heat storage air conditioner apparatus comprises: an outdoor unit which includes a cooling unit which receives external power and cools a refrigerant, and a first circulation pump which grants a circulation force to the refrigerant; a main line unit which provides a moving path of the refrigerant moved from the outdoor unit, and which includes a first main line which makes the refrigerant, which is cooled or heated by the outdoor unit, supplied to an upper area of the heat storage tank, and a second main line which makes the refrigerant supplied from the heat storage tank to the outdoor unit; a sub-line unit whose one end side is connected to the first main line and whose other end side is connected to the second main line, and which includes a large number of sub-lines which are repeatedly extended upward and downward to be sunken in a heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank and make a reciprocating motion between an upper side and a lower side of the heat storage tank; a level detection unit for detecting the level of the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank; an ice detection unit for detecting the information of ice made from the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank; and a control unit which controls at least the operation of the outdoor unit and the supply of the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank in accordance with the detection results of the ice detection unit.

Description

Heat storage air conditioning system equipped with heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system {HEAT STORAGE AIR CONDITIONER EQUIPPED WITH HEAT STORAGE TANK MONITORING AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a refrigerant circulation and hybrid type heat storage cooling and heating apparatus, and specifically, ice is formed in the gas line inside the heat storage tank by cooling the fluid inside the heat storage tank while the refrigerant gas circulates inside, and cooling the inside of the heat storage tank when cooled. In a cooling and heating system used for heating by thawing the fluid and supplying it to the indoor unit for cooling, heating the fluid inside the heat storage tank during heat storage, and supplying the heating fluid inside the heat storage tank to the indoor unit during heat dissipation, there is an excess of ice inside the heat storage tank. By preventing the destruction of the heat storage tank due to the increase in fluid volume due to formation, and automatically controlling the heat storage function according to the level of the fluid inside the heat storage tank, it is possible to greatly improve the maintenance and maintenance of the device when using the heat storage cooling and heating device. It's about the technology that exists.

An air conditioner represented by an air conditioner is to maintain the optimum temperature and humidity according to climatic conditions and indoor environment. Specifically, the refrigerant circulating indoors and outdoors is cooled and introduced into the indoor unit, thereby cooling the surrounding air. To perform cooling.

However, in this method, due to excessive use of electric energy, problems such as energy saving in addition to policies such as a progressive tax have recently occurred, and countermeasures have been pointed out. In particular, places where small air conditioners, such as homes, are charged higher than industrial electricity bills, and are particularly sensitive to power consumption.

Accordingly, an ice storage refrigeration system is known as an air conditioner that has recently been in the spotlight. The ice storage refrigeration system stores fluid in the heat storage tank, and the cooled refrigerant moves through the line existing inside, but it cools and moves the refrigerant using late-night electricity that is inexpensive and has room for use, and spreads around the line. Cold storage is performed by freezing the fluid using cooling, cold fluid thawed during the day is supplied to the heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant on the heat exchanger side, and the refrigerant on the heat exchanger is supplied to the indoor unit to be used for cooling.

This ice heat storage system is a cooling method for effectively distributing energy use by reducing the power load during the day as well as economical cooling by remarkably reducing the cost of power use by using power to a minimum during the day. Recently, a heat storage air-conditioning device used for heating by heating fluid using late-night electricity and supplying the fluid heated during the day to the above-described heat exchanger by heating the refrigerant on the heat exchanger side by hot water and supplying it to the indoor unit has also been developed. Is being used.

There is a technology for such an ice heat storage system, such as Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0964360, and it provides technologies capable of miniaturization and weight reduction for refrigerators and heat storage tanks, including the above-described technologies. However, in particular, in the heat storage cooling and heating apparatus to which the small heat storage tank is applied, there is a problem that occurs as the volume increases during ice formation according to the binding characteristics of water molecules during cooling of the heat storage fluid.

That is, when the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank is cooled, diffusion freezing occurs around the refrigerant line. In this case, if the freezing is excessive, ice is generated and the volume increases, and at this time, ice between the refrigerant lines comes into contact or the refrigerant line When the ice of the heat storage tank contacts the side wall of the heat storage tank, pressure on the coolant line and the side wall of the heat storage tank increases according to a continuous volume increase, so that the coolant line and the heat storage tank may be destroyed.

However, the above-described existing prior art cannot solve this problem, and in particular, the maintenance of all heat storage tank systems including the system to which the small heat storage tank is applied and the same greatly decreases, and the use of the heat storage cooling and heating system is difficult as the maintenance cost increases. It is not increasing.

Accordingly, the present invention prevents destruction of the heat storage tank due to an increase in fluid volume due to excessive formation of ice inside the heat storage tank, and automatically controls the heat storage function according to the level of the fluid inside the heat storage tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that can greatly improve the maintenance of the device in the house.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a system that enables automatic control of an outdoor unit and a boiler according to the water level and temperature in a heat storage cooling/heating device, in addition to the above-described object, to provide a technology for increasing the convenience of use of a cooling/heating hybrid heat storage device. It has a different purpose to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a heat storage cooling/heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling unit that cools a refrigerant by receiving external power, and a cooling unit that cools the refrigerant and imparts a circulation force to the refrigerant. An outdoor unit including a first circulation pump; A first main line providing a moving path of the refrigerant moving from the outdoor unit, wherein the refrigerant cooled or heated by the outdoor unit is supplied to an upper region of the heat storage tank, and a second main line configured to supply the refrigerant to the outdoor unit from the heat storage tank. A main line part; The first main line and one end are connected, the other end is connected to the second main line, and a plurality of sub-lines that are repeatedly extended up and down so as to reciprocate the upper and lower parts of the heat storage tank a plurality of times while being settled in the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank. A sub-line portion including; A water level sensing unit for sensing the level of the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank; A freezing detection unit for detecting information on which the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank is frozen; And a control unit controlling at least the operation of the outdoor unit and supply of the heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank according to a detection result of the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit.

The water level sensing unit may include a water level pipe formed to receive the heat storage fluid at the same level as the water level of the heat storage tank by flowing the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank through an opening on the side of the heat storage tank; A floating sensor that is installed to be accommodated in the water level pipe, is formed at a water level point corresponding to at least a predetermined high water level part, a middle water level part, and a low water level part in a height direction, and detects that the heat storage fluid reaches each water level point; And a sensing value generator for generating output values below the high, medium, low and low water levels according to the sensing values of the floating sensor and transmitting them to the control unit, wherein the floating sensor has a magnetic property that is suspended in the heat storage fluid. Float; And movement limiting portions are formed at the upper and lower portions to guide the movement of the floating body in the height direction, and the movement limiting portions of the upper portion are formed at a height corresponding to each of the water level points, and according to the magnetism of the floating body when contacting the floating body It is preferable to include a; a sensing unit that is attached to the electromagnetic sensor whose output value is variable, and generates a signal for sensing that the floating body is in contact with the floating body as it is floating on the heat storage fluid.

When the output value of the detection value generator is less than the low water level, the control unit opens an automatic water supply valve that controls the supply of the heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank so that the heat storage fluid is supplied to the inside of the heat storage tank, and controls to stop the operation of the outdoor unit. , When the freezing setting value set by the input means is the first value, and the output value of the detection value generator is the medium water level, the water supply automatic valve is shut off to prevent the heat storage fluid from being supplied to the inside of the heat storage tank, and at the same time, the operation of the outdoor unit is performed. When the freeze setting value set by the input means is the second value, and the output value of the detection value generator is at a high water level, the water supply automatic valve is shut off to prevent the heat storage fluid from being supplied to the inside of the heat storage tank. It is desirable to control the outdoor unit to stop the operation.

The freezing detection unit may include a pair of conductive bars spaced apart from each other; And a current sensing unit configured to apply power to the conductive bar and sense a current between the conductive bars, wherein the control unit includes, when power is applied to the conductive bar, a current between the conductive bars as a result of detection by the current sensing unit. When the heat storage fluid of the conductive bar freezes by determining whether or not is conduction, when the current does not conduct between the conductive bars, it is determined that the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank is in an over-freezing state, and the operation of the outdoor unit is stopped. It is desirable to control.

The conductive bar is preferably installed between the sub-line part and the inner wall of the heat storage tank or between the upper and lower repeating extension lines of the sub-line part.

The control unit automatically controls the operation of the outdoor unit and the supply of heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank according to the detection result of the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit, when the operation method set by the input means is an automatic system. , When the set operation method is a manual method, it is preferable to control the operation of the outdoor unit according to a control condition set by the input means.

A boiler including a heating unit for receiving and heating the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank and a second circulation pump for imparting a circulating force to the heat storage fluid; And a temperature sensing unit for sensing the temperature of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank, wherein the control unit is configured to set an operation mode by heating by an input unit, and the temperature of the heat storage fluid sensed from the temperature sensing unit is When it exceeds the set critical temperature, it is preferable to control the boiler to stop the operation.

It is possible to set the control function of the control unit, but at least, setting whether the outdoor unit is operated, setting the cooling/heating conversion, setting whether or not the indoor unit is operated, and inputting the setting of the freezing setting value for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit by the control unit according to the water level detection unit It is preferable to further include a control panel including this possible input means.

According to the above-described technical features of the present invention, during freezing of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank by the operation of the outdoor unit, when the volume increases due to ice generation and the water level of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank increases accordingly, the generation of ice and heat storage fluid The increase in the water level of is performed simultaneously according to the operation of the freezing detection unit and the water level detection unit. Accordingly, it is more accurate and precise to determine how much ice is generated, and accordingly, the operation of the outdoor unit and the fluid supply device before the refrigerant line and the heat storage tank are destroyed by the ice generation or the water level is excessively increased. It is controlled by stopping, etc.

Accordingly, it prevents destruction of the heat storage tank due to an increase in fluid volume due to excessive formation of ice, and automatically controls the heat storage function according to the level of the fluid inside the heat storage tank. There is an effect that can be greatly improved.

In addition, in the heating function, the heat storage fluid can be prevented from wasting energy due to excessive heating according to the function of the temperature sensor and the control unit, so that energy saving and convenience of use can be further improved in the use of the heat storage cooling and heating device. There is an effect.

1 is a block diagram of a heat storage cooling/heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view for explaining a specific configuration of the water level detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a specific configuration of the freezing detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining an example in which the functions of the outdoor unit and the fluid supply unit are controlled according to the function of the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit.
5 is a view for explaining an example in which the function of the boiler is controlled according to the function of the temperature sensing unit.
6 is a view for explaining the structure of a control panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following, various embodiments and/or aspects are now disclosed with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for illustrative purposes, a number of specific details are disclosed to aid in an overall understanding of one or more aspects. However, it will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that this aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the one or more aspects. However, these aspects are illustrative and some of the various methods in the principles of the various aspects may be used, and the descriptions described are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

As used herein, "embodiment", "example", "aspect", "example", etc. may not be construed as having any aspect or design described as being better or advantageous than other aspects or designs. .

In addition, the terms "comprising" and/or "comprising" mean that the corresponding feature and/or component is present, but excludes the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, and/or groups thereof. It should be understood as not doing.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, are those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It has the same meaning. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless explicitly defined in the embodiments of the present invention, an ideal or excessively formal meaning Is not interpreted as.

Meanwhile, in the following description, some of the components are omitted or excessively enlarged or reduced in order to describe the functions of each component of the present invention, but the corresponding illustrated matters refer to the technical features and rights of the present invention. It will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope.

In addition, in the following description, a plurality of drawings will be simultaneously referred to and described in order to describe one technical feature or constituent elements constituting the invention.

1 is a configuration diagram of a heat storage cooling/heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a specific configuration of a water level sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view for explaining a specific configuration of a freezing detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example in which functions of an outdoor unit and a fluid supply unit are controlled according to the functions of the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit , FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example in which a function of a boiler is controlled according to a function of a temperature sensing unit, and FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a structure of a control panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the above-described drawings are referred to together for the detailed description of the present invention.

In order to explain the performance of the main functions of the present invention in describing the configuration of the heat storage cooling and heating apparatus of the present invention, as a configuration of the cooling apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat storage tank 10, the outdoor unit 20, and the control unit 60 ), and in the case of the indoor unit, the line and valve receiving the heat storage fluid of the heat storage tank 10, the heat exchanger, the refrigerant line on the heat exchanger, and each heat storage fluid and the refrigerant on the heat exchanger are provided with circulation force. A configuration connected to a configuration such as a motor, but this is the same as an indoor unit of a unilateral air conditioner, and thus the contents and description of the drawings will be omitted. In addition, the boiler 30 is also included in the heat storage cooling and heating apparatus, but a detailed functional description thereof will be described later as another embodiment of the present invention.

The heat storage tank 10 has a certain size and is configured to receive a heat storage fluid therein, and the heat storage fluid described above is controlled by the water supply automatic valve 41 according to the control of the control unit 60 from the external fluid supply unit 40, It is supplied into the heat storage tank 10 through a fluid pipe 42 in which the flow is controlled by the automatic water supply valve 41. At this time, the opening and closing control of the water supply automatic valve 41 is performed by the control unit 60 according to the detection result of the water level detection unit 12 to be described later. The heat storage fluid is, for example, a material containing water molecules, and has a freezing temperature (eg, 0 degrees Celsius), but refers to a fluid having a characteristic of increasing its volume compared to a liquid state when freezing.

In the heat storage tank 10, the heat storage fluid is frozen through heat exchange with the refrigerant therein in the heat storage mode, and in the cooling mode, that is, in the cooling mode, some heat storage fluid or refrigerant cooled by the frozen heat storage fluid is supplied to the indoor unit and enters the room. It refers to a configuration provided to perform air conditioning. That is, the heat storage tank 10 refers to a tank in which a heat storage fluid may exist and a structure of a single or complex structure configured to be connected or installed inside and outside the structures of the present invention to be described later.

The heat storage tank 10 may be made of a steel material, but various configurations such as a support structure of the heat storage tank 10 may include various materials for performing the functions of the present invention, such as a steel material or a synthetic resin material. In addition, the heat storage tank 10 may include a heat storage fluid therein, as shown in FIG. 1, and may receive heat storage fluid from the above-described fluid supplier 40 when the heat storage fluid is evaporated or consumed.

The outdoor unit 20 includes a cooling unit that cools a refrigerant by receiving external power, and a first circulation pump that imparts a circulating force to the refrigerant, and the cooling unit is composed of an expansion unit and a cooling unit as a configuration of a general outdoor unit. . The expansion unit may be understood as a concept including all configurations such as a pump that greatly lowers the pressure in order to cool the refrigerant. The cooling unit may be understood as a concept including all components such as a compressor and a cooler for compressing and cooling a refrigerant. Since the configurations of the expansion unit and the cooling unit differ only in the configuration or specifications (output) of a general air conditioner, a detailed description thereof will be omitted since they perform the same configuration and the same functions as those included in a general ice storage cooling apparatus.

In addition, the first circulation pump is formed by a main line portion including a first main line 22 and a second main line 23 and a sub-line portion including a plurality of sub-lines 24 to be described later. This configuration is operated to provide a circulation force that allows the refrigerant to circulate along the circulation line of the refrigerant. The first circulation pump will be understood as a configuration included in the outdoor unit 20 as described above, and includes a member that imparts a substantial refrigerant circulation force to a refrigerant such as a fan or a pump driven by the circulation motor in addition to the circulation motor. It will be understood as a concept.

The main line unit, as described above, is a concept including a first main line 22 and a second main line 23, and provides a moving path of the refrigerant that is moved from the outdoor unit 20, and is cooled by the outdoor unit 20. Alternatively, a configuration including a first main line 22 for supplying the heated refrigerant to the upper region of the heat storage tank 10 and a second main line 24 for supplying the refrigerant to the outdoor unit 20 from the heat storage tank 10. it means.

The main line portion may be formed in a plurality of bent shapes and shapes in various extension directions, and in essence, as shown in FIG. 1, a single first main line 22 and a second main line 23 may be formed. However, if necessary, a branch may be formed so that the first main line 22 and the second main line 23 are connected in the form of branching into a plurality of pipes after one line is exposed from the outdoor unit 20. I can.

On the other hand, in the key technical feature of the present invention, the configuration of a part of a part of the second main line 23 located at least in the upper region of the heat storage tank 10 of the first main line 22, preferably the heat storage tank ( The area to enter 10) may be configured to have a height at which the heat storage fluid existing in the heat storage tank 10 can be deposited.

In general, keeping the refrigerant cold is a factor that increases the ice making effect for the heat storage fluid and the cooling effect by the heat storage fluid. The refrigerant circulation line corresponding to the existing main line part is connected in parallel with the refrigerant circulation line corresponding to the sub-line part in parallel, and has been configured to be exposed to the air above the heat storage tank according to this characteristic.

In this case, as the refrigerant circulation line is exposed to the air, the refrigerant is inevitably heated in a hot environment such as summer, and cooling is performed only through the refrigerant circulation line corresponding to the sub-line portion of the heat storage tank 10. Accordingly, as the refrigerant is heated, the ice-making effect and the cooling effect are greatly deteriorated, and in order to solve this problem, the operation output of the outdoor unit 20 must be very large.

However, when configuring a small air conditioner, the need for such operation output can be a big problem in terms of price and installation, etc. according to an increase in unit price and size, and in the present invention, each main line unit is The refrigerant can be kept very cold by allowing some areas of the line to be precipitated in the heat storage fluid, and accordingly, as the operation output of the outdoor unit 20 is relatively minimal, the ice-making effect and the cooling effect can be achieved even through low power and inexpensive equipment. Since it can be achieved high, it is possible to obtain an energy saving effect even in the existing industrial air conditioner, and in particular, there is an effect of improving the realization possibility and energy saving of a small ice heat storage air conditioner.

Meanwhile, while the fluid movement is controlled by the first valve 21 in the first main line 22, as a result, the refrigerant through the first main line 22, the sub-line 24, and the second main line 23 Circulation through the outdoor unit 20 may be controlled. That is, by controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 20 and the first valve 21 by the control unit 60, the operation of the outdoor unit 20 and circulation of the refrigerant are controlled. The degree of freezing of the heat storage fluid, etc. will be controlled.

Meanwhile, the sub-line part is connected to the upper surface of the first main line 22 located in the upper region of the heat storage tank 10 so that the refrigerant is supplied from the first main line 22 and the refrigerant is moved to the second main line 23. It is configured to include a plurality of sub-lines 24 to be connected.

In particular, in the present invention, a first sub-line that is formed to increase in height while being connected to the upper surface of the first main line 22, and a heat storage tank of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant is supplied into the heat storage tank 10 by extending from the first sub-line. (10) A second sub-line providing an internal movement path and a second sub-line extending from the second sub-line and connected to the upper surface of the second main line 23 are configured to move the refrigerant to the second main line 23. 2 One sub-line 24 may be configured to include a third sub-line formed to be connected to the upper surface of the second main line 23 at a position higher than the upper surface of the main line 23.

That is, the sub-line 24 may be connected to the first main line 22 and the second main line 23 but bent so that the highest value of the sub-line 24 is positioned on the upper surfaces of the main lines.

Conventionally, the refrigerant circulation line formed by the sub-line has been connected from the left and right in parallel with the refrigerant circulation line corresponding to the first main line 22 and the second main line 23. This was to save materials as well as the simplicity of the structure of the refrigerant circulation line.

However, in this case, the following problems may occur. That is, a plurality of sub-lines 24 are installed in the first main line 22 and the second main line 23 in the longitudinal direction so that the refrigerant contacts the heat storage fluid in the largest area.

In this case, according to the existing left and right parallel connection method, a part of the refrigerant flowing through the first main line 22 flows into the sub-line 24 as soon as it moves to the sub-line 24 close to the refrigerant inlet source. . This is a phenomenon due to the moving characteristics of a fluid such as a refrigerant due to no height difference. In this case, if sufficient circulation force is not provided, it takes a tremendous amount of time for the refrigerant to reach the subline 24 far from the refrigerant inlet source or does not reach the refrigerant at all, and thus the contact time between the refrigerant and the heat storage fluid and This leads directly to the problem that the contact area is greatly reduced. That is, according to the conventional connection structure of the refrigerant circulation line, the ice-making and cooling effects of the refrigerant are greatly reduced.

However, in the configuration of the above-described sub-line part of the present invention, in the region where each sub-line 24 is connected to the first main line 22 and the second main line 23, the first main line 22 and the second main line 22 2 By being connected to the upper surface of the main line 23 from above, the refrigerant is first moved to the end in the longitudinal direction through the first main line 22 according to the movement characteristics of the fluid due to the height difference, and then has a certain height. It is moved to the sub-line 24 at the same time.

That is, the above-described problem, which can only be caused by the existing left and right parallel connection method, is completely solved by the connection structure between each sub-line 24 and the first main line 22 and the second main line 23. .

Meanwhile, similar to the main line part, a plurality of sub-lines may be formed to be included in the sub-line part in order to allow the refrigerant to contact the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10 in the largest possible area. That is, one sub-line 24 is configured to be branch-connected to the first main line 22 and the second main line 23.

The sub-line 24 is substantially in contact with the heat storage fluid, and the heat storage fluid is frozen around the sub-line 24 so that ice may be converted into a cylindrical shape with the sub-line 24 as a central axis. In order to maximize the contact area between the refrigerant and the heat storage fluid, at least the area in contact with the heat storage fluid among the sub-lines 24 reciprocates the upper and lower portions of the heat storage tank 10 a predetermined number of times (for example, two times), as shown in FIG. 1. It can be formed as shown.

In particular, the present invention saves energy by minimizing the output of circulators such as the outdoor unit 20 and the boiler 30 in order to implement a small heat storage cooling and heating device, while reducing costs and cooling and heating through the use of a low-spec/low-cost circulation device. Since the shape of the sub-line 24 as described above is adopted for miniaturization of the apparatus, it is necessary to configure the refrigerant to be sufficiently circulated even with a small output. Accordingly, as described above, the sub-line 24 is configured to reciprocate a predetermined number of times (for example, two times) rather than to reciprocate too many times between the heat storage fluids.

In the present invention, it is necessary to maintain a constant level of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10 through the refrigerant circulation structure as described above, particularly in realizing the cooling function. This means that if the heat storage fluid is too small, it is difficult to sufficiently drive the cooling during the day due to the lack of frozen heat storage fluid, and if the heat storage fluid freezes at an excessively large or too large ratio, circulation of the heat storage fluid to the above-described heat exchanger. In addition to this, in particular, as the volume expands as the heat storage fluid freezes inside the heat storage tank 10, the heat storage tank 10 is destroyed, or the sub-lines 24 adjacent to each other by the vertical reciprocating structure collide with each other and are destroyed. This is what happens.

In order to prevent such a phenomenon, in the present invention, a configuration for automatically detecting and adjusting the amount of ice and water level inside the heat storage tank may be adopted. To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, the water level detection unit 12, the freezing detection unit 11, and the control unit 60 may be included as core components.

First, the water level detection unit 12 may be composed of a sensor module having a floating sensor structure as shown in FIG. 2. The water level detection unit 12 is a device for detecting the level of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

Specifically, the water level detection unit 12 is formed on the outside of the heat storage tank 10 so that not only automatic control by detection but also an administrator can intuitively detect the water level on the side of the heat storage tank 10 as shown in FIG. Can be installed. In order to realize the above-described installation position and to detect the water level, it is a structure in which heat storage fluid is introduced in order to maintain the same water level as the water level in the heat storage tank 10 from the water level detection unit 12, and through the opening of the side of the heat storage tank 10 A water level pipe 121 formed to accommodate the heat storage fluid L at the same water level as the water level of the heat storage tank 10 by flowing the heat storage fluid L inside the heat storage tank 10 may be included.

Meanwhile, the floating sensor 122 may also be included in the water level detector 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the floating sensor 122 is installed to be accommodated in the water level pipe 121, and is formed at a water level point corresponding to at least a predetermined high, medium, and low water level in the height direction, and the heat storage fluid It performs the function of detecting that (L) reaches each water level point.

The floating sensor 122 is a component that floats a certain configuration according to the level of the heat storage fluid L, detects the floating configuration, and detects when the water level reaches the position where the floating sensor 122 is installed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the floating sensor includes a floating body 1224 having a magnetism floating in the heat storage fluid L, and to guide the movement of the floating body 1224 in the height direction. Movement limiting portions 1221 and 1223 are formed in the lower part. This is to prevent the floating body 1224 from falling or rising excessively to maintain a height measurement function and to perform sensing on the floating body 1224.

At this time, the upper movement limiting part 1221 is formed at a height corresponding to each water level point, and an electromagnetic sensor that changes its output value according to the magnetism of the floating body 1224 when it comes into contact with the floating body 1224 is attached. As the 1224 floats in the heat storage fluid L, it may include a sensing unit that generates a signal for detecting contact with the floating body 1224.

That is, the upper movement limiting part 1221 includes a sensing part including an electromagnetic sensor, so that when the floating body 1224 is floated by the heat storage fluid L, when it comes into contact with the upper movement limiting part 1221, electrons Machine fluctuations occur and the sensing unit detects them.

In FIG. 2, the level of the heat storage fluid L does not reach the high water level floating sensor 122 and the medium level floating sensor 123, so that the floating body 1224 is present in the lower movement limiting part 1223. However, it can be seen that the subwoofer 1224 of the low water level floating sensor 124 is floated by the heat storage fluid L and contacts the upper movement limiting part. In this example, the sensing value of the electromagnetic sensor fluctuates with other sensors as the water level reaches the sensing unit of the low water level floating sensor 124.

Meanwhile, the sensing value of the sensing unit of the floating sensor 122 is processed into an output value by the sensing value generating unit 126. That is, the detection value generation unit 126 performs a function of generating output values below the high, medium, low, and low water levels according to the detection values of each of the floating sensors 122, 123, and 124, and transmits them to the control unit. That is, when the sensing value does not fluctuate even in the low-water level floating sensor 124, the output value below the low-water level is changed, and when the sensing value is changed only in the low-water level floating sensor 124, the output value of the low-water level is reduced to the low-water level and the intermediate level floating sensor 123 When the sensing value fluctuates only at 124, the output value of the medium water level is generated by the sensing value generator 126, and the output value of the high water level is generated by the sensing value generation unit 126 when the sensing value fluctuates in all floating sensors 122, 123, 124. 60).

As described above, the control unit 60 operates at least in the heat storage tank 10 by the fluid supply unit 40 and at least the operation of the outdoor unit 20 according to the detection results of the water level detection unit 12 and the freezing detection unit 11. It performs the function of controlling the supply of heat storage fluid to Specifically, the control unit 60 includes not only the above-described configurations, but also the first valve 21 and the second valve 31 for controlling the movement of the heat storage fluid and refrigerant installed in the moving line of the boiler 30, the heat storage fluid and the refrigerant. It should be understood as a configuration that performs a function of controlling all controllable equipment such as the automatic water supply valve 41 and the drain valve 51.

In this case, in detail, the control unit 60 controls the outdoor unit 20 and the fluid supply unit 40 according to the output value of the above-described detection value generation unit 126. That is, in the above-described example, when the output value is less than the low water level, since there is little excess of the heat storage fluid, the automatic water supply valve 41 that controls the supply of the heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank 10 is opened, so that the heat storage fluid is transferred to the heat storage tank. (10) It is controlled to be supplied to the inside and to stop the operation of the outdoor unit (20).

On the other hand, the water level needs to be controlled according to the amount of freezing, and this is to save the waste of the heat storage fluid and the temperature energy required for freezing according to the amount of the heat storage fluid. For example, in the case of spring or early summer, a large amount of cooling is not required, so only a relatively small amount of heat storage fluid can be supplied, but in the case of midsummer, a large amount of heat storage fluid is not required. There is a need.

In order to increase the energy saving effect through the water level control for each season and the required amount of freezing (heat storage fluid), the present invention is characterized in that the floating sensor is present at the medium and high water levels, respectively. In this case, as a value for the water level for each season and for each required amount of freezing, the control unit may have a freezing setting value as a first value and a second value. At this time, the first value is a value such as spring or early summer, and the water level is 50% of the maximum water level, and the second value is a value such as midsummer, and the water level may be set to about 70% of the maximum water level. The value may vary depending on the design and specifications of the air conditioner.

In such a state, when the freezing setting value set by the input means (not shown) of the control panel to be described later is the first value, the output value of the detection value generator 126 is the median water level, The automatic water supply valve 41 is blocked so that the heat storage fluid is not supplied into the heat storage tank 10 and the outdoor unit 20 is controlled to stop the operation, and when the freezing setting value set by the input means is the second value, , Only when the output value of the detection value generator 126 is at a high water level, the automatic water supply valve 41 is blocked so that the heat storage fluid is not supplied to the heat storage tank 10 and the operation of the outdoor unit 20 is stopped. I can. This is because, when a specific water level is reached according to each setting value, there is no need to supply the heat storage fluid any more, and at the same time, volume expansion due to freezing is not required.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as a weak point in the function of the water level sensing unit 12, when an excessively large amount of ice is generated even though the water level is low, the sub-line 24 is destroyed by the pressure between the sub-line 24 and the sub-line 24 In order to block the possibility that destruction due to pressure between the side wall of the heat storage tank 10 and the heat storage tank 10 may occur, the freezing detection unit 11 may be installed. The freezing detection unit 11 is preferably installed inside the heat storage tank 10 due to the characteristics of the sensing object, but is preferably installed between the above-described sub-line portion and the inner wall of the heat storage tank 10 or between the upper and lower repetitive extension lines of the sub-line portion. . Specifically, it is preferable that the conductive bar 111 for directly sensing the generation of ice among the components described below of the freezing detection unit 11 is installed at the above-described position.

Specifically, the freezing detection unit 11 applies power to a pair of conductive bars 111 and the pair of conductive bars 111 spaced apart from each other as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. At the same time, it includes a current sensing unit 112 for sensing the current flow between the conductive bars 111.

In this case, when power is applied to the conductive bar 111, the control unit 60 determines whether current is conducted between the conductive bars 111 as a result of detection by the current sensing unit 112, ), when the heat storage fluid of the conductive bar 111 freezes and the conductive bars 111 are not connected with the fluid, so that the current does not conduct between the conductive bars 111, the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10 is It is determined that there is an over-freezing state, and the outdoor unit 20 is controlled to stop the operation. Fluids such as water have a property that current conducts when a current is applied.If any one conductive bar 111, that is, the area of the heat storage fluid in which the electrode is deposited, freezes, the principle of loss of the fluid property prevents the current from passing through. It is to use.

In summary, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 60 includes the outdoor unit 20 and the fluid supply unit according to the detection value of the detection value generation unit 126 and the measurement value of the current detection unit 112. By controlling 40, the heat storage tank 10 and the sub-line 24 are prevented from being destroyed due to over-freezing, while maintaining the optimum water level.

This control is an automatic control process. In some cases, managers may want to manually control the outdoor unit 20 or the like. That is, when the operation method set by the above-described input means is an automatic method, the control unit 60 operates the outdoor unit 20 and the heat storage tank ( 10) It automatically controls the supply of heat storage fluid to the inside.

On the other hand, when the operation method set by the input unit is a manual method, it is preferable to control the operation of the outdoor unit 20 according to a control condition set by the input unit.

Meanwhile, the heat storage air conditioning apparatus of the present invention can perform the above-described cooling function as well as the heating function. To this end, the heat storage cooling and heating apparatus of the present invention may further include a temperature sensing unit 13 and a boiler 30 as an additional structure.

That is, the boiler 30 has a configuration similar to the outdoor unit. That is, it means a configuration including a heating unit that receives and heats the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10 and a second circulation pump that provides a circulation force to circulate the heat storage fluid along the heating lines 32 and 33.

In addition, the temperature sensing unit 13 is installed in a region inside the heat storage tank 10 to sense the temperature of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to save energy through optimal operation of the boiler 30, the control unit 60 sets an operation mode by heating by an input means, and the heat storage fluid sensed from the temperature sensing unit 13. When the temperature of exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, it is preferable to control to stop the operation of the boiler (30).

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the heat storage cooling and heating apparatus of the present invention, a control panel 70 including input means for setting various functions and control modes or control values of the above-described control unit 60 as an additional configuration. It can be included more. As shown in FIG. 6, the control panel 70 enables setting of the control function of the control unit 60, but at least, setting whether or not the outdoor unit 20 is operated, setting whether or not to switch the cooling/heating mode, and setting whether or not to operate the indoor unit, Various types of input means, such as a touch method or a mechanical button or dial, capable of inputting a setting input of a freezing setting value for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 20 of the controller 60 according to the water level detection unit 12 may be included.

For example, whether cooling or heating (71), switching of the above-described automatic mode/manual mode (72), operating time of the outdoor unit 20 in the manual mode, and setting whether or not the outdoor unit 20 is operated (721), the operation of the indoor unit Whether or not setting 73, fluid supply in the manual mode, and setting whether or not draining through the drainer 50 shown in FIG. 1 (74), setting of freezing setting values such as the first and second values described above (75) ), etc.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described by the limited embodiments and drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and variations are possible from the above description. The terms such as "include", "comprise" or "have" described above mean that components without a description to the contrary may be included, and thus other components are not excluded. It should be construed as more inclusive. In addition, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

An outdoor unit including a cooling unit receiving external power to cool a refrigerant, and a first circulation pump providing a circulation force to the refrigerant;
A first main line providing a moving path of the refrigerant moving from the outdoor unit, wherein the refrigerant cooled or heated from the outdoor unit is supplied to an upper region of the heat storage tank, and a second main line configured to supply the refrigerant to the outdoor unit from the heat storage tank. A main line part;
The first main line and one end are connected, the other end is connected to the second main line, and a plurality of sub-lines that are repeatedly extended up and down so as to reciprocate the upper and lower parts of the heat storage tank a plurality of times while being settled in the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank. A sub-line portion including;
A water level sensing unit for sensing the level of the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank;
A freezing detection unit for detecting information on which the heat storage fluid in the heat storage tank is frozen; And
A control unit for controlling at least the operation of the outdoor unit and supply of heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank according to a detection result of at least the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit, and
The water level detection unit,
A water level pipe formed to receive the heat storage fluid at the same level as the water level of the heat storage tank by flowing the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank through an opening located on the side of the heat storage tank;
It is installed so as to be accommodated in the water level pipe, and is formed at a water level point corresponding to at least a predetermined high, medium, and low water level in the height direction, and in order to save energy through water level control for each season and required ice amount, the A floating sensor that detects that the heat storage fluid reaches each water level point; And
Including; a sensing value generator for generating output values of the high water level, the medium water level, the low water level, and the lower water level in accordance with the detection values of the floating sensor and transmitting them to the controller;
The control unit,
When the output value of the sensing value generator is less than the low water level, the automatic water supply valve that controls the supply of the heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank is opened so that the heat storage fluid is supplied to the inside of the heat storage tank, and the outdoor unit is controlled to stop operation. In order to save energy through water level control for each required freezing amount, when the freezing setting value set by the input means is the first value, and the output value of the sensing value generator is the medium water level, the water supply automatic valve is shut off and the heat storage fluid is stored in the heat storage tank. The freezing setting value set by the input means is the second value, and the sensing When the output value of the value generator is at a high water level, the water supply automatic valve is shut off to prevent the heat storage fluid from being supplied to the inside of the heat storage tank and at the same time control to stop the operation of the outdoor unit. Air conditioning system.
The method of claim 1,
The floating sensor,
A floating body having a magnetic property that is suspended in the heat storage fluid; And
A movement limiting part is formed in the upper and lower portions to guide the movement of the floating body in the height direction, and the movement limiting part of the upper part is formed at a height corresponding to each of the water level points, and the output value according to the magnetism of the floating body when contacting the floating body A heat storage cooling/heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system comprising; .
delete The method of claim 1,
The freezing detection unit,
A pair of conductive bars spaced apart from each other; And
Includes; a current sensing unit for applying power to the conductive bar and sensing a current between the conductive bars,
The control unit,
When power is applied to the conductive bar, by determining whether current is conducted between the conductive bars as a result of detection by the current sensing unit, when the heat storage fluid of the conductive bar is frozen and no current is conducted between the conductive bars And controlling to stop the operation of the outdoor unit after determining that the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank is in an over-freezing state.
The method of claim 4,
The conductive bar,
A heat storage cooling/heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system, characterized in that it is installed between the sub-line part and the inner wall of the heat storage tank or between the upper and lower repetitive extension lines of the sub-line part.
The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
When the operation method set by the input means is an automatic method, the operation of the outdoor unit and the supply of the heat storage fluid to the inside of the heat storage tank are automatically controlled according to the detection result of the water level detection unit and the freezing detection unit,
When the set operation method is a manual method, a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system is mounted, which controls the operation of the outdoor unit according to a control condition set by an input means.
The method of claim 1,
A boiler including a heating unit for receiving and heating the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank and a second circulation pump for imparting a circulating force to the heat storage fluid; And
Further comprising a; temperature sensing unit for sensing the temperature of the heat storage fluid inside the heat storage tank,
The control unit,
Heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating, characterized in that when an operation mode is set by heating by an input means and the temperature of the heat storage fluid sensed from the temperature sensing unit exceeds a preset threshold temperature, the operation of the boiler is controlled to be stopped. Heat storage air conditioning system equipped with a control system.
The method of claim 1,
It is possible to set the control function of the control unit, but at least, setting whether the outdoor unit is operated, setting the cooling/heating conversion, setting whether or not the indoor unit is operated, and inputting the setting of the freezing setting value for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit by the control unit according to the water level detection unit A heat storage air conditioning and heating apparatus equipped with a heat storage tank monitoring and cooling/heating control system further comprising: a control panel including a possible input means.

Images