KR20190054800A - Air conditioner including heat storage tank and a method controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a heat storage tank and a control method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner having a heat storage tank comprises a compressor, a heat storage tank, and first to fourth valve devices to perform air conditioner operation in various modes. Moreover, the fourth valve device is made of a check valve to simply constitute a cycle. In addition, cooling, heating, cooling and heating, heating and hot water, and hot water operation modes can be included in the various modes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a heat storage tank and a control method thereof,

The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a heat storage tank.

The air conditioner is a device for cooling and heating the indoor space by exchanging the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchange cycle with the indoor air and the outdoor air.

In detail, the air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air, and an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air.

The air conditioner may include a heat storage tank. The reservoir may store a fluid to be heated or cooled by a refrigerant circulating through the air conditioner. In one example, the fluid may include water.

The information of the prior patent documents related thereto is as follows.

[Prior Patent Literature]

Public number: 10-2011-0074214, public date: June 30, 2011

Title of the invention: Refrigeration cycle device, heat pump hot water air conditioner and its outdoor unit

According to the prior patent documents, the following problems exist.

First, when the cooling and hot water supply operations are performed together, when the temperature of the hot water supply rises above the set temperature, the cooling performance may be deteriorated.

Second, when the waste heat recovery operation is performed, there is a drawback that the outdoor heat exchanger can not be used as a condenser.

Third, there are problems in that the control method is complicated and power consumption is large by using a plurality of three sides.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having a heat storage tank capable of simultaneously performing heating and hot water operation or cold water operation and capable of supplying stable hot water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having a heat storage tank capable of performing various modes of operation such as cold water, hot water, cooling and heating operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having a heat storage tank that can realize a plurality of operation modes by a simple cycle structure and can reduce the installation cost.

The air conditioner having the thermal storage tank according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the compressor, the heat storage tank, and the first to fourth valve devices, so that the air conditioner can be operated in various modes. Particularly, the fourth valve device is constituted by a check valve, so that the cycle can be simplified.

The various modes may include cooling, heating, cooling and hot water, heating, hot water, and hot water operation modes.

The apparatus further includes a first connection pipe extending from the indoor heat exchanger and having a first branch portion and a second connection pipe extending from the first branch portion to the outdoor heat exchanger so that the operation mode of the air conditioner can be easily switched .

Further, a third connection pipe extending from the heat storage tank and connected to the first branch may further include a hot water operation.

The heat storage tank and the indoor heat exchanger are connected in parallel with the second branch portion as a reference, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor can selectively flow into the heat storage tank or the indoor heat exchanger.

A fourth connecting pipe extending from the first valve unit to the thermal storage tank and the second branching part being provided in the fourth connecting pipe so that the operation mode of the air conditioner is easily switched.

A fifth connection pipe extending from the second branch portion to the third valve device and a sixth connection pipe extending from the third valve device to the indoor heat exchanger to facilitate switching of the operation mode of the air conditioner Do.

A seventh connecting pipe extending from the second valve device to the third valve device, and an eighth connecting pipe extending from the first valve device to the second valve device, wherein the switching of the operation mode of the air conditioner This is easy.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform various operation modes such as cooling and heating operation, hot water operation, cooling and hot water operation, heating and hot water operation, and the like.

Further, there is an advantage that various operation modes can be realized through a simple cycle configuration using one three-way valve and two three-way valves.

In addition, since the construction of the cycle is simple, the installation cost of the air conditioner is reduced, and the control method of the air conditioner is simple.

1 is a system diagram showing a refrigeration cycle configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the operation mode of the hot water of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

1 is a system diagram showing a refrigeration cycle configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110 for compressing a refrigerant, and a refrigerant suction pipe connected to an inlet side of the compressor 110, And a discharge pipe 112 connected to an outlet side of the compressor 110 for guiding the discharge of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110.

The suction pipe 111 can be understood as a pipe extending from the gas-liquid separator 160 to the suction port of the suction pipe 111 to guide the flow of the refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator 160 separates the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant and supplies the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 110, and may be disposed on the suction side of the compressor 110. The suction pipe 111 guides the refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 to the suction port of the compressor 110.

The discharge pipe 112 can be understood as a pipe which flows from the high pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 and extends from the discharge port of the compressor 110 to the first valve device 121. The discharge pipe 112 guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to the first valve unit 121.

The discharge pipe 112 may be provided with a high-pressure sensor 115 for sensing the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110. That is, the high pressure sensor 115 can sense the high pressure of the refrigerant cycle.

For example, the first valve device 121 may include a four way valve. The first valve device 121 may guide the high pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 to flow toward the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the heat storage tank 180, or the indoor heat exchanger 150.

The outdoor heat exchanger 130 is a device for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outside air and an outdoor fan 135 serving as a blowing fan for blowing outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 130 is installed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 130 May be provided. When the outdoor fan (135) is driven, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger (130) can exchange heat with the outside air.

For example, the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 10 can be condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger 130. On the other hand, the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 150 during the heating operation of the air conditioner 10 may be decompressed in the outdoor expansion device 136 and then evaporated through the outdoor heat exchanger 130. That is, the outdoor expansion device 136 may function to depressurize the high-pressure liquid refrigerant during the heating operation of the air conditioner 10. For example, the outdoor expansion device 136 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The air conditioner (10) may include an indoor unit (I). The indoor unit I includes an indoor heat exchanger 150 and an indoor fan 155 as a blowing fan provided at one side of the indoor heat exchanger 150 to blow indoor air toward the indoor heat exchanger 150 . When the indoor fan (155) is driven, the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (150) and the room air can be heat-exchanged.

For example, the refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 10, and the indoor air that is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant can be cooled and supplied to the indoor space. On the other hand, the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (150) during the heating operation of the air conditioner (10), and the room air to be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant can be heated and supplied to the indoor space.

The indoor unit I may further include an indoor expansion unit 156 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 150 during a cooling operation of the air conditioner 10. [ For example, the indoor expansion device 156 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The indoor unit I may be provided with a second temperature sensor 158 for sensing the temperature of the air taken out from the indoor unit I.

The air conditioner (10) may further include a storage tank (180) for storing the fluid and performing heat exchange with the refrigerant. In one example, the fluid may include water. A first temperature sensor 185 may be provided inside the thermal storage tank 180 to sense the temperature of the fluid stored in the thermal storage tank 180.

The storage tank 180 may include an inlet pipe 181 for supplying water to the storage tank 180 and an outlet pipe 183 for guiding the discharge of water from the storage tank 180. Water supplied through the water supply pipe 181 is stored in the water storage tank 180 and water stored in the water storage tank 180 can be discharged from the water storage tank 180 through the water discharge pipe 183.

The water inlet pipe 181 is provided with a water inlet valve 181a for selectively opening and closing the water inlet pipe 181. The water outlet pipe 183 is provided with a water outlet valve 183a for selectively opening and closing the water outlet pipe 183, Can be installed.

The air conditioner (10) may further include a hot water supply valve (143a) for selectively limiting the flow of refrigerant to the heat storage tank (180). The hot water supply valve 143a may be installed in the third connection pipe 143. For example, the hot water supply valve 143a may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of controlling opening degree. Therefore, the hot water supply valve 143a may be referred to as a " hot water supply expansion device ".

When the hot water supply valve 143a is opened, the refrigerant flows into the heat storage tank 180 and can be heat-exchanged with the fluid stored in the heat storage tank 180. On the other hand, when the hot water supply valve 143a is closed, the refrigerant can be restricted from flowing into the heat storage tank 180.

A heat storage tank pipe 187 through which refrigerant flows may be provided in the heat storage tank 180. The heat storage tank pipe 187 may extend from the third connection pipe 143 to the fourth connection pipe 144. That is, one side of the heat storage tank 187 may be connected to the third connection pipe 143 and the other side may be connected to the fourth connection pipe 144.

The air conditioner (10) may include valve devices (121, 122, 123, 124) for adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant.

The valve devices (121, 122, 123, 124) include a first valve device (121). The first valve device 121 is disposed at an outlet side of the compressor 110 and compresses the high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 into the outdoor heat exchanger 130, the storage tank 180, or the indoor heat exchanger 150 ). For example, the first valve device 121 may include a four-way valve having four inlet / outlet ports.

The valve device (121, 122, 123, 124) further includes a second valve device (122). The second valve device 122 can be understood as a valve disposed on the low-pressure side of the refrigerant cycle to guide the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 160. For example, the second valve device 122 may include a three-way valve having three inlet / outlet ports.

The valve devices 121, 122, 123 and 124 further include a third valve device 123. The third valve device 123 guides the high-pressure refrigerant passed through the first valve device 121 to the indoor heat exchanger 150 or the refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150 to the second Valve device 122, as shown in FIG. For example, the second valve device 122 may include a three-way valve having three inlet / outlet ports.

The valve devices 121, 122, 123 and 124 further include a fourth valve device 124 installed in the third connection pipe 143. The fourth valve device 124 may operate to guide the refrigerant having passed through the heat storage tank 180 to the indoor heat exchanger 150. For example, the fourth valve device 124 may include a check valve for guiding the unidirectional flow of the refrigerant. In detail, the fourth valve device 124 permits refrigerant to flow from the third connection pipe 143 to the first connection pipe 141, and allows the refrigerant to flow from the first connection pipe 141 to the third connection pipe 141. [ To limit the refrigerant flow to the compressor (143).

The air conditioner 10 may include a refrigerant pipe for guiding the flow of the refrigerant by connecting a plurality of parts forming a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant pipe may include a plurality of connection pipes.

The plurality of connection pipes include a first connection pipe 141 connected to the second connection pipe 142 and the third connection pipe 143 and extending to the indoor heat exchanger 150. A point where the third connection pipe 143, the first connection pipe 141 and the second connection pipe 142 are connected is called a first branch 141a. In other words, the first, second, and third connection pipes 141, 142, and 143 may be joined together at the first branched portion 141a. It is to be understood that the first branched portion 141a forms each end of the first to third connection pipes 14, 142 and 143.

The first connection pipe 141 is connected to the first connection pipe 141 and the second connection pipe 142 so that a refrigerant flow from the third connection pipe 143 to the indoor heat exchanger 150 or a refrigerant flow from the second connection pipe 142 to the indoor heat exchanger 150 You can guide.

The plurality of connection pipes further include a second connection pipe 142 extending from the first branch 141a to the first valve device 121. One side of the second connection pipe 142 may be connected to the first branch 141a and the other side of the second connection pipe 142 may be connected to the fourth port of the first valve device 121. The outdoor heat exchanger (130) and the outdoor expansion device (136) may be installed in the second connection pipe (142).

The plurality of connection pipes further include a third connection pipe 143 extending from the heat storage tank 180 to the first branched portion 141a. The third connection pipe 143 may be connected to one side of the heat storage pipe 187. A fourth valve device 124 may be installed in the third connection pipe 143.

The plurality of connection pipes further include a fourth connection pipe 144 extending from the second port of the first valve device 121 to the thermal storage tank 180. The fourth connection pipe 145 may be connected to the other side of the heat storage pipe 187. That is, both sides of the heat storage tank pipe 187 may be connected to the third connection pipe 143 and the fourth connection pipe 144, respectively.

The fourth connecting pipe 144 is provided with a second branched portion 144a. A fifth connection pipe 145 may be connected to the second branch 144a. The fifth connection pipe 145 may extend from the second branch 144a of the fourth connection pipe 144 to the first port of the third valve device 123.

The indoor heat exchanger 150 and the heat storage tank 180 may be connected in parallel to each other with reference to the second branched portion 144a. That is, the refrigerant of the fourth connection pipe 144 may flow from the second branch 144a to the indoor heat exchanger 150 or may flow to the storage tank 180. Alternatively, the refrigerant may flow from the second branched portion 144a to the indoor heat exchanger 150 and the heat storage tank 180 in a branched manner.

The plurality of connection pipes further include a sixth connection pipe 146 extending from the second port of the third valve device 123 to the indoor heat exchanger 150.

For example, when the air conditioner 10 is in the heating operation mode, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows through the second branched portion 144a and the fifth connection pipe 145, The refrigerant can be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 150 through the sixth connection pipe 146. [

The plurality of connection pipes further include a seventh connection pipe 147 extending from a third port of the third valve device 123 to a first port of the second valve device 122.

The suction pipe 111 may extend from a second port of the second valve device 122 to a suction port of the compressor 110. The gas-liquid separator 160 may be installed in the suction pipe 111.

The plurality of connection pipes further include an eighth connection pipe 148 extending from a third port of the second valve device 122 to a first port of the first valve device 121.

By the configuration of the first to eighth connection pipes, the plurality of devices constituting the refrigerant cycle can be fluidly connected and can perform a plurality of operation modes.

The air conditioner 10 further includes an input unit (not shown) for inputting commands relating to start or end of operation of the air conditioner 10 and information on the operation conditions of the air conditioner 10 .

The air conditioner 10 is provided with a compressor 110, a valve device 120, a blower 120, a blower 120, and a blower 120. The blower 120 is connected to the air conditioner 10, (Not shown) for controlling the operation of the fans 135, 155 or the expansion devices 136, 156, 144a. The valve device 120 may include the first to fourth valve devices 121, 122, 123, and 124 described above.

Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 10 will be described.

2 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the cooling operation mode of the air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows through the discharge pipe 112, Is introduced into the first valve device 121 through the third port of the device 121 and is discharged from the first valve device 121 through the fourth port.

The refrigerant passing through the first valve device 121 flows through the second connection pipe 142 and can be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (130) flows into the first connection pipe (141) from the first branched portion (141a). At this time, the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the fourth valve device 124 by the fourth valve device 124 constituted by the check valve.

The refrigerant in the first connection pipe 141 flows into the indoor unit I and can be decompressed in the indoor expansion device 156. The decompressed refrigerant is evaporated while passing through the indoor heat exchanger (150).

The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150 flows into the second port of the third valve device 123 and is discharged to the third port and flows through the seventh connecting pipe 147 into the second valve device 122, Lt; / RTI > The refrigerant flows into the first port of the second valve device 122 and is discharged to the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 122 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the suction pipe 111, Lt; / RTI >

The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid separator 160 is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 and can be sucked into the compressor 110. Such a refrigerant cycle can be repeatedly performed.

3 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

3, when the cooling and hot water operation modes of the air conditioner 10 are performed, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows through the discharge pipe 112 and flows into the first valve device 121 Flows into the first valve device 121 through the third port, and is discharged from the first valve device 121 through the second port.

The refrigerant having passed through the first valve device 121 may flow into the storage tank 180 through the fourth connection pipe 144. At this time, the first port of the third valve device 123 is closed so that the refrigerant of the fourth connection pipe 144 flows from the second branched portion 144a to the third valve device 123 And can be guided by the heat storage tank 180. [

The refrigerant can be condensed in the heat storage tank 180. That is, the refrigerant is condensed in heat exchange with the fluid stored in the heat storage tank 180, and the fluid heat-exchanged with the refrigerant can be heated. The heated fluid forms hot water.

The hot water supply valve 143a is opened and the condensed refrigerant passing through the heat storage tank 180 flows through the third connection pipe 143 and can pass through the fourth valve device 124. [ The refrigerant having passed through the fourth valve device 124 flows through the first branch pipe 141a and flows into the indoor unit I through the first connection pipe 141. At this time, since the outdoor expansion device 136 is closed, the flow of refrigerant from the first branched portion 141a to the second connection pipe 142 can be restricted.

The refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit I is decompressed in the indoor expansion unit 156 and evaporated while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 150.

The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150 flows into the second port of the third valve device 123 via the sixth connection pipe 147 and is discharged from the third port. To the second valve device (122). The refrigerant flows into the first port of the second valve device 122 and is discharged to the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 122 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the suction pipe 111, Lt; / RTI >

The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid separator 160 is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 and can be sucked into the compressor 110. Such a refrigerant cycle can be repeatedly performed. Since the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 is condensed in the heat storage tank 180, hot water can be produced and evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 150, so that cooling can be performed together.

4 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4, when the heating operation mode of the air conditioner 10 is performed, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 flows in the discharge pipe 112, Port to the first valve device 121, and is discharged from the first valve device 121 through the second port.

The refrigerant that has passed through the first valve device 121 flows through the fourth connection pipe 144 and flows from the second branch 144a to the fifth connection pipe 145 and flows into the third valve device 123 As shown in FIG. At this time, the hot water supply valve 143a is closed, so that the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the heat storage tank 180 from the second branched portion 144a.

The refrigerant is discharged from the second port of the third valve device 123, flows into the sixth connection pipe 146, and flows into the indoor unit I. The refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 150 and is heat-exchanged with the indoor air to be condensed and flows through the first connection pipe 141. At this time, since the indoor expansion device 156 is fully opened, the refrigerant may not be decompressed in the process of passing through the indoor expansion device 156. Heating can be performed through the indoor unit (I).

The refrigerant of the first connection pipe 141 flows from the first branch 141a to the second connection pipe 142. At this time, the refrigerant can be restricted from flowing into the third connection pipe 143 by the fourth valve device 124.

The refrigerant in the second connection pipe 142 is decompressed in the process of passing through the outdoor expansion device 136 and can be evaporated by heat exchange with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 130. The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger (130) flows into the fourth port of the first valve device (121) and can be discharged from the first port.

The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 121 flows into the third port of the second valve device 122 via the eighth connection pipe 148 and is discharged from the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 122 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the suction pipe 111.

The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid separator 160 is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 and can be sucked into the compressor 110. Such a refrigerant cycle is repeatedly performed, so that the heating operation can be performed.

5 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5, when the heating and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner 10 is performed, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows through the discharge pipe 112 and flows into the first valve device 121 Flows into the first valve device 121 through the third port, and is discharged from the first valve device 121 through the second port.

The refrigerant having passed through the first valve device 121 flows through the fourth connection pipe 144 and the refrigerant of at least a part of the refrigerant flows from the second branch 144a to the fifth connection pipe 145, do. That is, some of the refrigerant flowing through the fourth connection pipe 144 may flow into the heat storage tank 180, and a part of the refrigerant may flow into the indoor unit I.

More specifically, the refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 180 from the second branched portion 144a is heat-exchanged with the fluid in the heat storage tank 180 and condensed. The refrigerant is condensed through the third connection pipe 143 to the fourth valve device 124). At this time, the hot water supply valve 143a can be opened. In the condensing process of the refrigerant, hot water can be produced in the heat storage tank (180).

The refrigerant flowing from the second branched portion 144a to the fifth connection pipe 145 may flow into the first port of the third valve device 123 and be discharged from the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the third valve device 123 flows into the sixth connection pipe 146 and flows into the indoor unit I.

The refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 150 and is heat-exchanged with the indoor air to be condensed and flows through the first connection pipe 141. At this time, since the indoor expansion device 156 is fully opened, the refrigerant may not be decompressed in the process of passing through the indoor expansion device 156. Heating can be performed through the indoor unit (I).

The refrigerant of the first connection pipe 141 flows from the first branch 141a to the second connection pipe 142. The refrigerant having passed through the fourth valve device 124 via the third connection pipe 143 after passing through the thermal storage tank 180 flows from the first branching part 141a to the second connection pipe 142 < / RTI >

That is, the refrigerant condensed while passing through the indoor unit (I) and the refrigerant condensed while passing through the heat storage tank (180) are joined together at the first branched portion (141a) 142 and may be decompressed in the outdoor expansion device 136. [

The refrigerant decompressed in the outdoor expansion device (136) can be evaporated by heat exchange with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger (130). The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger (130) flows into the fourth port of the first valve device (121) and can be discharged from the first port.

The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 121 flows into the third port of the second valve device 122 via the eighth connection pipe 148 and is discharged from the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 122 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the suction pipe 111.

The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid separator 160 is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 and can be sucked into the compressor 110. Such a refrigerant cycle can be repeatedly performed. By such a refrigerant circulation, heating and hot water production can be performed together.

6 is a system diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the operation mode of the hot water of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6, when the hot water operation mode of the air conditioner 10 is performed, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 flows into the discharge pipe 112, Port to the first valve device 121, and is discharged from the first valve device 121 through the second port.

The refrigerant having passed through the first valve device 121 flows into the storage tank 180 through the fourth connection pipe 145. At this time, the first port of the third valve device 123 is closed, and the flow of the refrigerant into the third valve device 123 may be restricted.

The refrigerant flowing into the heat storage tank 180 is heat-exchanged with the fluid stored in the heat storage tank 180 and condensed. The refrigerant can pass through the fourth valve device 124 via the third connection pipe 143. At this time, the hot water supply valve 143a can be opened.

The refrigerant having passed through the fourth valve device 124 flows through the second connecting pipe 142 via the first branched portion 141a. At this time, since the indoor expansion device 156 is closed, the flow of refrigerant from the first branched portion 141a to the first connection pipe 141 can be restricted.

The refrigerant flowing through the second connection pipe 142 may be decompressed in the outdoor expansion device 136. The refrigerant decompressed in the outdoor expansion device (136) can be evaporated by heat exchange with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger (130). The refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger (130) flows into the fourth port of the first valve device (121) and can be discharged from the first port.

The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 121 flows into the third port of the second valve device 122 via the eighth connection pipe 148 and is discharged from the second port. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 122 flows into the gas-liquid separator 160 via the suction pipe 111.

The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid separator 160 is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 160 and can be sucked into the compressor 110. Such a refrigerant cycle can be repeatedly performed. By this circulation of the refrigerant, hot water can be produced in the heat storage tank 180.

110: compressor 115: high pressure sensor
121 to 124: first to fourth valve devices 130: outdoor heat exchanger
135: outdoor fans 141 to 148: first to eighth connection piping
143a: hot water supply valve 150: indoor heat exchanger
155: indoor fan 158: second temperature sensor
160: gas-liquid separator 180:
185: first temperature sensor

Claims (12)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A first valve device which is discharged to an outlet side of the compressor;
A second valve device disposed on a suction side of the compressor;
An outdoor heat exchanger into which the refrigerant having passed through the first valve device flows during cooling operation;
An indoor heat exchanger through which the refrigerant having passed through the first valve device flows during heating operation;
A storage tank connected in parallel with the indoor heat exchanger;
A first connection pipe extending from the indoor heat exchanger and having a first branch portion;
A second connection pipe connected to the first connection pipe at the first branched portion and having the outdoor heat exchanger installed therein;
A third connection pipe extending from the heat storage tank and being joined to the first and second connection pipes at the first branch portion; And
And a fourth valve device installed in the third connection pipe,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the fourth valve device includes a check valve,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method according to claim 1,
A second branch portion disposed at the outlet side of the first valve device and guiding the refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger or the heat storage tank; And
Further comprising a third valve device connected to the second branch,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first valve device includes a four-way valve,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the second valve device and the third valve device are provided with three-way valves,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a fourth connecting pipe extending from the first valve unit to the heat storage tank,
And the second branch portion is provided in the fourth connection pipe,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method according to claim 6,
A fifth connection pipe extending from the second branch portion to the third valve device; And
Further comprising a sixth connecting pipe extending from the third valve device to the indoor heat exchanger,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. 8. The method of claim 7,
A seventh connecting pipe extending from the second valve device to the third valve device; And
Further comprising an eighth connection line extending from said first valve arrangement to said second valve arrangement,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a control unit for controlling operations of said first to fourth valve devices,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the cooling and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner,
Wherein,
The refrigerant having passed through the fourth valve device is guided to the indoor heat exchanger to evaporate the refrigerant, and the evaporated refrigerant flows into the third valve device,
A third valve device for controlling the operation of the third valve device,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the heating and hot water operation mode of the air conditioner,
Wherein,
The refrigerant flowing into the third valve device is caused to flow into the indoor heat exchanger,
A third valve device for controlling the operation of the third valve device,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the hot water operation mode of the air conditioner,
Wherein,
The refrigerant compressed in the compressor flows to the heat storage tank,
And the refrigerant having passed through the fourth valve device flows to the outdoor heat exchanger,
A third valve device for controlling the operation of the third valve device,
An air conditioner comprising a heat storage tank.

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