WO2016111003A1

WO2016111003A1 - Heat storage unit and refrigeration cycle device

Info

Publication number: WO2016111003A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/050476
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和田　誠
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2015-01-09
Filing date: 2015-01-09
Publication date: 2016-07-14

Abstract

A heat storage unit 300 is provided with: a first connecting section 320; a second connecting section 322; a third connecting section 324; a fourth connecting section 326; a heat storage section 30 having a heat storage material 34 that stores heat by exchanging heat with a cooling medium flowing in a cooling medium flow channel 40; a first flow channel switching device 308, which is disposed on the side of one end 36 of the cooling medium flow channel 40, and selectively makes the first connecting section 320 or the second connecting section 322 communicate with the one end 36 of the cooling medium flow channel 40; and a second flow channel switching device 314, which is disposed on the side of the other end 38 of the cooling medium flow path 40, and selectively makes the third connecting section 324 or the fourth connecting section 326 communicate with the other end 38 of the cooling medium flow channel 40.

Description

Thermal storage unit and refrigeration cycle apparatus

The present invention relates to a heat storage unit constituting a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of performing defrosting and heating at the same time, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of performing defrosting and heating at the same time.

When the air conditioner is performing heating operation, frost may adhere to the outdoor heat exchanger. In the conventional air conditioner, in order to defrost the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger, the heating operation is stopped and the defrosting operation for supplying a high-temperature refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger is performed (for example, patent) Reference 1).

JP 2000-39238 A

However, in the conventional air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 and the like, the heating operation is stopped and the defrosting operation is performed. Therefore, the indoor comfort is reduced during the defrosting operation.

This invention was made against the background as described above, and a heat storage unit that constitutes a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of simultaneously performing defrosting and heating, and simultaneously performing defrosting and heating. It aims at obtaining the refrigerating cycle device which can be performed.

A heat storage unit according to the present invention is a heat storage unit that constitutes a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that has a compressor, a load-side heat exchanger, and a heat source-side heat exchanger, and circulates a refrigerant. The refrigerant of the load side heat exchanger when the first connection part connected to the refrigerant discharge side, the second connection part connected to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor, and the load side heat exchanger function as a condenser A third connection portion connected to the outflow side, a fourth connection portion connected to the refrigerant inflow side of the heat source side heat exchanger when the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and one end connected to the first connection A refrigerant flow path connected to the first connection section and the second connection section, the other end being connected to the third connection section and the fourth connection section, a heat storage material that stores heat by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path, And a heat storage section having one end of the refrigerant flow path, the first connection section or The first flow path switching device that selectively communicates the two connection parts and the other end side of the refrigerant flow path, and the third connection part or the fourth connection part is selectively connected to the other end of the refrigerant flow path. And a second flow path switching device for communication.

Further, a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention includes the above heat storage unit, a heat source side unit having a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger, and a load side unit having a load side heat exchanger. is there.

According to the present invention, a heat storage unit constituting a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of performing defrosting and heating at the same time, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of performing defrosting and heating at the same time are obtained.

It is the figure which described schematically an example of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus which is a refrigeration cycle apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the thermal storage part of FIG. 1 from the front side. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the thermal storage part of FIG. 2 from the side. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in the air_conditionaing | cooling operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in the heating operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in the thermal storage operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in the on-defrost operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in the reverse defrost operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the state of the switchgear in each operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of operation | movement at the time of heating operation of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified as appropriate. In addition, the shape, size, arrangement, and the like of the configuration described in each drawing can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
[Refrigeration cycle equipment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a refrigerant circuit of an air-conditioning apparatus that is a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment is, for example, an air conditioner that performs indoor air conditioning, and includes a heat source side unit 100, a load side unit 200, and a heat storage unit 300. The heat source side unit 100, the load side unit 200, and the heat storage unit 300 are connected by a refrigerant pipe, thereby forming a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant. In the example of FIG. 1, the heat source side unit 100 and the load side unit 200 are connected by one refrigerant pipe, the load side unit 200 and the heat storage unit 300 are connected by one refrigerant pipe, and the heat storage unit 300 and the heat source are connected. The side unit 100 is connected by three refrigerant pipes. The refrigerant to be circulated in the refrigerant circuit is, for example, R-410A which is a pseudo azeotropic refrigerant mixture, but may be other types of refrigerant such as R32 or R-404A.

[Heat source side unit]
The heat source side unit 100 is, for example, an outdoor unit installed outside a room that performs air conditioning. The heat source side unit 100 includes a compressor 102, a third flow path switching device 104, a heat source side heat exchanger 106, a first opening / closing device 108, a distributor 110, an accumulator 112, and a second opening / closing device 114. Are connected by refrigerant piping. The compressor 102 is, for example, an inverter compressor that is controlled by an inverter, and can arbitrarily change the operating frequency to change the capacity (the amount of refrigerant sent out per unit time).

The heat source side heat exchanger 106 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the heat source side heat exchanger 106 and air, for example. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat source side heat exchanger 106 includes a first heat source side heat exchanger 106A and a second heat source side heat exchanger 106B. In addition, the heat source side heat exchanger 106 may be configured by one heat exchanger, or may be configured by three or more heat exchangers. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of this embodiment, the description may be made assuming that the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is provided. For example, a blower (not shown) that guides air to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is installed in the vicinity of the heat source side heat exchanger 106.

The third flow path switching device 104 switches the flow path of the refrigerant circuit, and includes, for example, a four-way valve. The third flow path switching device 104 selectively supplies the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 102 to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 or the load side heat exchanger 202, and the refrigerant sucked by the compressor 102 is supplied to the heat source side. The flow path of the refrigerant circuit is switched so as to be selectively sucked from the heat exchanger 106 or the load side heat exchanger 202. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the third flow path switching device 104 includes a 3A flow path switching device 104A and a third B flow path switching device 104B, but the quantity of the third flow path switching device 104 is a heat source. It is determined according to the number of the side heat exchangers 106 and is appropriately changed according to the number of the heat source side heat exchangers 106.

The first switching device 108 switches communication or non-communication between the refrigerant inflow side when the heat source side heat exchanger 106 functions as an evaporator and the fourth connection portion 326 of the heat storage unit 300. In the example of this embodiment, the 1st opening / closing device 108 is comprised with the electronic expansion valve which can adjust an opening degree, and can switch an open state and a closed state. The first opening / closing device 108 can also be configured by an opening / closing device such as a solenoid valve and an expansion means such as a capillary tube. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first switchgear 108 includes a first A switchgear 108A and a firstB switchgear 108B, but the number of first switchgears 108 is the number of heat source side heat exchangers 106. It is determined correspondingly and is appropriately changed according to the number of heat source side heat exchangers 106.

The distributor 110 distributes the refrigerant flowing in from the heat storage unit 300 side and supplies the refrigerant to the first A switching device 108A and the first B switching device 108B side, or the first A switching device 108A and the first B switching device 108B side. The refrigerant that has flowed in from the refrigerant is merged and supplied to the heat storage unit 300 side.

The second switching device 114 switches communication or non-communication between the refrigerant inflow side when the heat source side heat exchanger 106 functions as an evaporator and the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102. The second opening / closing device 114 switches between opening and closing, and is configured by, for example, an electromagnetic valve. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second switchgear 114 includes a second A switchgear 114A and a secondB switchgear 114B, but the number of second switchgears 114 is the number of heat source side heat exchangers 106. It is determined correspondingly and is appropriately changed according to the number of heat source side heat exchangers 106. The accumulator 112 is a container that stores excess refrigerant.

[Load side unit]
The load side unit 200 is, for example, an indoor unit installed in a room that performs air conditioning. The load side unit 200 includes a load side heat exchanger 202 and a load side unit expansion means 204, and these components are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The load side heat exchanger 202 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the load side heat exchanger 202 and air, for example. For example, a blower (not shown) that guides air to the load side heat exchanger 202 is installed in the vicinity of the load side heat exchanger 202. The load-side unit expansion means 204 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve that can adjust the opening degree, but may be configured by a capillary tube or the like.

[Heat storage unit]
The heat storage unit 300 is detachably attached between the heat source side unit 100 and the load side unit 200, for example, and is installed outside a room that performs air conditioning, for example. The heat storage unit 300 may be attached to the heat source side unit 100 and the load side unit 200 so as not to be detachable. The heat storage unit 300 includes a first connection part 320, a second connection part 322, a third connection part 324, and a fourth connection part 326. The first connection part 320 is connected to the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100. The second connection part 322 is connected to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100. The 3rd connection part 324 is connected to the refrigerant | coolant outflow side of the load side unit 200 when the load side heat exchanger 202 functions as a condenser. The fourth connection portion 326 is connected to the refrigerant inflow side of the heat source side unit 100 when the heat source side heat exchanger 106 functions as an evaporator. The 3rd connection part 324 and the 4th connection part 326 are connected by refrigerant | coolant piping, and are connected.

Further, the heat storage unit 300 includes a heat storage unit 30, a first flow path switching device 308, and a second flow path switching device 314. The heat storage unit 30 includes a refrigerant flow path 40 through which the refrigerant flows, a heat storage material 34 that stores heat by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 40, and a heat storage tank 32 that houses the heat storage material 34. The first flow path switching device 308 selectively communicates the first connection part 320 or the second connection part 322 with the one end 36 of the refrigerant flow path 40. In the example of this embodiment, the first flow path switching device 308 includes a third opening / closing device 302, a fourth opening / closing device 304, and a fifth opening / closing device 306. The third opening / closing device 302, the fourth opening / closing device 304, and the fifth opening / closing device 306 switch between opening and closing, and are configured by, for example, electromagnetic valves. Note that the fourth opening / closing device 304 may be omitted. Moreover, the 1st flow-path switching apparatus 308 may be comprised by the three-way valve etc., for example.

The second flow path switching device 314 selectively connects the third connection part 324 or the fourth connection part 326 to the other end 38 of the refrigerant flow path 40. In the example of this embodiment, the second flow path switching device 314 includes a sixth opening / closing device 310 and a seventh opening / closing device 312. The sixth opening / closing device 310 is composed of an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree can be adjusted, and can switch between an open state and a closed state. The sixth opening / closing device 310 may be a solenoid valve that switches between opening and closing. The seventh opening / closing device 312 switches between opening and closing, and includes, for example, an electromagnetic valve.

Further, the heat storage unit 300 includes a control unit 50 and a temperature detection unit 60. The control unit 50 controls the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, and includes, for example, a CPU and electronic components. The temperature detection unit 60 detects an outdoor outdoor temperature in which the heat storage unit 300 and the heat source side unit 100 are installed, and includes, for example, a thermistor.

[Heat storage unit]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the heat storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the heat storage unit illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the side. The refrigerant flow path 40 has a meandering shape including a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of curved portions so that heat exchange with the heat storage material 34 is efficiently performed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant flow path 40 is formed by bending or welding one pipe so as to form a plurality of rows in the front, rear, left, and right. The heat storage material 34 stores heat, and includes, for example, a sensible heat type sensible heat storage material such as water, or a paraffin-based latent heat type heat storage material. The heat storage tank 32 is a container that houses the heat storage material 34, and is sealed so as not to release heat stored in the heat storage material 34. The heat storage tank 32 may be formed of a material having a heat insulating function so that heat can be efficiently stored in the heat storage material 34. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first flow path switching device 308 and the second flow path switching device 314 are installed outside the heat storage tank 32, but the first flow path switching device 308 and the second flow path switching device are installed. The switching device 314 may be installed inside the heat storage tank 32. The diameter of the refrigerant flow path 40, the length of the refrigerant flow path 40, the size of the heat storage tank 32, the type of the heat storage material 34, the amount of the heat storage material 34, and the like are, for example, the horsepower (capacity) of the heat source side unit 100, etc. Determined accordingly. That is, the above specifications are determined so that the heat storage unit 30 can defrost frost adhering to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 of the heat source side unit 100. The electrical component box 33 is a container that houses the control unit 50, the temperature detection unit 60, and the like, and is installed outside the heat storage tank 32 in which the heat storage material 34 is stored.

[Operation mode of refrigeration cycle equipment]
Next, the operation mode of the air conditioner that is the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the cooling operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the heating operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the heat storage operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the on-defrost operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the reverse defrost operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is for explaining the state of the switching device in each operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure to do. The heating operation mode shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the “first operation mode” of the present invention.

[Cooling operation mode]
First, the cooling operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In the cooling operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the first opening / closing device 108 is set to “open”. The second opening / closing device 114, the third opening / closing device 302, the fourth opening / closing device 304, the fifth opening / closing device 306, the sixth opening / closing device 310, and the seventh opening / closing device 312 are set to “closed”. Further, the third flow path switching device 104 causes the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102 and the heat source side heat exchanger 106 to communicate with each other, and causes the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 to communicate with the load side heat exchanger 202. Is set to

As shown in FIG. 4, in the cooling operation mode, the refrigerant that has been heated to high pressure by the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100 flows to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 via the third flow path switching device 104. The refrigerant exchanged and condensed by the heat source side heat exchanger 106 flows out of the heat source side unit 100 via the first opening / closing device 108 and the distributor 110. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side unit 100 flows into the heat storage unit 300 from the fourth connection portion 326 of the heat storage unit 300 and flows out of the third connection portion 324. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage unit 300 flows into the load-side unit 200, is expanded by the load-side unit expansion means 204, and is heat-exchanged by the load-side heat exchanger 202. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat and evaporated in the load side heat exchanger 202 flows out of the load side unit 200 and flows into the heat source side unit 100. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source side unit 100 is sucked into the compressor 102 via the third flow path switching device 104 and the accumulator 112, and is compressed again.

[Heating operation mode]
Next, the heating operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In the heating operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the first opening / closing device 108 is set to “open”. The second opening / closing device 114, the third opening / closing device 302, the fourth opening / closing device 304, the fifth opening / closing device 306, the sixth opening / closing device 310, and the seventh opening / closing device 312 are set to “closed”. The third flow switching device 104 communicates the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102 and the load side heat exchanger 202 and communicates the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 and the heat source side heat exchanger 106. Is set to

As shown in FIG. 5, in the heating operation mode, the refrigerant that has been heated to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100 flows out of the heat source side unit 100 via the third flow path switching device 104. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side unit 100 flows into the load side unit 200 and flows into the load side heat exchanger 202. The refrigerant that has been heat-exchanged and condensed by the load-side heat exchanger 202 flows out of the load-side unit 200 via the load-side unit expansion means 204. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the load side unit 200 flows into the heat storage unit 300 from the third connection portion 324 of the heat storage unit 300 and flows out of the fourth connection portion 326. The refrigerant flowing out of the heat storage unit 300 flows into the heat source side unit 100 and is expanded by the first opening / closing device 108 having a function of expanding the refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the first opening / closing device 108 is heat-exchanged by the heat source side heat exchanger 106 and evaporated. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is sucked into the compressor 102 via the third flow path switching device 104 and the accumulator 112 and compressed again.

[Heat storage operation mode]
Next, the heat storage operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In the heat storage operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the first switchgear 108, the fourth switchgear 304, the fifth switchgear 306, and the sixth switchgear 310 are set to “open”. Is set. The second opening / closing device 114, the third opening / closing device 302, and the seventh opening / closing device 312 are set to “closed”. Further, the third flow switching device 104 communicates the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102 and the load side heat exchanger 202, and communicates the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 and the heat source side heat exchanger 106. Is set.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the heat storage operation mode, the refrigerant that has been made high-temperature and high-pressure by the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100 flows to one refrigerant flowing to the third flow path switching device 104 side and to the heat storage unit 300 side. Branches to the other refrigerant. In FIG. 6, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the flow of the refrigerant before branching and the flow of the refrigerant after merging the branched refrigerant are indicated by bold solid arrows, and the third flow The flow of one refrigerant branched to the path switching device 104 side is indicated by a thin solid line arrow, and the other refrigerant flow branched to the heat storage unit 300 side is indicated by a thin dotted arrow.

One refrigerant branched to the third flow path switching device 104 side flows out from the heat source side unit 100 via the third flow path switching device 104 as indicated by a thin solid line arrow. One refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side unit 100 flows into the load side unit 200 and flows through the load side heat exchanger 202. One refrigerant that has been heat-exchanged and condensed by the load-side heat exchanger 202 flows out of the load-side unit 200 via the load-side unit expansion means 204. One refrigerant that has flowed out of the load side unit 200 flows into the heat storage unit 300 from the third connection portion 324 of the heat storage unit 300. One refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage unit 300 merges with the other refrigerant and flows out from the fourth connection portion 326. The refrigerant flowing out from the fourth connection portion 326 flows into the heat source side unit 100 and is expanded by the first opening / closing device 108 having a function of expanding the refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the first opening / closing device 108 is heat-exchanged by the heat source side heat exchanger 106 and evaporated. The refrigerant evaporated in the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is sucked into the compressor 102 via the third flow path switching device 104 and the accumulator 112 and compressed again.

Further, the other refrigerant branched to the heat storage unit 300 side flows out from the heat source side unit 100 and flows into the heat storage unit 300 from the first connection part 320 of the heat storage unit 300 as indicated by a thin dotted line arrow. . The other refrigerant flowing into the heat storage unit 300 flows into the refrigerant flow path 40 from the one end 36 of the refrigerant flow path 40 through the first flow path switching device 308. That is, the other refrigerant flowing into the heat storage unit 300 flows into the refrigerant flow path 40 through the fifth opening / closing device 306 and the fourth opening / closing device 304. The other refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant flow path 40 exchanges heat with the heat storage material 34 and flows out from the other end 38. That is, in the heat storage operation mode, the other refrigerant radiates heat in the heat storage unit 30 (in other words, heats the heat storage material 34). The other refrigerant that has flowed out of the refrigerant flow path 40 passes through the second flow path switching device 314 and merges with the one refrigerant. That is, the other refrigerant that has flowed out of the refrigerant flow path 40 passes through the sixth opening / closing device 310 and merges with the one refrigerant. In the heat storage operation mode, by adjusting at least one of the opening degree of the load-side unit expansion means 204 and the opening degree of the sixth opening / closing device 310, the load-side unit 200 is moved to the load-side heat exchanger 202 side. The flow rate of the one refrigerant flowing and the flow rate of the other refrigerant flowing to the heat storage unit 30 side of the heat storage unit 300 can be adjusted.

[On-defrost operation mode]
Next, the on-defrost operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In the on-defrost operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the second opening / closing device 114, the third opening / closing device 302, the fourth opening / closing device 304, and the seventh opening / closing device 312 are “open”. Is set to The first opening / closing device 108, the fifth opening / closing device 306, and the sixth opening / closing device 310 are set to “closed”. The third flow switching device 104 communicates the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 102 and the load side heat exchanger 202 and communicates the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 and the heat source side heat exchanger 106. Is set to

As shown in FIG. 7, in the on-defrost operation mode, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100 is one refrigerant flowing to the second opening / closing device 114 side and the third flow path switching device 104. Branches to the other refrigerant flowing to the side. In FIG. 7, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the flow of the refrigerant before branching and the flow of the refrigerant after joining the branched refrigerant are indicated by bold solid arrows, and the second open / close state is shown. The flow of one refrigerant branched to the device 114 side is indicated by a thin solid arrow, and the other refrigerant flow branched to the third flow path switching device 104 side is indicated by a thin dotted arrow. .

One refrigerant branched to the second opening / closing device 114 side passes through the second opening / closing device 114 and flows through the heat source side heat exchanger 106 as indicated by a thin solid line arrow. One refrigerant flowing through the heat source side heat exchanger 106 heats the heat source side heat exchanger 106 and flows out of the heat source side heat exchanger 106. One refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 106 joins the other refrigerant via the third flow path switching device 104. The merged refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 102 via the accumulator 112 and compressed again.

Further, the other refrigerant branched to the third flow path switching device 104 side flows out from the heat source side unit 100 via the third flow path switching device 104, as indicated by a thin dotted line arrow. The other refrigerant flowing out of the heat source side unit 100 flows into the load side unit 200 and flows through the load side heat exchanger 202. The other refrigerant that has been heat-exchanged and condensed by the load-side heat exchanger 202 flows out of the load-side unit 200 via the load-side unit expansion means 204. The other refrigerant that has flowed out of the load side unit 200 flows into the heat storage unit 300 from the third connection portion 324 of the heat storage unit 300. The other refrigerant flowing into the heat storage unit 300 flows into the heat storage unit 30 from the other end 38 of the refrigerant flow path 40 through the second flow path switching device 314. That is, the other refrigerant that has flowed into the heat storage unit 300 flows into the refrigerant flow path 40 through the seventh opening / closing device 312. The other refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant flow path 40 exchanges heat with the heat storage material 34 and flows out from one end 36. That is, in the on-defrost operation mode, the other refrigerant absorbs heat from the heat storage unit 30 (in other words, cools the heat storage material 34). The other refrigerant that has flowed out of the refrigerant flow path 40 flows out of the second connection portion 322 through the first flow path switching device 308. That is, the other refrigerant that has flowed out of the refrigerant flow path 40 flows out of the second connection portion 322 of the heat storage unit 300 through the third opening / closing device 302. The other refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat storage unit 300 flows into the heat source unit 100 and merges with the one refrigerant. The merged refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 102 via the accumulator 112 and compressed again. In the on-defrost operation mode, the flow rate of one refrigerant flowing to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 side of the heat source side unit 100 and the load of the load side unit 200 are adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the load side unit expansion means 204. It is possible to adjust the flow rate of the other refrigerant flowing to the side heat exchanger 202 side.

[Reverse defrost operation mode]
Next, the reverse defrost operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In the reverse defrost operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second opening / closing device 114 is set to “open”. The first opening / closing device 108, the third opening / closing device 302, the fourth opening / closing device 304, the fifth opening / closing device 306, the sixth opening / closing device 310, and the seventh opening / closing device 312 are set to “closed”. The third flow path switching device 104 is set so that the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 102 and the heat source side heat exchanger 106 communicate with each other.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the reverse defrost operation mode, the refrigerant that has been heated to high temperature and pressure by the compressor 102 of the heat source side unit 100 flows through the heat source side heat exchanger 106 through the second opening / closing device 114. The refrigerant flowing through the heat source side heat exchanger 106 superheats the heat source side heat exchanger 106 and flows out of the heat source side heat exchanger 106. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is sucked into the compressor 102 via the third flow path switching device 104 and the accumulator 112, and is compressed again.

[Heating operation]
Next, an example of the heating operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 configured as described above will be described. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment has a heating operation mode shown in FIG. 5, a heat storage operation mode shown in FIG. 6, an on-defrost operation mode shown in FIG. 7, and a reverse operation shown in FIG. Defrosting operation modes are included, and heating is performed by switching these operation modes. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation during a heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the heating operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 starts in accordance with an instruction from the user. In step S02, the control unit 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 acquires an outdoor temperature h that is an outdoor temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 60. In step S04, the controller 50 determines whether or not the outside air temperature h is higher than the first temperature h1. The first temperature h <b> 1 is a temperature at which frost is unlikely to adhere to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 that functions as an evaporator during the heating operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, and is, for example, 7 degrees. In the first temperature range in which the outside air temperature h is higher than the first temperature h1, there is a low possibility that frost will adhere to the heat source side heat exchanger 106. Therefore, when the outside air temperature h is in the first temperature range higher than the first temperature h1 in step S04, the process proceeds to step S06, and the control unit 50 performs the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 in the heating operation mode shown in FIG. To work. Then, the process returns to step S04 in FIG.

In step S04, if the outside air temperature h is equal to or lower than the first temperature h1, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, control unit 50 determines whether or not outside temperature h is equal to or higher than second temperature h2. As for 2nd temperature h2, although there exists a possibility that frost may adhere to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 which functions as an evaporator at the time of heating operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500, suppose that frost adhered to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 temporarily. Is a temperature at which the degree of frost adhesion is low. The second temperature h2 is, for example, minus 5 degrees. When the outside air temperature h is in the second temperature range that is equal to or lower than the first temperature h1 and equal to or higher than the second temperature h2, frost may be attached, but frost is temporarily attached to the heat source side heat exchanger 106. Even if it is, it is a temperature range with a low degree of frost adhesion. Therefore, when the outside air temperature h is in the second temperature range, the operation is performed in the order of the heat storage operation mode and the on-defrost operation mode, as described below. That is, in step S08, if the outside air temperature h is in the second temperature range that is equal to or lower than the first temperature h1 and equal to or higher than the second temperature h2, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, control unit 50 operates refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 in the heat storage operation mode shown in FIG. 6, and in step S12, operation in heat storage operation mode is performed for time t1 (minutes). When the heat storage material 34 is a latent heat type latent heat storage material, for example, in step S12, the opening degree of the load-side unit expansion means 204 is set so that the flow rate of the refrigerant to the heat storage unit 30 is substantially constant. And at least one of the opening degrees of the sixth opening / closing device 310 may be adjusted. Further, when the heat storage material 34 is a sensible heat type sensible heat storage material, for example, in step S12, the opening degree of the load-side unit expansion means 204 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant to the heat storage unit 30 gradually decreases. And at least one of the opening degrees of the sixth opening / closing device 310 may be adjusted. As described above, the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat storage material 34 can be improved by adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant when storing the heat in the heat storage unit 30 according to the type of the heat storage material 34. After performing the operation in the heat storage operation mode in step S12 for t1 (minutes), the process proceeds to step S14, and the control unit 50 operates the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 in the on-defrost operation mode shown in FIG. The operation in the on-defrost operation mode is performed for time t2 (minutes). And it returns to step S04 shown in FIG. The time t1 and the time t2 are determined according to the outside air temperature h, the configuration (specifications) of the heat storage unit 30, the horsepower of the heat source unit 100, and the like. For example, the time t1 is about 20 to 30 minutes, and the time t2 is about 5 to 10 minutes which is shorter than the time t1. The time t1 and the time t2 may be changed according to the outside air temperature h.

In step S08, if the outside air temperature h is lower than the second temperature h2, the process proceeds to step S18. When the outside air temperature h is in the third temperature range that is lower than the second temperature h2, frost is likely to adhere to the heat source side heat exchanger 106, and the degree of frost adhesion is high. Therefore, in step S18, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to perform reverse defrosting operation (defrosting operation). For example, the control unit 50 calculates the continuous time in which the outside air temperature h is continuously in the third temperature range, and the continuous time exceeds a predetermined time. It is done depending on whether or not. That is, when the outside air temperature h is continuously within the third temperature range for a predetermined time, it is determined that the defrosting operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S20, and the reverse defrost operation is performed. In addition, when the frost formation sensor (illustration omitted) which detects the frost formation of the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is provided, defrosting is performed when the layer formation sensor detects the frost formation in step S18. It may be determined that it will be performed, and the process may proceed to step S20. In step S20, control unit 50 operates refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 in the reverse defrost operation mode shown in FIG. And it returns to step S04 shown in FIG. In addition, also when it determines not performing defrost operation in step S18, it returns to step S04.

As described above, since the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment includes the heat storage unit 300, the load-side heat exchanger 202 is condensed while defrosting the heat source-side heat exchanger 106. The room can be heated by functioning as a heater. That is, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment, heat is stored in the heat storage unit 30 of the heat storage unit 300 in the heat storage operation mode shown in FIG. Then, in the on-defrost operation mode shown in FIG. 7, using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 30 in the heat storage operation mode, the load side heat exchanger 202 functions as a condenser, and the heat source side heat exchanger 106 Defrosting can be performed. Therefore, according to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment, the indoor comfort can be improved while the indoor heating can be performed while the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is defrosted. Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 of this embodiment, since the room can be heated even when the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is defrosted, the integrated heating capacity is improved. .

Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 according to this embodiment, when there is a risk of frost formation on the heat source side heat exchanger 106, the heat storage operation mode and the on-defrost operation mode are repeated, and the defrosting operation is periodically performed. Therefore, the risk of frost adhering to the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is reduced. As a result, according to this embodiment, since the heat exchange in the heat source side heat exchanger 106 is efficiently performed, the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 is improved. Furthermore, the possibility that the compressor 102 is liquid-compressed is also suppressed.

Moreover, the above-described refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 can be obtained by attaching the heat storage unit 300 according to this embodiment to an existing heat source side unit and load side unit.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention. That is, the configuration of the above embodiment may be improved as appropriate, or at least a part of the configuration may be replaced with another configuration. Further, the configuration requirements that are not particularly limited with respect to the arrangement are not limited to the arrangement disclosed in the embodiment, and can be arranged at a position where the function can be achieved.

For example, in the above description, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 constituting the air conditioner has been described. However, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 500 is another apparatus such as a hot water supply apparatus that causes the load-side heat exchanger 202 to function as a condenser. It can also be applied to.

30 heat storage section, 32 heat storage tank, 33 electrical box, 34 heat storage material, 36 one end, 38 other end, 40 refrigerant flow path, 50 control section, 60 temperature detection section, 100 heat source side unit, 102 compressor, 104 third Channel switching device, 104A, 3A channel switching device, 104B, 3B channel switching device, 106 heat source side heat exchanger, 106A, first heat source side heat exchanger, 106B, second heat source side heat exchanger, 108, first opening / closing Device, 108A 1A switchgear, 108B 1B switchgear, 110 distributor, 112 accumulator, 114 second switchgear, 114A 2A switchgear, 114B 2B switchgear, 200 load side unit, 202 load side heat exchanger 204, load side unit expansion means, 300 heat storage unit, 302 third switchgear, 304 4 switchgear, 306, 5th switchgear, 308, 1st flow path switching device, 310, 6th switchgear, 312, 7th switchgear, 314, 2nd flow path switcher, 320, 1st connection part, 322, 2nd connection part, 324 3rd connection part, 326 4th connection part, 500 refrigeration cycle device, h outside temperature, h1 first temperature, h2 second temperature.

Claims

A heat storage unit constituting a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor, a load side heat exchanger, and a heat source side heat exchanger, and circulating a refrigerant,
A first connection connected to the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor;
A second connection portion connected to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor;
A third connecting portion connected to a refrigerant outflow side of the load side heat exchanger when the load side heat exchanger functions as a condenser;
A fourth connecting portion connected to the refrigerant inflow side of the heat source side heat exchanger when the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator;
One end is connected to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the other end is connected to the third connection portion and the fourth connection portion, and heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage A heat storage material for storing heat, and a heat storage unit having
A first flow path switching device that is installed on one end side of the refrigerant flow path and selectively communicates the first connection part or the second connection part with one end of the refrigerant flow path;
A second flow path switching device that is installed on the other end side of the refrigerant flow path and selectively communicates the third connection part or the fourth connection part with the other end of the refrigerant flow path. ,
Thermal storage unit.
The third connection portion and the fourth connection portion communicate with each other.
The heat storage unit according to claim 1.
A control unit for controlling the refrigeration cycle apparatus;
The heat storage unit according to claim 1 or 2.
The heat storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A heat source side unit having a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger;
A load-side unit having a load-side heat exchanger,
Refrigeration cycle equipment.
The heat storage unit is detachably attached to the heat source side unit and the load side unit.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4.
The heat source side unit is:
A first opening / closing device that switches communication or non-communication between the refrigerant inflow side when the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the fourth connection unit;
A second opening / closing device that switches communication or non-communication between a refrigerant inflow side when the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and a refrigerant discharge side of the compressor;
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
The refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the load side heat exchanger, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the compressor, and is circulated in the order of the heat storage unit, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the compressor. Thermal storage operation mode,
An on-defrost operation mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the load side heat exchanger, the heat storage unit, and the compressor, and is circulated in the order of the heat source side heat exchanger and the compressor. Including,
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 6.
Repeat the operation to perform in the order of the heat storage operation mode, the on-defrost operation mode,
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 7.
A first operation mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the load side heat exchanger, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the compressor;
Further including a reverse defrost operation mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the heat source side heat exchanger and the compressor,
A temperature detection unit that detects an outdoor temperature outside the heat source side heat exchanger installed;
When the outdoor temperature is in the first temperature range, the operation is performed in the first operation mode,
When the outdoor temperature is in a second temperature range that is lower than the first temperature range, the heat storage operation mode and the on-defrost operation mode are operated in this order.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 7.