Hybrid air conditioning system

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioning system (10) that provides simultaneous domestic hot water heating and defrosting operation support to a heat pump (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning system that provides simultaneous domestic hot water heating and defrosting operation support to a heat pump.State of The Art

[0002] Heat pumps are members that carry out the work of transporting heat from one point to another using an intermediary. Air conditioners with heat pump features are usually split air conditioners. Air conditioners with a heat pump feature simultaneously heat the already hot outside air while cooling and cool the outside air while heating.

[0003] In hybrid systems, the boiler can act as a backup heater to the heat pump and can help the heat pump for defrost operation. With a boiler with one heat exchanger (bi-thermic), ambient heating water and domestic hot water are heated in one heat exchanger with the flue gas heat of the combustion products.

[0004] This kind of boilers can heat up domestic hot water and can support the defrost operation of the heat pump simultaneously.

[0005] If the boiler is mono-thermic, which means there are two heat exchangers for space heating and domestic hot water heating, the water heated up by the flue gas heat of the combustion products in the main heat exchanger must be directed to the second heat exchanger to heat up the domestic water by a 3 Way Valve. When heating water is directed to the second heat exchanger, it can not heat the space heating so it can not provide simultaneous defrost support.

[0006] The utility model No CN209101610U relates to provides a low-temperature air energy heat pump unit applying a flash evaporator air supply loop for defrosting. The low-temperature air energy heat pump unit is mainly composed of a frequency conversion air supply compressor, a user-side heat exchanger, an air-cooling evaporator, a vapor-liquid separator, a flash evaporator, a four-way valve, an electronic expansion valve, a drying filter, an electromagnetic valve, and refrigerant pipelines connecting the components. The problem that the heating capacity of common heat pump heating and domestic hot water preparation is sharply reduced in a low-temperature environment is mainly solved. Under the conditions of outdoor low temperature and high air relative humidity, a common heat pump is extremely easy to frost to seriously influence the performance of a heat pump unit, so that long-term efficient and stable operation of the air energy heat pump at low environment temperature can be realized.

[0007] The patent No JP2021175923A relates to an outdoor heat exchanger for a heat pump-type refrigeration cycle excellent in drainability for defrost water and is capable of suppressing reduction in heat radiation performance and increase in passage resistance. An outdoor heat exchanger 11 comprises: a first heat exchange unit 30; and a second heat exchange unit 40 that is provided side by side on the downstream side in a ventilation direction of the first heat exchange unit 30, and into which refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchange unit 30 flows during cooling and heating. The first heat exchange unit 30 has a plurality of first heat exchange pipes 33 arranged at intervals in a right-left direction with a longitudinal direction directed to a vertical direction. The second heat exchange unit 40 has a plurality of second heat exchange pipes arranged at intervals in the vertical direction with a longitudinal direction directed to the right-left direction.

[0008] In the light of the above, hybrid system boilers with a second heat exchanger for hot water heating (mono-thermic boiler) do not have a system that provides defrost support and hot water heating at the same time.Objectives and Brief Description of the Invention

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide defrost support and domestic heat water heating simultaneously in hybrid system boilers which have a second heat exchanger for domestic heat water heating (mono-thermic boiler).

[0010] In order to realize the above purpose, the invention is a hybrid air conditioning system comprising a heat pump and a heating device other than the heat pump and a heat medium circuit including an ambient heating circuit and a domestic water heating circuit for heating a circulating heat medium in a heat medium circuit.

[0011] The ambient heating circuit comprises; a second plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant heated by the heat pump and the heat medium, a heat transfer member, an indoor unit pump, a first pipe connecting a first outlet of the second plate heat exchanger to a second inlet of the heat transfer member, and a second pipe connecting a second outlet of the heat transfer member to a first inlet of the second plate heat exchanger.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first heat source is disposed on a third pipe which is separated from the first connection portion of the first pipe and connected to the second connection portion of the first pipe.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the domestic water heating circuit of claim 1, comprising a first heat source, a fourth pipe connecting an inlet side of the first heat source to an outlet side of the first heat source, a first plate heat exchanger for heating the domestic water, a heating device pump and a non-return valve. Here, the domestic water heating circuit consists of the first heat exchanger, the heating device pump, and the non-return valve arranged on the fourth pipe.

[0014] In a preferred hybrid air conditioning system, a 3-way valve is provided at the second connection of the first pipe and the third pipe.

[0015] The heat pump comprises; a compressor, a 4-way valve, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a second plate heat exchanger, wherein, the hybrid air conditioning system has a heating operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in order of the compressor, the second plate heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the heat source side heat exchanger, and a defrost operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second plate heat exchanger, and further comprises a second temperature sensor located on the outlet of the second plate heat exchanger.

[0016] In a preferred hybrid air conditioning system is configured to determine ambient heating water heat demand in the second plate heat exchanger during the defrost operation mode according to the temperature value read via the second temperature sensor, which the ambient heating water heat demand is a demand that is required for defrosting.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the determined ambient heating water heat demand is smaller than a predetermined value, the hybrid condition system is configured to start a first operation where the first heat source starts operating to heat the heat medium, and the 3-way valve switches to flow the heat medium through into the third pipe.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a request for heating domestic water is received during the first operation, the hybrid air conditioning system is configured to start a second operation where the heating device pump starts operating so that the heat medium circulates in the domestic water heating circuit. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the heating device pump operates simultaneously with the indoor unit pump in which the heat medium circuit and the domestic water heating circuit operate simultaneously.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant in the heat pump is heated by the heat medium in the second plate heat exchanger during defrosting.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the heating device is a combi boiler.Brief Description of the Figures

[0021] Figure 1; A schematic view of a hybrid air conditioning system. Figure 2; A schematic view of the cycles in the hybrid air conditioning system. Figure 3; A schematic view of a hybrid air conditioning system. Reference Numbers

[0022] 10. Air conditioning system 11. Heat transfer member 20. Heating device 21. First heat source 22. First plate heat exchanger (DHW heating) 23. Heating device pump 24. Non return valve 25. First flowrate sensor 26. First temperature sensor 30. Indoor unit (Hydrobox) 31. Second plate heat exchanger (refrigerant-water) 32. Indoor unit pump 33. Expansion vessel 34. Second flowrate sensor 35. 3-Way valve (switching mechanism) 36. Second temperature sensor 40. Heat pump B1. First pipe B2. Second pipe B3. Third pipe B4. Fourth pipe C1- Circuit 1- cycling of ambient heating water by passing only over the second plate heat exchanger (31) for heating the ambient heating water (ambient heating circuit) C2- Circuit 2- cycling of ambient heating water by passing through both the first heat source (21) and second plate heat exchanger (31) for heating the ambient heating water (heat medium circuit) C3- Circuit 3- cycling of ambient heating water between the first heat source (21) and first plate heat exchanger (22) for heating the domestic water (domestic water heating circuit) Detailed Description of the Invention

[0023] The invention relates to an air conditioning system (10) that provides simultaneous domestic hot water heating and defrosting operation support to a heat pump (40).

[0024] According to the Figure 1, the air conditioning system (10) comprises a heating device (20), an indoor unit (30) and a heat pump (40). The heating device (20) comprises; a first heat source (21), a fourth pipe (B4) connecting an inlet side of the first heat source (21) to an outlet side of the first heat source (21), a first plate heat exchanger (22) for heating domestic water a heating device pump (23), and a non-return valve (24). The heating device (20) may be a combi boiler. The mentioned first plate heat exchanger (22), the heating device pump (23), and the non-return valve (24) are arranged on the fourth pipe (B4). The indoor unit (30) comprises; the second plate heat exchanger (31), an indoor unit pump (32) located at the inlet of said second plate heat exchanger (31), an expansion vessel (33) and a second temperature sensor (36) and a second flow rate sensor also located at the outlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31), and a 3-way valve (35) located at the second connection portion of the first pipe (B1) and the third pipe (B3).

[0025] The heat pump (40) comprises a compressor, a 4-way valve, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion valve and a second plate heat exchanger (31), whereas the hybrid air conditioning system (10) has a heating operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in order of the compressor, the second plate heat exchanger (31), the expansion valve. The heat source side heat exchanger, and a defrost operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second plate heat exchanger (31), and further comprises a second temperature sensor (36) located on the outlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31), and wherein the hybrid air conditioning system (10) is configured to determine ambient heating water heat demand in the second plate heat exchanger (31) during the defrost operation mode according to the temperature value read via the second temperature sensor (36), which the ambient heating water heat demand is a demand that is required for defrosting.

[0026] According to the Figure 2, the heat medium circuit (C2) comprises an ambient heating circuit (C1) and a domestic water heating circuit (C3). Wherein the ambient heating circuit (C1) comprises; a second plate heat exchanger (31) to exchange heat between a refrigerant heated by the heat pump (40) and a heat medium, a heat transfer member (11), an indoor unit pump (32), a first pipe (B1) connecting a first outlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31) to a second inlet of the heat transfer member (11), and a second pipe (B2) connecting a second outlet of the heat transfer member (11) to a first inlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31). The first heat source (21) is disposed on a third pipe (B3) branching from a first connection part of the first pipe (B1) and connecting to a second connection part of the first pipe (B1), and the domestic water heating circuit (C3) is configured to comprise the first heat source (21), the fourth pipe (B4) connecting an inlet side of the first heat source (21) to an outlet side of the first heat source (21), the first plate heat exchanger (22) for heating domestic water, the heating device pump (23), and the non-return valve (24).

[0027] In order to remove the ice formed on the outdoor unit of the heat pump (40), the defrost function must be performed. The refrigerant in the heat pump (40) is heated by the heat medium in the second plate heat exchanger (31) during defrosting. Meanwhile, the indoor unit pump (32) circulates the heat medium and the support of the first heat source (21) for heating the heat medium is determined according to the value of the second temperature sensor (36). Wherein first heat source (21) support is realized as follows. Cycling of the heat medium by passing through the second plate heat exchanger (31) if the temperature value read by the second temperature sensor (36) is at a predetermined temperature value, or cycling of the heat medium by passing through the heating device (20) to heat the heat medium if the temperature value read out by the second temperature sensor (36) falls below a predetermined temperature, is realized with.

[0028] According to the Figure 3, the 3-way valve (35) is located on the second connection part of the first pipe (B1) and third pipe (B3). When ice forms on the heat source heat exchanger while the ambient heating circuit (C1) is circulating, the heat medium is heated in the first heat source (21) and the heated heat medium is delivered to the 3-way valve (35). The heated heat medium is transmitted to the third pipe (B3) via the 3-way valve (35). Thus, when a demand for domestic water heating is received, the heat medium is circulated in the domestic water heating circuit (C3). To summarize, when the ambient heating water heat demand determined for the ambient heating circuit (C1) is smaller than a predetermined value, the hybrid air conditioning system (10) is configured to start a first operation in which the first heat source (21) starts to operate to heat the heat medium, and the 3-way valve (35) is switched to flow the heat medium through into the third pipe (B3). Therefore, when a request for heating domestic water is received during the first operation, the hybrid air conditioning system (10) is configured to start a second operation where the heating device pump (23) starts operating so that the heat medium circulates in the domestic water heating circuit (C3). The domestic water heating circuit (C3) takes place between the first heat source (21) and the first plate heat exchanger (22).

[0029] The ambient heating circuit (C1) takes place between the heat transfer member (11) and the second plate heat exchanger (31). In addition, the defrost function must be performed to remove ice formed on the heat source heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the second plate heat exchanger (31). During defrosting, the refrigerant in the heat pump (40) is heated by the heat medium in the second plate heat exchanger (31).

[0030] On the other hand, if hot water demand occurs during the defrost support of the heating device (20), the heating device pump (23) runs simultaneously with the indoor unit pump (32) where the heat medium circuit (C2) and the domestic water heating circuit (C3) run simultaneously. Also, since there is no three-way valve to direct the heated heat medium from the first heat source (21) to the heat medium circuit (C2) or the first plate heat exchanger (22), both domestic water heating and space heating will be provided simultaneously.

[0031] The invention is not limited with the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, and a person skilled in the art can readily put forward embodiments of the invention. These are considered within the scope of the invention as claimed by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A hybrid air conditioning system (10) to heat a heat medium circulating in a heat medium circuit (C2) by a heat pump (40) and a heating device (20) other than the heat pump (40), comprising; the heat medium circuit (C2) which comprises an ambient heating circuit (C1) and a domestic water heating circuit (C3), wherein the ambient heating circuit (C1) comprises; a second plate heat exchanger (31) to exchange heat between a refrigerant heated by the heat pump (40) and the heat medium, a heat transfer member (11), an indoor unit pump (32), a first pipe (B1) connecting a first outlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31) to a second inlet of the heat transfer member (11), and a second pipe (B2) connecting a second outlet of the heat transfer member (11) to a first inlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31), the first heat source (21) is disposed on a third pipe (B3) branching from a first connection part of the first pipe (B1) and connecting to a second connection part of the first pipe (B1), and, the domestic water heating circuit (C3) is configured to comprise; the first heat source (21), a fourth pipe (B4) connecting an inlet side of the first heat source (21) to an outlet side of the first heat source (21), a first plate heat exchanger (22) for heating domestic water a heating device pump (23), and a non-return valve (24), and characterized in that the first heat exchanger (22), the heating device pump (23), and the non-return valve (24) are arranged on the fourth pipe (B4).

2. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1 wherein a 3-way valve (35) is located on the second connection part of the first pipe (B1) and third pipe (B3).

3. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heat pump (40) comprises a compressor, a 4-way valve, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion valve and a second plate heat exchanger (31), wherein, the hybrid air conditioning system (10) has a heating operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in order of the compressor, the second plate heat exchanger (31), the expansion valve, and the heat source side heat exchanger, and a defrost operation mode in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second plate heat exchanger (31), and further comprises a second temperature sensor (36) located on the outlet of the second plate heat exchanger (31), and wherein the hybrid air conditioning system (10) is configured to determine ambient heating water heat demand in the second plate heat exchanger (31) during the defrost operation mode according to the temperature value read via the second temperature sensor (36), which the ambient heating water heat demand is a demand that is required for defrosting.

4. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to claim 3, when the determined ambient heating water heat demand is smaller than a predetermined value, the hybrid conditioning system (10) is configured to start a first operation where the first heat source (21) starts operating to heat the heat medium, and the 3-way valve (35) switches so as to flow the heat medium through into the third pipe (B3).

5. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, when a request for heating domestic water is received during the first operation, the hybrid air conditioning system (10) is configured to start a second operation where the heating device pump (23) starts operating so that the heat medium circulates in the domestic water heating circuit (C3).

6. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device pump (23) operates simultaneously with the indoor unit pump (32) in which the heat medium circuit (C2) and the domestic water heating circuit (C3) operate simultaneously.

7. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant in the heat pump (40) is heated by the heat medium in the second plate heat exchanger (31) during defrosting.

8. The hybrid air conditioning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device (20) is a combi boiler.

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