Heat pump, in particular for constructing water loop system

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump, in particular for constructing a water loop system, comprising: a carrier body (2); a refrigeration circuit (5) housed in the body, the refrigeration circuit comprising an air / fluid heat exchange unit (6); and a liquid circulation heat transfer assembly (7) arranged for heat exchange connection with the main circuit (8). The body comprises at least a first and a second box-shaped member (3, 4) which are arranged in a mutually spaced relationship and between which a main space (11) is defined in which the air / fluid heat exchange unit is housed. A corresponding auxiliary space (12) is defined in each box-shaped component, a compressor (13) and a liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are installed in the corresponding auxiliary spaces respectively, and the compressor and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are connected with each other through a pipeline extending to penetrate through the main space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump, particularly a heat pump for constructing water loop devices, the heat pump being of the type including the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim. Background Technology

[0002] DE 102008016577 describes a heat pump 2B having an air-to-air exchanger 15, see reference Figure 2 The heat pump 2B is used to circulate the hot liquid in the radiator device 38.

[0003] However, pump 2B is not suitable for use in water loop equipment because such equipment typically does not have a liquid circulation heat transfer assembly for exchanging heat with the main loop to transfer the heat to an air-fluid heat exchanger assembly for introducing the exchanged heat into the regulated environment.

[0004] WO2020207785 describes a split-type device for generating heat in sanitary water. In this case, a hydronic group, which in a water loop device exchanges heat with the main loop to transfer heat to an air-fluid heat exchanger group for introducing the exchanged heat into the regulated environment, is typically not present. Therefore, no indication is provided that would permit the use of the device described in WO2020207785 in a water loop system.

[0005] The water loop equipment includes a main liquid circulation heat transfer loop and multiple heat pumps. Water, as the heat transfer fluid, circulates in the main liquid circulation heat transfer loop. The heat pumps are in a heat exchange state with the main liquid circulation heat transfer loop, thereby heating or cooling multiple environments at the expense of the heat energy distributed by the main loop.

[0006] To this end, the heat pump is equipped with a secondary liquid circulation heat transfer assembly including a heat exchanger that is connected to both the main circuit and the refrigeration circuit, so as to transfer heat energy to the environment to be treated at the expense of the heat available in the main circuit.

[0007] In the following context, the term “sub-liquid circulation heat transfer assembly” is used to broadly define the group that includes one or more gas-water heat exchangers, possible connectors, valves, and piping fittings on the gas side of the refrigeration loop.

[0008] So far, heat pumps used in water loop equipment have various drawbacks.

[0009] First, equipment installed in the environment to be treated needs to operate exceptionally quietly. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to reduce noise emissions in compressor-type refrigeration equipment due to the vibrations generated by the compressor and distributed throughout the supporting structure.

[0010] Furthermore, it is necessary to minimize the overall size of the equipment. This requirement is difficult to meet due to the large number of interacting components in the auxiliary liquid circulation heat transfer assembly and refrigeration circuit.

[0011] To date, because the available devices are either relatively bulky or unacceptably noisy, the compromises made in known devices always compromise one or the other of these requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide a heat pump that is structurally and functionally suitable for efficient integration into water loop type equipment, and which is also configured to substantially control size and extremely high level of quiet operation.

[0013] In light of this technical problem, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a heat pump in which the parts and components for installation and maintenance are particularly easily accessible.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump with highly controlled dimensions.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump for the above-mentioned purpose, wherein the body of the heat pump is particularly rigid and does not easily transmit vibration phenomena.

[0016] Meanwhile, the present invention aims to provide a heat pump whose structure is advantageously economical.

[0017] The problem is solved by a heat pump constructed according to one or more of the following characteristics, and these and other objectives are at least partially achieved.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, a heat pump, particularly a heat pump for constructing water loop devices, comprises:

[0019] -Carrying the main body,

[0020] - A refrigeration circuit housed within the body, comprising an air-fluid heat exchanger assembly.

[0021] - and a liquid circulation heat transfer assembly configured for heat exchange connection with the main loop.

[0022] Preferably, the body includes at least a first box-shaped member and a second box-shaped member, which are arranged spaced apart from each other and define a main space between the first and second box-shaped members, in which the air-fluid heat exchanger assembly is housed. This configuration makes the supporting structure compact and provides optimal assembly for the remaining components of the refrigeration assembly.

[0023] Preferably, each box-shaped member defines a corresponding sub-space in which a compressor and a liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are respectively installed. Preferably, the refrigeration circuit includes a compressor. In addition to physically separating the components, this aspect of the invention also serves to optimize dimensions, thereby allowing the sub-spaces to be optimized for their respective functions.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the compressor and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are connected to each other via pipes extending through the main space. This separation allows for a simplified setup for the assembly and maintenance of the heat pump.

[0025] In a preferred aspect of the invention, at least one (and preferably two) of the box-shaped members has at least two adjacent side members, which are generally arranged in a square shape. This gives the body a rigidity that is particularly advantageous for suppressing compressor noise.

[0026] By constructing the aforementioned box-shaped member into an integral structure along the edge of the adjacent side component, and specifically by using a bending process to construct the aforementioned box-shaped member, the construction of the body is simplified and it is strongly ribbed, thereby giving the body additional rigidity. In addition, it can be produced in a simple and economical way, which helps in the assembly of the components.

[0027] Preferably, the box-shaped member (or even more preferably, both box-shaped members) includes an additional third side member connected to the adjacent side member at the same end, thereby providing a partially enclosed construction, which further improves the rigidity of the compressor support and reduces noise.

[0028] In this context, a preferred approach for the compressor is to secure it to the corresponding box-shaped component via a box-shaped housing located in the corresponding sub-space. This solution optimizes the rigidity of the compressor support, a key factor in reducing vibration and noise.

[0029] In one embodiment, the box-shaped housing includes a base, a back, and a top opposite the base, the base and top being secured to two adjacent side members. In this way, the box-shaped housing of the compressor itself helps to increase overall rigidity.

[0030] If the box-shaped shell is integral and obtained by bending, it will greatly facilitate its construction and assembly.

[0031] Furthermore, this arrangement facilitates the construction of edges that form peripheral ribs on the base, back, and top of the box-shaped shell.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear of the box-shaped housing defines a ventilation duct, which preferably houses a heat dissipation device, such as an electronic control circuit board of a heat pump. Preferably, this relates to a power supply circuit controlled by the compressor's inverter.

[0033] The effect is further improved by applying a forced ventilation device to the ventilation duct. The forced ventilation device preferably includes an electric fan. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred, but not limiting, exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0035] - Figure 1 This is a front view of a heat pump according to the present invention, wherein the panel has been removed;

[0036] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a heat pump;

[0037] - Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view of the main body components of the heat pump in the aforementioned attached figure;

[0038] - Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of the components of the heat pump body in the previous attached figure;

[0039] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A plan view of the semi-finished components;

[0040] - Figures 6 to 8 This is a perspective view showing the details of the aforementioned attached diagram;

[0041] - Figure 9 and Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump shown in the aforementioned attached diagram. Figure 10 It also includes transmission pipelines;

[0042] - Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A detailed 3D image. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In the accompanying drawings, the heat pump is designated as 1, which is preferably used for mounting to a water loop device. Pump 1 includes a carrier body 2 having at least one first box-shaped member 3 and a second box-shaped member 4.

[0044] Pump 1 also includes a refrigeration circuit 5 housed within body 2, and the refrigeration circuit 5 includes a refrigeration air-fluid heat exchanger assembly 6. A liquid circulation heat transfer assembly 7 is also provided, which is configured for heat exchange connection between the refrigeration circuit 5 and the main circuit 8, schematically shown by delivery and return pipes 9 and 10, in which a main fluid is circulated in a manner known per se, the main fluid being, for example, water circulating at a substantially constant temperature.

[0045] Special Reference Figure 3 The box-shaped members 3 and 4 are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship, and a main space 11 is defined between the box-shaped members 3 and 4. A refrigeration air-fluid heat exchange unit 6 and an electric fan 20 operated by a motor 14 are housed in the main space 11. The electric fan 20 is functionally configured to deliver airflow to the unit 6. Preferably, the fan 20 is a tangential fan with a variable speed and is supported on the respective box-shaped members 3 and 4 by bearings 15 located in the lower part of the main space 11 (relative to...). Figure 3 (Regarding the assembly state).

[0046] Preferably, each box-shaped component 3, 4 defines a corresponding sub-space 12, and the compressor 13 of the refrigeration circuit 5 and the liquid circulation heat transfer component 7 are respectively installed in the corresponding sub-space 12.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the compressor and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are connected to each other via hydraulic conduits (for the refrigerant fluid to be compressed) and electrical conduits, which will be described in more detail below, and which extend through the main space 11. This separation allows for an arrangement that simplifies the assembly and maintenance of the heat pump.

[0048] In a preferred aspect of the invention, at least one of the box-shaped members 3 and 4, but preferably both box-shaped members 3 and 4, has at least two adjacent first side members 15 and second side members 16 arranged in a generally square configuration. This gives the body a rigidity that is particularly advantageous for suppressing compressor noise.

[0049] In another aspect of the invention, at least one of the box-shaped members 3 and 4, but preferably both box-shaped members 3 and 4, has at least a third side member 17 for closing the top (still referring to...). Figure 3 (The assembly state of the corresponding box-shaped components).

[0050] The box-shaped member 4 also has a fourth side member 18 adjacent to the side member 16. The adjacent side members 15, 16, 17 and 18 are preferably constructed as a single piece to bend the corresponding semi-finished product 19.

[0051] The semi-finished product 19 used to form the box-shaped component 3 has three holes, namely a lower hole 21, a middle hole 22 and an upper hole 23, and has a lip 24 below the side component 15, which, where applicable, is fixed to a base (not shown) by means of the lip 24.

[0052] Special reference Figure 7 A box-shaped housing 25 is fixed to both side members 15 and 16, and the housing 25 is located in the corresponding sub-space 12. The box-shaped housing 25 is attached to the first side member 15 in a canvas backpack-like manner by lugs 27 and 28, and the box-shaped housing 25 has a base 29, a back 30, and a top 31 that are adjacent to each other and preferably integrated, and the base 29, back 30, and top 31 are preferably constructed by bending to have edges 32 forming peripheral ribs. Preferably, the back 30 is formed by three adjacent portions 30a, 30b, and 30c, two of which (30a and 30c) are parallel to each other. It can be observed that the box-shaped housing is also fixed to the first and second side members of the box-shaped member 3 by screws or the like, which further helps to make the whole more rigid.

[0053] The compressor 13 is further provided with a base 34, which has multiple lugs 35 for supporting corresponding vibration damping supports 36. The lugs 35 are obtained by plastically deforming the base 34 in an upward direction or toward the body of the compressor 13 itself, for example by stamping. On the one hand, this involves a ribbing effect to rigidify the base 34; on the other hand, it involves reducing the overall axial dimension of the compressor 13 when mounted on the vibration damping supports. This further contributes to vibration damping and component rigidity.

[0054] The electronic control unit of the heat pump 1 is also installed in the secondary space 12. Specifically, one or more control circuit boards 37 are housed above the top 31, while the power circuit 38 with the associated dissipator 39 is installed in a ventilation duct (64) defined between the back 30 and the side housing 41 of the main body. An electric fan 40 is mounted on the side housing 41 and is provided with a deflector 42 for directing forced airflow toward the dissipator 39. In this way, the structure of the main body 2 also performs the function of guiding and delivering cooling air to the electronic power unit of the heat pump 1.

[0055] A liquid circulation heat transfer assembly 7 is installed in the corresponding secondary space 12. This liquid circulation heat transfer assembly 7 includes a cooling water / gas exchanger 43. The water side of the water / gas exchanger 43 is connected to the main circuit's delivery and return pipes 9 and 10 via corresponding pipes 46 and 47. The gas side of the water / gas exchanger 43 is connected to the compressor 13 and the heat exchanger assembly 6 via pipes 44 and 45. A three-way valve 49 is inserted into the lines of pipes 44 and 45. This three-way valve 49 is used in a manner known per se to switch between summer and winter operation of the heat pump 1.

[0056] Preferably, pipes 46 and 47 converge in environment 49a of the sub-space 12, located below the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly, via corresponding pipe connectors 48, to receive the corresponding connectors of the main circuit 8. Similarly, environment 49b is symmetrically formed in the body 2 below the compressor 13. In this way, the heat pump can be installed in the same manner such that the connector of the main circuit is located on one side of the body, or on the opposite side, or even in each environment 49a, 49b. However, in these last two cases, a corresponding transfer pipe 50 is provided that travels from the sub-space 49a through the main space 11 to the opposite space 49b, connecting the pipes 46 and 47 of the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly 7 to the connectors of the main circuit 8 to be used.

[0057] These transmission tubes 50 (e.g.) Figure 10 (As shown) can be advantageously accommodated in a corresponding channel 51 formed in the adapter 52, which is preferably made of an insulating expansion material and is disposed in the lower part of the main space 11, adjacent to the fan 20 and above the fan.

[0058] Preferably, the housing 54 of the adapter 52 is in the form of a diffuser 55 of a fan located behind the delivery opening 56. The same delivery opening 56 has an end lip 57, which is curved to form a first deflection device for air being delivered toward the unit 6. A second deflection device 58 is located in front of and not far from the delivery opening 56, and its purpose is to direct a portion of the delivered air toward the lower part of the unit 6.

[0059] Finally, the structure is provided with an external enclosure wall, which forms the appearance of the equipment with a lower opening 59 and an upper opening 60, the upper opening 60 being provided with a grille 61. A basin 62 for receiving condensate is located below the unit 6 and connected to a condensate drain line 63.

Claims

1. A heat pump for a water loop device, wherein, The heat pump is equipped with a liquid circulation heat transfer component for heat exchange with the main circuit of the water loop device. The heat exchange liquid circulates in the main circuit. The heat pump includes: -Carrying body (2); - Refrigeration circuit (5), the refrigeration circuit being housed in the body, and the refrigeration circuit including an air-fluid heat exchanger assembly (6); - and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly (7), which is configured to be heat exchanged with the main circuit (8). The main body is characterized by comprising at least a first box-shaped member (3) and a second box-shaped member (4), the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member being arranged in a spaced-apart relationship, and defining a main space (11) between the first box-shaped member and the second box-shaped member, and the air-fluid heat exchanger assembly being housed in the main space, with a corresponding sub-space (12) defined in each box-shaped member, wherein a compressor (13) and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are respectively installed in the sub-space, and the compressor and the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly are connected to each other by a pipe extending through the main space.

2. The heat pump according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the box-shaped components has at least two adjacent first side members (15) and second side members (16), the first side members and the second side members being generally square.

3. The heat pump according to claim 2, wherein, The box-shaped member is integral along the edge of the adjacent side member.

4. The heat pump according to claim 3, wherein, The box-shaped component is integral and is obtained by bending.

5. A heat pump according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The box-shaped component includes a third side component (17) which is connected to the adjacent first side component and second side component.

6. The heat pump according to claim 5, wherein, The third side component is integral with one of the adjacent first side component and the second side component.

7. A heat pump according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The compressor is fixed in the corresponding subspace by means of a box-shaped housing (25) fixed to the corresponding box-shaped component.

8. The heat pump according to claim 7, wherein, The box-shaped housing includes a base (29), a back (30), and a top (31) opposite the base, the base and the top being fixed to two adjacent side parts of the respective box-shaped member.

9. The heat pump according to claim 8, wherein, The box-shaped shell is integral and is obtained by bending.

10. The heat pump according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The base, back, and top of the box-shaped shell are defined by the outer ribs (32).

11. The heat pump according to any one or more of claims 7 to 10, wherein, The box-shaped housing defines the ventilation duct (64).

12. The heat pump according to claim 11, wherein, A heat dissipation device (39) is housed in the ventilation duct.

13. The heat pump according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The forced ventilation device (40) is associated with the ventilation duct.

14. A heat pump according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The liquid circulation heat transfer assembly (7) includes a cooling water / gas exchanger (43). The water side of the cooling water / gas exchanger is connected to the delivery pipe (9) and return pipe (10) of the main circuit via corresponding pipes (46, 47). The gas side of the cooling water / gas exchanger is connected to the compressor (13) and the heat exchanger assembly (6). The pipes converge in the environment (49a) of the subspace (12) located below the liquid circulation heat transfer assembly to receive the corresponding connector of the main circuit (8).

15. The heat pump according to the preceding claim, wherein, A second environment (49b) is symmetrically constructed below the compressor (13) in the body (2), such that the heat pump can be installed in the same manner such that the connector of the main circuit is located on one side of the body, or on the opposite side, or the connector of the main circuit is located in each environment (49a, 49b).

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