Heat pump device, air conditioner, heat pump water heater, refrigerator, and refrigerator

Abstract

This heat pump device (1) is provided with: a compressor (30) that compresses a refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger (33) that transmits heat of the refrigerant to the air; a fan (5) for blowing air by rotating the blades of the rotary blades; and a controller (20) that applies a voltage to the compressor (30) and the fan (5), the controller (20) being configured so as to determine that the fan (5) is rotated when refrigerant vaporization information, which is information corresponding to the amount of power required to vaporize the refrigerant, is equal to or greater than a reference value when the refrigerant inside the compressor (30) is heated during standby operation of the compressor (30), and that the fan (5) is rotated when refrigerant vaporization information corresponding to the amount of power required to vaporize the refrigerant is equal to or greater than the reference value. A voltage is applied to the fan (5), and the controller (20) is cooled by the fan (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to heat pump devices, air conditioners, heat pump water heaters, refrigerators, and refrigeration units that vaporize refrigerant within the compressor during standby operation. Background Technology

[0002] There is a technology that prevents refrigerant from remaining inside the compressor during the standby operation of heat pump devices used in air conditioners and the like. One such technology involves energizing the motor windings instead of driving the motor inside the compressor to heat the compressor, thereby vaporizing the refrigerant inside and discharging it from the compressor.

[0003] For example, in the heat pump device described in Patent Document 1, when heating the refrigerant inside the compressor during the compressor's standby operation, DC power is used to energize the motor when the amount of refrigerant to be heated is large, and high frequency power is used to energize the motor when the amount of heating is small. Thus, the heat pump device described in Patent Document 1 efficiently heats the refrigerant according to the required amount of heating.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5937619

[0005] However, in the technology of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, when a refrigerant that is difficult to vaporize is used, the temperature of the controller controlling the heat pump device rises due to the increase in the amount of electricity used to heat the refrigerant, and the reliability of the controller decreases. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a heat pump device that can prevent the reliability of the controller from decreasing and prevent the refrigerant from remaining inside the compressor, even when using a refrigerant that is difficult to vaporize.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the heat pump device disclosed herein includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air; a fan for blowing air by rotating the blades of a rotary vane; and a controller for applying voltage to the compressor and the fan. The controller is configured such that, when the refrigerant inside the compressor is heated during compressor standby, if the information corresponding to the electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant, i.e., refrigerant vaporization information, is above a reference value, it determines that the fan should rotate and applies voltage to the fan, thereby cooling the controller via the fan.

[0008] The heat pump device disclosed herein can prevent the reliability of the controller from decreasing and prevent the refrigerant from lingering inside the compressor, even when using a refrigerant that is difficult to vaporize. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the heat pump device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the refrigerant heating operation in the heat pump device according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a processing circuit in the case where the processing circuit of the controller according to Embodiment 1 is implemented by a processor and a memory.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing circuit in which the processing circuit of the controller according to Embodiment 1 is constructed using dedicated hardware.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the refrigeration cycle involved in Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The following describes in detail, based on the accompanying drawings, the heat pump device, air conditioner, heat pump water heater, refrigerator, and refrigeration unit involved in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0015] Implementation Method 1

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the heat pump device according to Embodiment 1. The heat pump device 1 according to Embodiment 1 is connected to an AC power supply 4. The heat pump device 1 is used, for example, in air conditioners, heat pump water heaters, refrigerators, or refrigeration units.

[0017] The following describes the application of heat pump unit 1 in an air conditioner. Heat pump unit 1 includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. Outdoor unit 2 includes a controller 20, a compressor 30, a four-way valve 36, an outdoor heat exchanger 33 that transfers heat from the refrigerant to the air, and refrigerant piping 6.

[0018] In addition, the outdoor unit 2 has a fan 5 that supplies air to the controller 20 and the outdoor heat exchanger 33. The fan 5 has blades (rotary blades) 50 as an air supply mechanism and a fan motor 51 that drives the blades 50.

[0019] Additionally, the outdoor unit 2 includes: a cooler 40, a cooling controller 20; a temperature detection unit 41 for detecting the temperature of the cooler 40; and a temperature detection unit 42 for detecting the ambient air temperature of the environment where the outdoor unit 2 is located. In Embodiment 1, the ambient air temperature is the temperature outside the refrigerant circuit for refrigerant circulation. The cooler 40 is, for example, a heat sink configured to contact the controller 20.

[0020] The indoor unit 3 includes an expansion device 34, an indoor heat exchanger 35 that transfers heat from the refrigerant to the air, and refrigerant piping 6. The expansion device 34 controls the refrigerant flow rate by expanding and depressurizing the refrigerant. Alternatively, the expansion device 34 can be located in the outdoor unit 2 instead of the indoor unit 3.

[0021] The compressor 30 includes a compressor motor 32 and a compression element 31. That is, a compression mechanism, namely the compression element 31, for compressing refrigerant is provided inside the compressor 30, and a compressor motor 32 for operating the compression element 31.

[0022] The controller 20 includes a power conversion device 25 and a control unit (not shown). In the heat pump unit 1, the compressor 30, four-way valve 36, outdoor heat exchanger 33, expansion device 34, indoor heat exchanger 35, four-way valve 36, and compressor 30 are connected sequentially via refrigerant piping 6 to form a refrigerant circuit for refrigerant circulation. Thus, the refrigerant circuit in the heat pump unit 1 includes the compressor 30, four-way valve 36, outdoor heat exchanger 33, expansion device 34, indoor heat exchanger 35, and refrigerant piping 6. The four-way valve 36 is a valve that switches the path of the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, Figure 1 The refrigerant circuit structure shown is an example; the refrigerant circuit structure of heat pump device 1 may not necessarily be the same. Figure 1 The refrigerant circuits shown have the same structure.

[0023] AC power supply 4 is connected to controller 20, supplying power to controller 20. Controller 20 controls compressor 30 and fan 5 by applying voltage to them. Specifically, controller 20 controls compressor motor 32 of compressor 30 and fan motor 51 of fan 5. Additionally, controller 20 controls the refrigerant circuit. The control unit of controller 20 outputs drive signals to power conversion device 25, causing power conversion device 25 to drive compressor motor 32 and fan motor 51.

[0024] The power conversion device 25 includes: a converter (not shown) for converting AC power to DC power, a compressor drive inverter (not shown) for driving the compressor motor 32, and a fan motor drive inverter (not shown) for driving the fan motor 51. The converter of the power conversion device 25 converts the AC power supplied from the AC power source 4 into DC power and supplies it to the compressor drive inverter and the fan motor drive inverter.

[0025] The compressor drive inverter of the power conversion device 25 outputs three-phase AC voltage to the compressor motor 32, thereby driving the compressor motor 32 to rotate. Additionally, the fan motor drive inverter of the power conversion device 25 outputs three-phase AC voltage to the fan motor 51, thereby driving the fan motor 51 to rotate.

[0026] The compressor motor 32 is connected to the compression element 31. The compressor motor 32 is a three-phase motor with three-phase windings of U phase, V phase and W phase. The compressor 30 compresses the refrigerant through the compressor motor 32 and the compression element 31.

[0027] A compressor drive inverter is electrically connected to the compressor motor 32. The compressor drive inverter is connected to the converter and uses the DC voltage (bus voltage) supplied by the converter as its power source, and applies the U-phase voltage, V-phase voltage and W-phase voltage to the U-phase, V-phase and W-phase windings of the compressor motor 32, respectively.

[0028] Additionally, a fan motor drive inverter is electrically connected to the fan motor 51. The fan motor drive inverter is connected to the converter and uses the DC voltage (bus voltage) supplied by the converter as its power source, applying the U-phase voltage, V-phase voltage, and W-phase voltage to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase windings of the fan motor 51, respectively.

[0029] In addition, a control unit is electrically connected to both the compressor drive inverter and the fan motor drive inverter. The control unit outputs drive signals for driving the compressor drive inverter to the compressor drive inverter and drive signals for driving the fan motor drive inverter to the fan motor drive inverter.

[0030] During standby operation (when the system is stopped), the heat pump unit 1 heats the compressor 30 to vaporize the refrigerant, thereby preventing the refrigerant from remaining (accumulating) inside the compressor 30, i.e., from entering a refrigerant dormant state. In other words, the heat pump unit 1 heats the compressor 30 to prevent a refrigerant dormant state from occurring during standby operation.

[0031] The compressor motor 32 has motor windings (not shown), and the power conversion device 25 heats the compressor 30 by energizing (constrained energizing) the motor windings. If the compressor 30 is not heated when it is stopped (standby), the temperature inside the compressor 30 decreases, and sometimes the refrigeration oil and the refrigerant that has become liquid refrigerant may accumulate inside the compressor 30, resulting in a refrigerant dormancy state. When the compressor 30 is started after such a refrigerant dormancy state has occurred, the refrigerant is easily supplied to the sliding part (rotating piston part) inside the compressor 30, while the refrigeration oil is difficult to supply to the sliding part. In this case, poor lubrication occurs in the sliding part, which may damage the compressor 30. Therefore, the heat pump device 1 prevents the refrigerant dormancy state by heating the compressor 30 during operation and standby to vaporize the refrigerant.

[0032] In the heat pump device 1, if the temperature of the controller 20 is too high, the reliability of the controller 20 will decrease. Therefore, before the temperature of the controller 20 becomes too high, the heat pump device 1 cools the controller 20 by rotating the fan 5 (rotating the rotating shaft of the fan motor 51 and the blades 50), thereby reducing the temperature of the controller 20.

[0033] In Embodiment 1, the controller 20 determines whether to rotate the fan 5 (whether to apply voltage to the fan 5) based on information corresponding to the electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant. The electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant is the electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant to prevent it from entering a refrigerant dormant state. In the following description, the information corresponding to the electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant is sometimes referred to as refrigerant vaporization information. The refrigerant vaporization information is, for example, the electrical force required to heat the compressor 30 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as heating electrical force).

[0034] When the controller 20 outputs or converts power, a loss occurs in the controller 20, which manifests as heat. The temperature of the controller 20 rises due to the heat generated by the controller 20. In this case, the temperature of the controller 20 increases proportionally to the amount of power supplied by the controller 20 to the compressor motor 32. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, the controller 20 determines whether to rotate the fan 5 based on refrigerant vaporization information such as heating power.

[0035] When the refrigerant vaporization information is a heating electrical force, the refrigerant vaporization information is the electrical force applied to the motor windings. That is, in this case, the refrigerant vaporization information is the electrical force output by the controller 20 to the motor windings to vaporize the refrigerant and prevent it from entering a refrigerant dormant state.

[0036] The electrical power required for refrigerant vaporization (the amount of electricity supplied to the motor windings) varies even within the same air conditioner depending on the rate of temperature rise of the outdoor unit 2's surrounding environment, i.e., the outside air temperature. In other words, the heating capacity required for refrigerant vaporization (the amount of electricity supplied to the motor windings) increases proportionally to the rate of temperature rise of the outside air. Therefore, refrigerant vaporization information can also be the rate of temperature rise of the outside air in the environment where the outdoor unit 2 is located (the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit 2). The rate of temperature rise is the rate at which the outside air temperature rises per unit time. This outside air temperature is detected by the temperature detection unit 42.

[0037] The temperature of the refrigerant circuit easily follows the outside air temperature, but the temperature of the compressor 30 has difficulty doing so. Therefore, when the outside air temperature changes rapidly, the temperature of the refrigerant circuit approaches the outside air temperature quickly, but the temperature of the compressor 30 only approaches it slowly. For example, when the outside air temperature rises rapidly, the temperature of the refrigerant circuit approaches the outside air temperature quickly, while the temperature of the compressor 30 takes a long time to approach it. In this case, the temperature of the compressor 30 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant circuit. Since refrigerant tends to accumulate in the lower temperature region, when the temperature of the compressor 30 is lower than that of the refrigerant circuit, refrigerant tends to accumulate in the compressor 30, easily leading to a refrigerant dormancy state. In other words, the faster the outside air temperature rises, the more likely a refrigerant dormancy state will occur.

[0038] Thus, the rate of increase in outside air temperature corresponds to the ease with which the refrigerant enters a dormant state. Furthermore, the magnitude of the heating electrical force corresponds to the ease with which the refrigerant enters a dormant state. That is, the greater the rate of increase in outside air temperature, the easier it is for the refrigerant to enter a dormant state, and the easier it is for the refrigerant to enter a dormant state, the greater the heating electrical force required. Therefore, the refrigerant vaporization information used to vaporize the refrigerant to prevent it from entering a dormant state can also be the rate of increase in outside air temperature. Furthermore, if the refrigerant vaporization information is the electrical force required for refrigerant vaporization, the heat pump device 1 may not need to include a temperature detection unit 42.

[0039] Temperature detection unit 42 detects the outside air temperature at specific intervals (e.g., in minutes). Controller 20 calculates the rate of increase of the outside air temperature based on the detected changes. Furthermore, controller 20 calculates the heating force based on the rate of increase of the outside air temperature. The greater the rate of increase of the outside air temperature, the greater the heating force calculated by controller 20.

[0040] The controller 20 calculates the heating power, for example, using a formula that represents the relationship between the rate of increase of the outside air temperature and the amount of heating power. Alternatively, the controller 20 may use a data table that represents the relationship between the rate of increase of the outside air temperature and the amount of heating power to calculate the heating power.

[0041] When the heating electric force is above a first reference value, the controller 20 determines to rotate the fan 5. In this case, the controller 20 may also calculate the rotational speed of the fan 5 based on the magnitude of the heating electric force and apply a voltage corresponding to the calculation result to the fan 5. That is, the controller 20 may also rotate the fan 5 at a rotational speed corresponding to the magnitude of the heating electric force.

[0042] Alternatively, the controller 20 may use the inverter output voltage or inverter output current value, which can estimate the heat load of the controller 20, as the heating power. In this case, the controller 20 determines whether to rotate the fan 5 based on the inverter output voltage or inverter output current value, which can estimate the heat load of the controller 20.

[0043] The inverter output voltage is the voltage output from the compressor-driven inverter to the compressor 30, and the inverter output current is the current output from the compressor-driven inverter to the compressor 30. The inverter output voltage and current can also be any of the following: detected values, calculated values, or output command values. Additionally, the controller 20 can add the electrical power required for the fan 5 to rotate to the heating electrical power.

[0044] Alternatively, the controller 20 may determine to rotate the fan 5 if the rate of increase in the external air temperature is greater than or equal to a second reference value. In this case, the controller 20 may also calculate the rotational speed of the fan 5 based on the rate of increase in the external air temperature and apply voltage to the fan 5 based on the calculation result. That is, the controller 20 may also rotate the fan 5 at a rotational speed corresponding to the rate of increase in the external air temperature.

[0045] Furthermore, the refrigerant vaporization information can also be the temperature of the cooler 40 (cooler temperature) detected by the temperature detection unit 41. Since the cooler 40 is in contact with the controller 20, the temperature of the cooler 40 corresponds to the temperature of the controller 20. When the refrigerant vaporization information is the temperature of the cooler 40, the controller 20 can infer the absolute temperature of the controller 20 based on the temperature of the cooler 40.

[0046] When the refrigerant vaporization information indicates the temperature of the cooler 40, the controller 20 determines to rotate the fan 5 if the temperature of the cooler 40 is above the third reference value. In this case, the controller 20 may also calculate the fan speed based on the size of the cooler 40 and apply voltage to the fan 5 based on the calculation result. That is, the controller 20 may also rotate the fan 5 at a speed corresponding to the size of the cooler temperature.

[0047] Furthermore, since there are multiple heat sources in the controller 20, the temperature of each component of the controller 20 can be measured, and the temperature of the cooler 40 corresponding to the temperature of the controller 20 can also be measured as described above. Since the temperature of the cooler 40 increases proportionally to the heating temperature of the controller 20, the heat pump device 1 can be easily manufactured by uniformly cooling multiple heat sources with a single cooler 40, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0048] Even for the same air conditioner, the fan speed 5 required to cool the controller 20 will vary depending on the surrounding environment of the outdoor unit 2, i.e., the outside air temperature, and the heating state of the controller 20. The heating state of the controller 20 is its temperature. Moreover, the temperature of the controller 20 corresponds to the temperature of the cooler 40. Therefore, the controller 20 can also calculate the fan speed 5 based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection unit 41 and the temperature detection unit 42, and calculate the drive voltage value of the fan 5 corresponding to the fan speed 5. Alternatively, the controller 20 can also calculate the fan speed 5 based solely on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 41, without considering the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 42.

[0049] Alternatively, the refrigerant vaporization information can also be the absolute value of the outside air temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 42. When the refrigerant vaporization information is the absolute value of the outside air temperature, the controller 20 determines to rotate the fan 5 if the absolute value of the outside air temperature is a fourth reference value or higher. In this case, the controller 20 can also calculate the fan speed based on the magnitude of the absolute value of the outside air temperature and apply voltage to the fan 5 based on the calculation result. That is, the controller 20 can also rotate the fan 5 at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the absolute value of the outside air temperature.

[0050] In Embodiment 1, since it is only necessary to prevent malfunctions caused by overheating of the controller 20, the required speed can be used only under strictly predicted conditions (such as high output power to the compressor 30 and high external air temperature). Therefore, the controller 20 can also rotate the fan 5 at a specific speed that can reduce the temperature of the controller 20 to below a specific value even under strict conditions.

[0051] As for the operating modes performed by the heat pump device 1, there are normal operating mode and heating operating mode. In normal operating mode, the controller 20 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal (drive signal) to drive the compressor motor 32 to rotate and outputs it to the compressor motor 32.

[0052] Furthermore, in the heating operation mode, unlike the normal operation mode, the controller 20 heats the compressor motor 32 by providing power during standby without driving its rotation, causing the liquid refrigerant remaining inside the compressor 30 to heat up, vaporize, and be discharged. That is, in the heating operation mode, the power conversion device 25 uses the heat generated in the compressor motor 32 to heat the refrigerant remaining inside the compressor 30 by flowing current to the compressor motor 32. Thus, in the heating operation mode, heating is performed without driving the compressor motor 32 to rotate.

[0053] Here, the cooling operation, which is the function of the air conditioner, will be explained. Before cooling operation, the four-way valve 36 pre-switches the flow path so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 flows towards the outdoor heat exchanger 33, and the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 35 flows towards the compressor 30. Furthermore, a detailed explanation of the heating operation is omitted here, but the switching between cooling and heating operations is achieved by changing the flow path in the four-way valve 36.

[0054] The heat pump unit 1 drives the compressor motor 32 to rotate using the power conversion device 25, thereby compressing the refrigerant through the compression element 31 connected to the compressor motor 32, and the compressor 30 discharges high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 33 through the four-way valve 36, and dissipates heat by exchanging heat with the outside air supplied (blown) by the fan 5 in the outdoor heat exchanger 33.

[0055] The refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger 33 expands and depressurizes through the expansion device 34, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. This refrigerant then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 35, where it exchanges heat with the air in the air-conditioned space, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which then flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 35. The gaseous refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 35 is then drawn into the compressor 30 via the four-way valve 36 and compressed again. The heat pump unit 1 performs refrigeration operation by repeating the above actions.

[0056] Next, an example of the refrigerant used in heat pump device 1 will be described. Heat pump device 1 may use, for example, a fluorinated refrigerant or a hydrocarbon refrigerant with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

[0057] Heat pump unit 1, for example, uses a low GWP refrigerant with a lower polynomial index than HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants. HFC refrigerants are alternatives to Freon. HFC is a compound in which at least a portion of the hydrogen contained in HC (hydrocarbon) is replaced by fluorine. An example of an HFC refrigerant is R (Refrigerant) 32.

[0058] Heat pump unit 1, for example, uses HC refrigerant. HC refrigerant is a CFC-free gas. An example of HC refrigerant is R290 as a single refrigerant.

[0059] The heat pump unit 1 can also use R32 as a single refrigerant, and is not limited to R290. In addition, the heat pump unit 1 can also use R1234yf or R1234ze as a single refrigerant.

[0060] In addition, the heat pump unit 1 may also use any two or more of the following refrigerants: R1234yf, R1234ze, R32 and R290, or at least one of them mixed with other refrigerants.

[0061] Alternatively, heat pump unit 1 can also use a mixed refrigerant containing HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) refrigerant. HFO refrigerant is a CFC-free gas. Examples of HFO refrigerants are R1234yf, R1234ze, R1123, and R1123(E).

[0062] The heat pump unit 1 may also use a mixture of HFC and HFO refrigerants. The heat pump unit 1 may also use R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, or R459A as the mixture of HFC and HFO refrigerants.

[0063] Even for refrigerants with a lower polynomial index than HFC refrigerants and which are difficult to vaporize completely, the heat pump unit 1 can vaporize the refrigerant by sufficiently heating the compressor 30. In this case, even if the compressor 30 is sufficiently heated, the heat pump unit 1 can maintain the controller 20 at a temperature lower than a certain level by rotating the fan 5, thus maintaining the reliability of the controller 20. Therefore, the heat pump unit 1 can prevent liquid refrigerant from remaining inside the compressor 30, suppressing damage to the compressor sliding parts, and maintaining the reliability of the controller 20.

[0064] Here, the multivariable index is explained. The relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas can be approximately expressed by the following equation (1).

[0065] pV n =Const …(1)

[0066] Here, p is the gas pressure, V is the gas volume, and n is the polynomial exponent. For example, when the state of a gas changes from state C1 to state C2, the characteristics of this change can be represented by the value of the polynomial exponent. For example, refrigerant (gas) changes according to the value of the polynomial exponent as follows.

[0067] n=0: Isobaric change

[0068] n=1: Isothermal change

[0069] n = γ: Change in thermal insulation

[0070] n=∞: Equal area transformation

[0071] As can be seen from the above relationships, when the polynomial index is relatively small, the pressure is difficult to change even when the volume is compressed. Furthermore, when the pressure is difficult to change, the temperature is generally difficult to rise. That is, in HC refrigerants with a relatively small polynomial index, even when the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 30, the refrigerant temperature is difficult to rise, making it difficult to eliminate the refrigerant's dormant state. In Embodiment 1, the compressor 30 is sufficiently heated to vaporize the HC refrigerant, and the controller 20 is maintained at a temperature lower than a specific temperature by rotating the fan 5. This prevents HC refrigerant from remaining inside the compressor 30, suppresses damage to the compressor's sliding parts, and maintains the reliability of the controller 20.

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 2 The refrigerant heating operation processing in the heat pump device 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence of the refrigerant heating operation in the heat pump device according to Embodiment 1.

[0073] During standby operation, the controller 20 determines whether the compressor 30 needs to be heated (step S10). The controller 20 determines whether the compressor 30 needs to be heated, for example, based on the rate of increase of the outside air temperature. In this case, the controller 20 determines that the compressor 30 needs to be heated if the rate of increase of the outside air temperature is above a certain value.

[0074] Furthermore, if the heat pump unit 1 is equipped with a detection device for detecting the amount of refrigerant dormant inside the compressor 30, the controller 20 can also determine whether the compressor 30 needs to be heated based on the amount of refrigerant dormant detected by the detection device.

[0075] If the controller 20 determines that heating the compressor 30 is not required (step S10, No), it continues to determine whether heating the compressor 30 is required (step S10). That is, the controller 20 repeatedly performs the heating requirement determination process until it determines that heating the compressor 30 is required.

[0076] When the controller 20 determines that the compressor 30 needs to be heated (step S10, yes), it obtains refrigerant vaporization information (step S20). When the controller 20 determines that the refrigerant is trapped inside the compressor 30, or when it infers that the refrigerant is trapped inside the compressor 30, it determines that the compressor 30 needs to be heated.

[0077] The refrigerant vaporization information obtained by controller 20 includes the heating power required for refrigerant vaporization, the rate of increase in outside air temperature, or the temperature of cooler 40. Controller 20 determines whether the refrigerant vaporization information is above a reference value (step S30). If the refrigerant vaporization information is above the reference value, controller 20 determines to rotate fan 5.

[0078] For example, when the refrigerant vaporization information is heating electric force, the controller 20 determines that the fan 5 should rotate when the heating electric force is above the first reference value.

[0079] In addition, when the refrigerant vaporization information is the rate of increase of the outside air temperature, the controller 20 determines that the fan 5 should rotate when the rate of increase of the outside air temperature is above the second reference value.

[0080] In addition, when the refrigerant vaporization information is the temperature of the cooler 40, the controller 20 determines that the fan 5 should rotate when the temperature of the cooler 40 detected by the temperature detection unit 41 is above the third reference value.

[0081] When the controller 20 determines that the refrigerant vaporization information is above a reference value (step S30, Yes), it cools the controller 20 by rotating the fan 5 (step S40). In this case, the controller 20 outputs a drive command for the fan 5 to the power conversion device 25, which drives the fan motor 51 to rotate the fan 5. Afterward, the controller 20 returns to the processing of step S20 and executes the processing of steps S20 and S30.

[0082] When the controller 20 determines that the refrigerant vaporization information is less than the reference value (step S30, no), it stops the fan 5 (step S50). Furthermore, the reference value used to determine whether to rotate the fan 5 and the reference value (specific value) used to determine whether to stop the fan 5 can be different values.

[0083] Here, the hardware structure of the controller 20 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The controller 20 is implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be a processor that executes a program stored in a memory, or it may be dedicated hardware.

[0084] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a processing circuit in the case where the processing circuit of the controller according to Embodiment 1 is implemented by a processor and a memory. Figure 3 The processing circuit 90 shown includes a processor 91 and a memory 92.

[0085] When the processing circuit 90 is composed of a processor 91 and a memory 92, the functions of the processing circuit 90 are implemented through software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a data processing program and stored in the memory 92. In the processing circuit 90, the processor 91 reads and executes the data processing program stored in the memory 92 to implement the functions. That is, the processing circuit 90 has a memory 92 for storing the data processing program that ultimately executes the processing of the controller 20. This data processing program can also be described as a program used to cause the controller 20 to perform the functions implemented by the processing circuit 90. This data processing program can be provided by a storage medium storing the data processing program, or by other units such as a communication medium.

[0086] Here, processor 91 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Additionally, memory 92 is, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory), magnetic disks, floppy disks, optical disks, compact optical disks, mini-disks, or DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs).

[0087] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing circuit in which the processing circuit of the controller according to Embodiment 1 is constructed using dedicated hardware. Figure 4 The processing circuit 93 shown is, for example, equivalent to a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programming processor, a parallel programming processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The processing circuit 93 can be partially implemented by dedicated hardware and partially by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuit 93 can implement the aforementioned functions through dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0088] As described above, in the preheating control before compressor operation, the heat pump device 1 of Embodiment 1 rotates the fan 5 when the refrigerant vaporization information is above a reference value. Therefore, without increasing the size of the cooler 40 or adding a new cooler, the heat generated by the controller 20 due to the increase in power consumption can be suppressed. Thus, the heat pump device 1 can prevent refrigerant retention inside the compressor 30 without reducing the reliability of the controller 20. Therefore, the heat pump device 1 can suppress damage to the sliding parts of the compressor 30 caused by insufficient vaporization of the liquid refrigerant after starting the compressor 30 without reducing the reliability of the controller 20.

[0089] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the heat pump device 1 rotates the fan 5 when the temperature of the cooler 40, which corresponds to the heating temperature of the controller 20, is above the third reference value. Therefore, it can perform minimal fan operation regardless of the external air temperature. As a result, the heat pump device 1 can reduce standby power and suppress damage to the sliding parts, thus preventing a decrease in the reliability of the controller 20.

[0090] Furthermore, the fan 5 of the heat pump unit 1 may also be an inverter-driven fan that is not driven by a fan motor-driven inverter. That is, the fan 5 may also be an AC voltage-driven fan driven by an AC (Alternating Current) voltage input.

[0091] Thus, when the heat pump device 1 of Embodiment 1 heats the refrigerant inside the compressor 30 during the compressor 30's standby operation, if the refrigerant vaporization information is above a reference value, it determines that the fan 5 should rotate, applies voltage to the fan 5, and cools the controller 20 through the fan 5. Therefore, even when using a refrigerant that is difficult to vaporize, the heat pump device 1 can prevent a decrease in the reliability of the controller 20 and prevent refrigerant from remaining inside the compressor 30.

[0092] Implementation Method 2

[0093] Next, use Figure 5 Embodiment 2 will be described. In Embodiment 2, an air conditioner, a heat pump water heater, a refrigerator, and a refrigeration unit using the heat pump device 1 described in Embodiment 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the specific structure and operation of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner, heat pump water heater, refrigerator, and refrigeration unit involved in Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0094] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the refrigeration cycle according to Embodiment 2. The refrigeration cycle 7 according to Embodiment 2 includes a main refrigerant circuit 78 that circulates refrigerant by sequentially connecting a compressor 71, a heat exchanger 72, an expansion mechanism 73, a liquid receiver 74, an internal heat exchanger 75, an expansion mechanism 76, and a heat exchanger 77 via refrigerant piping.

[0095] Furthermore, in the main refrigerant circuit 78, a four-way valve 79 is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 71, which can switch the refrigerant circulation direction. Additionally, a fan 60 is provided near the heat exchanger 77. Furthermore, a compression mechanism (not shown) for compressing the refrigerant and a compressor motor (not shown) for operating the compression mechanism are provided inside the compressor 71.

[0096] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle 7 includes an injection circuit 62, which is connected to the injection pipe of the compressor 71 via a refrigerant piping between the receiver 74 and the internal heat exchanger 75. An expansion mechanism 61 and the internal heat exchanger 75 are sequentially connected to the injection circuit 62.

[0097] A water circuit 63 for water supply circulation is connected to the heat exchanger 72. In addition, water-using devices such as water heaters (not shown), radiators (not shown), and radiators for underfloor heating are connected to the water circuit 63.

[0098] When the refrigeration cycle 7 is in heating operation, the four-way valve 79 is set to... Figure 5 In the direction of the solid line. In addition, the heating operation includes not only the heating operation in the air conditioner, but also the hot water supply operation in the heat pump water heater that imparts heat to the water to produce hot water.

[0099] Refrigeration cycle 7 sets the four-way valve 79 to [position] during refrigeration operation. Figure 5 In the direction of the dotted line. In addition, this refrigeration operation includes not only the refrigeration operation in the air conditioner, but also the refrigeration operation in the refrigerator that extracts heat from water to produce cold water, and the refrigeration operation in the refrigeration unit.

[0100] The structure shown in the above embodiments is an example and can be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments can be combined with each other. A part of the structure can also be omitted or changed without departing from the spirit.

[0101] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0102] 1...Heat pump unit; 2...Outdoor unit; 3...Indoor unit; 4...AC power supply; 5, 60...Fan; 6...Refrigerant piping; 7...Refrigeration cycle; 20...Controller; 25...Power conversion device; 30, 71...Compressor; 31...Compression element; 32...Compressor motor; 33...Outdoor heat exchanger; 34...Expansion device; 35...Indoor heat exchanger; 36, 79...Four-way valve; 40...Cooler; 41, 42...Temperature detection unit; 50...Blades; 51...Fan motor; 61, 73, 76...Expansion mechanism; 62...Injection circuit; 63...Water circuit; 72, 77...Heat exchanger; 74...Receiver; 75...Internal heat exchanger; 78...Main refrigerant circuit; 90, 93...Processing circuit; 91...Processor; 92...Memory.

Claims

1. A heat pump device, wherein, have: Compressor, which compresses refrigerant; A heat exchanger that transfers the heat of the refrigerant to the air; A fan delivers air by rotating the blades of a rotating vane; as well as The controller applies voltage to the compressor and the fan. The controller is configured such that when the refrigerant inside the compressor is heated during the compressor's standby operation, if the information corresponding to the electrical force required to vaporize the refrigerant, i.e., the refrigerant vaporization information, is above a reference value, it determines that the fan should rotate and applies voltage to the fan, thereby cooling the controller through the fan.

2. The heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigerant vaporization information refers to the heating electrical force applied by the controller to heat the refrigerant inside the compressor. The reference value is the reference value of the heating power quantity, which is also the first reference value. When the heating electric force is above a first reference value, the controller applies voltage to the fan.

3. The heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigerant vaporization information is the rate of increase in the outside air temperature outside the refrigerant circuit that supplies the refrigerant circulation. The reference value is the reference value for the rate of increase of the external air temperature, which is also the second reference value. When the rate of increase of the external air temperature exceeds a second reference value, the controller applies voltage to the fan.

4. The heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein, The heat pump device also includes a cooler for cooling the controller. The refrigerant vaporization information is the cooler temperature of the cooler. The reference value is the reference value for the temperature of the cooler, that is, the third reference value. When the temperature of the cooler is above the third reference value, the controller applies voltage to the fan.

5. The heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigerant vaporization information is the absolute value of the outside air temperature outside the refrigerant circuit that supplies the refrigerant circulation. The reference value is the absolute value of the external air temperature, also known as the fourth reference value. When the absolute value of the external air temperature is above the fourth reference value, the controller applies voltage to the fan.

6. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The controller calculates the fan speed based on the refrigerant vaporization information and applies a voltage corresponding to the calculation result to the fan.

7. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The refrigerant is one with a lower polynomial index than hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.

8. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The refrigerant is a hydrocarbon refrigerant.

9. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The refrigerant is R290.

10. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, When the refrigerant vaporization information is less than a certain value, the controller stops the fan from rotating.

11. An air conditioner, wherein, A heat pump device having any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A heat pump water heater, wherein, A heat pump device having any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A refrigerator, wherein, A heat pump device having any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A refrigeration machine, wherein, A heat pump device having any one of claims 1 to 10.

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