Heat pump system

Abstract

A heat pump system (10) is provided, comprising an outdoor unit (200) with a refrigeration circuit (210), a heat pump flow connection (WP1), and a heat pump return connection (WP2). The heat pump system also includes an indoor unit (100) with an instantaneous water heater (110), a heat exchanger (120), a cold water connection (CW), a hot water connection (HW), a heating circuit flow connection (HK1), a heating circuit return connection (HK2), a heat pump flow connection (WP1), and a heat pump return connection (WP2). The heat exchanger is connected on the primary side to the heat pump return connection (WP2) and the heating circuit flow connection (HK1). On the secondary side, the heat exchanger is coupled to the cold water connection (KW) for preheating the cold water from the cold water connection (KW) using water from the heating circuit (400), which can be coupled to the heating circuit flow connection (HK1) and the heating circuit return connection (HK2).The instantaneous water heater (110) is designed to reheat water preheated by the heat exchanger (120) as needed in order to provide hot water at the hot water connection (HW). The hot water connection is connected to a hot water pipe (HWL).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump system.

[0002] A heat pump is used in domestic systems, for example, to provide hot water and water for heating. For this purpose, the heat pump can be equipped with an intermediate storage tank for hot water / drinking water. The water in the tank is maintained at a certain temperature so that the user can then draw hot water when needed.

[0003] Such heat pump systems are cost-intensive and require a certain amount of space to accommodate the heat pump and the storage tank.

[0004] However, such construction space is not available in all buildings.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump system which requires less installation space.

[0006] This object is achieved by a heat pump system according to claim 1.

[0007] Thus, a heat pump system is provided with an outdoor unit having a cooling circuit, a heat pump flow connection, and a heat pump return connection. The heat pump system further comprises an indoor unit with an instantaneous water heater, a heat exchanger, a cold water connection, a hot water connection, a heating circuit flow connection, a heating circuit return connection, a heat pump flow connection, and a heat pump return connection. The heat exchanger serves to preheat the cold water. The heat exchanger is coupled on the primary side to the heat pump return connection and the heating circuit flow connection. The heat exchanger is coupled on the secondary side to the cold water connection to enable preheating of the cold water from the cold water connection using water from the heating circuit. The cold water connection is also coupled to the heat transfer.A heating circuit can be connected to the heating circuit flow connection and the heating circuit return connection. The instantaneous water heater serves to reheat water preheated by the heat exchanger as needed to provide hot water at the hot water connection. The hot water connection is connected to a hot water pipe.

[0008] This creates a heat pump system that can draw energy from the heating circuit to preheat cold water from the cold water supply before the water is heated to the desired temperature by the instantaneous water heater. This is advantageous because the hot water supply does not have to heat the cold water to the desired temperature using the instantaneous water heater. Instead, the water is preheated, and the instantaneous water heater only needs to heat the difference between the preheated water and the desired temperature. Furthermore, a domestic hot water storage tank for the hot water is no longer required. This leads to a reduction in the required installation space.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the indoor unit includes a heating circuit pump, which is activated in a heating mode to pump water through the outdoor unit and the heating circuit, in order to pump water heated by the outdoor unit into the heating circuit to heat the heating circuit. The heating circuit pump is further configured to be activated in a hot water mode to pump water through the heating circuit, the outdoor unit, and the heat exchanger, in order to transfer heat from the water in the heating circuit, via the heat exchanger, to the cold water flowing through the heat exchanger.

[0010] The heat pump system according to the invention is advantageous because it does not require a domestic hot water storage tank. The drinking water is heated as soon as it is needed. This eliminates the need for an additional storage tank. This has the advantage that the drinking water can be prepared more hygienically than with systems with a drinking water storage tank, as the drinking water is only heated when needed. This allows the installation volume to be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the price of the heat pump system can also be reduced. Furthermore, the hot water preheating by the heating circuit increases energy efficiency compared to a solution using a pure instantaneous water heater. In winter, the energy from the heating circuit comes from the heat pump operation and therefore contains a proportion of environmental energy. In summer, the room heat is transferred to the water in the heating circuit and used to preheat the hot water.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the outdoor unit can be located on the exterior of the building. The heat pump flow and return lines are located between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. For this purpose, an opening can be provided in a wall of the building.

[0012] This allows for a compact and cost-effective heat pump system with centralized domestic hot water heating without an intermediate storage tank. Heat from a hydraulic heat distribution system (e.g., underfloor heating, radiators) can be used to preheat the domestic hot water. This reduces the energy required to reheat the hot water to the desired temperature using the instantaneous water heater.

[0013] In hot water mode, the heat pump system's control system can be configured to activate both the heating circuit pump and open valves in the heating circuit to allow water flow to transfer heat from the heating circuit to the heat exchanger, which in turn transfers the heat to the cold water from the cold water supply. In particular, a minimum flow rate through the heating circuit can be enabled.

[0014] In a defrost mode, the heating circuit pump is also activated and valves in the heating circuit can be opened so that heat from the heating circuit can be transferred to the outdoor unit to defrost the outdoor unit.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the outdoor unit can also be installed inside a building. For this purpose, a supply of outside air must be ensured.

[0016] Further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system, Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed schematic representation of a heat pump system according to one aspect of the invention, Fig. 3 shows a detailed schematic representation of a heat pump system in a heating mode, Fig. 4 shows a detailed schematic representation of a heat pump system in a hot water mode, Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system in a hot water mode and in a cooling mode, Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system in a defrost mode, Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of an indoor unit of a heat pump system, and Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a block diagram of a heat pump system.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system. The heat pump system 10 preferably has an outdoor unit 200 with a refrigeration circuit and an indoor unit 100, which are hydraulically connected to one another. The outdoor unit 200 can be provided on an exterior side of a building 20, and the indoor unit 100 can be provided on an interior side of the building 20. A through-hole in the building wall can be provided for hydraulically coupling the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100. The indoor unit 100 can be coupled to a heating circuit 400 on the interior side of the building.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed schematic representation of a heat pump system according to one aspect of the invention. The heat pump system 10 comprises an outdoor unit 200 with a refrigeration circuit and an indoor unit 100 with a flow heater 110, a heat exchanger 120, and optionally a heating circuit pump 130.

[0019] The hydraulic connection between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 200, 100 is established through a through-hole or a through-hole 30 in the wall 20 of the building. Optionally, a backup heating unit BUH can be provided between the heat exchanger 120 and the heating circuit pump.

[0020] The indoor unit 100 can preferably be provided inside the building. The indoor unit 100 has a flow heater 110, a heat exchanger 120, and optionally a heating circuit pump 130. The indoor unit 100 has a cold water connection KW, a hot water connection WW, a heat pump inlet WP1, a heat pump outlet WP2, a heating circuit inlet HK1, and a heating circuit return HK2. The indoor unit 100 is coupled to a heating circuit 400 via the heating circuit connections HK1, HK2.

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 shows a detailed schematic diagram of a heat pump system in heating mode. The structure of the indoor unit of Fig. 3 corresponds to the structure of the indoor unit of Fig. 2.

[0022] In heating mode, heating circuit pump 130 is activated (and valves may also be opened). When heating circuit pump 130 is activated in heating mode, water is pumped through heating circuit 400, outdoor unit 200, and heat exchanger 120. When outdoor unit 200 generates heat with the cooling circuit, this heat can be transferred to heating circuit 400.

[0023] Fig. Figure 4 shows a detailed schematic diagram of a heat pump system in a hot water mode. The indoor unit 100 of Fig. 4 corresponds to the indoor unit of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. The indoor unit 100 therefore has a flow heater 110, a heat exchanger 120, and a heating circuit pump 130. In the drinking water mode, the heating circuit pump 130 is activated so that water from the heating circuit 400 can flow through the outdoor unit 200 to the heat exchanger 120, where heat from the water can be transferred to cold water from the cold water connection KW by means of the heat exchanger 120. The cold water is preheated by the heat exchanger 120 (and in particular by the heat from the heating unit). If the preheating is insufficient, the preheated water can be heated to the desired temperature using the flow heater 110.

[0024] Optionally, a backup heating unit BUH can be provided between the heat exchanger 120 and the heating circuit pump.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system in a hot water mode and in a cooling mode. The indoor unit according to Fig. 5 can be connected to the indoor unit according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The indoor unit 100 thus has a flow heater 110, a heat exchanger 120 and a heating circuit pump 130. The indoor unit 100 is hydraulically coupled to the outdoor unit 200. The indoor unit is further coupled to a heating unit 400 via the heating circuit connections HK1, HK2. In a cooling mode and when the drinking water mode is activated, operation is similar to that in Fig. 3. For this purpose, the heating circuit pump 130 is activated, allowing water to flow through the heating circuit 400 and absorb heat. The water then flows through the outdoor unit 200, where it can be further cooled. At the same time, cold water from the cold water connection KW can flow through the heat exchanger 120, transferring heat from the heating circuit to heat from the cold water, thus preheating the cold water. The instantaneous water heater 110 then only needs to compensate for the difference between the actual and target temperatures.

[0026] An ongoing cooling process does not necessarily have to be interrupted if the flow temperature is still above the temperature of the cold water.

[0027] Optionally, a backup heating unit BUH can be provided between the heat exchanger 120 and the heating circuit pump.

[0028] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system in a defrost mode. The heat pump system according to Fig. 6 can be added to the heat pump system according to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 or Fig. 5. The indoor unit therefore has a flow heater 110, a heat exchanger 120, and a heating circuit pump 130. During defrosting, the heating circuit pump 130 is activated, allowing water to flow through the cooling circuit and absorb heat. The water preheated by the heating circuit flows to the outdoor unit, where the defrost mode is activated. Energy from the heating circuit can be used to defrost the heat exchanger.

[0029] Optionally, a backup heating unit BUH can be provided between the heat exchanger 120 and the heating circuit pump.

[0030] Fig. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of an indoor unit of a heat pump system. The indoor unit 100 then corresponds to the indoor unit of Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 correspond.

[0031] Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a block diagram of a heat pump system. In Fig. 8 shows another indoor unit, which is based on the indoor unit of Fig. 7 and has a buffer tank 140 and a three-way valve 160.

[0032] In a heating mode, a controller 150 can monitor the operation of the heating circuit pump 130 in particular and, if necessary, open valves to achieve a minimum volume flow.

[0033] In defrost mode, the defrosting energy is extracted from the heating circuit, for example, the floor. Furthermore, the valves in the heating circuit must be opened so that water can flow through the heating circuit to absorb heat and then release it to the outdoor unit.

[0034] In drinking water mode, the cold water can be preheated via the heat exchanger. When drinking water or hot water is drawn, the controller 150 can detect that the instantaneous water heater is activated and / or that the heating circuit pump is activated. The preheated cold water is reheated to the desired temperature by the instantaneous water heater.

[0035] Optionally, a backup heating unit BUH can be provided between the heat exchanger 120 and the heating circuit pump. List of reference symbols 10 Heat pump system 20 buildings 30 through hole 100 indoor unit 110 instantaneous water heaters 120 heat exchangers 130 Heating circuit pump 140 buffer storage 150 controllers 160 three-way valve 200 outdoor unit 300 heating circuit pump 400 heating circuit BUH backup heating unit KW cold water connection WW hot water connection

Claims

[1] Heat pump system (10), with an outdoor unit (200) with a refrigeration circuit (210), a heat pump flow connection (WP1) and a heat pump return connection (WP2), an indoor unit (100) with a continuous flow heater (110), a heat exchanger (120), a cold water connection (KW), a hot water connection (WW), a heating circuit flow connection (HK1), a heating circuit return connection (HK2), a heat pump flow connection (WP1) and a heat pump return connection (WP2); wherein the heat exchanger (120) is coupled on the primary side to the heat pump return connection (WP2) and the heating circuit flow connection (HK1) and is coupled on the secondary side to the cold water connection (KW) for preheating the cold water from the cold water connection (KW) by means of water from a heating circuit (400) which can be coupled to the heating circuit flow connection (HK1) and the heating circuit return connection (HK2), wherein the instantaneous water heater (110) is designed to reheat water preheated by the heat exchanger (120) as needed to provide hot water at the hot water connection (WW), where the hot water connection (WW) is connected to a hot water pipe (WWL). [2] Heat pump system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit (100) has a heating circuit pump (130) which is activated in a heating mode to pump water through the outdoor unit (200) into the heating circuit (400) in order to pump water heated by the outdoor unit (200) into the heating circuit (400) to heat the heating circuit (400), wherein the heating circuit pump (130) is configured to be activated in a hot water mode to pump water through the heating circuit (400), the outdoor unit (200) and the heat exchanger (120) to transfer heat from the water from the heating circuit (400) by means of the heat exchanger (120) to the cold water flowing through the heat exchanger (120). [3] Heat pump system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a defrost mode the heating circuit pump (130) is activated so that heat from the heating circuit (400) can be transferred to the outdoor unit (200) for defrosting the outdoor unit. [4] Method for controlling a heat pump system (10) comprising an outdoor unit (200) with a refrigeration circuit (210), a heat pump flow connection (WP1) and a heat pump return connection (WP2) and an indoor unit (100) with a flow heater (110), a heat exchanger (120), a cold water connection (KW), a hot water connection (WW), a heating circuit flow connection (HK1), a heating circuit return connection (HK2), a heat pump flow connection (WP1) and a heat pump return connection (WP2), wherein the heat exchanger (120) is coupled on the primary side to the heat pump return connection (WP2) and the heating circuit flow connection (HK1) and is coupled on the secondary side to the cold water connection (KW) for preheating the cold water from the cold water connection (KW) by means of water from a heating circuit (400) which is connected to the heating circuit flow connection (HK1) and the heating circuit return connection (HK2) can be coupled with the following steps: Reheating water preheated by the heat exchanger (120) when required to provide hot water at the hot water connection (WW), where the hot water connection (WW) is connected to a hot water pipe (WWL). [5] A method for controlling a heat pump system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the indoor unit (100) has a heating circuit pump (130) which is activated in a heating mode to pump water through the outdoor unit (200) into the heating circuit (400) in order to pump water heated by the outdoor unit (200) into the heating circuit (400) to heat the heating circuit (400), wherein the heating circuit pump (130) is configured to be activated in a hot water mode to pump water through the heating circuit (400), the outdoor unit (200) and the heat exchanger (120) to transfer heat from the water from the heating circuit (400) by means of the heat exchanger (120) to the cold water flowing through the heat exchanger (120).

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