air conditioning

Abstract

air conditioning system (1), comprising: a first heat transfer circuit (3) with a first pump (31) and a heat storage unit (32) connected via a conduit, wherein the first pump (31) is configured to pump a first heat transfer fluid provided by a heat source device (5), and wherein the heat storage unit (32) enables the first heat transfer fluid pumped by the first pump (31) to flow through the heat storage unit (32); a second heat transfer circuit (4) with a second pump (41), the heat storage unit (32) and a user-side heat exchanger (42) which are connected via a line, wherein the second pump (41) is designed to to promote a second heat carrier, wherein the heat storage unit (32) exchanges heat between the first heat carrier and the second heat carrier, and wherein the user-side heat exchanger (42) exchanges heat between the second heat transfer medium supplied by the second pump (41) and a user-side heat transfer medium for an air-conditioned object (9); and a controller (50) that is trained to in one case, in which an energy surplus detection unit (7a), which is designed to detect that the generated energy provided by an on-site energy generation device (13) is surplus, detects that the generated energy is surplus, and in which the object temperature of the air-conditioned object (9), which is detected by a user-side temperature detection unit (8a) designed to detect the object temperature, is higher than or equal to an upper limit temperature threshold, to continue the operation of the first pump (31) and to stop the operation of the second pump (41).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning / air conditioning device coupled with an on-site energy generation device / private energy generation device. State of the art

[0002] Some air conditioning systems coupled with a self-generating energy source are installed in relatively small buildings, such as personal residences or apartments. Examples of the self-generating energy source include a power generation device that utilizes natural energy, such as a solar power generator. The air conditioner stores heat supplied by a heat source device, such as a refrigerant-using heat pump outdoor unit or an electric heater, in a thermal storage tank connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit and performs heating or cooling by using the thermal energy stored in the storage tank.

[0003] In Europe, a climate control system is typically used, consisting of a water-circulating underfloor heating system, a radiator, and a fan coil unit. In recent years, solar energy generation has become widespread in residential buildings, and a heat storage unit, which temporarily stores the heat generated by solar energy, is connected to a climate control circuit. JP 2017-156 018 A discloses a control device that controls a bathroom water heater coupled to a solar energy generation device.In JP 2017-156018A, the control device, in a case where the generated energy detected by an energy sensing unit exceeds the required energy and the water, which is a heat transfer medium, is hot enough to be supplied to a user before the time the water is to be used in a bathtub, controls an electric heating device such as a bath water heater and an air conditioner to raise the temperature of the heat transfer medium to a higher temperature than that required at the time of actual use. When the user actually uses the hot water in the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is then lowered to a suitable temperature due to the elapsed time.In other words, according to JP 2017 - 156 018 A, in a case where the generated energy is excess, the heat is stored by changing a set temperature in an air-conditioned room, a set temperature of a hot water supply in the bathroom, or another setting to achieve energy savings.

[0004] The ES 2 464 940 A1 and the EP 2 402 662 A1 are also considered state of the art.

[0005] ES 2 464 940 A1 discloses a system for generating, distributing, and managing energy, in which a photovoltaic-driven controller controls a water-to-air heat pump. The energy for the water-to-air heat pump is also provided by the photovoltaic system. In addition to the water-to-air heat pump, the system provides for heat removal from or transfer to the building envelope via pipes embedded within the building envelope, as well as the use of solar thermal energy. Separate latent heat storage / PCM storage and ground storage systems are provided for storing heat and cold, respectively. Each storage system is charged and discharged by its own pump. The system is operational as soon as the photovoltaic system provides energy.

[0006] EP 2 402 662 A1 discloses a heat pump system. Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0007] The control device disclosed in JP 2017-156 018 A initially raises the temperature of the heat transfer fluid above the temperature at the time of actual use by changing the set temperature in the air-conditioned room, the set temperature of the hot water supply in the bathroom, or another setting. Therefore, if the user uses the hot water in the bathtub earlier than expected, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is not reduced, which can negatively impact the user's comfort.

[0008] The present disclosure serves to solve the problem described above and to provide an air conditioning system that does not impair the comfort of a user. Solution to the problem

[0009] The above problem is solved by an air conditioning system combining the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are found in the dependent claims. An air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first heat transfer fluid circuit with a first pump and a heat storage unit connected via a line, wherein the first pump is configured to pump a first heat transfer fluid provided by a heat source device, and wherein the heat storage unit enables the first heat transfer fluid pumped by the first pump to flow through the heat storage unit;a second heat transfer circuit with a second pump, the heat storage unit and a user-side heat exchanger connected via a pipe, wherein the second pump is configured to pump a second heat transfer medium, wherein the heat storage unit exchanges heat between the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium, and wherein the user-side heat exchanger exchanges heat between the second heat transfer medium pumped by the second pump and a user-side heat transfer medium for an air-conditioned object (an object of air conditioning);and a controller designed to continue operating the first pump and to stop operating the second pump in a case where an energy surplus detection unit, designed to detect that generated energy supplied by an on-site energy generation device is surplus, detects that the generated energy is surplus, and where an object temperature of the air-conditioned object, detected by a user-side temperature detection unit designed to detect the object temperature, is higher than or equal to an upper limit temperature threshold. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if it is determined that the generated energy is excess and the object temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold, the first pump continues to operate and the second pump stops. Since the first pump is operating, the heat is stored in the thermal storage unit, and since the second pump is stopped, the heat is not supplied to the air-conditioned object. As described above, in the case where the generated energy is excess, the air conditioner stores heat in the thermal storage unit without changing the set temperature of the air-conditioned object. Accordingly, the user's comfort is not affected, regardless of when the user uses the air-conditioned object. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram representing a heat source system of an air conditioning system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a connection configuration between the heat source system and an air conditioning control system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram representing the control system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control system in a comparative example. Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the intermittent operation of a second pump according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Description of the embodiments: Embodiment 1

[0011] Embodiments of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram representing a heat source system of an air conditioning system 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 1 comprises a heat source device 5, a first heat transfer circuit 3, a second heat transfer circuit 4, a supply temperature sensing unit 10, a return temperature sensing unit 11, and a storage temperature sensing unit 12. The heat source device 5 is, for example, an outdoor unit 20 and an electric heater 26. The outdoor unit 20 comprises a compressor 21, a flow diverter 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an expansion unit 24, and a cascade heat exchanger 25. An example of the air conditioning system 1 is a radiant underfloor heating system using hot water.

[0012] The compressor 21, the flow reversing device 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the expansion unit 24, and the cascade heat exchanger 25 are connected via a (pipe) line to form a refrigerant circuit 2. The compressor 21 draws in refrigerant at a low temperature and low pressure, compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure, and discharges the refrigerant at a high temperature and high pressure. The flow reversing device 22 changes the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 2 and is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 serves to exchange heat between, for example, the outside air and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is used as an evaporator in heating mode and as a condenser in cooling mode.The expansion unit 24 is a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve that decompresses and expands the refrigerant and is, for example, an electronic expansion valve with an adjustable opening degree. The cascade heat exchanger 25 exchanges heat between a first heat transfer fluid, which flows through the first heat transfer fluid circuit 3, and the refrigerant. The cascade heat exchanger 25 is used as a condenser in heating mode and as an evaporator in cooling mode.

[0013] The electric heater 26 heats the first heat transfer medium by means of supplied electricity. In embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 20 and the electric heater 26 are used as a heat source device 5; however, the heat source device 5 can be either the outdoor unit 20, the electric heater 26, or another device.

[0014] The first heat transfer circuit 3 comprises a first pump 31, a cascade heat exchanger 25, an electric heater 26, and a heat storage tank 32, all connected by a pipe. The first pump 31 circulates the first heat transfer fluid supplied by the heat source device 5, which includes the outdoor unit 20 and the electric heater 26. The heat storage tank 32 allows the first heat transfer fluid, circulated by the first pump 31, to flow through it and stores the heat of the first heat transfer fluid. The heat storage tank 32 also exchanges heat between a second heat transfer fluid, which flows through a second heat transfer circuit 4, and the first heat transfer fluid. The heat of the first heat transfer fluid is heating energy (thermal energy) when the outdoor unit 20 is operating in heating mode, and cooling energy (cold energy) when the outdoor unit 20 is operating in cooling mode. The first heat transfer fluid could be, for example, water or brine.

[0015] The second heat transfer circuit 4 comprises a second pump 41, a heat storage tank 32, and a user-side heat exchanger 42, which are connected by a pipe. The second pump 41 circulates the second heat transfer fluid, which has exchanged heat with the first heat transfer fluid in the heat storage tank 32. The user-side heat exchanger 42 is located in a room of an air-conditioned building 9 and exchanges heat between the second heat transfer fluid circulated by the second pump 41 and a user-side heat transfer fluid of the air-conditioned building 9. If heating energy is stored in the heat storage tank 32, the user-side heat exchanger 42 is used as a radiator. If cooling energy is stored in the heat storage tank 32, the user-side heat exchanger 42 is used as a cooler. The air-conditioned building 9 is, for example, an interior space of a building. The second heat transfer fluid is, for example, water or brine.

[0016] The flow temperature detection unit 10 is assigned to the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 and detects the flow temperature of the second heat transfer fluid as it flows out of the heat storage tank 32 and into the user-side heat exchanger 42. The return temperature detection unit 11 is also assigned to the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 and detects the return temperature of the second heat transfer fluid as it flows out of the user-side heat exchanger 42 and into the heat storage tank 32. The storage temperature detection unit 12 detects the heat storage temperature of the heat storage tank 32. In embodiment 1, a case is shown in which the flow temperature detection unit 10, the return temperature detection unit 11, and the storage temperature detection unit 12 are each thermistors.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a connection configuration between the heat source system and a controller 50 of the air conditioning system 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 comprises a remote control 6 and the controller 50. During heating operation, the remote control 6 sets, for example, a target flow temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 and a target heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32.

[0018] The controller 50 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 1. An energy surplus detection unit 7a and a user-side temperature detection unit 8a are described below. The energy surplus detection unit 7a detects that the energy generated by an on-site energy generation device 13, such as a solar energy generation device, is excess. The excess of generated energy indicates a situation in which, for example, the on-site energy generation device 13 is producing more energy than is required for a residential building. The user-side temperature detection unit 8a detects the temperature of the air-conditioned object 9.The control unit 50 records information about the generated energy, which is transmitted from the energy surplus recording unit 7a via a first external device 7, and records information about the object temperature, which is transmitted from the user-side temperature recording unit 8a via a second external device 8.

[0019] The first external device 7 is configured to determine, based on a detection result from the energy surplus detection unit 7a, whether the heat can be stored in the heat storage unit 32 and to transmit a heat storage instruction to the controller 50. The second external device 8 is, for example, an indoor temperature sensing thermostat and determines whether to allow or disable air conditioning operation based on a set temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 and the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9, and transmits an air conditioning request instruction to the controller 50. The controller 50 selects the temperature sensing unit to be controlled based on the air conditioning request information from the second external device 8 and controls the operation of the first pump 31 and the second pump 41.The temperature sensing unit to be controlled is the flow temperature sensing unit 10 or the storage temperature sensing unit 12.

[0020] For example, if the set temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 is 20 degrees Celsius during heating operation and the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 reaches 21 degrees Celsius, the second external device 8 sends a command to the controller 50 to disable air-conditioning operation and prevent a further temperature increase. When the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 returns to 20 degrees Celsius, the second external device 8 sends a command to the controller 50 to allow air-conditioning operation. An upper and a lower temperature limit, which define a temperature range within which air-conditioning operation is permitted, are determined by the second external device 8 or the controller 50.

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram representing the control unit 50 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 50 comprises a data collection unit 51, a status determination unit 52, and a control instruction unit 53. The data collection unit 51 collects data from, for example, a setpoint temperature via the remote control 6, a measurement result from the flow temperature measurement unit 10, a measurement result from the return temperature measurement unit 11, and a measurement result from the storage temperature measurement unit 12.

[0022] The state determination unit 52 determines the operation of the air conditioning system 1 based on the data collected by the data collection unit 51, the information about the generated energy received from the first external device 7, and the information about the object temperature received from the second external device 8. The operation of the air conditioning system 1 includes, for example, heat storage in the heat storage unit 32, the supply of heat to the air-conditioned object 9, or the cessation of the heat supply to the air-conditioned object 9. The state determination unit 52 determines from the information of the energy surplus detection unit 7a whether the generated energy is surplus and whether the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature detection unit 8a is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold.In a case where the generated energy is excess and the object temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold, the state determination unit 52 requests the control instruction unit 53 to store heat in the heat storage unit 32 and to stop the heat supply to the air-conditioned object 9.

[0023] Furthermore, during heating operation, the state determination unit 52 determines whether the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature sensing unit 8a is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold. If the object temperature is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold, the state determination unit 52 requests the control instruction unit 53 to stop heat storage in the heat storage unit 32 and to supply heat to the air-conditioned object 9. Additionally, during heating operation, the state determination unit 52 determines whether the heat storage temperature detected by the storage temperature sensing unit 12 is lower than or equal to a heat storage temperature threshold.In a case where the heat storage temperature is lower than or equal to the heat storage temperature threshold, the state determination unit 52 requests the control instruction unit 53 to store heat in the heat storage unit 32 and supply heat to the air-conditioned object 9.

[0024] The control instruction unit 53 determines the operation of the heat source device 5, including the outdoor unit 20 and the electric heater 26, the first pump 31, and the second pump 41, based on a determination result from the state determination unit 52, and instructs each of the devices to perform the specified operation. If the energy surplus detection unit 7a determines that the generated energy is surplus, and the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature detection unit 8a is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 sends an instruction to continue the operation of the first pump 31 and to stop the operation of the second pump 41.If, during heating operation, the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature sensing unit 8a is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 sends an instruction to stop the operation of the first pump 31 and to start the operation of the second pump 41. At this point, the controller 50 stops the heat source device 5. Furthermore, if, during heating operation, the heat storage temperature detected by the storage temperature sensing unit 12 is lower than or equal to the heat storage temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 sends an instruction to start the operation of the first pump 31 and to continue the operation of the second pump 41. (Operating mode: Heating mode)

[0025] The next section describes the heating mode of the air conditioning system 1. First, the refrigerant circuit 2 is described. During heating operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 21 is compressed by the compressor 21 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure, gaseous state. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 in this high-temperature, high-pressure, gaseous state passes through the flow switching device 22, flows into the cascade heat exchanger 25, which serves as a condenser, and is condensed and liquefied at the cascade heat exchanger 25 by heat exchange with the first heat transfer fluid flowing through the first heat transfer fluid circuit 3. In this process, the first heat transfer fluid is heated. The condensed refrigerant flows in liquid form into the expansion unit 24 and is expanded and decompressed by the expansion unit 24 into the refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid state.The refrigerant, in a two-phase gas-liquid state, flows into the external heat exchanger 23, which serves as an evaporator, and is evaporated and gasified by heat exchange with the outside air at the external heat exchanger 23. The evaporated refrigerant, in a low-temperature, low-pressure, and gaseous state, passes through the flow switching device 22 and is drawn into the compressor 21.

[0026] Next, the first heat transfer fluid circuit 3 is described. The first heat transfer fluid, pumped by the first pump 31, is heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant circuit 2 at the cascade heat exchanger 25. The heated first heat transfer fluid is further heated by the electric heater 26 and then flows into the heat storage tank 32. This stores heating energy in the heat storage tank 32. The first heat transfer fluid flowing into the heat storage tank 32 is cooled by heat exchange with the second heat transfer fluid flowing through the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 and is then drawn into the first pump 31.

[0027] Next, the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 is described. The second heat transfer fluid, pumped by the second pump 41, is heated at the heat storage tank 32 by heat exchange with the first heat transfer fluid. The heated second heat transfer fluid is cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid on the user side at the user-side heat exchanger 42. At this point, the heat transfer fluid on the user side is heated, and the air-conditioned building 9 is heated. The cooled second heat transfer fluid is drawn into the second pump 41. (Operating mode: Cooling mode)

[0028] The cooling operation is described next. During cooling operation, the refrigerant drawn into compressor 21 is compressed by compressor 21 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure, and gaseous state. The refrigerant exiting compressor 21 in this high-temperature, high-pressure, and gaseous state passes through the flow switching device 22, flows into the external heat exchanger 23 (used as a condenser), and is condensed and liquefied by heat exchange with the outside air at the external heat exchanger 23. The condensed refrigerant flows in liquid form into the expansion unit 24, where it is expanded and decompressed into a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid state.The refrigerant in its two-phase gas-liquid state flows into the cascade heat exchanger 25, which serves as an evaporator, and is evaporated and gasified at the cascade heat exchanger 25 through heat exchange with the first heat transfer fluid, which flows through the first heat transfer fluid circuit 3. The evaporated refrigerant, in its low-temperature, low-pressure, and gaseous state, passes through the flow switching device 22 and is drawn into the compressor 21.

[0029] Next, the first heat transfer fluid circuit 3 is described. During cooling operation, the heating system is switched off. The first heat transfer fluid, pumped by the first pump 31, is cooled at the cascade heat exchanger 25 by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant circuit 2 and then flows into the heat storage tank 32. This stores cooling energy in the heat storage tank 32. The first heat transfer fluid flowing into the heat storage tank 32 is heated by heat exchange with the second heat transfer fluid flowing through the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 and then drawn into the first pump 31.

[0030] Next, the second heat transfer fluid circuit 4 is described. The second heat transfer fluid, pumped by the second pump 41, is cooled by heat exchange with the first heat transfer fluid at the heat storage tank 32. The cooled second heat transfer fluid is then heated by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid on the user side at the user-side heat exchanger 42. This cools the user-side heat transfer fluid and cools the air-conditioned object 9. The heated second heat transfer fluid is then drawn into the second pump 41.

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the controller 50 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The operation of the controller 50 is described below. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control instruction unit 53 operates the first pump 31 and the second pump 41 during normal heating operation (step ST1). The state determination unit 52 determines whether the generated energy is in excess and whether the object temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold (step ST2). If the generated energy is in excess and the object temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 continues to operate the first pump 31 and stops the operation of the second pump 41 (step ST3).

[0032] The state determination unit 52 then determines whether the object temperature is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold (step ST4). If the object temperature is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 stops the operation of the first pump 31 and starts the operation of the second pump 41 (step ST5). The state determination unit 52 then determines whether the heat storage temperature is lower than or equal to the heat storage temperature threshold (step ST6). If the heat storage temperature is lower than or equal to the heat storage temperature threshold, the control instruction unit 53 starts the operation of the first pump 31 and continues the operation of the second pump 41 (step ST7).

[0033] Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the controller 50 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 is approximately 19 degrees Celsius during normal heating operation, the heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32 is approximately 35 degrees Celsius, and the flow temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 is approximately 40 degrees Celsius. To maintain user comfort, the object temperature is set to remain within a comfortable range of 19 to 21 degrees Celsius. In other words, the upper temperature limit is 21 degrees Celsius, and the lower temperature limit is 19 degrees Celsius.

[0034] Between 12:00 and 16:00, the on-site energy generation unit 13 generates its own energy, the heat is stored in the thermal storage unit 32, and the heating operation of the air-conditioned building 9 is also carried out. During this time, priority is given to continuing the heating operation of the air-conditioned building 9. Therefore, the target flow temperature for the air-conditioned building 9 is increased to the maximum temperature at which the on-site heat exchanger 42 can operate. For example, the target flow temperature is increased from 40 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. The temperature can be set by the remote control 6 or another device as the target thermal storage temperature. The thermal storage temperature of the thermal storage unit 32 increases as the heat storage progresses.This increases the supply temperature for the air-conditioned object 9, and the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 is also increased. At this point, even if the heat is stored in the heat storage unit 32, the heat storage temperature will not increase beyond a predetermined temperature, as heat is being supplied to the air-conditioned object 9. Accordingly, after the supply temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 has been increased to, for example, 60 degrees Celsius, the supply temperature will be maintained at 60 degrees Celsius.

[0035] In a case where the object temperature reaches 21 degrees Celsius at 4 p.m., heating is stopped because a further increase in the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 could impair user comfort. More precisely, the controller 50 stops the operation of the second pump 41. It should be noted that the controller 50 continues the operation of the first pump 31, and heat storage in the heat storage unit 32 continues as long as there is excess energy generated. Since the heat is not being supplied to the air-conditioned object 9 at this time, the heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32 rises. In embodiment 1, an upper temperature limit of the heat storage unit 32 is set at 60 degrees Celsius. If the temperature exceeds 60 degrees Celsius, heat is no longer stored.In a case where air conditioning operation is permitted, the heating energy is supplied to the user-side heat exchanger 42, while in a case where air conditioning operation is deactivated, the heat stored in the heat storage tank 32 is not cooled. Therefore, the target heat storage temperature is equal to the heat storage temperature of the heat storage tank 32.

[0036] In a case where the object temperature reaches 19 degrees Celsius at 9 p.m., heating is resumed, as a further drop in the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 could impair user comfort. Since sufficient heat is stored in the heat storage unit 32 at this time, the controller 50 starts the operation of the second pump 41 without operating the first pump 31, while the heat source device 5 is stopped. As a result, the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 is increased by the heat stored in the heat storage unit 32.In a case where the controller 50 receives an instruction to stop the air conditioning operation from the second external device 8 while the second pump 41 is operating, the controller 50 stops the devices including the heat source device 5, the first pump 31 and the second pump 41 and remains in standby mode until the controller 50 receives an instruction to allow the air conditioning operation from the second external device 8.

[0037] According to embodiment 1, if excess energy is detected and the object temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit temperature threshold, the first pump 31 continues to operate, but the second pump 41 stops. While the first pump 31 is operating, the heat is stored in the thermal storage unit 32, and no heat is supplied to the air-conditioned object 9 while the second pump 41 is stopped. As described above, if excess energy is generated, the air conditioning system 1 stores heat in the thermal storage unit 32 without changing the set temperature of the air-conditioned object 9. Therefore, user comfort is not affected, regardless of when the user uses the air-conditioned object 9.

[0038] If the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature sensing unit 8a is lower than or equal to the lower limit temperature threshold, the controller 50 stops the operation of the first pump 31 and starts the operation of the second pump 41. Heat is not stored in the heat storage unit 32 when the first pump 31 is stopped, and the heat from the heat storage unit 32 is supplied to the air-conditioned object 9 when the second pump 41 is operating. As described above, it is possible to increase the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 solely by means of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 32, thus contributing to energy savings.

[0039] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control system in a comparative example. The operation of the control system in this example is described below. In this example, if there is excess energy generated, the set temperature in the air-conditioned room, the set temperature of the bathroom's hot water supply, or another setting is changed to raise the temperature of the heat transfer fluid above the temperature at which it is actually used. When the user actually uses the hot water in the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is gradually reduced to a suitable temperature over time. In this example, the temperature at which it is actually used is set to 40 degrees Celsius, and the scheduled bathing time is 9 p.m. As shown in Fig. Figure 6 illustrates a case where the generated energy is excess at 12 o'clock. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, if there is excess energy generated at 12 noon, the target temperature of the bathroom's hot water supply is changed from 40 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. Consequently, the temperature of the bathroom's hot water supply is increased to 60 degrees Celsius. If the bathing time occurs before the scheduled time, even though the scheduled bathing time is 9 pm, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is not lowered and feels uncomfortably hot to the user.

[0040] In contrast, in embodiment 1, if there is excess energy generated, the set temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 is not changed, and the heat is stored in the heat storage unit 32. Therefore, the user's comfort is not affected, regardless of the time at which the user uses the air-conditioned object 9. Design 2

[0041] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the intermittent operation of the second pump 41 according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that, in a case where the air-conditioned object 9 is heated only by the heat stored in the heat storage unit 32, the second pump 41 is operated intermittently. In embodiment 2, the same components as in embodiment 1 are designated with the same reference numerals; descriptions of these components are omitted, and mainly differences from embodiment 1 are described.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the controller 50 operates the second pump 41 intermittently within a set time interval. The on-time (activation time) and off-time (deactivation time) of the intermittent operation are set via the remote control 6. In a case where sufficient heat is stored in the heat storage tank 32, as with the controller from 9 p.m. onwards, Fig. In embodiment 1, the supply temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 is higher than the normal target supply temperature. In embodiment 2, the intermittent operation of the second pump 41 prevents the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 from rising rapidly. embodiment 3

[0043] In embodiment 2, the case is described in which the on-time and off-time of the intermittent operation of the second pump 41 are set by the remote control 6. Embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 2 in that the on-time and off-time of the intermittent operation are set based on the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid.

[0044] First, a calculation period for intermittent operation is set using the remote control 6. A setpoint for the flow temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 during normal heating operation using the heat source device 5 is the setpoint flow temperature. Furthermore, the specific heat during normal heating operation is defined as the normal specific heat, and the flow rate during normal heating operation is defined as the normal flow rate. The duty cycle is determined from the ratio of a flow heat quantity calculated from the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 to a flow heat quantity calculated from the heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32. In other words, the duty cycle can be determined from the following expression (1) using the specific heat during the current control and the flow rate during the current control.It should be noted that in expression (1) the heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32 is used as the temperature of the second heat transfer medium. [Expression 1] Switch-on time = Calculation duration × {(normal specific heat × setpoint flow temperature − object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9) × normal flow rate} / {specific heat during the current control × (heat storage temperature of the heat storage 32 − object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9) × flow rate during the current control}]

[0045] The switch-off duration is determined from the following expression (2). [Expression 2] Switch-off duration = Calculation duration - Switch-on duration

[0046] If the normal specific heat is considered to be equal to the specific heat during the current control and the normal flow rate is considered to be equal to the flow rate during the current control, expression (1) is simplified to the following expression (3). [Expression 3] Duty cycle = Calculation duration × {(Target flow temperature - object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9) / (Heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32 - object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9

[0047] In embodiment 3, the temperature of the second heat transfer medium is the heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit 32; however, the flow temperature for the air-conditioned object 9 can also be used.

[0048] According to embodiment 3, the time interval of the intermittent operation of the second pump 41 is adjusted depending on the temperature of the second heat transfer medium. As the temperature of the second heat transfer medium increases, the operating time is reduced, and the heat input to the air-conditioned object 9 is decreased. As the temperature of the second heat transfer medium decreases, the operating time is increased, and the heat input to the air-conditioned object 9 is increased. Since, as described above, the amount of heat input to the air-conditioned object 9 is changed depending on the temperature of the second heat transfer medium, a rapid increase in the object temperature of the air-conditioned object 9 can be further prevented.

[0049] It should be noted that the time interval for each intermittent operation can be set. In this case, the heat storage temperature of the thermal storage unit 32, which is used for calculating the on-time and off-time, is the last heat storage temperature of the thermal storage unit 32 for each calculation period. If the initial heat storage temperature of the thermal storage unit 32 is high during heating operation, the on-time of the second pump 41 is shorter than the off-time. When the second pump 41 is operating, the second heat transfer fluid, cooled by heat exchange at the user-side heat exchanger 42, flows into the thermal storage unit 32. This gradually reduces the heat storage temperature of the thermal storage unit 32.Therefore, the last heat storage temperature of heat storage unit 32 is used as the heat storage temperature for each calculation period. This makes it possible to adjust the on and off durations to times suitable for the heat storage temperature of heat storage unit 32. Accordingly, it is possible to supply the air-conditioned building 9 with heat appropriately. Alternatively, the flow temperature for the air-conditioned building 9 can be used instead of the heat storage temperature of heat storage unit 32. Reference symbol list 1 air conditioner 2 Refrigerant circuit 3 first heat transfer circuit 4 second heat transfer circuit 5 Heat source device 6 remote control 7 first external device 7a Energy surplus recording unit 8 second external device 8a User-side temperature recording unit 9 Air-conditioned building 10 Flow temperature detection unit 11 Return temperature detection unit 12 Storage temperature detection unit 13 Self-generating power device 20 outdoor units 21 Compressor 22 Flow switching device 23 external heat exchangers 24 expansion units 25 cascade heat exchangers 26 Electric heating 31 first pump 32 heat storage units 41 second pump 42 User-side heat exchanger 50 Control 51 Data collection unit 52 State determination unit 53 Control Instruction Unit

Claims

[1] Air conditioning system (1), comprising: a first heat transfer circuit (3) with a first pump (31) and a heat storage unit (32) connected via a conduit, wherein the first pump (31) is configured to pump a first heat transfer fluid provided by a heat source device (5), and wherein the heat storage unit (32) enables the first heat transfer fluid pumped by the first pump (31) to flow through the heat storage unit (32); a second heat transfer circuit (4) with a second pump (41), the heat storage tank (32) and a user-side heat exchanger (42) which are connected via a line, wherein the second pump (41) is designed to to promote a second heat carrier, wherein the heat storage unit (32) exchanges heat between the first heat carrier and the second heat carrier, and wherein the user-side heat exchanger (42) exchanges heat between the second heat transfer medium supplied by the second pump (41) and a user-side heat transfer medium for an air-conditioned object (9); and a controller (50) that is trained to in one case, in which an energy surplus detection unit (7a), which is designed to detect that the generated energy provided by an on-site energy generation device (13) is surplus, detects that the generated energy is surplus, and in which the object temperature of the air-conditioned object (9), which is detected by a user-side temperature detection unit (8a) designed to detect the object temperature, is higher than or equal to an upper limit temperature threshold, to continue the operation of the first pump (31) and to stop the operation of the second pump (41). [2] Air conditioning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature detection unit (8a) is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature threshold, the control (50) is configured to stop the operation of the first pump (31) and to start the operation of the second pump (41). [3] Air conditioning system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (50) is configured to operate the second pump (41) intermittently within a defined time interval. [4] Air conditioning system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the time interval is determined on the basis of a temperature of the second heat transfer medium. [5] Air conditioning system (1) according to claim 4, further comprising a storage temperature detection unit (12) configured to detect a heat storage temperature of the heat storage unit (32), wherein the time interval is determined from a ratio of a supply heat quantity calculated from the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature detection unit (8a) and a supply heat quantity calculated from the heat storage temperature detected by the storage temperature detection unit (12). [6] Air conditioning system (1) according to claim 4, which further comprises a flow temperature detection unit (10) configured to detect a flow temperature of the second heat transfer medium flowing into the user-side heat exchanger (42), wherein the time interval is determined from a ratio of a flow heat quantity calculated from the object temperature detected by the user-side temperature detection unit (8a) and a flow heat quantity calculated from the flow temperature detected by the flow temperature detection unit (10). [7] Air conditioning system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the time interval for each intermittent operation is determined.

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