Heat pump hydraulic unit and heat pump system

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump hydraulic unit (100) comprising a hydraulic housing (110), a first connection (101) for a heat pump return, a second connection (102) for a heat pump supply, a third connection (103) for a hot water return, a fourth connection (104) for a hot water supply, a fifth connection (105) for a supply of the first heating circuit, a sixth connection (106) for a return of the first heating circuit, a circulation pump (104) coupled to the second connection (102), an electric heating unit (120) in series with the circulation pump (140), and a four-way valve (130) in series with the electric heating unit (120), wherein the four-way valve (130) has a first to fourth connection (131 - 134).

Description

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

[0002] Heat pumps can be used to generate both hot water and heat a building. This typically involves a storage tank for the hot water and a buffer tank for heating a building.

[0003] DE 10 2021 118 041 A1 describes a building services device with a heat pump and a storage tank as well as a buffer tank.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump system which is more cost-effective to manufacture and requires less space.

[0005] This object is achieved by a heat pump hydraulic module according to claim 1 and by a heat pump system according to claim 11.

[0006] The heat pump system can comprise a heat pump, a hydraulic unit, and a hot water storage tank. The hydraulic unit further comprises a housing, a heat pump flow, a heat pump return, a hot water return, a hot water flow, and at least one heating circuit flow and one heating circuit return for a heating circuit. The hydraulic unit can be coupled to a hot water storage tank. The flow and return connections are directly connected to the heating circuit, meaning no buffer storage is provided between them. This is advantageous because it allows for the space required for the buffer storage tank to be saved.

[0007] The heat pump hydraulic unit comprises a housing, an electric heating unit, a four-way valve and a circulation pump which, when activated, can pump a fluid through at least one heating circuit.

[0008] The hydraulic unit is connected to the corresponding heat pump connections via the heat pump flow and return lines. The circulation pump and the electric heating unit can be connected in series with the heat pump flow. The four-way valve is connected to the electric heating unit outlet, a hot water flow connection, a heating circuit flow connection, and optionally to an overflow line. The four-way valve can also be connected to the flow of a second heating circuit.

[0009] If a second heating circuit is present, a second circulation pump can be provided for the second heating circuit.

[0010] By appropriately controlling the four-way valve, several operating modes can be implemented. In particular, a hot water preparation mode, a heating mode of the first heating circuit, a heating mode of the first heating circuit including overflow through the overflow section, a heating mode with a closed first heating circuit and overflow through the overflow section, a defrost mode with the first heating circuit open, another defrost mode with a heating circuit and overflow through the overflow section, another defrost mode with overflow through the overflow section, a fourth defrost mode with a first heating circuit and overflow in the hot water tank, and a fifth defrost mode with overflow in the hot water tank and energy absorption via the hot water tank.

[0011] Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] Advantages and 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. 2 shows a schematic representation of a hydraulic unit, an operating position of the four-way valve and a graph illustrating the flow over the opening angle, Fig. 3 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig. 4 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig. 5 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig. 6 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig.Fig. 7 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig. 8 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, Fig. 9 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode, and Fig. 10 shows a further schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump system. In Fig. 1 a heat pump system or a building services device 1 is shown, which has a heat pump WP, a hydraulic unit 100 and a hot water tank 200.

[0014] The hydraulic unit 100 has a first and second connection 101, 102 as connections for the return line RL of the heat pump and the flow line VL of the heat pump. Furthermore, the hydraulic unit 100 has a third and fourth connection 103, 104, which are designed as a return line RLW and a flow line VLW for hot water preparation. Furthermore, the hydraulic unit 100 has a sixth and seventh connection 106, 107 for the return line RLHK1 of a first heating circuit HK1 and the flow line VLHK1 of a first heating circuit HK1.

[0015] Optionally, the hydraulic unit 100 can have a seventh and eighth connection 107, 108 for a flow VLHK2 and a return RLHK2 of a second heating circuit HK2.

[0016] The hydraulic unit 100 has a circulation pump 140 at the second port 102 and an electric heating unit 120 in series with the circulation pump 140. Optionally, a safety group 150 can be provided at the outlet of the heating unit 120. Furthermore, the hydraulic unit 100 has a four-way valve 130. The four-way valve has four ports 131-134. By controlling the four-way valve 130, the respective ports 131-134 can be coupled to one another.

[0017] Optionally, a transfer section 160 can be provided. The heat pump typically requires a minimum volume flow. The transfer section 160 can serve to provide this minimum volume flow for the heat pump. The transfer section 160 can be coupled to the first connection 101 so that water can flow through the transfer section 160 to the connection 101 and thus to the heat pump.

[0018] Furthermore, a second heating circuit HK2 with a heating circuit flow 107 and a heating circuit return 108 can optionally be provided. If a second heating circuit HK2 is provided, a second circulation pump 170 can optionally be provided.

[0019] The heat pump system 1 further comprises a storage tank 200 for hot water, ie a drinking water hot water storage tank, which is coupled to the third and fourth connections 103, 104, which represent the hot water return and the hot water flow.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and an operating position of a four-way valve. In Fig. 2 is the hydraulic unit of Fig. 1 shown in a heating mode with hot water preparation. The hydraulic unit 100 of Fig. 2 can be the hydraulic unit of Fig. 1 The four-way valve 130 is connected such that the first and fourth ports 131, 134 are coupled to each other.

[0021] Through the heat pump flow 102, fluid flows through the circulation pump 140, the electric heating unit 120 and through a first connection 131 of the four-way valve 130. The fluid from the first connection 131 then flows out through the fourth connection 134, so that this fluid then flows through the hot water flow connection 104.

[0022] The hot water flow 104 can be as in Fig. 1 shown coupled with a hot water tank 200 to store hot water.

[0023] The operating mode in Fig. 2 is used for hot water preparation.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 3 Heating operation with a first heating circuit is shown. The hydraulic unit 100 of Fig. 3 can be the hydraulic unit of Fig. 1 The four-way valve 130 is connected so that fluid can flow in through the first port 131 and out through the third port 133.

[0025] In Fig. 3 the first heating circuit HK1 is operated without mixing via the overflow section 160.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 4 A heating operation with an overflow over a overflow section 160 is shown. In the example of Fig. 4 the four-way valve 130 is switched so that the connections 131, 132 and 133 are open.

[0027] The overflow section 160 can serve as a bypass to enable mixing of, for example, the first or second heating circuit HK1, HK2.

[0028] Fig. 5 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 5 Heating operation with a closed heating circuit and an overflow via the overflow section 160 is shown. For this purpose, the four-way valve 130 is switched so that the first and second connections 131, 132 are open. Accordingly, the fluid flowing in through the second connection (heat pump flow) is directed through the four-way valve 130 to the overflow section 160. This prevents the first heating circuit from heating up.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 6 A first defrost mode is shown, with the heating circuit open. In this case, the first and third connections 131, 133 are open. This allows the fluid from the heat pump flow 102 to flow through the four-way valve 130 to the flow 105 of the first heating circuit HK1. Defrosting can be performed via the heating unit 120.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 7 A second defrosting mode is shown with an activated first heating circuit HK1 and an overflow section 160. The hydraulic unit 100 can be the hydraulic unit of Fig. 1 are equivalent to.

[0031] The four-way valve 130 has open first, second, and third connections 131, 132, 133. Thus, water heated via the return 106 of the first heating circuit HK1 can flow via the heat pump return 101 to the heat pump, which can use this fluid for defrosting.

[0032] Fig. 8 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 8 A third defrost mode is shown with an overflow via the overflow section 160 and an activated electric heating unit 120. Here, the first and second connections of the four-way valve 130 are open. The fluid flowing through the heat pump flow 102 can be heated by the electric heating unit 120 and can then flow back to the heat pump as the heat pump return via the four-way valve 130 and the overflow section 160. Here, the fluid can be used to defrost the heat pump.

[0033] Fig. 9 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 9 A fourth defrost mode is shown with an activated heating circuit and an overflow in the hot water. Here, the first, third, and fourth connections 131, 133, 134 of the four-way valve 130 are open. This causes water to flow through the fourth and fifth connections 104, 105 (hot water flow, heating circuit flow). The fluid in the first heating circuit and in the hot water tank then flows back via the heating circuit return 106 and the hot water return 103. This fluid can be used to defrost the heat pump, i.e., the energy in the heating circuit Hk1 is used for defrosting.

[0034] Fig. 10 shows another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and a schematic representation of a four-way valve in the respective operating mode. In Fig. 10 A fifth defrosting mode is shown, in which an overflow occurs in the hot water tank, thus absorbing energy from the water in the hot water tank. Thus, the defrosting energy required to defrost the heat pump can be taken from the hot water tank, i.e., the domestic hot water tank.

[0035] For this purpose, the first and fourth connections 131, 134 of the four-way valve 130 are open. Bezugszeichenliste

[0036] 1 Building services device 100 Hydraulic unit 101 Heat pump return 102 Heat pump flow 103 Third connection 104 Fourth connection 105 Heating circuit flow 106 Sixth connection 107 Seventh connection 108 Eighth connection 120 Heating unit 130 Four-way valve 131 First connection 132 Second connection 133 Third connection 134 Fourth connection 140 Circulation pump 150 Safety group 160 Overflow section 170 Second circulation pump 200 Hot water tank RL Return RLW Return VL Flow VLW Flow HP Heat pump

Claims

1. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100), with a hydraulic housing (110), a first connection (101) for a heat pump return, a second connection (102) for a heat pump flow, a third connection (103) for a hot water return, a fourth connection (104) for a hot water flow, a fifth connection (105) for a flow of the first heating circuit, a sixth connection (106) for a return of the first heating circuit, a circulation pump (104) which is coupled to the second connection (102), an electric heating unit (120) in series with the circulation pump (140), and a four-way valve (130) in series with the electric heating unit (120), wherein the four-way valve (130) has a first to fourth connection (131 - 134).

2. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein in a first operating mode the first and fourth ports (131, 134) of the four-way valve (130) are open, so that the second port (102), namely the heat pump flow, is coupled to the fourth port (104), namely the hot water flow, so that water in a hot water tank (200) is heated for hot water preparation.

3. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a second operating mode the first and third ports (131, 133) of the four-way valve (130) are open, so that the fifth port, namely the heating circuit flow, is coupled to the second port (102), namely the heat pump flow, so that the first heating circuit (HK1) is activated.

4. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a third operating mode the first, second and third ports (131, 132, 133) of the four-way valve (130) are opened so that the second port and the fifth port (102, 105) are coupled, and an overflow path (160) is coupled to the second port (132) so that fluid is guided via the transfer path (160) to the heat pump return at the first port (101).

5. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a fourth operating mode the first and second ports (131, 132) of the four-way valve (130) are open, so that the second port (102) is coupled to the transmission path (160), so that the heating circuit (HK1) is not coupled to the four-way valve (130).

6. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a first defrosting mode the first and third ports (131, 133) of the four-way valve (130) are coupled so that the second and fifth ports (102, 105) are coupled to one another so that the liquid which flows via the sixth port, namely the return of the heating circuit (HK1), can reach the heat pump (WP) via the first port (101), namely the heat pump return, which can use this liquid for defrosting.

7. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a second operating mode the first, second and third ports (131, 132, 133) of the four-way valve (130) are open, so that both the heating circuit return via the sixth port and the overflow section (160) are coupled to the first port (101), namely the heat pump return, so that liquid flowing via the heat pump return (101) can be used by the heat pump (WP) for defrosting.

8. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a third defrosting mode the heating unit (120) is activated and the first and second ports (131, 132) of the four-way valve are opened, so that liquid heated by the electric heating unit (120) can pass via the four-way valve (130), the overflow section (160) and the first port (101) as a return to the heat pump (WP), where the energy contained therein can be used for defrosting.

9. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a fourth defrosting mode the first, third and fourth ports (131, 133, 134) of the four-way valve are open, so that the second port (102) is coupled to the fifth port (105) so that heated liquid can flow back to the first port (101) via the heating circuit return (106), wherein the fourth port, namely the hot water flow, is coupled to the fourth port (134) of the four-way valve (130) so that heated liquid can reach the first port (101) via the hot water return (103), which first port can be used as a heat pump return for defrosting the heat pump (WP).

10. Heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a fifth defrosting mode the first and fourth ports (131, 134) of the four-way valve (130) are open, so that the second port (102) is coupled to the fourth port (104) and liquid is available to the first port as a heat pump return via the hot water return via the third port (103), which liquid the heat pump (WP) can use for defrosting.

11. Heat pump system, with a heat pump hydraulic unit (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, a heat pump (WP), and a hot water tank (200).

Images