Cooling and heating heat pump system having dehumidifying unit in indoor unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump system wherein the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side of the compressor passes through the four-way valve, through the outdoor unit, and through the first expansion valve, converting into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant; then flows into the four-way valve via the indoor heat exchanger installed in the indoor unit, and circulates back to the suction side of the compressor in the cooling line; the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side of the compressor is discharged into the dehumidification line formed between the discharge side and the four-way valve. The high temperature, high pressure refrigerant exiting the upper refrigerant line of the dehumidification heat exchanger, which is spaced apart and mounted parallel to the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit, passes through the second expansion valve, converting it into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. It then flows back into the lower refrigerant line of the dehumidification heat exchanger. The refrigerant passing through circulates through the suction side of the compressor and returns to the compressor via the dehumidification line, forming an indoor unit with a dehumidification unit in a heating and cooling heat pump system.

Description

[Technology field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit, which has a system capable of operating dehumidification separately or simultaneously during cooling and heating operations, and a heating and cooling heat pump system that provides a separate refrigerant cycle operation and a dedicated heat exchanger for dehumidification in the indoor unit.[Background Technology]

[0002] A heat pump is generally a heating and cooling device that transfers heat from a low-temperature heat source to a high-temperature one, or vice versa, using the latent heat of vaporization or condensation of a refrigerant. They are classified by drive type into electric and engine-driven types, with most currently designed for dual-purpose cooling and heating.

[0003] This heat pump cooling and heating system consists of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator to form the refrigeration cycle. Using a four-way valve or electronic valve, the condenser and evaporator interact with each other-the condenser acting as the evaporator and vice versa-to perform both cooling and heating.

[0004] Heat pump-based heating and cooling systems are used for heating and cooling in various facilities. They are also applied to agricultural facilities for growing fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops, where they are used to optimally control cultivation temperatures and thereby optimize growing conditions.

[0005] However, conventional heating and cooling systems using heat pumps have weak humidity control capabilities. When applied to crop cultivation facilities that are sensitive not only to temperature but also to humidity regulation, this necessitated the additional installation of separate dehumidifiers.

[0006] Furthermore, these conventional dehumidifying heating systems suffer from reduced efficiency in heating, cooling, and dehumidification functions. During the colder winter months, refrigerant shortage occurs due to refrigerant condensation, while in the warmer summer months, refrigerant saturation occurs. Consequently, additional air conditioners must be operated during summer, and separate electric heaters or warm air blowers must be used during winter. This creates inconvenience and incurs significant equipment installation costs.

[0007] Additionally, the chilled water supplied by the cooling and heating load pump during summer cools and dehumidifies the air ventilated from the greenhouse via the chilled and hot water heat exchanger. However, in typical cultivation greenhouses, the humidity load is significantly higher than in standard air-conditioned spaces, necessitating substantial dehumidification. Yet, when large amounts of dehumidification occur, the cold / hot water heat exchanger lowers not only the moisture but also the temperature, causing the air supplied into the greenhouse to become excessively cold.

[0008] Supplying air that is excessively colder than the average temperature inside the greenhouse can lead to undesirable outcomes such as poor crop growth and poor flowering.

[0009] However, to prevent these growth and flowering problems by minimizing the temperature difference between ventilation and supply air, a very large volume of air must be circulated to handle the greenhouse's cooling load. This necessitates larger fans in the air conditioner and increases fan power consumption. Furthermore, if the air rotation rate is too high, the volume of air bypassing the cold and hot water heat exchangers increases, reducing the time available for dew formation on the coils. This results in inadequate dehumidification.[Prior Technology Literature][Patent Document]

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-133646 (Patent Document 2) Republic of Korea Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-2021525 (Patent Document 3) Republic of Korea Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-2050694 [Detailed Description of the Invention][Technical Challenges]

[0011] The present invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that operates heating and cooling operations and dehumidification operations either separately or simultaneously, thereby increasing dehumidification efficiency and enabling operation with a high dehumidification capacity, and to provide a heating and cooling system that does not require a separate dehumidifier.[Technical Solution]

[0012] The present invention, as a means to solve the aforementioned problems, relates to a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit. In a heat pump system, wherein the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side of the compressor passes through the four-way valve, through the outdoor unit, and through the first expansion valve, converting into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant; wherein the refrigerant then flows through the indoor heat exchanger installed in the indoor unit and enters the aforementioned four-way valve; wherein the refrigerant subsequently circulates back to the suction side of the compressor; the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side of the compressor is discharged into the dehumidification line formed between the discharge side and the four-way valve. The high temperature, high pressure refrigerant exiting the upper refrigerant line of the dehumidification heat exchanger, which is spaced apart and mounted parallel to the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit, passes through the second expansion valve, converting to low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. It then flows back into the lower refrigerant line of the dehumidification heat exchanger. The refrigerant passing through forms the dehumidification line circulating to the compressor via the suction side of the compressor; When the control unit switches to cooling mode, the dehumidification valve formed in the dehumidification line on the discharge side of the compressor closes simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve opens; when switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve formed in the dehumidification line on the discharge side of the compressor opens simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve closes; upon switching to cooling dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve formed on the discharge side of the compressor opens, and the heating / cooling valve opens simultaneously; refrigerant discharged from the compressor is distributed and supplied to the refrigerant line and dehumidification line at a preset ratio; and then mutually flows into the liquid separator installed upstream of the compressor to circulate back to the compressor.[Effect of the Invention]

[0013] As examined above, the present invention enables separate or simultaneous operation of heating / cooling and dehumidification operations, facilitating control of heating / cooling and dehumidification operations while increasing dehumidification operation efficiency.

[0014] Additionally, it provides a system that operates to maximize dehumidification capacity, eliminating the need for a separate dehumidifier.

[0015] Additionally, during winter, efficiency and heat output decrease due to defrosting of the evaporator in the outdoor heat exchanger. To prevent a sharp drop in heating efficiency, multiple stages of heat are supplied to the reheat pipe according to the degree of defrosting and the extent of reduced heating operation efficiency. This enables normal operation.[Brief Description of the Figure]

[0016] Fig 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling heat pump system according to the present invention, wherein the indoor unit is provided with a dehumidification unit. Fig 2 is a schematic diagram showing a heating heat pump system according to the present invention, which includes a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit. Fig 3 is a schematic diagram showing the reheating pipe of a heating and cooling heat pump system according to the present invention, which includes a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit. Fig 4a and Fig 4 are schematic diagrams showing the refrigerant path of the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling and heating heat pump system according to the present invention, which includes a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit. < Marking symbols for key parts of the figure > 10:Compressor11:Discharge side12:Suction side20:Four-way valve30:Outdoor unit35:Outdoor Heat Exchanger35a:Upper Path Unit35b:Middle Path Unit35c:Lower Path Unit38:Outdoor Refrigerant Liquid Collector40:First Expansion Valve50:Indoor Unit51:Indoor Heat Exchanger60:Heating / cooling valve70:Reheating Pipe71:Electric Heating Rod80:Liquid Separator100:Cooling Line200:Dehumidification Line210:Dehumidifying Heat Exchanger210a:Upper Refrigerant Line210b:Lower Refrigerant Line220:Second Expansion Valve230:Dehumidification Valve300:Heating Line400:Control Unit [Forms for Implementing the Invention]

[0017] Before detailing various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the specific configurations and arrangements of components described in the following detailed description or depicted in the drawings. The present invention may be implemented and practiced in other embodiments and may be performed in various ways. Furthermore, the expressions and terminology used herein regarding device or element orientations (e.g., "front," "back," "up," "down," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "lateral") are used merely to simplify the description of the invention and do not indicate or imply that the related device or element must necessarily have a specific orientation. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used in the present application and the appended claims for descriptive purposes and are not intended to indicate or imply any relative importance or significance.

[0018] The present invention has the following features to achieve the above objectives.

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the scope of claims shall not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. They must be interpreted in accordance with the meaning and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of the terms to describe the invention in the best possible manner.

[0020] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations illustrated in the figures represent only in one embodiment of the present invention and do not encompass the entirety of the technical concept of the invention. It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention, relates to a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit.

[0022] In a heat pump system, wherein the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passes through the four-way valve (20), through the outdoor unit (30), and through the first expansion valve (40), converting into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant; wherein the refrigerant then flows through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50) and enters the aforementioned four-way valve (20); wherein the refrigerant in the cooling line (100) subsequently circulates back to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10); the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) is discharged into the dehumidification line (200) formed between the discharge side (11) and the four-way valve (20), and the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant exiting the upper refrigerant line (210a) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210), which is spaced apart and mounted parallel to the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (51) of the indoor unit (50), passes through the second expansion valve (220), converting to low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant.

[0023] It then flows back into the lower refrigerant line (210b) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210). The refrigerant passing through forms the dehumidification line (200) circulating to the compressor (10) via the suction side (12) of the compressor (10); wherein the control unit (400) switches to cooling mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) opens; upon switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) closes; upon switching to cooling dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens, and the heating / cooling valve (60) opens simultaneously; refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the refrigerant in the cooling line (100) and dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio; and then mutually flows into the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10) to circulate back to the compressor (10).

[0024] Additionally, In another embodiment of the present invention, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passes through the four-way valve (20), then through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50), and through the first expansion valve (40), converting into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, and a heating line (300) is added, which passes through the outdoor unit (30), through the four-way valve (20), and circulates back to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10), wherein a plurality of reheating pipes (70) equipped with electric heating rods (71) are formed on the inlet side of the outdoor unit (30) of the heating line (300), and by measuring the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (31) of the outdoor unit (30) and the humidity and temperature of the inlet air flowing into the outdoor unit (30), and determines whether to defrost to the control unit (400). When the defrost conditions are met, the electric heating rods (71) are activated, and multiple rods may be selectively activated simultaneously; and when the control unit (400) switches to heating mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) opens; upon switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens while the heating / cooling valve (60) closes; upon switching to heating dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens, and the heating / cooling valve (60) opens simultaneously.

[0025] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the heating line (300) and the dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio, and supplied; and is mutually inflowed into the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10) and circulated to the compressor (10).

[0026] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the dehumidifying heat exchanger (210) is configured to have a smaller heat capacity than the indoor heat exchanger (51).

[0027] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the number of refrigerant pipes forming the upper refrigerant line (210a), which handles the condenser function of the dehumidifying heat exchanger (210), is configured to be greater than the number of refrigerant pipes forming the lower refrigerant line (210b), which handles the evaporator function.

[0028] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the multiple refrigerant branch passages of the outdoor heat exchanger (35) of the outdoor unit (30) are formed by an upper path unit (35a), a middle path unit (35b), and a lower path unit (35c).

[0029] The upper path unit (35a) receives refrigerant flowing into the upper side, forms a pre-set refrigerant path flow, discharges to the upper side, and flows into an outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) located at the outer lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger (35).

[0030] The middle path unit (35b) allows refrigerant to flow into the middle section, forming a pre-set refrigerant flow path, exits through the middle side, and flows into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38); the lower path unit (35c) has refrigerant flowing into the lower side, forming a predetermined refrigerant passage flow path, flowing out of the lower side, and flowing into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38); and the refrigerant mixed in the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) is then inflowed into the outdoor heat exchanger (35), undergoes heat exchange, and is then outflowed from the outdoor heat exchanger (35).

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig 1 to 4, a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0032] Fig 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cooling heat pump system according to the present invention, wherein the indoor unit has a dehumidification unit.

[0033] In the heat pump system, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passes through the four-way valve (20), through the outdoor unit (30), and through the first expansion valve (40), converting to low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. It then flows through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50) and enters the four-way valve (20), forming a cooling line (100) that recirculates to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10). This cools and dehumidifies the indoor air passing through the indoor heat exchanger (51), supplying it to the indoor space and the hot, humid indoor air is cooled and dehumidified.

[0034] Furthermore, a technical feature of the present invention is to form a refrigerant system separate from the cooling line (100).

[0035] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) is discharged through the dehumidification line (200) formed between the discharge side (11) and the four-way valve (20). The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant exiting the upper refrigerant line (210a) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210), which is spaced apart and mounted parallel to the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (51) of the indoor unit (50), passes through the second expansion valve (220), converting it into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. It then flows back into the lower refrigerant line (210b) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210). The refrigerant passing through is circulated back to the compressor (10) via the suction side (12) of the compressor (10) through the dehumidification line (200).

[0036] When the temperature of the indoor air is sufficiently cooled but the humidity is high, the cooling line (100) stops operation, and only the dehumidification line (200) operates. For this purpose, a separate dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is provided inside the indoor unit (50). This dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is characterized by having both a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant line and a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant line, which has passed through the second expansion valve (220), integrated within it.

[0037] For this purpose, the present invention provides that when the control unit (400) switches to cooling mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes, while simultaneously the heating / cooling valve (60) opens, and cooling operation operates independently.

[0038] When switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens, and simultaneously, the heating / cooling valve (60) closes, and the dehumidification operation operates independently.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention operates cooling and dehumidification simultaneously.

[0040] When switching to cooling dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens simultaneously with the heating / cooling valve (60).

[0041] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the refrigerant in the cooling line (100) and the dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio.

[0042] It is arranged such that the refrigerant, after circulating through the compressor (10), enters the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10), where it mixes with the liquid refrigerant and is then circulated back into the compressor (10).

[0043] The indoor air passing through the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) of the dehumidification line (200) increases in temperature and then passes through the upper indoor heat exchanger (51), where it is cooled and dehumidified. This is characterized by operating in a supply unit that precisely controls both temperature and humidity simultaneously, such as semiconductor equipment that requires precise control of indoor air temperature and humidity. * Furthermore, for this purpose, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed at a preset ratio to the cooling line (100) and the dehumidification line (200), and supplied to each respective cooling line (100) and dehumidification line (200). The amount of refrigerant distributed is automatically adjusted by measuring the temperature and humidity of the indoor air in real time, controlling the opening degree of the heating / cooling valve (60) and the dehumidification valve (230) to achieve the preset temperature and humidity.

[0044] Fig 2 is a schematic diagram showing a heating heat pump system according to the present invention, wherein the indoor unit has a B dehumidification unit.

[0045] The invention involves high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passing through the four-way valve (20), then through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50), passing through the first expansion valve (B40), and being converted into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The heating line (300) is added, circulating through the outdoor unit (30), the four-way valve (20), and back to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10). This forms the reverse refrigerant circulation direction of the cooling line (100).

[0046] When the control unit (400) of the present invention switches to heating mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes, while the heating / cooling valve (60) opens. Consequently, the indoor air passing through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50) increases in temperature, thereby supplying the indoor air set at the indoor supply point.

[0047] The technical feature of the present invention is that when switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens while the heating / cooling valve (60) closes. This is used in low-temperature, high-humidity supply locations with high moisture content even in winter, and it is an operating mode necessary for indoor supply points requiring low-temperature, high-humidity environments, such as greenhouses where plant growth is required.

[0048] Furthermore, a technical feature of the present invention is that when switching to heating and dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens simultaneously with the heating / cooling valve (60).

[0049] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the heating line (300) and the dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio, and is supplied.

[0050] It is characterized in that the refrigerant is mutually introduced into the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10) and circulated back to the compressor (10).

[0051] For the low-temperature, high-humidity indoor environment, indoor air passing through the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) of the dehumidification line (200) increases in temperature, then passes through the upper indoor heat exchanger (51), where it is cooled and dehumidified.

[0052] This precisely controls the temperature and humidity of the indoor air, characteristic of operation in a supply unit that precisely simultaneously controls both temperature and humidity, such as semiconductor equipment.

[0053] Furthermore, for this purpose, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed at a preset ratio to the cooling line (100) and the dehumidification line (200), and supplied to each respective cooling line (100) and dehumidification line (200). The amount of refrigerant distributed is automatically adjusted by measuring the temperature and humidity of the indoor air in real time, controlling the opening degree of the heating / cooling valve (60) and the dehumidification valve (230) to achieve the preset temperature and humidity.

[0054] Fig 3 is a schematic diagram showing the reheating pipe of a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to the present invention, which relates to defrosting or superheat control of the outdoor unit (30), wherein a plurality of reheating pipes (70) are formed on the inlet side of the outdoor unit (30) of the heating line (300), each equipped with an electric heating rod (71), wherein the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (31) of the outdoor unit (30) and the humidity temperature of the inflowing air entering the outdoor unit (30) are measured, the defrosting requirement is determined by the control unit (400), and when the defrosting condition is reached, the electric heating rods (71) are activated. For rapid defrosting, multiple rods are selectively activated simultaneously.

[0055] This includes the defrost operation of the outdoor unit (30). By measuring the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (31), if the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the outdoor unit (30) is lower than a preset refrigerant temperature, it is judged to be non-condensable refrigerant gas. To maintain it within a preset superheat range, The electric heating rod (71) is activated.

[0056] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig 1 and 2, the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is formed to be smaller in size than the indoor heat exchanger (51), indicating that the heat capacity exchanged from the indoor heat exchanger (51) is relatively smaller than the heat capacity provided by the dehumidification heat exchanger (210).

[0057] Furthermore, as an embodiment, when cooling and dehumidification or heating and dehumidification operations are performed simultaneously, if the size of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is formed smaller than that of the indoor heat exchanger (51), the first indoor air escaping outside the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is drawn into the indoor heat exchanger (51), undergoes heat exchange, and passes through the indoor heat exchanger (51).

[0058] The indoor air passing through the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) increases in temperature, and the second indoor air passing through the indoor heat exchanger (51), which is spaced apart at the top, is mixed with the first indoor air and supplied to the indoor supply location.

[0059] Additionally, in another embodiment, when the size of the dehumidifying heat exchanger (210) is identical to the size of the indoor heat exchanger (51), the indoor air that has passed through the dehumidifying heat exchanger (210) and had its temperature increased then passes entirely through the indoor heat exchanger (51) and is supplied to the indoor supply point.

[0060] Another technical feature of the present invention is that the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) of the dehumidification line (200) responsible for the dehumidification function is formed such that the upper portion performs the condenser function and the lower portion performs the evaporator function, For dehumidification efficiency, the condenser configuration is formed to have a larger heat capacity than the evaporator configuration, typically achieving a relative heat capacity difference in the range of 1.3 to 1.4 times.

[0061] To this end, the number of refrigerant pipes forming the upper refrigerant line (210a), which performs the condenser function, is formed to be greater than the number of refrigerant pipes forming the lower refrigerant line (210b), which performs the evaporator function; and as an embodiment, the upper refrigerant line (210a) comprises two rows, and the lower refrigerant line (210b) comprises one row.

[0062] Fig 4a and Fig 4 are schematic diagrams showing the refrigerant path of the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling and heating heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to the present invention.

[0063] This configuration increases the efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger (35). The refrigerant entering the outdoor heat exchanger (35), formed by multiple refrigerant channels, undergoes heat exchange internally. It then exits the outdoor heat exchanger (35), is mixed and stored, and reenters the outdoor heat exchanger (35) for heat exchange, allowing refrigerant that can be mixed as refrigerant gas and refrigerant liquid to be heat exchanged entirely as refrigerant gas.

[0064] For this purpose, the present invention comprises a plurality of refrigerant branch passages in the outdoor heat exchanger (35) of the outdoor unit (30), formed by an upper path unit (35a), a middle path unit (35b), and a lower path unit (35c). The upper path unit (35a) receives refrigerant flowing into the upper side, forms a pre-set refrigerant path flow, discharges to the upper side, and flows into an outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) located at the outer lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger (35); herein the middle path unit (35b) allows refrigerant to flow into the middle side, forming a predetermined refrigerant path flow, exits through the middle side, and flows into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38); and the lower path unit (35c) receives refrigerant flowing into the lower side, forms a predetermined refrigerant path flow, discharges into the lower side, and flows into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collection (38).

[0065] The refrigerant mixed in the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) is then inflowed into the outdoor heat exchanger (35), undergoes heat exchange, and is then outflowed from the outdoor heat exchanger (35).

[0066] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by way of specific embodiments and figures, the invention is not limited thereby. It is understood that various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the technical concept of the invention and the equivalent scope of the appended claims, as described below, by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

1. The heat pump system relates to a heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit, which is characterized as, in a heat pump system, wherein the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passes through the four-way valve (20), through the outdoor unit (30), and through the first expansion valve (40), converting into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant; wherein the refrigerant then flows through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50) and enters the aforementioned four-way valve (20); wherein the refrigerant in the cooling line (100) subsequently circulates back to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10); the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) is discharged into the dehumidification line (200) formed between the discharge side (11) and the four-way valve (20), and the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant exiting the upper refrigerant line (210a) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210), which is spaced apart and mounted parallel to the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (51) of the indoor unit (50), passes through the second expansion valve (220), converting to low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. It then flows back into the lower refrigerant line (210b) of the dehumidification heat exchanger (210). The refrigerant passing through forms the dehumidification line (200) circulating to the compressor (10) via the suction side (12) of the compressor (10); wherein the control unit (400) switches to cooling mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) opens; upon switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) closes; upon switching to cooling dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) and the heating / cooling valve (60) opens simultaneously; refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the refrigerant in the cooling line (100) and dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio; and then mutually flows into the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10) to circulate back to the compressor (10).

2. The heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to Claim 1, including the dehumidification line (200), the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) passes through the four-way valve (20), flows through the indoor heat exchanger (51) installed in the indoor unit (50), passes through the first expansion valve (40), and is converted into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, and a heating line (300) is added, which passes through the outdoor unit (30), through the four-way valve (20), and circulates back to the suction side (12) of the compressor (10), wherein a plurality of reheating pipes (70) are formed on the inlet side of the outdoor unit (30) of the heating line (300), each equipped with an electric heating rod (71). By measuring the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (31) of the outdoor unit (30) and the humidity temperature of the incoming air entering the outdoor unit (30), and determining defrosting status for the control unit (400). When defrosting conditions are met, the electric heating rods (71) activate, with multiple rods optionally operating simultaneously; wherein the control unit (400) switches to heating mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed in the dehumidification line (200) on the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) closes simultaneously while the heating / cooling valve (60) opens; upon switching to dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens while the heating / cooling valve (60) closes; upon switching to heating dehumidification mode, the dehumidification valve (230) formed on the dehumidification line (200) of the discharge side (11) of the compressor (10) opens, and the heating / cooling valve (60) opens simultaneously. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is distributed and supplied to the heating line (300) and the dehumidification line (200) at a preset ratio, and is supplied; and is mutually introduced into the liquid separator (80) installed upstream of the compressor (10) and circulated to the compressor (10).

3. The heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to Claim 1 and 2, wherein the number of refrigerant pipes forming the upper refrigerant line (210a) responsible for the condenser function of the dehumidifying heat exchanger (210) is configured to be greater than the number of refrigerant pipes forming the lower refrigerant line (210b) responsible for the evaporator function.

4. The heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to Claim 1 and 2, wherein the dehumidification heat exchanger (210) is configured to have a smaller heat capacity than the indoor heat exchanger (51).

5. The heating and cooling heat pump system with a dehumidification unit in the indoor unit according to Claim 3, wherein the multiple refrigerant branch passages of the outdoor heat exchanger (35) of the outdoor unit (30) are formed by an upper path unit (35a), a middle path unit (35b), and a lower path unit (35c); wherein the upper path unit (35a) receives refrigerant flowing into the upper section, forms a pre-set refrigerant flow path, discharges refrigerant to the upper side, and flows into an outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) located at the lower outer side of the outdoor heat exchanger (35); the middle path unit (35b) allows refrigerant to flow into the middle side, forming a pre-set refrigerant flow path, exits through the middle side, and flows into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38); the lower path unit (35c) has refrigerant flowing into the lower side, forming a predetermined refrigerant passage flow path, flowing out of the lower side, and flowing into the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38); wherein the refrigerant mixed in the outdoor refrigerant liquid collector (38) is again inflowed into the outdoor heat exchanger (35), undergoes heat exchange, and is again outflowed from the outdoor heat exchanger (35).

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