Heat pump-type hot water supply system

Abstract

To provide a heat pump-type hot water supply system in which cool air generated by heat exchange of the heat pump-type hot water supply system can be used for air conditioning of an indoor facility.SOLUTION: A heat pump-type hot water supply system 100 uses cool air generated by heat exchange which has conventionally been discharged outdoors for air conditioning of an indoor facility 12. When a temperature in the indoor facility 12 is higher than a preset temperature during an operation of a heat pump 40, air inside the indoor facility 12 is taken in and used for heat exchange with a refrigerant in an evaporator 46 of the heat pump 40. Then, air (cool air) cooled by the heat exchange is returned to the indoor facility 12. With this configuration, a temperature in the indoor facility 12 is reduced to perform air conditioning of the indoor facility 12. Also, a load of an air-conditioning facility 14 of the indoor facility 12 is reduced, which can save energy and reduce air-conditioning cost. Further, this can contribute to a reduction in CO2 emission amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump type hot water supply system that uses cold air generated by heat exchange during hot water supply for cooling indoor facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, heat pump water heaters have been commercialized, such as those described in Patent Document 1 below, which use nighttime electricity or electricity from renewable energy sources to heat water using a heat pump and store it in a hot water tank. These heat pump water heaters compress a refrigerant using a compressor and heat water by exchanging the heat generated during the compression with water. The liquid refrigerant cooled by the heat exchange with the hot water is vaporized by heat exchange with outside air in an outdoor evaporator. The vaporized gas refrigerant is then used again to heat water, and the air cooled by the vaporization of the refrigerant (cold air) is released outdoors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-068590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, heat pump water heaters heat water by exchanging heat with the outside air, and the cold air generated by this heat exchange is released to the outside. However, in today's world where further energy conservation and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions are required, it is desirable to make effective use of this cold air as well.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a heat pump water heater that can use the cold air generated by heat exchange in a heat pump water heater to cool indoor facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides (1) A heat pump 40 that heats hot water by heat exchange with the heat of compressed refrigerant and sends it to the hot water storage tank 30 side, and cools air by heat exchange with the refrigerant, a heat pump room 60 that houses the heat pump 40, an indoor air intake 20a that takes in air from the indoor facility 12 toward the heat pump 40 side, an indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a that opens and closes the indoor air intake 20a, an indoor air supply duct 20b that sends air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump 40 to the indoor facility 12 side, and an indoor air supply duct opening / closing unit 22b that opens and closes the indoor air supply duct 20b, The above problem is solved by providing a heat pump type hot water supply system 100, which is characterized by having an external air intake port 20c that takes in outside air to the heat pump 40 side, an external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c that opens and closes the external air intake port 20c, an external exhaust pipe 20d that discharges air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump 40 to the outside, an external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d that opens and closes the external exhaust pipe 20d, and a control unit that controls the indoor air intake port opening / closing unit 22a, the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b, the external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c, and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d. (2) The heat pump room 60 has a main room 60a in which the heat pump 40 is installed and a second room 60b provided between the main room 60a and the indoor facility 12, The above problem is solved by providing the heat pump type hot water supply equipment 100 described in (1) above, which is characterized in that an indoor air intake 20a is provided in the second room 60b and air flows between the main room 60a and the second room 60b via a path duct 26 that reduces noise transmission. (3) The above problems are solved by providing the heat pump hot water supply system 100 described in (1) above, which is characterized in that a heat insulating member is provided in the structure of the heat pump chamber 60. (4) The above problem is solved by providing a heat pump type hot water supply system 100 described in any one of (1) to (3) above, characterized in that at least a heat pump 40, an indoor air intake 20a, an indoor air intake opening / closing part 22a, an external air intake 20c, and an external air intake opening / closing part 22c are installed in the structure of the heat pump room 60 to form a unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The heat pump hot water supply system of the present invention uses the air cooled during heat exchange, which has conventionally been released outdoors, to cool indoor facilities. This reduces the load on the air conditioning equipment in indoor facilities, leading to energy savings and reduced cooling costs. It also contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a heat pump hot water supply system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump hot water supply system according to the present invention having two heat pump rooms. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The heat pump hot water supply system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The heat pump hot water supply system according to the present invention may be applied to ordinary households, but is particularly preferably applied to places with high demand for hot water, such as hot spring facilities, accommodation facilities, saunas, heated swimming pools, sports facilities, restaurants, elderly care facilities, medical care facilities, hairdressing salons, and fish farms.

[0010] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams showing the installation state of a heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention. Note that the term "outside" here basically means outdoors or ducts leading to outdoors, duct rooms, back yards, etc.

[0011] First, the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention includes a heat pump 40, a heat pump room 60 that houses the heat pump 40, an indoor air intake 20a that takes in air from the indoor facility 12 toward the heat pump 40, an indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a that opens and closes the indoor air intake 20a, an indoor air supply duct 20b that sends air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump 40 toward the indoor facility 12, an indoor air supply duct opening / closing unit 22b that opens and closes the indoor air supply duct 20b, and the heat pump 40. The heat pump hot water supply system 100 includes an external air intake port 20c that draws in external air toward the pump 40, an external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c that opens and closes the external air intake port 20c, an external exhaust pipe 20d that discharges air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump 40 to the outside, an external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d that opens and closes the external exhaust pipe 20d, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the opening and closing of the indoor air intake port opening / closing unit 22a, the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b, the external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c, and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d. The heat pump hot water supply system 100 also includes a blower fan 24 that sends the air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump 40 toward the indoor air supply pipe 20b or the external exhaust pipe 20d. Each opening / closing unit 22a-22d can be a well-known opening / closing damper that can be electrically operated by the control unit, and it is particularly preferable to use a sealed (highly airtight) motor damper.

[0012] The heat pump 40 constituting the present invention is not particularly limited, and a commonly known heat pump device can be used. The heat pump 40 basically includes a compressor 44 that compresses a refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant, a water heat exchanger 42 that heats hot water by exchanging heat with the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant, a well-known pressure reducer 48 such as an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and an evaporator 46 that vaporizes the refrigerant by exchanging heat with air. The water heat exchanger 42 is connected to a water supply pipe 3 that supplies hot water or water from a water supply system, a water tank, or a water source, and a hot water pipe 32 that delivers the hot water heated by the water heat exchanger 42 to the hot water storage tank 30. A water level sensor (not shown) that measures the water level in the hot water storage tank 30, a water temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 30, and an air temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the indoor facility 12 are connected to the control unit of the heat pump hot water supply system 100.

[0013] Next, the basic operation of the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention will be described. First, when the heat pump hot water supply system 100 is started, the control unit acquires the temperature in the indoor facility 12, the water level in the hot water storage tank 30, and the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 30 via an air temperature sensor, a water level sensor, and a water temperature sensor, respectively. Then, if the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 is less than the specified amount, or if the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 is lower than the specified temperature and the temperature in the indoor facility 12 is higher than the set temperature, the control unit opens the indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a and the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b and closes the external air intake opening / closing unit 22c and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d. Then, the control unit operates the heat pump 40 and the blower fan 24 and opens the water supply pipe 3.

[0014] This causes the compressor 44 of the heat pump 40 to operate, compressing the refrigerant and sending it as high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant to the water heat exchanger 42. Hot water or water from the water supply pipe 3 flows through the water heat exchanger 42 and exchanges heat with the gas refrigerant, thereby heating the flowing hot water or water. The heated hot water is then sent through the hot water pipe 32 to the hot water storage tank 30 and stored therein.

[0015] The gas refrigerant is cooled and condensed into liquid refrigerant by exchanging heat with hot water in the water heat exchanger 42. This liquid refrigerant is decompressed in the pressure reducer 48, becoming a partially vaporized two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, and is sent to the evaporator 46. At this time, in the heat pump hot water supply system 100, the indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a and the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b are open, and the external air intake opening / closing unit 22c and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d are closed, so that air from the indoor facility 12 is taken into the heat pump chamber 60 through the indoor air intake 20a, as shown in FIG. 1(a). Furthermore, if the heat pump chamber 60 shown in FIG. 2 has two chambers, a main chamber 60a and a second chamber 60b, as will be described later, the air from the indoor facility 12 first enters the second chamber 60b through the indoor air intake 20a and then passes through the path duct 26 to be taken into the main chamber 60a. Then, in the evaporator 46, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the air in the indoor facility 12 taken into the heat pump room 60 (main room 60a).

[0016] Due to this heat exchange, heat is absorbed from the air taken into the indoor facility 12 by the refrigerant as it vaporizes, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the air (cooling). This cooled air is then sent by the blower fan 24 through the indoor air duct opening / closing part 22b to the indoor air duct 20b, and is returned to the indoor facility 12. This decreases the temperature inside the indoor facility 12, and the indoor facility 12 is cooled.

[0017] Next, when the temperature inside the indoor facility 12 drops below the set temperature or when cooling is not necessary, such as in winter, the control unit obtains this information via the air temperature sensor and closes the indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a and the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b, and opens the external air intake opening / closing unit 22c and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(b), external air is taken into the heat pump room 60 through the external air intake 20c, where it is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator 46 of the heat pump 40, and is then exhausted to the outside by the blower fan 24 through the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d and the external exhaust pipe 20d. In this case, the heat pump hot water supply system 100 does not cool the indoor facility 12.

[0018] Next, when a specified amount of hot water at a specified temperature is stored in the hot water tank 30, the control unit detects this via the water level sensor and water temperature sensor, closes the water supply pipe 3, and stops the heat pump 40. The indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a, indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b, external air intake opening / closing unit 22c, and external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d are all closed. This puts the heat pump hot water supply system 100 of the present invention into standby mode. If a sufficient amount of hot water at a specified temperature is stored in the hot water tank 30 and the heat pump hot water supply system 100 is in standby mode, and the temperature inside the indoor facility 12 becomes higher than the set temperature, the existing air conditioning system 14 installed in the indoor facility 12 will operate to cool the indoor facility 12 independently.

[0019] Furthermore, in the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention, when the heat pump 40 is stopped, the blower fan 24 is operated, the indoor air intake port opening / closing unit 22a and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d are opened, and the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b and the external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c are closed, thereby enabling ventilation to be performed by discharging air from the indoor facility 12 to the outside. Furthermore, by opening the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit 22b and the external air intake port opening / closing unit 22c and closing the indoor air intake port opening / closing unit 22a and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit 22d, outside air introduction to take outside air into the indoor facility 12 can be performed.

[0020] Furthermore, low-frequency noise and associated vibrations are generated during operation of the heat pump 40. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the heat pump room 60 is preferably configured with a main room 60a in which the heat pump 40 is installed and a second room 60b provided between the main room 60a and the indoor facility 12. The indoor air intake 20a and the indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a are preferably provided on the second room 60b side, and a path duct 26 is preferably provided between the main room 60a and the second room 60b to reduce noise transmission, and air circulates between the main room 60a and the second room 60b via the path duct 26. With this configuration, the second room 60b and the path duct 26 are interposed between the room in which the heat pump 40 is installed (the main room 60a) and the indoor facility 12. As a result, the operating noise of the heat pump 40 is reduced by the second room 60b and the path duct 26, significantly suppressing the transmission of noise and vibrations from the heat pump 40 to the indoor facility 12.

[0021] Furthermore, for example, in winter, while the indoor facility 12 is heated, the heat pump room 60 is cooled by the outside air taken in through the external air intake 20c or the air cooled by the evaporator 46. Therefore, it is preferable to provide insulating materials in the structure (all or part of the walls, floor, and ceiling) of the heat pump room 60 (main room 60a, second room 60b) to prevent unnecessary transmission of cold air from the heat pump room 60.

[0022] Furthermore, the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention is preferably unitized. For example, this unitization can be achieved by installing and connecting the heat pump 40, blower fan 24, indoor air intake 20a, indoor air intake opening / closing unit 22a, external air intake 20c, and external air intake opening / closing unit 22c in predetermined locations within the structure of the heat pump room 60 (the same applies when the room is composed of two rooms, a main room 60a and a second room 60b). The indoor air supply duct 20b, indoor air supply duct opening / closing unit 22b, external exhaust duct 20d, and external exhaust duct opening / closing unit 22d are connected to the blower fan 24, or by fastening these connection joints. Furthermore, the water supply pipe 3 and hot water pipe 32 are routed to connect to the water heat exchanger 42. The heat pump hot water supply equipment unit configured in this manner is then fixed to a desired position in the indoor facility 12, for example, and the indoor air intake 20a, indoor air supply duct 20b, external air intake duct 20c, external exhaust duct 20d, water supply piping 3, and hot water piping 32 are connected to the corresponding piping or components, thereby enabling the heat pump hot water supply equipment 100 to be installed easily and in a short time.

[0023] As described above, the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention uses the cold air generated during heat exchange, which would conventionally be released outdoors, to cool the indoor facility 12. That is, when the temperature inside the indoor facility 12 is higher than the set temperature while the heat pump 40 is operating, air inside the indoor facility 12 is taken in and used for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator 46 of the heat pump 40. The air (cold air) cooled by this heat exchange is then returned to the indoor facility 12. This lowers the temperature inside the indoor facility 12, cooling the indoor facility 12. This reduces the load on the air conditioning system 14 in the indoor facility 12, thereby saving energy and reducing cooling costs. This can also contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0024] In addition, the heat pump room 60 is composed of a main room 60a in which the heat pump 40 is installed and a second room 60b provided between the main room 60a and the indoor facility 12, and an indoor air intake 20a is provided in the second room 60b. The main room 60a and the second room 60b are connected by a path duct 26, thereby significantly reducing the noise and vibration of the heat pump 40 that is transmitted to the indoor facility 12. Furthermore, by making the heat pump hot water supply system 100 according to the present invention into a unit, it can be easily installed in the indoor facility 12 in a short construction period.

[0025] Furthermore, the configuration, mechanism, shape, dimensions, operation, piping route, etc. of each part of the heat pump water heating equipment 100, heat pump room 60, etc. shown in this example are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to this example, and the present invention can be modified and implemented within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 12 Indoor facilities 20a Indoor air intake 20b Indoor air pipe 20c External air intake 20d external exhaust pipe 22a Indoor air intake opening and closing part 22b Indoor air pipe opening / closing section 22c External air intake opening and closing part 22d External exhaust pipe opening and closing part 26 Pass Duct 30 Hot Water Tank 40 Heat Pump 60 Heat Pump Room 60a Main room 60b Room 2 100 Heat pump hot water supply equipment

Claims

1. a heat pump that heats water by exchanging heat with the compressed refrigerant and sends the water to the hot water storage tank, and cools the air by exchanging heat with the refrigerant; a heat pump room that houses the heat pump; an indoor air intake port that takes in air from the indoor facility to the heat pump side; an indoor air intake opening / closing unit that opens and closes the indoor air intake; an indoor air duct that sends the air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump to the indoor facility side; an indoor air duct opening / closing unit that opens and closes the indoor air duct; an external air intake port for taking in external air into the heat pump; an external air intake opening / closing unit that opens and closes the external air intake; an external exhaust pipe for discharging the air cooled by heat exchange in the heat pump to the outside; an external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit that opens and closes the external exhaust pipe; a control unit that controls the indoor air intake opening / closing unit, the indoor air supply pipe opening / closing unit, the external air intake opening / closing unit, and the external exhaust pipe opening / closing unit.

2. The heat pump room has a main room in which the heat pump is installed and a second room provided between the main room and the indoor facility, 2. The heat pump type hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein an indoor air intake is provided in the second room, and air circulation between the main room and the second room is performed via a path duct that reduces noise transmission.

3. 2. The heat pump hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a heat insulating member is provided in the structure of the heat pump room.

4. A heat pump type hot water supply system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a heat pump, an indoor air intake, an indoor air intake opening / closing unit, an external air intake, and an external air intake opening / closing unit are installed in the structure of the heat pump room to form a unit.

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