Heat pump device

Abstract

A control device (110) is configured to select any one of first to third modes in a simultaneous mode. In the first mode (mode A), a flow-path-switching device (120) does not allow refrigerant to circulate through a first heat exchanger (3) and does allow the refrigerant to circulate such that second heat exchangers (9a, 9b) act as evaporators and a third heat exchanger (16) acts as a condenser. In the second mode (mode B), the flow-path-switching device (120) allows the refrigerant to circulate such that the second heat exchangers (9a, 9b) act as evaporators and the first heat exchanger (3) and the third heat exchanger (16) act as condensers. In the third mode (mode C), the flow-path-switching device (120) allows the refrigerant to flow such that the first heat exchanger (3) and the second heat exchangers (9a, 9b) act as evaporators and the third heat exchanger (16) acts as a condenser.

Description

heat pump equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat pump device.

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a refrigeration cycle device that is equipped with a refrigerant circuit formed by piping a first user-side heat exchanger and a second user-side heat exchanger to a heat source-side heat exchanger, and performs simultaneous cooling and heating operations (for example, International Publication No. 2022 / 137510 (Patent Document 1)).

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 137510

[0004] However, in the system disclosed in WO 2022 / 137510 (Patent Document 1), the hot water supply unit can recover the exhaust heat from the utilization unit only when the air conditioning load and the hot water supply load occur simultaneously and are equal. For example, when the hot water supply load is greater, control may be performed to temporarily stop the air conditioning and prioritize the hot water supply, which may reduce indoor comfort.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a heat pump device that improves energy-saving performance by enabling active simultaneous operation even when the air conditioning load and the hot water supply load are not equal, and improves indoor comfort by shortening the time the indoor unit is stopped.

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a heat pump apparatus having operating modes of a cooling mode, a hot water mode, and a simultaneous mode in which cooling and hot water are simultaneously performed. The heat pump apparatus includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, a third heat exchanger connected to a liquid circulation path through which a liquid medium for heating water in a hot water tank circulates and for exchanging heat between the liquid medium and the refrigerant, a flow path switching device for switching the flow path of the refrigerant through the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger, and a control device for controlling the flow path switching device. In the cooling mode, the flow path switching device switches the refrigerant flow through the third heat exchanger, but does not allow the refrigerant to flow through the third heat exchanger, and allows the refrigerant to flow through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to function as a condenser and an evaporator, respectively. In the hot water supply mode, the flow path switching device does not circulate the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger, and circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the third heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. In the simultaneous mode, the control device is configured to select one of the first to third modes. In the first mode, the flow path switching device does not circulate the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger, and circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the third heat exchanger functions as a condenser. In the second mode, the flow path switching device circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the first and third heat exchangers function as condensers. In the third mode, the flow path switching device circulates the refrigerant so that the first and second heat exchangers function as evaporators and the third heat exchanger functions as a condenser.

[0007] According to the heat pump device of the present disclosure, even if the air conditioning load and the hot water supply load are not equal, simultaneous operation is actively performed, and therefore hot water can be supplied without impairing indoor comfort.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heat pump device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hot water tank connected to the heat pump device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a cooling mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a heating mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a hot water supply mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a defrost mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a simultaneous mode (mode A) of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a simultaneous mode (mode B) of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant flow in a simultaneous mode (mode C) of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control related to selection of modes A, B, and C of the simultaneous mode in the heat pump device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of control 1 (hot water supply capacity = cooling capacity) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of control 2 (hot water supply capacity < cooling capacity) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of control 3 (cooling capacity < hot water supply capacity) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heat pump device according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although several embodiments will be described below, it was originally intended that the configurations described in each embodiment be combined as appropriate. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining a hot water tank connected to the heat pump device.

[0011] The heat pump device 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a heat source device 301, utilization devices 302a and 302b, and a hot water supply unit 303. The hot water supply unit 303 is connected to a hot water supply tank 304 shown in Fig. 2 .

[0012] One end of the hot water supply unit 303 is connected to the heat source device 301 via a gas pipe 15 which is a refrigerant pipe, and the other end is connected to the heat source device 301 via a liquid pipe 18 which is a refrigerant pipe.

[0013] The utilization devices 302a and 302b are connected to the heat source device 301 by gas pipes 11a and 11b, which are refrigerant pipes, and liquid pipes 8a and 8b, which are refrigerant pipes, respectively. In addition, the hot water supply tank 304 and the hot water supply unit 303 are connected by upstream water pipe 20 and downstream water pipe 21, which are water pipes.

[0014] Although the first embodiment shows an example in which two utilization devices, one hot water supply unit, and one hot water tank are connected to one heat source device, this is not limited to this, and more or fewer of each device may be provided than shown. The refrigerant used in the heat pump device 100 may be, for example, an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant such as R410A, R407C, or R404A, an HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant such as R22 or R134a, or a natural refrigerant such as hydrocarbon, helium, or carbon dioxide.

[0015] The heat pump device 100 also includes a control device 110. In Fig. 1, the control device 110 is disposed in the heat source device 301, but this is just an example. The location where the control device 110 is disposed is not limited.

[0016] The utilization devices 302a and 302b are connected to the heat source device 301. The utilization devices 302a and 302b are installed in locations where they can blow conditioned air into the area to be air-conditioned (for example, embedded in the ceiling indoors, hung from the ceiling, or hung on a wall). The utilization devices 302a and 302b are connected to the heat source device 301 via liquid pipes 8a and 8b and gas pipes 11a and 11b, and constitute part of the refrigerant circuit.

[0017] The utilization devices 302a and 302b each include an indoor refrigerant circuit that constitutes part of the refrigerant circuit. This indoor refrigerant circuit is configured with second heat exchangers 9a and 9b (indoor heat exchangers) as utilization-side heat exchangers. The utilization devices 302a and 302b are also provided with indoor fans 10a and 10b, respectively, that exchange heat with the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b and then supply the conditioned air to a target air-conditioning area, such as a room.

[0018] Each of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b may be, for example, a cross-fin fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of a heat transfer tube and multiple fins. Alternatively, each of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b may be a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, or a double-pipe heat exchanger. When the operating modes of the utilization devices 302a, 302b are the cooling mode and the simultaneous cooling and hot water supply mode, the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b function as refrigerant evaporators to cool the air in the air-conditioned area, and when the operating modes are the heating mode, the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b function as refrigerant condensers (or radiators) to heat the air in the air-conditioned area.

[0019] The indoor fans 10a, 10b draw indoor air into the utilization devices 302a, 302b, exchange heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, and then supply the air as conditioned air to the air-conditioned area. In other words, the utilization devices 302a, 302b are capable of exchanging heat between the indoor air taken in by the indoor fans 10a, 10b and the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b. The indoor fans 10a, 10b are each configured to be able to change the flow rate of the conditioned air supplied to the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b. Each of the indoor fans 10a, 10b includes a fan, such as a centrifugal fan or a multi-blade fan, and a motor, such as a DC fan motor, that drives the fan.

[0020] The utilization devices 302a, 302b are also provided with the following various sensors: (1) temperature sensors 206a, 206b provided on the liquid side of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, respectively, to detect the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; (2) temperature sensors 207a, 207b provided on the gas side of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, respectively, to detect the temperature of the gas refrigerant; and (3) temperature sensors 208a, 208b provided on the indoor air intake side of the utilization devices 302a, 302b, respectively, to detect the temperature of the indoor air flowing into the unit.

[0021] The operation of the indoor fans 10a and 10b is controlled by a control unit (not shown) that is disposed in the utilization devices 302a and 302b, respectively, and controls normal operation including the cooling mode and heating mode of the utilization devices 302a and 302b.

[0022] Hot water supply unit 303 is connected to heat source device 301. As shown in Fig. 2 , hot water supply unit 303 supplies hot water to hot water supply tank 304, which is installed, for example, outdoors, and heats the water in hot water supply tank 304 to boil water. One end of hot water supply unit 303 is connected to heat source device 301 via gas piping 15, and the other end is connected to heat source device 301 via liquid piping 18, and these units form part of the liquid medium circuit in heat pump device 100.

[0023] The hot water supply unit 303 includes a hot water supply side refrigerant circuit that constitutes part of the refrigerant circuit. This hot water supply side refrigerant circuit has a third heat exchanger 16 (plate water heat exchanger). The hot water supply unit 303 also includes a pump 17 that supplies hot water that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 16 to a hot water tank or the like.

[0024] In the hot water supply mode, third heat exchanger 16 functions as a refrigerant condenser (or radiator) and heats water supplied by pump 17. Pump 17 supplies water into hot water supply unit 303, exchanges heat with the water in third heat exchanger 16 to turn it into hot water, and then supplies the hot water into hot water supply tank 304 to exchange heat with the water in hot water supply tank 304. In other words, in hot water supply unit 303, heat exchange occurs between the water supplied by pump 17 and the refrigerant flowing through third heat exchanger 16, and also between the water supplied by pump 17 and the water in hot water supply tank 304. The flow rate of water supplied to third heat exchanger 16 can be changed.

[0025] The hot water supply unit 303 is also provided with a temperature sensor 209, which is provided on the liquid refrigerant side of the third heat exchanger 16 as shown in FIG. 1, for detecting the temperature of the liquid refrigerant.

[0026] The heat source device 301 is installed, for example, outdoors. The heat source device 301 is connected to utilization devices 302a and 302b via liquid pipes 8a and 8b and gas pipes 11a and 11b. The heat source device 301 is also connected to a hot water supply unit 303 via a gas pipe 15 and a liquid pipe 18. The heat source device 301 constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit in the heat pump device 100.

[0027] The heat source device 301 includes an outdoor refrigerant circuit that constitutes part of the refrigerant circuit. This outdoor refrigerant circuit includes a compressor 1 that compresses the refrigerant, two four-way valves (a first four-way valve 2 and a second four-way valve 13), and an accumulator 14 that stores excess refrigerant. The two four-way valves (the first four-way valve 2 and the second four-way valve 13) switch the refrigerant flow direction depending on the outdoor operation mode.

[0028] The heat source device 301 further includes an outdoor fan 4 for supplying air to the first heat exchanger 3, and flow rate adjustment valves 5a and 5b for controlling the flow path of the refrigerant.

[0029] Compressor 1 draws in refrigerant and compresses it to a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The compressor 1 installed in embodiment 1 is capable of changing its operating capacity and is configured, for example, as a positive displacement compressor driven by a motor (not shown) controlled by an inverter. Although embodiment 1 illustrates an example in which there is only one compressor 1, this is not limiting, and two or more compressors 1 may be connected in parallel depending on the number of utilization devices 302a, 302b and hot water supply units 303 connected, etc.

[0030] The flow path switching device 120 switches the direction of the refrigerant flow depending on the operation mode of the heat pump device 100 .

[0031] The flow path switching device 120 includes a first four-way valve 2, a second four-way valve 13, a first expansion valve 7a, a second expansion valve 19, flow control valves 5a and 5b, and an on-off valve 161. The first four-way valve 2 has a first port P1 to a fourth port P4. The second four-way valve 13 has a fifth port P5 to an eighth port P8. The first port P1 is coupled to the discharge side of the compressor 1. The second port P2 is connected to one end of the first heat exchanger 3 via the on-off valve 161. One end of the flow control valve 5a is connected to the other end of the first heat exchanger 3. The first expansion valve 7a is connected between the other end of the flow control valve 5a and one end of the second heat exchanger 9a. The second expansion valve 19 is connected between the other end of the flow control valve 5a and one end of the third heat exchanger 16. The third port P3 and the seventh port P7 are coupled to the suction side of the compressor 1. The fourth port P4 is connected to the fifth port P5. The sixth port P6 is connected to the other end of the second heat exchanger 9a. The eighth port P8 is connected to the other end of the third heat exchanger 16. The flow rate adjustment valve 5b is connected between the first port P1 and one end of the first heat exchanger 3.

[0032] The first heat exchanger 3 has a gas side connected to the first four-way valve 2 and the flow rate control valve 5b, and a liquid side connected to the flow rate control valve 5a. The first heat exchanger 3 can be configured, for example, as a cross-fin fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of a heat transfer tube and multiple fins. The first heat exchanger 3 may also be configured as a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, or a double-pipe heat exchanger. In the cooling mode and defrosting mode, the first heat exchanger 3 functions as a refrigerant condenser, dissipating heat into the refrigerant. In the heating mode, the first heat exchanger 3 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, absorbing heat into the refrigerant.

[0033] The outdoor blower 4 draws outdoor air into the heat source device 301, exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the first heat exchanger 3, and then discharges the air to the outside. In other words, the heat source device 301 is capable of exchanging heat between the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor blower 4 and the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 3. The outdoor blower 4 is configured to be able to change the flow rate of air supplied to the first heat exchanger 3, and includes a fan such as a propeller fan and a motor, such as a DC fan motor, that drives the fan.

[0034] The accumulator 14 is provided on the intake side of the compressor 1, and stores liquid refrigerant to prevent it from returning to the compressor 1 when an abnormality occurs in the heat pump device 100 or when there is a transient response in the operating state due to a change in operating control.

[0035] The heat source device 301 is also provided with the following various sensors: (1) a pressure sensor 201 provided on the discharge side of the compressor 1 to detect the high-pressure side pressure; (2) a temperature sensor 202 provided on the discharge side of the compressor 1 to detect the discharge temperature; (3) a temperature sensor 203 provided on the gas side of the first heat exchanger 3 to detect the gas refrigerant temperature; (4) a temperature sensor 204 provided on the liquid side of the first heat exchanger 3 to detect the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; and (5) a temperature sensor 205 provided on the outdoor air intake side of the heat source device 301 to detect the temperature of the outdoor air flowing into the unit.

[0036] The operations of the compressor 1, the first four-way valve 2, the outdoor blower 4, the flow control valves 5a and 5b, and the second four-way valve 13 are controlled by a control device 110. The operations of the expansion valves 7a, 7b, and 19 are also controlled by the control device 110. Although the control device 110 is disposed in the heat source device 301 in Fig. 1 and other figures, it may be disposed in another location such as a remote controller or a utilization device, or may be disposed in several separate locations.

[0037] The various quantities detected by the various temperature sensors and pressure sensors are input to the control device 110. Then, the control device 110 controls the compressor 1, the first four-way valve 2, the outdoor blower 4, the flow control valves 5a and 5b, the expansion valves 7a and 7b, the indoor blowers 10a and 10b, the second four-way valve 13, the pump 17, and the expansion valve 19 based on the various quantities input.

[0038] That is, the control device 110 performs overall control of the operation of the heat pump device 100. The control device 110 includes a CPU and a memory.

[0039] The CPU is a computing entity that executes various programs to control the actuators of the heat pump device 100. The CPU executes various processes by executing the programs, but some or all of these functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0040] The memory provides a storage area for storing program code or various variables when the CPU executes various programs. The memory may be one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Examples of the memory include volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), and non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM) and flash memory. The CPU controls each actuator of the heat pump device 100 by executing the programs stored in the memory.

[0041] Specifically, based on instructions regarding the operation mode or set temperature, etc., via a remote control (not shown) and detection information from various sensors, the control device 110 controls the drive frequency of the compressor 1, the switching of the first four-way valve 2, the rotation speed (including ON / OFF) of the outdoor blower 4, changes in the opening of the flow control valves 5a and 5b, the opening of the expansion valves 7a and 7b, the rotation speed (including ON / OFF) of the indoor blowers 10a and 10b, the switching of the second four-way valve 13, the rotation speed (including ON / OFF) of the pump 17, and the opening of the expansion valve 19.

[0042] Hot water supply tank 304 shown in Fig. 2 is installed outdoors, for example, and stores hot water boiled by hot water supply unit 303. One end of hot water supply tank 304 is connected to hot water supply unit 303 via upstream water piping 20, and the other end is connected to hot water supply unit 303 via downstream water piping 21. Hot water supply tank 304 constitutes part of liquid circulation path 130 in heat pump apparatus 100. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, upstream water piping 20, downstream water piping 21, and pump 17 constitute liquid circulation path 130 through which water to be heated by third heat exchanger 16 circulates. Hot water supply tank 304 is a fill-to-fill type, and when a user consumes hot water, hot water flows from the top of the tank, and city water is supplied from the bottom of the tank according to the amount of hot water consumed.

[0043] Water sent by pump 17 to hot water supply unit 303 is heated by the refrigerant in third heat exchanger 16 to become hot water, and flows into hot water supply tank 304 via upstream water piping 20. The hot water that flows into hot water supply tank 304 exchanges heat with the water in the tank to lower its temperature, and after leaving hot water supply tank 304, flows back into hot water supply unit 303 via downstream water piping 21, is sent again by pump 17, and becomes hot water again in third heat exchanger 16. Water is boiled in hot water supply tank 304 through this process. Note that while Figure 2 shows a specification for indirectly boiling water, it is also possible to specify a specification for directly boiling water by flowing hot water from hot water supply tank 304 to hot water supply unit 303, where it is heated.

[0044] The hot water supply tank 304 is also provided with the following various sensors: (1) a water temperature sensor 212 provided on the side of the upper part of the hot water supply tank 304 to detect the hot water temperature at the upper part of the tank; (2) a water temperature sensor 213 provided below the water temperature sensor 212 to detect the hot water temperature at a part of the tank below the installation position of the water temperature sensor 212; (3) a water temperature sensor 214 provided below the water temperature sensor 213 to detect the hot water temperature at a part of the tank below the installation position of the water temperature sensor 213; (4) a water temperature sensor 215 provided on the side of the lower part of the hot water supply tank 304 to detect the hot water temperature at the lower part of the tank; and (5) a water temperature sensor 216 to detect the temperature of water supplied from the lower part of the hot water supply tank 304.

[0045] Table 1 below shows the setting state of the flow path switching device for each operation mode. Note that the expansion valve 7 in the table indicates the expansion valve 7a or 7b in FIG. 1 that corresponds to the utilization device in the air-conditioning target area.

[0046]

[0047] When ON (solid line) is displayed in Table 1, it indicates that the flow paths indicated by the solid lines inside the corresponding four-way valve shown in Figure 1 are connected, and the flow paths indicated by the dashed lines are not connected. Also, when OFF (dashed line) is displayed in Table 1, it indicates that the flow paths indicated by the dashed lines inside the corresponding four-way valve shown in Figure 1 are connected, and the flow paths indicated by the solid lines are not connected.

[0048] Furthermore, for the flow control valve 5a, when it is displayed as ON in Table 1, it indicates a fully open state, and when it is displayed as ON (flow control), it indicates a state where it is open at the opening degree specified by the control device.

[0049] Furthermore, for the flow control valve 5b, when it is displayed as OFF in Table 1, it indicates a fully closed state, and when it is displayed as ON (flow control), it indicates a state where it is open at the opening degree specified by the control device.

[0050] Furthermore, for the expansion valves 7 and 19, when ON (flow rate adjustment) is displayed in Table 1, it indicates a state in which the flow rate is being adjusted, and when OFF is displayed, it indicates a fully closed state. For the on-off valve 161, when ON is displayed in Table 1, it indicates a fully open state, and when OFF is displayed, it indicates a fully closed state.

[0051] As shown in Table 1, in the cooling mode, the first four-way valve 2 is set to ON (solid line), the second four-way valve is set to OFF (dashed line), the flow control valve 5a is set to ON (fully open), the flow control valve 5b is set to OFF (fully closed), the expansion valve 7 is set to ON (flow control), the expansion valve 19 is set to OFF (fully closed), and the opening / closing valve 161 is set to ON (open).

[0052] By being set in this manner, in the cooling mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate the refrigerant through the third heat exchanger 16, and circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger 9a acts as an evaporator and the first heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser.

[0053] As shown in Table 1, in the heating mode, the first four-way valve 2 is set to OFF (dashed line), the second four-way valve is set to ON (solid line), the flow control valve 5a is set to ON (fully open), the flow control valve 5b is set to OFF (fully closed), the expansion valve 7 is set to ON (flow control), the expansion valve 19 is set to OFF (fully closed), and the opening / closing valve 161 is set to ON (open).

[0054] By being set in this manner, in heating mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate refrigerant through the third heat exchanger 16, and circulates refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger 9a acts as a condenser and the first heat exchanger 3 acts as an evaporator.

[0055] In the hot water supply mode, the first four-way valve 2 is set to OFF (dashed line), the second four-way valve is set to OFF (dashed line), the flow control valve 5a is set to ON (fully open), the flow control valve 5b is set to OFF (fully closed), the expansion valve 7 is set to OFF (fully closed), the expansion valve 19 is set to ON (flow control), and the opening / closing valve 161 is set to ON (open).

[0056] By being set in this manner, in the hot water supply mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger 9a, but circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger 3 acts as an evaporator and the third heat exchanger 16 acts as a condenser.

[0057] In the defrosting mode, the first four-way valve 2 is set to ON (solid line), the second four-way valve is set to ON (solid line), the flow control valve 5a is set to ON (fully open), the flow control valve 5b is set to OFF (fully closed), the expansion valve 7 is set to OFF (closed), the expansion valve 19 is set to ON (open), and the opening / closing valve 161 is set to ON (open).

[0058] By being set in this manner, in defrost mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate refrigerant through the second heat exchanger 9a, but circulates refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser and the third heat exchanger 16 acts as an evaporator.

[0059] In the simultaneous cooling and hot water supply mode, the first four-way valve 2 is set to OFF (dashed line), the second four-way valve is set to OFF (dashed line), and the flow control valves 5a and 5b, the expansion valves 7 and 19, and the on-off valve 161 are set as shown in Table 2 below.

[0060] By being set in this manner, in simultaneous mode, the flow path switching device 120 circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger 9a acts as an evaporator and the third heat exchanger 16 acts as a condenser, while the first heat exchanger 3 is selected to be either not used, used as a condenser, or used as an evaporator.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0062] In the cooling mode, the utilization devices 302a and 302b perform cooling. In the cooling mode, the flow path switching device 120 is set as shown in the cooling mode column of Table 1, and the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, and the indoor blowers 10a and 10b are activated.

[0063] As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 and compressed to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then passes through the first four-way valve 2 and the first heat exchanger 3, where it is condensed and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant through heat exchange with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 4. After flowing out of the first heat exchanger 3, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the flow control valve 5a and is decompressed by the expansion valves 7a, 7b to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then flows into the utilization devices 302a, 302b via the liquid pipes 8a, 8b.

[0064] The refrigerant that flows into the utilization devices 302a, 302b passes through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, and exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor fans 10a, 10b, evaporating and becoming a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The degree of subcooling of the refrigerant on the liquid side of the first heat exchanger 3 is calculated by subtracting the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 204 from the condensation temperature. Here, the condensation temperature is the saturation temperature calculated from the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 201.

[0065] The expansion valves 7a, 7b control the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b so that the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant on the liquid side of the first heat exchanger 3 becomes a target value, and therefore the high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 3 becomes in a state of having the target degree of subcooling. In this way, the refrigerant flows through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b at a flow rate corresponding to the cooling load required in the air-conditioned space in which the utilization devices 302a, 302b are installed.

[0066] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b flows out of the utilization devices 302a and 302b, passes through the gas pipes 11a and 11b, and then merges at the junction / branch section 27 and flows into the gas pipe 12. The refrigerant then passes through the accumulator 14 via the second four-way valve 13 and is sucked into the compressor 1 again.

[0067] The operating frequency of compressor 1 is controlled by control device 110 so that the difference between the indoor set temperature and the indoor suction temperature detected by temperature sensors 208a and 208b in utilization devices 302a and 302b is eliminated. The air volume of outdoor blower 4 is controlled by control device 110 in accordance with the outside air temperature detected by temperature sensor 205 so that the condensation temperature becomes a target value. Here, the condensation temperature is a saturation temperature calculated from the pressure detected by pressure sensor 201.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0069] In the heating mode, the utilization devices 302a and 302b perform heating. In the heating mode, the flow path switching device 120 is set as shown in the heating mode column in Fig. 3, and the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, and the indoor blowers 10a and 10b are activated.

[0070] As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 and compressed to become high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then flows into the utilization devices 302a, 302b via the first four-way valve 2 and the second four-way valve 13. The refrigerant that has flowed into the utilization devices 302a, 302b passes through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, and exchanges heat with indoor air supplied by the indoor blowers 10a, 10b, causing it to condense and become high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0071] The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows out of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, passes through liquid pipes 8a, 8b, and is reduced in pressure by expansion valves 7a, 7b to become low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then joins at the joining / branching section 28, passes through the flow control valve 5a, and flows into the first heat exchanger 3. This two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant passes through the first heat exchanger 3 and exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 4, evaporating and becoming low-pressure gas refrigerant. This low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the accumulator 14 via the first four-way valve 2, and is again drawn into the compressor 1.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant in the hot water supply mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0073] In the hot water supply mode, the hot water supply unit 303 heats the water in the hot water supply tank 304. In the hot water supply mode, the flow path switching device 120 is set as shown in the hot water supply mode column of Table 1, and the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, and the pump 17 are activated.

[0074] As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into compressor 1 and compressed to become high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then passes through first four-way valve 2 and second four-way valve 13 and flows into hot water supply unit 303. The refrigerant that has flowed into hot water supply unit 303 passes through third heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with a liquid medium supplied by the liquid circulation path, condensing and becoming high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0075] The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows out of the third heat exchanger 16, passes through the liquid pipe 18, and is decompressed by the expansion valve 19 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then passes through the flow control valve 5a and flows into the first heat exchanger 3. This gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the first heat exchanger 3 and exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 4, evaporating and becoming a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the accumulator 14 via the first four-way valve 2 and is again drawn into the compressor 1.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant in the defrosting mode of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0077] In the defrost mode, heat from the hot water supply unit 303 is transferred to the first heat exchanger 3. In the defrost mode, the flow path switching device 120 is set as shown in the defrost mode column of Table 1, and the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, and the pump 17 are activated.

[0078] As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 and compressed to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then passes through the first four-way valve 2 and the first heat exchanger 3, exchanging heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 4 and condensing to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After flowing out of the first heat exchanger 3, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the flow control valve 5a and is decompressed by the expansion valve 19 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then flows into the hot water supply unit 303 via the liquid piping 18. The refrigerant that has flowed into the hot water supply unit 303 passes through the third heat exchanger 16, exchanging heat with the liquid medium in the liquid circulation path and evaporating to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant.

[0079] After flowing out of the third heat exchanger 16, the low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the gas pipe 15 and the second four-way valve 13, passes through the accumulator 14, and is sucked into the compressor 1 again.

[0080] In the defrosting mode shown in FIG. 6, refrigerant is not circulated through the utilization devices 302a and 302b, so that it is possible to prevent cold air from being blown into a room that has been heated during defrosting operation.

[0081] The cooling mode, heating mode, hot water supply mode, and defrost mode have been described above, but the heat pump device 100 may also select the simultaneous mode when a cooling request and a hot water request occur simultaneously. In the simultaneous mode, the first and second four-way valves are set as shown in Table 1, but the control device 110 selects one of modes A, B, or C as shown in Table 2 below, depending on the flow control valves 5a and 5b and the magnitude relationship between the required cooling capacity and hot water capacity.

[0082]

[0083] In the simultaneous operation mode, the control device 110 compares the amount of heat released (cooling capacity) and the amount of heat absorbed (hot water capacity) at the start of cooling operation. If the cooling capacity is equal to the hot water capacity, the control device 110 selects mode A and performs control without using the first heat exchanger 3 (complete heat recovery). If the hot water capacity is less than the cooling capacity, the control device 110 selects mode B, uses the first heat exchanger 3 as a condenser, and controls the flow control valve 5b and the rotation speed of the outdoor blower 4 on the heat source device side to achieve the difference between the hot water capacity and the cooling capacity. If the cooling capacity is less than the hot water capacity, the control device 110 selects mode C, uses the first heat exchanger 3 as an evaporator, and controls the flow control valve 5a and the rotation speed of the outdoor blower 4 on the heat source device side to achieve the difference between the hot water capacity and the cooling capacity.

[0084] To compare the cooling capacity and hot water supply capacity, the control device 110 calculates the heat dissipation amount (cooling capacity) from the condensation temperature during cooling operation. A data table recording the required hot water supply capacity based on the outside temperature and the target heating temperature is stored in advance in memory, and the control device 110 references the data table to obtain the hot water supply capacity based on the outside temperature and the target heating temperature. The control device 110 compares the cooling capacity and hot water supply capacity obtained above and selects one of modes A, B, or C shown in Table 2.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the simultaneous mode (mode A) of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0086] In mode A, the utilization devices 302a and 302b perform cooling, and the hot water supply unit 303 heats the water in the hot water supply tank 304. In mode A, the flow path switching device 120 is set as shown in the column for mode A in Table 2, and the compressor 1, the indoor fans 10a and 10b, and the pump 17 are activated.

[0087] As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into compressor 1 and compressed to become high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then passes through first four-way valve 2 and second four-way valve 13 and flows into hot water supply unit 303. The refrigerant that has flowed into hot water supply unit 303 passes through third heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with a liquid medium supplied by the liquid circulation path, condensing and becoming high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0088] After flowing out of the third heat exchanger 16, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the liquid pipe 18, is decompressed by the expansion valve 19 and / or the expansion valves 7a, 7b, and becomes a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then flows into the utilization devices 302a, 302b via the liquid pipes 8a, 8b.

[0089] The refrigerant that has flowed into the utilization devices 302a, 302b passes through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, and exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor fans 10a, 10b, evaporating and becoming a low-pressure gas refrigerant.

[0090] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b flows out of the utilization devices 302a and 302b, passes through the gas pipes 11a and 11b, and then merges at the junction / branch section 27 to flow into the gas pipe 12, passes through the accumulator 14 via the second four-way valve 13, and is again sucked into the compressor 1.

[0091] In mode A, the exhaust heat from cooling operation is used to heat water in the hot water supply unit 303, so there is no need to release the exhaust heat outdoors. Also, when the water temperature in the hot water tank is low, cooling can be performed more efficiently than if the exhaust heat were released outdoors.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the simultaneous mode (mode B) of the heat pump device according to the first embodiment.

[0093] In mode B, the control device 110 sets the first four-way valve 2 and the second four-way valve 2 to OFF, fully opens the flow control valve 5a on the heat source device side and the expansion valve 19 on the hot water supply unit side, while adjusting the opening degrees of the bypass flow control valve 5b and the expansion valves 7a and 7b on the utilization devices 302a and 302b side, and sets the on-off valve 161 to OFF (closed). In mode B, the first heat exchanger 3 of the heat source device and the third heat exchanger 16 of the hot water supply unit function as condensers, and the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b of the utilization devices 302a and 302b function as evaporators.

[0094] In mode B, the utilization devices 302a and 302b perform cooling, and the hot water supply unit 303 heats the water in the hot water supply tank 304. The first heat exchanger 3 of the heat source device functions as a condenser to fill the gap between the hot water supply capacity and the cooling capacity. In mode B, with the flow path switching device 120 set as shown in the column for mode B in Table 2, the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, the indoor blowers 10a and 10b, and the pump 17 are activated.

[0095] In this case, low-pressure gas refrigerant is drawn into compressor 1 and compressed to become high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then passes through first four-way valve 2 and second four-way valve 13 and flows into hot water supply unit 303. At this time, flow rate adjustment valve 5b is open, so some of the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant condenses as it passes through first heat exchanger 3 and flow rate adjustment valve 5a, becoming high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Meanwhile, the refrigerant that has flowed into hot water supply unit 303 passes through third heat exchanger 16, where it exchanges heat with a liquid medium supplied by the liquid circulation path and condenses to become high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After flowing out of third heat exchanger 16, the refrigerant passes through liquid piping 18 and expansion valve 19.

[0096] This high-pressure liquid refrigerant merges with the refrigerant that has passed through the flow control valve 5a at the merger / branch section 28, is decompressed by the expansion valves 7a and 7b to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then flows into the utilization devices 302a and 302b via the liquid pipes 8a and 8b.

[0097] The refrigerant that has flowed into the utilization devices 302a, 302b passes through the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b, and exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor fans 10a, 10b, evaporating and becoming a low-pressure gas refrigerant.

[0098] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b flows out of the utilization devices 302a and 302b, passes through the gas pipes 11a and 11b, and then merges at the junction / branch section 27 to flow into the gas pipe 12, passes through the accumulator 14 via the second four-way valve 13, and is again sucked into the compressor 1.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the simultaneous mode (mode C) of the heat pump device of the first embodiment.

[0100] In mode B, the control device 110 sets the first four-way valve 2 and the second four-way valve 2 to OFF, fully opens the flow control valve 5a on the heat source device side and the expansion valve 19 on the hot water supply unit side, closes the bypass flow control valve 5b, adjusts the opening degrees of the expansion valves 7a and 7b on the utilization devices 302a and 302b side, and sets the on-off valve 161 to ON (open). In mode C, the third heat exchanger 16 of the hot water supply unit functions as a condenser, and the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b of the utilization devices 302a and 302b and the first heat exchanger 3 of the heat source device function as evaporators.

[0101] In mode C, the utilization devices 302a and 302b perform cooling, and the hot water supply unit 303 heats the water in the hot water supply tank 304. The first heat exchanger 3 of the heat source device functions as an evaporator to fill the gap between the hot water supply capacity and the cooling capacity. In mode C, with the flow path switching device 120 set as shown in the column for mode C in Table 2, the compressor 1, the outdoor blower 4, the indoor blowers 10a and 10b, and the pump 17 are activated.

[0102] In this case, low-pressure gas refrigerant is drawn into compressor 1 and compressed to become high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then flows into hot water supply unit 303 via first four-way valve 2 and second four-way valve 13. The refrigerant that flows into hot water supply unit 303 passes through third heat exchanger 16, where it exchanges heat with a liquid medium supplied by the liquid circulation path and condenses to become high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After flowing out of third heat exchanger 16, the liquid refrigerant passes through liquid piping 18 and expansion valve 19 to reach junction / branch section 28. Some of the refrigerant then passes through expansion valves 7a, 7b on the utilization devices, and the remaining refrigerant passes through flow control valve 5a on the heat source device.

[0103] The refrigerant distributed to the expansion valves 7a, 7b on the utilization device side expands as it passes through the expansion valves 7a, 7b, and then flows into the corresponding heat exchangers 9a, 9b, where it absorbs heat from the indoor air and evaporates. Meanwhile, the refrigerant that flows into the flow control valve 5a flows into the first heat exchanger 3 of the heat source device, where it absorbs heat from the outdoor air and evaporates. The refrigerant that flows out of the heat exchangers 9a, 9b merge at the merging / branching section 27, then passes through the second four-way valve 13, and merges with the refrigerant that passed through the first heat exchanger 3 and first four-way valve 2 on the heat source device side. The merged refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 1 and compressed.

[0104] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control relating to selection of modes A, B, and C in the simultaneous mode in the heat pump apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0105] In step S1, the control device 110 receives data indicating the target hot water temperature, target hot water volume, and outside air temperature from the hot water supply side, i.e., the hot water supply unit, and receives data indicating the target temperature and indoor temperature from the air conditioning side, i.e., the utilization device.

[0106] The target temperature and the target amount of hot water are set, for example, by a remote controller (not shown). The outside air temperature is measured by a temperature sensor 205. The room temperature is measured by temperature sensors 208a and 208b.

[0107] Next, in step S2, the control device 110 performs calculations for the air conditioning (cooling) cycle based on the received data. Specifically, the control device 110 calculates the target capacity (Qc) for the air conditioning cycle, the target rotation speed of the compressor 1, the target evaporation temperature (Te) of the air conditioning refrigerant, and the input (Wccomp) of the compressor 1. Furthermore, in step S3, the control device 110 performs calculations for the hot water supply cycle based on the received data. Specifically, the control device 110 calculates the target capacity (Qh) for the hot water supply cycle, the target rotation speed of the compressor 1, the target discharge temperature (Td) of the compressor 1, and the input (Whcomp) of the compressor 1.

[0108] Based on the results of the calculations in steps S2 and S3, the control device 110 determines whether the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation) and the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption) are equal (S4). Note that if the difference between the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation) and the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption) is within a predetermined numerical range, it is determined that the two are equal.

[0109] If it is determined that the cooling capacity (amount of heat released) and the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorbed) are equal (YES in S4), the control device 110 executes Control 1. Control 1 is the control when Mode A is selected.

[0110] If it is determined that the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation) and the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption) are not equal (NO in S4), the control device 110 determines whether the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption) is less than the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation) (S5).

[0111] If it is determined that the cooling capacity is greater than the hot water capacity (YES in S5), the control device 110 executes control 2. Control 2 is the control performed when mode B is selected. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cooling capacity is less than the hot water capacity (NO in S5), the control device 110 executes control 3. Control 3 is the control performed when mode C is selected.

[0112] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of control 1 (hot water supply capacity=cooling capacity) in the first embodiment.

[0113] First, in step S11, the control device 110 sets the first four-way valve 2 to OFF (broken line), the second four-way valve 13 to OFF (broken line), and the flow rate adjustment valves 5a and 5b to OFF (closed).

[0114] Then, in step S12, the control device 110 stops the outdoor blower 4 and adjusts the openings of the air conditioning expansion valves 7a and 7b to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchangers 9a and 9b so as to achieve the cooling capacity calculated in S2. The control device 110 starts operation in the simultaneous mode (mode A) in which the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor 1.

[0115] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of control 2 (hot water supply capacity<cooling capacity) in the first embodiment.

[0116] In control 2, since the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation) is greater than the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption), first, in step S21, the control device 110 puts the system into a state in which cooling operation and hot water supply operation can be performed while dissipating the differential heat amount corresponding to the difference between the amount of heat dissipation and the amount of heat absorption into the atmosphere from the first heat exchanger 3.

[0117] Specifically, the control device 110 sets the first four-way valve 2 to OFF (broken line), the second four-way valve 13 to OFF (broken line), and the flow rate adjustment valves 5a and 5b to an open state. In addition, the control device 110 sets the on-off valve 161 to OFF (closed).

[0118] Next, in step S22, the control device 110 checks the operating cycle currently being executed, obtains the cooling capacity, hot water supply capacity, and outside air temperature, and calculates the coefficient of performance COP when simultaneous cooling and hot water supply operation is performed and the coefficient of performance COP when cooling operation is performed.

[0119] Furthermore, the control device 110 calculates the target evaporation temperature (Te) and the target condensation temperature (Tc) based on the various acquired data (S23). Next, in step S24, the control device 110 compares the coefficient of performance COP when performing simultaneous cooling and hot water supply operation (simultaneous COP) with the coefficient of performance COP when performing cooling operation (cooling COP) based on the acquired data, and if the cooling COP is larger (NO in S24), it transitions to cooling operation mode (S27).

[0120] On the other hand, if the control device 110 determines that the simultaneous COP is large (YES in S24), it controls the operation in accordance with the calculation result (S25). Specifically, the control device 110 controls the valve opening of the expansion valves 7a and 7b on the utilization device side so that the value measured by the temperature sensors 207a and 207b becomes the target evaporation temperature (Te). The control device 110 also controls the valve opening of the flow control valve 5b on the bypass path so that the value measured by the temperature sensor 209 becomes the target condensing temperature (Tc).

[0121] Furthermore, in step S26, the control device 110 determines whether the cooling capacity and hot water supply capacity are at the target cooling capacity and target hot water supply capacity, respectively, and if they are not at the target capacity (NO in S26), executes the processing of step S25 again.

[0122] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of control 3 (cooling capacity<hot water supply capacity) in embodiment 1. Since there are some parts that overlap with the flowchart in Fig. 12, only the differences from control 2 will be described.

[0123] In control 3, since the hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorption) is greater than the cooling capacity (amount of heat dissipation), the control device 110 first, in step S31, puts the system into a state in which cooling operation and hot water supply operation can be performed while absorbing heat from the atmosphere by the first heat exchanger 3 in an amount equivalent to the difference between the amount of heat dissipation and the amount of heat absorbed.

[0124] Specifically, the control device 110 sets the first four-way valve 2 to OFF (dashed line), the second four-way valve 13 to OFF (dashed line), the flow rate adjustment valve 5a to an open state, and the flow rate adjustment valve 5b to a closed state. In addition, the control device 110 sets the on-off valve 161 to ON (open).

[0125] Steps S32, S33, S34, and S37 are similar to steps S22, S23, S24, and S27 of control 2, respectively, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0126] In step S35, the heat pump unit is operated in simultaneous mode C. The control device 110 controls the valve openings of the expansion valves 7a, 7b and the flow control valve 5a so that the measured values ​​of the temperature sensors 207a, 207b become the target evaporation temperature (Te). Furthermore, in step S36, the control device 110 determines whether the cooling capacity and the hot water supply capacity are at the target cooling capacity and the target hot water supply capacity, respectively, and if they are not at the target capacities (NO in S36), the process of step S35 is executed again.

[0127] As described above, the heat pump device of embodiment 1 can recover exhaust heat even when the required cooling capacity (amount of heat released) and hot water supply capacity (amount of heat absorbed) are not balanced. Therefore, by shortening the time of standalone operation (cooling operation only or hot water supply operation only), it is possible to improve indoor comfort and the energy-saving performance of the air conditioning and hot water supply system.

[0128] Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0129] Heat pump apparatus 100A shown in Fig. 14 includes heat source apparatus 301A, branching apparatus 306, utilization apparatuses 302a and 302b, and hot water supply unit 303. Hot water supply unit 303 heats water in hot water supply tank 304 shown in Fig. 2. Utilization apparatuses 302a and 302b, hot water supply unit 303, and hot water supply tank 304 have the same configuration as those shown in Fig. 1, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

[0130] In the modification of the first embodiment, the components of the flow path switching device 120 are arranged separately in a heat source device 301A and a branching device 306.

[0131] Specifically, the heat source device 301A and the branching device 306 are connected by a liquid extension pipe 6, which is a refrigerant pipe, and a gas pipe 12, which is also a refrigerant pipe. The hot water supply unit 303 is connected to the heat source device 301 via a gas pipe 15, which is also a refrigerant pipe, on one side, and to the branching device 306 via a liquid pipe 18, which is also a refrigerant pipe on the other side. The utilization devices 302a and 302b and the branching device 306 are connected by gas pipes 11a and 11b, which are refrigerant pipes, and liquid pipes 8a and 8b, which are refrigerant pipes.

[0132] The first four-way valve 2 and the second four-way valve 13 constitute a part of a flow path switching device that switches the direction of the refrigerant flow depending on the operation mode of the heat pump device 100A.

[0133] Of the components of the flow path switching device, the first four-way valve 2, the second four-way valve 13, and the flow rate adjustment valves 5a and 5b are arranged in the heat source device 301A.

[0134] Of the components of the flow path switching device, the first expansion valves 7a, 7b and the second expansion valve 19 are arranged in a branching device 306. One ends of the first expansion valves 7a, 7b and the second expansion valve 19 are connected to a junction / branch section 28 inside the branching device 306 and then connected to the liquid extension pipe 6. The other ends of the first expansion valves 7a, 7b and the second expansion valve 19 are connected to liquid pipes 8a, 8b and the liquid pipe 18, respectively. Furthermore, a junction / branch section 27 that joins the gas pipes 11a, 11b and connects them to the gas pipe 12 is also arranged in the branching device 306.

[0135] The other components shown in FIG. 14 are connected in the same manner as in FIG. 1, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0136] Furthermore, the switching control of the operation modes described in Table 1 and FIGS. 3 to 9, and the simultaneous mode described in FIGS. 10 to 12 is similar to that in the modification of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described repeatedly.

[0137] According to the modification of the first embodiment, since some of the flow path switching devices are distributed to the branching device, the heat source device to be placed outdoors can be made smaller. In addition, the extension pipes can be bundled partway, which makes it possible to reduce the number of pipes.

[0138] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the hot water supply capacity Qh and the compressor input Whcomp were calculated in the hot water supply cycle calculation process shown in step S3 of Fig. 10, but in the second embodiment, these are obtained from a data table. This data table records data obtained in advance through experiments. An example of a data table recording the hot water supply capacity Qh is shown in Table 3.

[0139]

[0140] An example of a data table in which the compressor input Whcomp is recorded is shown in Table 4. Since the compressor input Whcomp is determined by the outside air temperature and the outlet hot water temperature, the compressor input Whcomp is a value linked to the hot water supply capacity Qh in Table 3.

[0141]

[0142] The heat absorption amount Qc may be obtained from a data table. By replacing the process of calculating the hot water supply capacity Qh, compressor input Whcomp, heat absorption amount Qc, etc. during the hot water supply cycle calculation with a process of obtaining these values ​​from a data table, complex calculation processes are no longer necessary. This reduces the cost of the control device.

[0143] [Summary] (Section 1) The present disclosure relates to a heat pump apparatus having operating modes of a cooling mode, a hot water supply mode, and a simultaneous mode in which cooling and hot water supply are performed simultaneously. The heat pump apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a compressor 1 for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, second heat exchangers 9a and 9b for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, a third heat exchanger 16 connected to a liquid circulation path 130 through which a liquid medium for heating water in a hot water tank circulates and for exchanging heat between the liquid medium and the refrigerant, a flow path switching device 120 capable of switching the flow path for the refrigerant to flow through the compressor 1, the first heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b, and the third heat exchanger 16, and a control device 110 for controlling the flow path switching device 120. In the cooling mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate the refrigerant through the third heat exchanger 16, and circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser and the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b function as evaporators. In the hot water supply mode, the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate the refrigerant through the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b, and circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser and the third heat exchanger 16 functions as an evaporator. In the simultaneous mode, the control device 110 is configured to select one of the first to third modes. In the first mode (mode A), the flow path switching device 120 does not circulate the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 3, and circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b function as evaporators and the third heat exchanger 16 functions as a condenser. In the second mode (mode B), the flow path switching device 120 causes the refrigerant to flow so that the second heat exchangers 9 a and 9 b act as evaporators, and the first heat exchanger 3 and the third heat exchanger 16 act as condensers. In the third mode (mode C), the flow path switching device 120 causes the refrigerant to flow so that the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchangers 9 a and 9 b act as evaporators, and the third heat exchanger 16 acts as a condenser.

[0144] (Item 2) In the heat pump apparatus described in item 1, the control device 110 is configured to compare the amount of heat absorbed by the liquid medium from the third heat exchanger 16 and required for hot water supply with the amount of heat radiated from the indoor air to the second heat exchangers 9 a, 9 b and required for cooling. The control device 110 is configured to select the first mode (mode A) when the amount of heat absorption is equal to the amount of heat radiation, to select the second mode (mode B) when the amount of heat radiation is greater than the amount of heat absorption, and to select the third mode (mode C) when the amount of heat absorption is greater than the amount of heat radiation.

[0145] (Item 3) In the heat pump apparatus described in Items 1 or 2, the flow path switching device 120 includes a first four-way valve 2, a second four-way valve 13, first expansion valves 7a and 7b, a second expansion valve 19, a first flow rate adjustment valve 5a, a second flow rate adjustment valve 5b, and an on-off valve 161. The first four-way valve 2 has a first port P1 to a fourth port P4. The second four-way valve 13 has a fifth port P5 to an eighth port P8. The first port P1 is coupled to the discharge side of the compressor 1, and the second port P2 is connected to one end of the first heat exchanger 3 via the on-off valve 161. One end of the first flow rate adjustment valve 5a is connected to the other end of the first heat exchanger 3. The first expansion valves 7a and 7b are connected between the other end of the first flow rate adjustment valve 5a and one ends of the second heat exchangers 9a and 9b. The second expansion valve 19 is connected between the other end of the first flow control valve 5a and one end of the third heat exchanger 16. The third port P3 and the seventh port P7 are coupled to the suction side of the compressor 1. The fourth port P4 is connected to the fifth port P5. The sixth port P6 is connected to the other ends of the second heat exchangers 9a, 9b. The eighth port P8 is connected to the other end of the third heat exchanger 16. The second flow control valve 5b is provided between the discharge side of the compressor 1 and one end of the first heat exchanger 3.

[0146] (Item 4) The heat pump apparatus according to item 3 further includes a heat source apparatus 301 as shown in Fig. 1. The compressor 1, the first heat exchanger 3, and the flow switching device 120 are disposed in the heat source apparatus 301.

[0147] (Item 5) The heat pump apparatus 100A described in item 3 further includes a heat source apparatus 301A and a branching apparatus 306, as shown in Fig. 14. The compressor 1, the first heat exchanger 3, the first four-way valve 2, the second four-way valve 13, and the first flow control valve 5a are arranged in the heat source apparatus 301A, and the first expansion valves 7a and 7b and the second expansion valve 19 are arranged in the branching apparatus 306.

[0148] (6) In the heat pump device described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, the control device 110 is configured to calculate the coefficient of performance when operating in cooling mode and the coefficient of performance when operating in simultaneous mode based on the outdoor temperature, as shown in Figure 12 or 13, and to determine whether to select the cooling mode or the simultaneous mode based on the calculation results (S24, S34).

[0149] (Item 7) In the heat pump apparatus described in any one of Items 1 to 6, the control device 110 includes a memory that stores data tables such as those shown in Tables 2 and 3, which show the relationship between the outdoor temperature, the target temperature for hot water supply, and values ​​related to the amount of heat absorption. The calculation device is configured to calculate the amount of heat release from the condensing temperature during cooling operation, obtain a value related to the amount of heat absorption from the data table stored in the memory based on the outdoor temperature and the target temperature, and select one of the first to third modes based on the result of comparing the amount of heat release with the amount of heat absorption obtained from the value related to the amount of heat absorption.

[0150] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0151] 1 Compressor, 2, 13 Four-way valve, 3, 9a, 9b, 16 Heat exchanger, 4 Outdoor blower, 5a, 5b Flow control valve, 6 Liquid extension piping, 7, 7a, 7b, 19 Expansion valve, 8a, 8b, 18 Liquid piping, 10a, 10b Indoor blower, 11a, 11b, 12, 15 Gas piping, 14 Accumulator, 17 Pump, 20 Water upstream piping, 21 Water downstream piping, 27, 28 Confluence / branching section, 100, 100A Heat pump device, 110 Control device, 120 Switching device, 130 Liquid circulation path, 161 Opening and closing valve, 201 Pressure sensor, 202-205, 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b, 208a, 208b, 209 Temperature sensor, 212-216 Water temperature sensor, 301, 301A heat source device, 302a, 302b utilization device, 303 hot water supply unit, 304 hot water supply tank, 306 branching device, P1-P8 ports.

Claims

1. A heat pump device having operating modes of a cooling mode, a hot water supply mode, and a simultaneous mode in which cooling and hot water supply are performed simultaneously, comprising: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air; a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and indoor air; a third heat exchanger that is connected to a liquid circulation path through which a liquid medium for heating water in a hot water tank circulates and exchanges heat between the liquid medium and the refrigerant; a flow path switching device that can change the flow path for flowing the refrigerant to the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger; and a control device that controls the flow path switching device, wherein in the cooling mode, the flow path switching device does not circulate the refrigerant to the third heat exchanger, and circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger acts as a condenser and the second heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, a heat pump device in which, in the hot water supply mode, the flow path switching device does not circulate the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger, and circulates the refrigerant so that the first heat exchanger acts as a condenser and the third heat exchanger acts as an evaporator; and, in the simultaneous mode, the control device is configured to select one of first to third modes, and, in the first mode, the flow path switching device does not circulate the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger, and circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and the third heat exchanger acts as a condenser; in the second mode, the flow path switching device circulates the refrigerant so that the second heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the first and third heat exchangers act as condensers; and, in the third mode, the flow path switching device circulates the refrigerant so that the first and second heat exchangers act as evaporators and the third heat exchanger acts as a condenser.

2. The heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to compare the amount of heat absorbed by the liquid medium from the third heat exchanger and required for hot water supply with the amount of heat radiated from the indoor air to the second heat exchanger and required for air conditioning, and the control device is configured to select the first mode when the amount of heat absorption and the amount of heat radiation are equal, select the second mode when the amount of heat radiation is greater than the amount of heat absorption, and select the third mode when the amount of heat absorption is greater than the amount of heat radiation.

3. The flow path switching device includes a first four-way valve, a second four-way valve, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, and an on-off valve, the first four-way valve has first to fourth ports, the second four-way valve has fifth to eighth ports, the first port is coupled to the discharge side of the compressor, the second port is connected to one end of the first heat exchanger via the on-off valve, one end of the first flow control valve is connected to the other end of the first heat exchanger, the first expansion valve is connected between the other end of the first flow control valve and one end of the second heat exchanger, the second expansion valve is connected between the other end of the first flow control valve and one end of the third heat exchanger, the third port and the seventh port are coupled to the suction side of the compressor, the fourth port is connected to the fifth port, and the sixth port is connected to the other end of the second heat exchanger. The heat pump apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the eighth port is connected to the other end of the third heat exchanger, and the second flow control valve is provided between a discharge side of the compressor and the one end of the first heat exchanger.

4. The heat pump device according to claim 3, further comprising a heat source device, wherein the compressor, the first heat exchanger, and the flow path switching device are disposed in the heat source device.

5. The heat pump apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a heat source apparatus and a branching apparatus, wherein the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first four-way valve, the second four-way valve and the first flow control valve are arranged in the heat source apparatus, and the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve are arranged in the branching apparatus.

6. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device is configured to calculate the coefficient of performance when operating in the cooling mode and the coefficient of performance when operating in the simultaneous mode based on the outdoor temperature, and to determine whether to select the cooling mode or the simultaneous mode based on the calculation result.

7. The heat pump device according to claim 2, wherein the control device comprises: a memory that stores a data table showing the relationship between the outdoor temperature, the target temperature for hot water supply, and a value related to the amount of heat absorption; and an arithmetic unit, wherein the arithmetic unit is configured to calculate the amount of heat dissipation from the condensation temperature during cooling operation, obtain a value related to the amount of heat absorption from the data table stored in the memory based on the outdoor temperature and the target temperature, and select one of the first to third modes based on the result of comparing the amount of heat absorption obtained from the value related to the amount of heat absorption with the amount of heat dissipation.

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