Control device for hot water supply air conditioner, hot water supply air conditioner, hot water supply air conditioner system, control method for hot water supply air conditioner, and program

Abstract

A control device for this hot water supply air conditioner comprises: an accumulated heat amount determination section that determines whether or not the amount of accumulated heat in a water tank is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value; an air conditioning heat accumulation control section that, if the amount of accumulated heat in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold value, performs control such that a configuration in which a circulation path of a first piping includes a second heat exchanger, and a circulation path of a second piping includes a first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of an indoor unit is used to perform air conditioning through an air conditioner and heat accumulation in a heat accumulation unit; and an air conditioning load determination section that determines whether or not the air conditioning load on an outdoor unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined load threshold value if the amount of accumulated heat in the water tank is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value.

Description

Control device for hot water supply air conditioner, hot water supply air conditioner, hot water supply air conditioner system, control method for hot water supply air conditioner, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a hot water supply air conditioner, a hot water supply air conditioner, a hot water supply air conditioner system, a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner, and a program. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-108951, filed on July 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of renewable energy, imbalances between electricity supply and demand have become an issue, and demand response (DR) has become increasingly important as a solution to this problem. For example, in air conditioners, one possible method for responding to demand response is to store energy as heat or electricity when electricity demand is low, and conversely, to utilize the stored energy when electricity demand is high. Furthermore, there are units (commonly referred to as monoblocks) that have both air conditioning and hot water supply functions, and in the technical field of water heaters, a heat storage function that uses inexpensive electricity at night to heat hot water has become widespread. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses nighttime electricity to drive a heat pump, stores hot and cold energy in a heat and cold storage tank, and extracts the stored hot and cold energy during the day for heating and cooling.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique that utilizes heat stored in a heat storage tank to simultaneously provide hot water supply and cooling, or hot water supply and heating.

[0004] Patent No. 2665310 Patent No. 5253582

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 controls the bath, air conditioning, heat and cold storage, and hot water storage in that order, so it is not possible to provide hot water and air conditioning simultaneously, or hot water and air conditioning simultaneously. On the other hand, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 can provide hot water and air conditioning simultaneously, or hot water and air conditioning simultaneously, but does not disclose a technology for effectively utilizing stored heat energy for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can utilize the heat stored in a heat storage tank to provide hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation in a hot water supply air conditioner that is an integrated unit with air conditioning and hot water supply functions.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control device for a hot water supply air conditioner, a hot water supply air conditioner, a hot water supply air conditioner system, a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner, and a program that can effectively utilize stored energy for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, and that can operate highly efficiently and stably.

[0007] The control device for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a hot water supply air conditioner including an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit includes: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; The water heater includes a water tank for storing hot water, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first heat medium flowing through the first pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the second heat medium flowing through the second pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and the control device includes a heat storage amount determination unit for determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold, a heat storage amount determination unit for determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and ... an air conditioning heat storage control unit that controls the air conditioner to perform air conditioning and the heat storage in the heat storage unit in a configuration that does not include the third heat exchanger but includes the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; and an air conditioning load determination unit that determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, and when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit determines whether the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger and The circulation path of the second piping is controlled to include the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, and air conditioning is performed using the air conditioner and the heat storage unit, and when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls to perform air conditioning using the air conditioner, and the circulation path of the second piping is controlled to include the second heat exchanger, but not the third heat exchanger, and includes the first heat exchanger and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

[0008] A control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the present disclosure is a control method for controlling a hot water supply air conditioner including an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit includes: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; The water heater includes a water tank for storing hot water, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first heat medium flowing through the first pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a second heat medium flowing through the second pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and the control method includes a step of determining whether an amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold value, determining whether a circulation path of the first pipe includes the second heat exchanger and whether a circulation path of the second pipe includes the third heat exchanger. a step of controlling the air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage in the heat storage unit in a configuration including the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit, but not including the third heat exchanger; and a step of determining whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold value when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, wherein, in the step of controlling, if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger and the circulation path of the second piping does not include the second heat exchanger. The control step controls the air conditioning using the air conditioner and the heat storage unit so that the circulation path of the pipe includes the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, and if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, the control step controls the air conditioning using the air conditioner so that the circulation path of the first pipe includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second pipe does not include the third heat exchanger, and includes the first heat exchanger and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

[0009] The program according to the present disclosure is a hot water supply air conditioner including an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit includes: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; a water tank that stores hot water for hot water supply; The hot water supply air conditioner includes a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a first heat medium flowing through a first pipe and hot water stored in the water tank, and a third heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing through the second pipe and hot water stored in the water tank. The computer of the control device that controls the hot water supply air conditioner includes a step of determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold, a step of determining whether the circulation path of the first pipe includes the second heat exchanger and the circulation path of the second pipe includes the third heat exchanger. a step of controlling the air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage in the heat storage unit to be performed in a configuration including the first heat exchanger and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, but not including the third heat exchanger; and a step of determining whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold value when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, and if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, in the control step, The control is performed so that air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit in a configuration in which the circulation path of the piping includes the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, and if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, the control step controls so that air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, and includes the first heat exchanger and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

[0010] The control device for a hot water supply air conditioner, the hot water supply air conditioner, the hot water supply air conditioner system, the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner, and the program disclosed herein enable the stored energy to be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning, enabling the hot water supply air conditioner to operate efficiently and stably.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device of a hot water supply air conditioner provided in the hot water supply air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of processing of a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device for a hot water supply air conditioner provided in the hot water supply air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of processing of a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device for a hot water supply air conditioner provided in the hot water supply air conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of processing of a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a first schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hot water supply air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a second schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hot water supply air conditioning system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a first flow diagram illustrating an example of processing of a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a second flow diagram illustrating an example of processing of a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer included in the control device for the refrigerator according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] First Embodiment A hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

[0014] (Overall Configuration) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to this embodiment includes a hot water supply air conditioner 2 that is an integrated unit having an air conditioning function and a hot water supply function, and a control device 10 for the hot water supply air conditioner 2. The hot water supply air conditioner 2 includes an air conditioner 5 having one outdoor unit 30A and one indoor unit 20A, and a heat storage unit 40 having a hot water supply function.

[0015] The heat storage unit 40 includes a first pipe L2 constituting a circulation path through which a first heat medium circulates, the first heat medium exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 31A of the outdoor unit 30A, and a second pipe L4 constituting a circulation path through which a second heat medium circulates, the second heat medium exchanging heat with the indoor air in the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. The first heat medium is pumped by a pump (not shown) external to the heat storage unit 40 and circulates through the first pipe L2 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. The second heat medium is pumped by a pump 45 included in the heat storage unit 40 and circulates through the second pipe L4 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] The first heat medium may be, for example, a calcium chloride aqueous solution, an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, an alcohol, or other brine, or may be another heat medium. The second heat medium may be, for example, water or a heat medium other than water.

[0017] The heat storage unit 40 includes a heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) that exchanges heat between a first heat medium flowing through the first pipe L2 and a second heat medium flowing through the second pipe L4, a water tank 411 in which hot water for hot water supply is stored, a heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger) that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing through the first pipe L2 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411, and a heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger) that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing through the second pipe L4 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411.

[0018] The heat exchanger 413 is configured to be connected to the first pipe L2 via the pipe L3. Three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) are provided between the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the pipe L3. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2, the circulation path of the first pipe L2 can be switched between a configuration including the heat exchanger 413 of the water tank 411 and a configuration not including the heat exchanger 413.

[0019] Three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) are provided between the second pipe L4 and the heat exchanger 43. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4, it is possible to switch between a configuration in which the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 and a configuration in which it does not include the heat exchanger 43. When the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 are switched to a configuration in which the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the heat exchanger 43, the second heat medium circulating through the second pipe L4 flows from the three-way valve V3 to the three-way valve V4 via the pipe L5, bypassing the heat exchanger 43.

[0020] The heat exchanger 412 is configured to be connected to the second pipe L4 via the pipe L7. Three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) are provided between the circulation path of the second pipe L4 and the pipe L7. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V7 and V8, the circulation path of the second pipe L4 can be switched between a configuration including the heat exchanger 412 of the water tank 411 and a configuration not including the heat exchanger 412.

[0021] The water storage tank 411 of the heat storage unit 40 has a hot water supply function that stores water supplied via pipe L9 and supplies it as heated or cooled water from pipe L8. The water storage tank 411 of the heat storage unit 40 can store heat or cold in the stored hot water by using a heat exchanger 413 to exchange heat between the hot water stored in the water storage tank 411 and a first heat medium flowing through the first pipe L2. The water storage tank 411 of the heat storage unit 40 can also store heat or cold in the stored hot water by using a heat exchanger 412 to exchange heat between the hot water stored in the water storage tank 411 and a second heat medium flowing through the second pipe L4. In this embodiment, a case where heat is stored in the hot water stored in the water storage tank 411 is described, and the temperature of the stored hot water is approximately 40 to 60 degrees. However, the temperature of the stored hot water may be other temperatures. The water tank 411 is provided with a temperature sensor 415 that measures the temperature of the stored hot water, and a water volume sensor 416 that measures the amount of the stored hot water.

[0022] The air conditioner 5 is configured to be able to heat or cool the space in which the indoor unit 20A is installed by supplying heat from the outdoor unit 30A to the indoor unit 20A, or by absorbing heat from the indoor unit 20A and supplying heat to the outdoor unit 30A.

[0023] The outdoor unit 30A of the air conditioner 5 includes a heat exchanger 31A, a heat exchanger 32A, an expansion valve 33A, and a compressor 34A that constitute a refrigeration cycle. The heat exchanger 31A, the expansion valve 33A, the heat exchanger 32A, and the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A are connected in sequence via a pipe L1A, and are configured to circulate a heat medium such as a refrigerant gas.

[0024] During heating operation of the outdoor unit 30A, the refrigerant circulates in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 in a refrigeration cycle (hereinafter referred to as the heating cycle), circulating through the compressor 34A, heat exchanger 31A, expansion valve 33A, and heat exchanger 32A in that order. In the heating cycle, the refrigerant, which is a low-temperature, low-pressure gas, is compressed by the compressor 34A to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas and sent to the heat exchanger 31A, which functions as a condenser. In the heat exchanger 31A, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant exchanges heat with a first heat medium circulating through a first pipe L2 provided in the thermal storage unit 40. The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger 31A is condensed into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid and then sent to the expansion valve 33A. The high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant is decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve 33A to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid state and sent to the heat exchanger 32A. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state exchanges heat with outside air in the heat exchanger 32A, which functions as an evaporator, to become a low-temperature, low-pressure gas, which is then sent to the compressor 34A. The heating cycle is repeated in the same manner, and heat is supplied to the first heat medium circulating through the first pipe L2 using the outside air.

[0025] During cooling operation of the outdoor unit 30A, the refrigerant circulates in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the cooling cycle), and the refrigerant circulates through the heat exchanger 31A, compressor 34A, heat exchanger 32A, and expansion valve 33A in this order. In the cooling cycle, the refrigerant exchanges heat with a first heat medium circulating through a first pipe L2 provided in the thermal storage unit 40 in the heat exchanger 31A, which functions as an evaporator. The refrigerant exchanges heat in the heat exchanger 31A to become a low-temperature, low-pressure gas, which is then sent to the compressor 34A. The low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 34A to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which is then sent to the heat exchanger 32A, which functions as a condenser. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed in the heat exchanger 32A, exchanges heat with outside air, and is condensed into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid, which is then sent to the expansion valve 33A. The refrigerant, which is a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid, is decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve 33A, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid, and is sent to the heat exchanger 31A. Thereafter, the cooling cycle is repeated in the same manner, and heat is absorbed from the first heat medium circulating through the first pipe L2.

[0026] When the outdoor unit 30A performs heating operation, the heat exchanger 32A, which functions as an evaporator, exchanges heat with and absorbs heat from the outdoor air, which can lead to a frosting state in which frost or the like adheres to the outdoor unit 30A. To detect this frosting state, the outdoor unit 30A is provided with a sensor that can measure a frosting determination temperature, which is the temperature at any position between the evaporator and the compressor inlet of the outdoor unit. Specifically, a temperature sensor 36A is provided that measures the evaporation temperature as the frosting determination temperature of the heat exchanger 32A. For example, if the evaporation temperature measured by the temperature sensor 36A is 0°C or lower, it can be determined that frost has adhered to the outdoor unit 30A. The defrosting operation to remove the frost that has adhered to the outdoor unit 30A is performed by operating the cooling cycle of the outdoor unit 30A described above and supplying heat from the heat exchanger 32A to the outdoor air to melt the frost.

[0027] The indoor unit 20A of the air conditioner 5 is equipped with a heat exchanger 21A connected to the second pipe L4 of the heat storage unit 40 via a pipe L6A. The indoor unit 20A is configured to perform heat exchange between the indoor air and the second heat medium in the heat exchanger 21A. Three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves) are provided between the circulation path of the second pipe L4 of the heat storage unit 40 and the pipe L6A. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V5A and V6A, it is possible to switch between a configuration in which the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A and a configuration in which it does not include the heat exchanger 21A. The indoor unit 20A is equipped with a temperature sensor 25A that measures the temperature of the indoor air.

[0028] When air conditioning is performed by one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40, the three-way valves V5A and V6A switch the flow paths of the second pipe L4 to a configuration including the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. During heating and cooling operations of the indoor unit 20A, the second heat medium is supplied from the second pipe L4 of the heat storage unit 40 via the pipe L6A to the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. During heating operation of the indoor unit 20A, heat exchange occurs between the indoor air and the second heat medium in the heat exchanger 21A, the indoor air is heated, and then sent to the room using a fan (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 20A, thereby performing indoor air conditioning as heating. During cooling operation of the indoor unit 20A, heat exchange occurs between the indoor air and the second heat medium in the heat exchanger 21A, the indoor air is cooled, and then sent to the room using a fan (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 20A, thereby performing indoor air conditioning as cooling.

[0029] (Configuration of the Control Device of the Hot Water Supply Air Conditioner According to the First Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device of the hot water supply air conditioner included in the hot water supply air conditioner system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a heat storage amount determination unit 11, an air conditioning heat storage control unit 12, an air conditioning load determination unit 13, and a memory unit 19. The control device 10 is configured to control air conditioning by one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2. The control device 10 is also configured to control heat or cold storage by the heat storage unit 40. The control device 10 is also configured to control a defrosting operation by the air conditioner 5. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where heating operation is performed as air conditioning by one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where heat is stored in the water tank 411 included in the heat storage unit 40.

[0030] The control device 10 switches the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 to V4 and V5A to V6A depending on the operation of the air conditioning and heat storage. Specifically, by switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2, the control device 10 controls the circulation path of the first pipe L2 to switch between a configuration including and a configuration excluding the heat exchanger 413 of the water tank 411. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4, the control device 10 controls the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to switch between a configuration including and a configuration excluding the heat exchanger 412 of the water tank 411. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V7 and V8, the control device 10 controls the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to switch between a configuration including and a configuration excluding the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. By switching the flow paths of the three-way valves V5A and V6A, the control device 10 controls the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to switch between a configuration including and a configuration excluding the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A.

[0031] The control device 10 is connected to the thermal storage unit 40 and the indoor unit 20A and outdoor unit 30A of the air conditioner 5, and is configured to acquire information necessary for control. The control device 10 is also configured to receive commands from a higher-level device (not shown) via a line 100. The information, commands, and the like acquired by the control device 10 are stored in a memory unit 19 as necessary. For example, the control device 10 acquires the temperature of hot water stored in the water tank 411 from a temperature sensor 415 provided in the thermal storage unit 40, and acquires the amount of hot water stored in the water tank 411 from a water storage volume sensor 416 provided in the thermal storage unit 40. The control device 10 also acquires the evaporation temperature of the heat exchanger 32A from a temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A as a temperature for determining frost formation. The control device 10 also acquires the room temperature where the indoor unit 20A is installed from a temperature sensor 25A of the indoor unit 20A. The control device 10 also acquires setting information, such as the room temperature set in the indoor unit 20A, from the indoor unit 20A.

[0032] The heat storage amount determining unit 11 is configured to determine whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT.

[0033] The air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 is configured to perform air conditioning using the air conditioner 5 and heat storage in the heat storage unit 40 when the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than a predetermined threshold QT. Furthermore, when the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold QT, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 or to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, depending on the determination result of the air conditioning load determination unit 13.

[0034] The air-conditioning load determination unit 13 is configured to determine whether the air-conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold when the heat storage capacity of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold QT. In this embodiment, the air-conditioning load determination unit 13 is configured to use the rotation speed NT required for the compressor 34A as the predetermined load threshold to determine whether the air-conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A) is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold (predetermined rotation speed NT). In other words, the air-conditioning load determination unit 13 uses the predetermined load threshold as a criterion to determine whether the air-conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is high or low. Note that the air-conditioning load determination unit 13 may determine whether the air-conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is high or low using parameters other than the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A. For example, a predetermined outside temperature (e.g., 40 degrees) may be set as the predetermined load threshold, and the air conditioning load (outside temperature) of the outdoor unit 30A may be determined to be high or low by determining whether it is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold (e.g., 40 degrees) using the predetermined outside temperature as a reference.

[0035] The storage unit 19 stores various information necessary for the control of the control device 10 .

[0036] (Processing flow of the control method for the hot water supply air conditioner according to the first embodiment) Hereinafter, the processing flow of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing of the control method for the hot water supply air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] In this embodiment, the process shown in Fig. 3 is started, for example, when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. Note that the process shown in Fig. 3 may be started at a timing other than when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. For example, the process may be started when the control device 10 receives a command to start the process from an external device, or may be started at a predetermined timing determined by the control device 10 itself.

[0038] 3 starts, the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determines whether the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold QT (step S101). The heat storage amount determination unit 11 calculates the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 to be used for the determination based on the temperature of the hot water in the water tank 411 obtained from the temperature sensor 415 of the water tank 411 and the amount (volume) of the hot water obtained from the water storage amount sensor 416 of the water tank 411. For example, the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is calculated using the formula: (temperature of the hot water) × (amount of the hot water) × (specific gravity of the hot water) × (specific heat of the hot water). The predetermined threshold QT, the specific gravity of the hot water, and the specific heat of the hot water used in the calculation may be stored in the memory unit 19. Note that a calculation formula other than the above-described formula may be used to calculate the heat storage amount of the water tank 411.

[0039] If the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determines that the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than the predetermined threshold QT (NO in step S101), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioner 5 to perform air conditioning and store heat in the heat storage unit 40 (step S102). Specifically, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioner 5 to perform air conditioning and store heat in the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger) and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger) but includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. That is, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 is configured to include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). Also, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves), the three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves), and the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 is configured to include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, but not the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger). In this embodiment, the heat storage unit 40 is described as having three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves), but the heat storage unit 40 may not have three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves), and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 may always include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A.

[0040] If the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determines that the heat storage amount in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold QT (YES in step S101), the air-conditioning load determination unit 13 determines whether the air-conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (e.g., the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (e.g., the predetermined rotation speed NT) (step S103). The air-conditioning load determination unit 13 calculates the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A, which is used for the determination, based on the indoor temperature set in the indoor unit 20A obtained from the indoor unit 20A and the indoor temperature obtained from the temperature sensor 25A of the indoor unit 20A. That is, the air-conditioning load determination unit 13 calculates the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A from the temperature difference between the actual indoor temperature and the indoor temperature set in the indoor unit 20A. The predetermined threshold QT and constants required for calculating the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A may be stored in the memory unit 19. Note that the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A may be calculated using a method other than the above-described calculation method.

[0041] When the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines that the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (e.g., the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (e.g., a predetermined rotation speed NT) (YES in step S103), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S104). Specifically, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger), and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger), the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger). That is, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). Also, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and the three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. Note that in step S104, because air conditioning is performed using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger). In contrast, as described above in step S102, when storing heat in the heat storage unit 40, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second piping L4 does not include the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger), and sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first piping L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (first heat exchanger).

[0042] If the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines that the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (e.g., the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) is less than a predetermined load threshold (e.g., the predetermined rotation speed NT) (NO in step S103), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S105). Specifically, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 5 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger), the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger), and the air conditioner 5 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. That is, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 is configured to include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). Also, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and the three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 is configured to include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A. The air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) and the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger) and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger), and controls the flow paths to simultaneously store heat in the heat storage unit 40. However, if the heat storage capacity of the heat storage unit 40 is sufficient or if it is desired to maximize the efficiency of air conditioning by the air conditioner 5, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 may set the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger).

[0043] Thereafter, the process starting from step S101 described above is repeated (step S106: NO) until air conditioning by the hot water air conditioner 2 is completed (step S106: YES).

[0044] (Effects) As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 10 that controls the hot water air conditioner 2 has the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determine whether the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold QT, and if the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determines that the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is less than the predetermined threshold QT, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs air conditioning using the air conditioner 5 and stores heat in the heat storage unit 40. Furthermore, if the heat storage amount determination unit 11 determines that the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold QT, the air conditioning load determination unit 13 further determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold, and if it is determined that the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, and if the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines that the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is less than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40.

[0045] In this manner, the control device 10 controlling the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the present embodiment controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is high (i.e., the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)). This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioner 5 during high-load operation (e.g., a decrease in compressor efficiency due to operation exceeding the rotational speed range at which the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A can efficiently rotate). Furthermore, when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is not high and the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently (i.e., the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is less than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)), the control device 10 controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This prevents excessive use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 and improves the energy efficiency of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 as a whole. Furthermore, heat can be stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently, and the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be used as needed, thereby enabling efficient use of the energy of the entire hot water supply air conditioner 2. As described above, the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0046] Furthermore, even if the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is large, if the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than a predetermined threshold QT, air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not performed, so the hot water supply function can be maintained at a high level. Also, since the amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained at a constant level, it is possible to respond at any time to situations where it is necessary to use the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 for other purposes (for example, responding to demand response, which will be described later).

[0047] Furthermore, the heat storage unit 40 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment is connected to the outdoor unit 30A and the indoor unit 20A only by piping (L2, L6A, etc.), and the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 30A, the indoor unit 20A, and the heat storage unit 40 only by communication cables (dotted lines, etc., shown in FIG. 1 ). This makes the hot water supply air conditioner system 1 (hot water supply air conditioner 2) according to this embodiment very easy to install in existing facilities and easy to maintain, reducing costs associated with installation and maintenance. Furthermore, after installing the hot water supply air conditioner 2, it is possible to add or remove outdoor units 30A and indoor units 20A later, easily changing the number of outdoor units 30A and indoor units 20A included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to the desired number. In particular, with conventional hot water air conditioners, which are integrated units with air conditioning and hot water functions, it is not easy to add more capacity if the air conditioning function becomes insufficient, and it is necessary to replace the hot water air conditioner itself. However, with the hot water air conditioner 2 of this embodiment, the air conditioning function can be easily and inexpensively strengthened by adding an external outdoor unit 30A later.

[0048] (Variation 1) In the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (step S103), and, depending on the determination result, executes a process of controlling the air conditioning to utilize the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S104) or a process of controlling the air conditioning to be performed without utilizing the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S105). Here, as a first modification of the first embodiment, the air conditioning load determination unit 13 may perform machine learning that associates changes in the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A with changes in demand for the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A or with time periods (for example, time periods with low power demand, such as at night, and time periods with high power demand, such as during the day), and may execute two processes, depending on the change in demand for the air conditioning load or the time period based on the results of the machine learning: control to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S104), and control to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S105).

[0049] 3 , when the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is high, the air conditioning load determination unit 13 may perform control to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S104) or control to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S105) based solely on the results of machine learning (for example, based on whether the time period is nighttime or daytime, or a specific time period, etc.) without using the actual air conditioning load (for example, the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) in the determination. For example, machine learning may be performed to predict the required air conditioning load (air conditioning capacity) for each time period, and the process of step S103 may be performed solely on the results of the machine learning.

[0050] This allows the stored heat energy to be used more effectively for hot water supply and air conditioning in accordance with changes in air conditioning load demand or conditions related to time of day, etc. This allows for even more efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0051] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioner 5 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 includes one outdoor unit 30A and one indoor unit 20A. However, the air conditioner 5 may include multiple outdoor units. The air conditioner 5 may also include multiple indoor units. For example, as shown in Fig. 8 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, which will be described later, the air conditioner 5 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 may include two outdoor units 30A and 30B and two indoor units 20A and 20B.

[0052] In this way, the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment controls the heat storage unit and multiple outdoor units, allowing for more effective use of stored heat energy for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation. Furthermore, the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment is configured to connect multiple outdoor units 30A-30B and multiple indoor units 20A-20B via the heat storage unit 40, allowing for the load on the multiple outdoor units to be distributed. This allows for more efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 than, for example, a configuration in which the load is unevenly distributed only on a specific outdoor unit corresponding to an indoor unit with a high load.

[0053] Second Embodiment A hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The configuration of the hot water supply air conditioning system 1 and the functional configuration of the control device 10 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those of the first embodiment, and differ only in the points described below.

[0054] (Configuration of the control device of the hot water supply air conditioner according to the second embodiment) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device of the hot water supply air conditioner provided in the hot water supply air conditioner system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure differs only in that it further includes a demand response receiving unit 14 and a power consumption adjusting unit 15 shown in Fig. 4.

[0055] The demand response receiving unit 14 is configured to receive a demand response command from a higher-level device (not shown) via the line 100. The demand response command is, for example, a command from a supplying electric utility or the like requesting adjustment of power consumption in a situation or time period when power demand is tight, or a command based on such a command. In this embodiment, the demand response command is received by the control device 10 from the higher-level device (not shown) via the line 100. Note that the demand response command may be received directly by the control device 10 without going through the higher-level device (not shown), or may be received by an operator inputting it into the control device 10. The demand response command includes various types of demand response information necessary for adjusting power consumption. The demand response information may include, for example, demand response time information including the start date and time and the end date and time of the demand response, and demand response rate information such as the rate of reduction in power consumption during the demand response period. In this embodiment, the demand response receiving unit 14 stores the demand response information included in the received demand response command in the storage unit 19.

[0056] When a demand response command is received by the demand response receiving unit 14, the power consumption adjusting unit 15 is configured to set an upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A in order to suppress power consumption of the hot water air conditioner 2. The upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A may be determined based on the demand response information included in the demand response command received by the demand response receiving unit 14, or may be set in advance separately from the demand response information.

[0057] (Processing Flow of the Control Method for a Hot Water Air Conditioner According to a Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the processing flow of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of the processing of the control method for a hot water air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be described later, the processing of step S111 in the processing flow shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the processing of steps S101 to S105 in the processing flow of the control method for a hot water air conditioner according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 3. In other words, the processing of step S111 in the processing flow according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes all of the processing in the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except for the start, end, and step S106.

[0058] In this embodiment, the process shown in Fig. 5 is started, for example, when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. Note that the process shown in Fig. 5 may be started at a timing other than when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. For example, the process may be started when the control device 10 receives a command to start the process from an external device, or may be started at a predetermined timing determined by the control device 10 itself.

[0059] 5 starts, the power consumption adjusting unit 15 determines whether a demand response command has been received by the demand response receiving unit 14 (step S110). In this embodiment, the power consumption adjusting unit 15 refers to the storage unit 19 and determines whether a demand response command has been received by the demand response receiving unit 14. Note that the determination may also be made based on, for example, whether the power consumption adjusting unit 15 has received a notification directly from the demand response receiving unit 14.

[0060] If the demand response receiver 14 determines that a demand response command has not been received (NO in step S110), the power consumption adjuster 15 does nothing, and the control device 10 performs normal air conditioning control (step S111). That is, the process in step S111 is the process of the process flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (the processes from step S101 to S105 in FIG. 3).

[0061] If the demand response receiving unit 14 determines that a demand response command has been received (YES in step S110), the power consumption adjusting unit 15 sets an upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A in order to suppress power consumption of the hot water air conditioner 2 (step S112). In this embodiment, the power consumption adjusting unit 15 refers to the storage unit 19, calculates an upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A based on the demand response information included in the demand response command received by the demand response receiving unit 14, and sets the calculated upper limit on the rotation speed for the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A.

[0062] After the power consumption adjustment unit 15 sets the upper limit of the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to use the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (step S113). Specifically, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger), and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger), the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger). In other words, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). In addition, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves), the three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves), and the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second piping L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger), the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger).

[0063] When the power adjustment based on the demand response command is completed, a process such as adding a flag indicating that the received demand response command has been responded to may be performed in the storage unit 19. As a result, when the power consumption adjustment unit 15 determines whether the demand response receiver 14 has received a demand response command in step S110 described above, demand response commands that have been responded to can be excluded from the determination.

[0064] Thereafter, the process starting from step S110 described above is repeated (step S106: NO) until air conditioning by the hot water air conditioner 2 is completed (step S106: YES).

[0065] (Operation and Effect) The control device 10 that controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure has the same operations and effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the control device 10 according to the second embodiment, when a demand response command is received, the power consumption adjustment unit 15 calculates an upper limit of the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A based on the demand response information included in the demand response command received by the demand response receiving unit 14, and sets the calculated upper limit of the rotation speed for the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A, and the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to utilize the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This makes it possible to respond to the demand response and perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 at the same time, making it possible to respond to the demand response without reducing the air conditioning capacity of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 as a whole.

[0066] Furthermore, even when a demand response command has not been received, the hot water supply function of the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained and a constant amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained while the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is used for air conditioning as needed, according to the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not utilized in order to respond to demand response when a demand response command has not been received, and therefore the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0067] (Variation 1) In the second embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the demand response receiving unit 14 determines whether a demand response command has been received (step S110) and, depending on the determination result, performs control to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (steps S112 to S113), and the power consumption adjusting unit 15 does nothing and the control device 10 performs normal air conditioning control (step S111). Here, as Variation 1 of the second embodiment, in the process of step S110 in FIG. 5 or the process before that, it is possible to perform different cases: a process to receive weather information from the outside (for example, weather information such as a forecast of changes in outside air temperature) and, based on the weather information, perform control to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (steps S112 to S113), and a process to perform normal air conditioning control by the control device 10 without the power consumption adjusting unit 15 performing anything (step S111).

[0068] This reduces the situation where the use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is unnecessarily refrained from in preparation for demand response. Therefore, the stored heat energy can be more actively used for air conditioning, and the energy-saving effect of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 can be improved.

[0069] (Variation 2) In the second embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the demand response receiving unit 14 determines whether a demand response command has been received (step S110) and, depending on the determination result, controls the air conditioning to utilize the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (steps S112 to S113), or the power consumption adjusting unit 15 does nothing and the control device 10 performs normal air conditioning control (step S111). Here, as Variation 1 of the second embodiment, in the process of step S110 of FIG. 5 or the process preceding it, weather information from the outside (e.g., outside temperature, predicted changes in outside temperature, etc.) may be received and a determination may be made based on the weather information as to whether a demand response is necessary. Then, based on the determination result, a process may be performed in which the air conditioning is utilized to utilize the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 (steps S112 to S113), or the power consumption adjusting unit 15 does nothing and the control device 10 performs normal air conditioning control (step S111).

[0070] This makes it possible to grasp situations where demand response is not required and reduce situations where the use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is unnecessary in preparation for demand response. Therefore, the stored heat energy can be used more actively for air conditioning, and the energy-saving effect of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 can be improved.

[0071] Furthermore, a machine-learned model of daily power consumption depending on differences in outside temperature, air conditioning load, and heat storage capacity may be used to determine whether a demand response is necessary based on the model. This allows for more reliable demand response, while also identifying situations where demand response is unnecessary and reducing situations where the use of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is unnecessarily refrained from in preparation for a demand response. This allows for more proactive use of stored heat energy for air conditioning, further improving the energy-saving effect of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0072] Third Embodiment A hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The configuration of the hot water supply air conditioning system 1 and the functional configuration of the control device 10 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those of the first embodiment, and differ only in the points described below.

[0073] (Configuration of the Control Device of the Hot Water Supply Air Conditioner According to the Third Embodiment) Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device of a hot water supply air conditioner provided in a hot water supply air conditioner system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure differs only in that it further includes a frost formation determination unit 16 shown in Fig. 6. The control device 10 switches the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 to V4 and V5A to V6A depending on the operation of air conditioning, heat storage, and defrosting.

[0074] The frost determination unit 16 is configured to determine whether defrosting operation is necessary based on a frost determination temperature, which is the temperature at any position between the evaporator and the compressor inlet of the outdoor unit 30A. The frost determination unit 16 acquires the evaporating temperature of the outdoor unit 30A (i.e., the evaporating temperature of the heat exchanger 32A) from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A as the frost determination temperature and uses this for the determination. If the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A acquired from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or lower than a frost reference temperature (e.g., 0 degrees), the frost determination unit 16 determines that the outdoor unit 30A is in a frosted state, that is, frost has formed on the outdoor unit 30A, and that defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary. On the other hand, if the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A acquired from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A exceeds the frost reference temperature, the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is not necessary. The frost formation determination temperature may be the evaporation temperature of the heat exchanger 32A measured by the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A, or may be a temperature at any position between the evaporator and the compressor inlet of the outdoor unit 30A, such as the temperature of the compressor suction section measured at the compressor suction section. The frost formation reference temperature may be a temperature other than 0 degrees.

[0075] (Processing Flow of the Control Method for a Hot Water Supply Air Conditioner According to a Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, the processing flow of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of the processing of the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be described later, the processing of step S121 in the processing flow shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the processing of steps S101 to S105 in the processing flow of the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 3. In other words, the processing of step S121 in the processing flow according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes all of the processing in the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except for the start, end, and step S106.

[0076] In this embodiment, the process shown in Fig. 7 is started, for example, when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. Note that the process shown in Fig. 7 may be started at a timing other than when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. For example, the process may be started when the control device 10 receives a command to start the process from an external device, or may be started at a predetermined timing determined by the control device 10 itself.

[0077] 7 starts, the frost determination unit 16 determines whether defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary (step S120). In this embodiment, the evaporating temperature of the outdoor unit 30A (i.e., the evaporating temperature of the heat exchanger 32A) is acquired from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A as the frost determination temperature. If the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or lower than a frost reference temperature (e.g., 0°C), the frost determination unit 16 determines that the outdoor unit 30A is in a defrosted state, with frost adhering to the outdoor unit 30A, and that defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary (YES in step S120). On the other hand, if the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A exceeds the frost reference temperature, the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is not necessary (NO in step S120).

[0078] If the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is not necessary (NO in step S120), defrosting operation is not performed, and normal air conditioning control is performed by the control device 10 (step S121). That is, the process of step S121 is the process of the process flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (the processes of steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 3).

[0079] If the frost formation determination unit 16 determines that a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary (YES in step S120), the air conditioning control unit 12 controls the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning (step S122). Specifically, if a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation and the air conditioning by the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger) and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) but includes the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A and the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger). That is, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 is configured to include the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). Also, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves), the three-way valves V5A and V6A (fourth three-way valves), and the three-way valves V7 and V8 (third three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 is configured to include the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A and the heat exchanger 412 (third heat exchanger) without including the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger). In the above example in which the hot water supply air conditioner 2 includes one outdoor unit (30A), the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) is not necessary when the outdoor unit 30A is performing defrosting operation, and therefore the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to be configured so as not to include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger). However, in a case in which the hot water supply air conditioner 2 includes multiple outdoor units (e.g., 30A and 30B) as in a fourth embodiment described later, the circulation path of the second pipe L4 may be controlled to be configured so as to include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) in order to perform air conditioning using an outdoor unit (e.g., 30B) other than the outdoor unit (e.g., 30A) performing defrosting operation.

[0080] In this embodiment, as described above, the outdoor unit 30A is controlled to perform a defrosting operation by utilizing the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, but the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 may also control the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation by sending a defrosting operation command to the outdoor unit 30A. In this case, the outdoor unit 30A performs the defrosting operation based on the defrosting operation command from the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12.

[0081] In this embodiment, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A and the air conditioning using the heat storage unit 40 shown in step S122 of Fig. 7 to be performed until the evaporating temperature of the outdoor unit 30A, which is used as a frost formation determination temperature and is acquired from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A, becomes equal to or higher than the defrost completion temperature (for example, 5°C). When the processing of step S122 shown in Fig. 7 is completed, the processing proceeds to the next step, S106. The defrost completion temperature is a temperature at which it can be determined that frost adhering to the outdoor unit 30A has melted, and may be a temperature other than 5°C.

[0082] Thereafter, the process starting from step S120 described above is repeated (step S106: NO) until air conditioning by the hot water air conditioner 2 is completed (step S106: YES).

[0083] (Operation and Effect) The control device 10 controlling the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure has the same operations and effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the control device 10 according to the third embodiment, when a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is required, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs air conditioning using the heat storage unit 40 and controls the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation. As a result, when a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is required, the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A can be performed without stopping the air conditioning function of the hot water supply air conditioner 2. In other words, it is possible to simultaneously perform a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A and air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, which was difficult to achieve with conventional technology, thereby enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0084] Fourth Embodiment A hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. The configuration of the hot water supply air conditioning system 1 and the functional configuration of the control device 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those of the third embodiment, and differ only in the points described below.

[0085] (Configuration of a Control Device of a Hot Water Air Conditioner According to a Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a first schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hot water air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a second schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hot water air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The hot water air conditioning system 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the first embodiment in that the air conditioner 5 of the hot water air conditioning system 2 includes two outdoor units 30A and 30B and two indoor units 20A and 20B, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . FIG. 8 illustrates a configuration in which the outdoor units 30A and 30B are connected in series, and FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration in which the outdoor units 30A and 30B are connected in parallel. The following description will be based on the series connection configuration shown in FIG. 8 , but the parallel connection configuration shown in FIG. 9 may also be used.

[0086] (Processing Flow of the Control Method for a Hot Water Supply Air Conditioner According to the Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, the processing flow of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a first flow diagram showing an example of the processing of the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be described later, the processing of step S121 in the processing flow shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the processing of steps S101 to S105 in the processing flow of the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 3. In other words, the processing of step S121 in the processing flow according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 includes all of the processing in the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except for the start, end, and step S106.

[0087] In this embodiment, the process shown in Fig. 10 is started, for example, when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. Note that the process shown in Fig. 10 may be started at a timing other than when air conditioning by the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is started. For example, the process may be started when the control device 10 receives a command to start the process from an external device, or may be started at a predetermined timing determined by the control device 10 itself.

[0088] 10 starts, the frost determination unit 16 determines whether defrosting operation of the outdoor units 30A-30B is necessary (step S120). In this embodiment, the frost determination unit 16 obtains the evaporating temperatures of the outdoor units 30A-30B (i.e., the evaporating temperatures of the heat exchangers 32A-32B) as frost determination temperatures from the temperature sensors 36A-36B of the outdoor units 30A-30B. If at least one of the frost determination temperatures of the outdoor units 30A and 30B is equal to or lower than the frost reference temperature, the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation is necessary for the outdoor unit (30A, 30B, or 30A-30B) that is equal to or lower than the frost reference temperature (YES in step S120). On the other hand, if the frost determination temperatures of the outdoor units 30A and 30B all exceed the frost reference temperature, the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor units 30A to 30B is not necessary (NO in step S120).

[0089] If the frost formation determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor units 30A to 30B is not necessary (NO in step S120), the defrosting operation is not performed, and the control device 10 performs normal air conditioning control (step S121). As described above, the frost formation determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation of the outdoor units 30A to 30B is not necessary if all of the frost formation determination temperatures of the outdoor units 30A to 30B included in the air conditioner 5 exceed the frost formation reference temperature. The process of step S121 is the process of the process flow according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (the processes of steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 3).

[0090] If the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation is required for one or more of the outdoor units 30A to 30B (30A, 30B, or 30A to 30B) (YES in step S120), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs defrosting operation using the outdoor unit 30A (or 30B) with the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units that require defrosting operation, and controls the air conditioner 5 (outdoor unit other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation) and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning (step S125). For example, if the frost determination temperatures of the outdoor units 30A-30B are all equal to or lower than the frost reference temperature, and the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A is lower than the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30B, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the outdoor units 30A-30B that require defrosting operation to perform a defrosting operation only for the outdoor unit 30A with the lowest frost determination temperature. On the other hand, if there is only one outdoor unit (e.g., outdoor unit 30B) among the outdoor units 30A-30B whose frost determination temperature is equal to or lower than the frost reference temperature, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the outdoor unit 30B to perform a defrosting operation only. Below, we will explain an example in which the frost determination temperatures of the outdoor units 30A-30B are all equal to or lower than the frost reference temperature, and the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A is lower than the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30B. As described above, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs defrosting operation using the outdoor unit 30A, which has the lowest frost determination temperature among the outdoor units 30A to 30B that require defrosting operation, and controls the air conditioner 5 (outdoor unit 30B other than the outdoor unit 30A that is performing defrosting operation) and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning.

[0091] Specifically, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs control so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger) and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchangers 21A-21B of the indoor units 20A-20B, and also performs defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A. That is, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V1 and V2 (first three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the heat exchanger 413 (second heat exchanger). Furthermore, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of the three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and the three-way valves V5A-V5B and V6A-V6B (fourth three-way valves) so that the circulation path of the second pipe L4 is configured to include the heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and the heat exchangers 21A-21B of the multiple indoor units 20A-20B. Note that if some of the multiple indoor units 20A-20B are not to be operated, the flow paths may be set so as not to include the heat exchangers of the indoor units that are not to be operated. For example, when indoor unit 20A of the multiple indoor units 20A to 20B is not operated, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sets the flow paths of three-way valves V3 and V4 (second three-way valves) and three-way valves V5A to V5B and V6A to V6B (fourth three-way valves) so that the circulation path of second piping L4 includes heat exchanger 43 (first heat exchanger) and heat exchanger 21B of indoor unit 20B, but does not include heat exchanger 21A of indoor unit 20A.

[0092] In this embodiment, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A shown in step S125 of FIG. 10 and the air conditioning by the air conditioner 5 (outdoor unit 30B) and the heat storage unit 40 until the evaporating temperature of the outdoor unit 30A, acquired as the frost formation determination temperature from the temperature sensor 36A of the outdoor unit 30A performing the defrosting operation, reaches or exceeds the defrost completion temperature (e.g., 5°C). The air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A by sending a defrosting operation command to the outdoor unit 30A. When the frost formation determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30A reaches or exceeds the defrost completion temperature (i.e., defrosting of the outdoor unit 30A is completed) and the processing of step S125 shown in FIG. 10 is completed, the processing proceeds to the next step S126.

[0093] If there are other outdoor units that require defrosting operation (YES in step S126), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 returns to the processing of step S125 described above and applies the defrosting operation to the outdoor units that require it. In the example described, of the outdoor units 30A-30B that required defrosting operation, defrosting has been completed for outdoor unit 30A, so only outdoor unit 30B requires defrosting operation. Therefore, in the processing of step S125, the outdoor unit 30B that currently requires defrosting operation is the outdoor unit 30B with the lowest frost determination temperature. Therefore, defrosting operation is performed by the outdoor unit 30B, and air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner 5 (outdoor units 30A other than the outdoor unit 30B that is performing defrosting operation) and the heat storage unit 40. The air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the outdoor unit 30B to perform defrosting operation by sending a defrosting operation command to the outdoor unit 30B. When the frost determination temperature of the outdoor unit 30B becomes equal to or higher than the defrost completion temperature (i.e., defrosting of the outdoor unit 30B is completed) and the processing of step S125 shown in FIG. 10 is completed, the processing proceeds to the next step S126.

[0094] If there is no outdoor unit that requires defrosting operation (NO in step S126), the process proceeds to the next step S106. Thereafter, the process starting from step S120 described above is repeated (NO in step S106) until air conditioning by the hot water air conditioner 2 is completed (YES in step S106).

[0095] (Operation and Effect) The control device 10 controlling the hot water air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure has the same operations and effects as the first and third embodiments. Furthermore, the control device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to perform defrosting operation using the outdoor unit 30A (or 30B) with the lowest frost determination temperature among the outdoor units 30A to 30B that require defrosting operation, while also performing air conditioning using the air conditioner 5 (outdoor units other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation) and the heat storage unit 40. This allows air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 to be performed while maximizing the air conditioning function of the outdoor units other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation, even during defrosting operation of the outdoor units that require defrosting. Furthermore, because the outdoor unit with the lowest frost determination temperature is prioritized for defrosting operation, the air conditioning function of the entire air conditioner 5 can be more efficiently restored.

[0096] (Variation 1) Below, Variation 1 of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 is a second flowchart showing an example of processing in the control method for the hot water supply air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing flow shown in FIG. 11 differs from the processing flow shown in FIG. 10 only in that step S125 in the processing flow shown in FIG. 10 is replaced with steps S135 and S136. Therefore, below, only the differences between the processing flow shown in FIG. 11 and the processing flow shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

[0097] As a premise of Variation 1 of the control method by the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment, the outdoor units 30A-30B included in the air conditioner 5 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 have a function of automatically performing defrosting operation. That is, the outdoor units 30A-30B have a function of determining whether or not they are in a frosted state based on, for example, a frost determination temperature, and automatically performing defrosting operation based on that determination. Meanwhile, the outdoor units 30A-30B are also configured to perform defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A upon receiving a defrosting operation command from the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12. Furthermore, the outdoor units 30A-30B are configured not to perform the function of automatically performing defrosting operation (becoming in a defrosting operation prohibited state) upon receiving a defrosting operation prohibition command prohibiting defrosting operation from the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12. Furthermore, the outdoor units 30A to 30B are configured to automatically return to a state in which they can perform the function of performing defrosting operation (cancel the prohibition of defrosting operation) by receiving a defrosting operation prohibition command from the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 to cancel the prohibition of defrosting operation.

[0098] In the first variant of the control method according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, if the frost determination unit 16 determines that defrosting operation is required for one or more outdoor units (30A, 30B, or 30A-30B) among the outdoor units 30A-30B (YES in step S120), the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs defrosting operation using the outdoor unit (e.g., 30A) with the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units that require defrosting operation, and controls the air conditioner 5 (the outdoor unit other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation (e.g., 30B)) and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning (step S135), which is the same as the processing in step S125 of the control method according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

[0099] However, in variant 1 of the control method according to the fourth embodiment, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 not only sends a defrosting operation command to the outdoor unit 30A having the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units that require defrosting operation among the multiple outdoor units 30A to 30B, but also sends a defrosting operation prohibition command to the other outdoor units 30B (i.e., to which the defrosting operation command has not been sent) (step S135).

[0100] Furthermore, in Modification 1 of the control method according to the fourth embodiment, after the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A that transmitted the defrosting operation command has been completed, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 transmits a defrosting operation prohibition cancel command to cancel the prohibition of the defrosting operation to the outdoor unit 30B that transmitted the defrosting operation prohibition command to prohibit the defrosting operation (step S136). The processes other than those described above are the same as those of the control method according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

[0101] By transmitting a defrosting operation prohibition command to the outdoor unit 30B to which the defrosting operation command has not been transmitted in this manner, it is possible to avoid a situation in which, while the outdoor unit 30A to which the defrosting operation command has been transmitted is performing a defrosting operation, another outdoor unit 30B starts a defrosting operation based on the function of automatically performing the defrosting operation. Furthermore, by transmitting a defrosting operation prohibition release command to the outdoor unit 30B to which the defrosting operation prohibition command has been transmitted after the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A to which the defrosting operation command has been transmitted has been completed, the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30B can then be performed.

[0102] In this way, the control method using the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to existing equipment in which multiple outdoor units 30A to 30 of the air conditioner 5 have the function of automatically performing defrosting operation.

[0103] 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer included in a control device of a hot water air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, a computer 900 includes a processor 901, a main memory device 902, an auxiliary memory device 903, and an interface 904.

[0104] The control device 10 according to each of the above-described embodiments is implemented in a computer 900. The operations of each of the above-described processing units are stored in the form of a program in an auxiliary storage device 903. The processor 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 903, loads it into the main storage device 902, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program. The processor 901 also allocates storage areas in the main storage device 902 corresponding to each of the above-described storage units in accordance with the program.

[0105] The program may be for realizing some of the functions to be performed by the computer 900. For example, the program may be combined with other programs already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 or other programs implemented in other devices to perform the functions. In other embodiments, the computer 900 may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor 901 may be realized by the integrated circuit.

[0106] Examples of the auxiliary storage device 903 include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device 903 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 900, or an external storage device 910 connected to the computer 900 via the interface 904 or a communication line. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to the computer 900 via a communication line, the computer 900 that receives the program may load the program into the main storage device 902 and execute the above-described processing. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 903 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0107] The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903.

[0108] <Modifications> In the above embodiment, a heating operation is performed as air conditioning using one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the thermal storage unit 40 provided in the hot water supply air conditioner 2, but a cooling operation may also be performed as air conditioning. In the above embodiment, a heat storage is performed in the water tank 411 provided in the thermal storage unit 4, but cold may also be stored in the water tank 411 provided in the thermal storage unit 40. For example, by reversing the circulation direction of the heat medium in a refrigeration cycle or the like, a cooling operation may also be performed as air conditioning using one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the thermal storage unit 40 provided in the hot water supply air conditioner 2. In addition, the water tank 411 may be divided into two, each configured to store heat and cold, and heating operation and cooling operation may be performed as air conditioning without changing the circulation method of the heat medium.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the heat storage unit 40 is described as being configured to have a hot water supply function, but the control method and control device according to the above-described embodiment other than the hot water supply function may be applied to a configuration in which an air conditioner 5 equipped with an outdoor unit 30A and an indoor unit 20A is equipped with a heat storage unit 40 that does not have a hot water supply function.

[0110] In addition, in the above embodiment, the hot water supply function of the heat storage unit 40 is described as a simple hot water supply function, but the hot water supply function of the heat storage unit 40 may also be a two-stage compression type hot water supply function.

[0111] <Other Embodiments> Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0112] <Additional Notes> The hot water supply air conditioner control device, hot water supply air conditioner, hot water supply air conditioner system, hot water supply air conditioner control method, and program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0113] (1) According to a first aspect, there is provided a control device (10) for controlling an air conditioner (5) including an outdoor unit (30A) and an indoor unit (20A), and a hot water supply air conditioner (2) including a heat storage unit (40) having a hot water supply function, the heat storage unit (40) including a first pipe (L2) through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger (31A) of the outdoor unit (30A), a second pipe (L4) through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger (21A) of the indoor unit (20A), and a first heat exchanger (41) for exchanging heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe (L2) and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe (L4). 3, a water tank 411 for storing hot water for hot water supply, a second heat exchanger 413 for exchanging heat between a first heat medium flowing through a first pipe L2 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411, and a third heat exchanger 412 for exchanging heat between a second heat medium flowing through a second pipe L4 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411. The control device 10 includes a heat storage amount determination unit 11 for determining whether the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT, and when the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is less than the predetermined threshold value QT, a heat storage amount determination unit 11 for determining whether the heat storage amount of the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT, and ... The air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the circulation path of the pipe L4 to perform air conditioning by the air conditioner 5 and heat storage in the heat storage unit 40, with the circulation path of the pipe L4 including the first heat exchanger 43 and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, without including the third heat exchanger 412, and the air conditioning load determination unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold, and if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 determines whether the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413. When the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is less than a predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration where the circulation path of the first piping L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413, the circulation path of the second piping L4 does not include the third heat exchanger 412, and includes the first heat exchanger 43 and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A.

[0114] In this manner, the control device 10 controlling the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the present embodiment controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is high (i.e., the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)). This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioner 5 during high-load operation (e.g., a decrease in compressor efficiency due to operation exceeding the rotational speed range at which the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A can efficiently rotate). Furthermore, when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is not high and the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently (i.e., the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is less than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)), the control device 10 controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This prevents excessive use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 and improves the energy efficiency of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 as a whole. Furthermore, heat can be stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently, and the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be used as needed, thereby enabling efficient use of the energy of the entire hot water supply air conditioner 2. As described above, the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0115] Furthermore, even if the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is large, if the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than a predetermined threshold QT, air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not performed, so the hot water supply function can be maintained at a high level. Also, since the amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained at a constant level, it is possible to respond at any time to situations where it is necessary to use the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 for other purposes (for example, responding to demand response, etc.).

[0116] Furthermore, the heat storage unit 40 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment is connected to the outdoor unit 30A and the indoor unit 20A only by piping (L2, L6A, etc.), and the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 30A, the indoor unit 20A, and the heat storage unit 40 only by communication cables (dotted lines, etc., shown in FIG. 1 ). This makes the hot water supply air conditioner system 1 (hot water supply air conditioner 2) according to this embodiment very easy to install in existing facilities and easy to maintain, reducing costs associated with installation and maintenance. Furthermore, after installing the hot water supply air conditioner 2, it is possible to add or remove outdoor units 30A and indoor units 20A later, easily changing the number of outdoor units 30A and indoor units 20A included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to the desired number. In particular, with conventional hot water air conditioners, which are integrated units with air conditioning and hot water functions, it is not easy to add more capacity if the air conditioning function becomes insufficient, and it is necessary to replace the hot water air conditioner itself. However, with the hot water air conditioner 2 of this embodiment, the air conditioning function can be easily and inexpensively strengthened by adding an external outdoor unit 30A later.

[0117] (2) According to the second aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 of the first aspect, the heat storage unit 40 further includes a first three-way valve (V1, V2) that is provided between the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the second heat exchanger 413 and switches the circulation path of the first pipe L2 between a configuration that includes the second heat exchanger 413 and a configuration that does not include the second heat exchanger 413, and a third three-way valve (V7, V8) that is provided between the circulation path of the second pipe L4 and the third heat exchanger 412 and switches the circulation path of the second pipe L4 between a configuration that includes the third heat exchanger 412 and a configuration that does not include the third heat exchanger 412, and the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the configuration of the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the configuration of the circulation path of the second pipe L4 by switching the first three-way valve (V1, V2) and the third three-way valve (V7, V8).

[0118] In this way, the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment can control the configuration of the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the configuration of the circulation path of the second pipe L4 simply by controlling the switching of the first three-way valves (V1, V2) and the third three-way valves (V7, V8), and can easily switch between air conditioning and heat storage operation by one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 provided in the hot water supply air conditioner 2. Furthermore, the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment can be very easily installed in existing facilities.

[0119] (3) According to a third aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 relating to the second aspect, the heat storage unit 40 is provided between the circulation path of the second pipe L4 and the first heat exchanger 43, and further includes a second three-way valve (V3, V4) that switches the circulation path of the second pipe L4 between a configuration that includes the first heat exchanger 43 and a configuration that does not include the first heat exchanger 43, and the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the configuration of the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the configuration of the circulation path of the second pipe L4 by switching the first three-way valves (V1, V2), the second three-way valves (V3, V4), and the third three-way valves (V7, V8).

[0120] In this way, the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment can control the configuration of the circulation path of the first pipe L2 and the configuration of the circulation path of the second pipe L4 simply by controlling the switching of the first three-way valves (V1, V2), the second three-way valves (V3, V4), and the third three-way valves (V7, V8), and can easily switch between air conditioning, heat storage, and defrosting operations using one or both of the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 provided in the hot water supply air conditioner 2. Furthermore, the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment can be very easily installed in existing facilities.

[0121] (4) According to a fourth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 relating to any one of the first to third aspects, the control device 10 further includes a demand response receiving unit 14 that receives a demand response command, and a power consumption adjusting unit 15 that sets an upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A when the demand response command is received, and when the demand response command is received, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping L2 does not include the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second piping L4 includes the first heat exchanger 43, the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and the third heat exchanger 412.

[0122] By doing this, the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 in this embodiment can respond to demand response while also performing air conditioning by utilizing the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, making it possible to respond to demand response without reducing the air conditioning capacity of the hot water air conditioner 2 as a whole.

[0123] Furthermore, even when a demand response command has not been received, the hot water supply function of the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained and a constant amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained while the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is used for air conditioning as needed, according to the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not utilized in order to respond to demand response when a demand response command has not been received, and therefore the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0124] (5) According to a fifth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 relating to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control device 10 further includes a frost determination unit 16 that determines whether defrosting operation is necessary based on a frost determination temperature, which is the temperature at any position from the evaporator to the compressor inlet of the outdoor unit 30A. When defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is necessary, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs air conditioning using the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413, the circulation path of the second piping L4 does not include the first heat exchanger 43, and includes the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A and the third heat exchanger 412, and controls the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation.

[0125] In this way, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, when a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is required, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 performs air conditioning using the heat storage unit 40 and controls the outdoor unit 30A to perform a defrosting operation. As a result, when a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A is required, the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A can be performed without stopping the air conditioning function of the hot water supply air conditioner 2. In other words, it is possible to simultaneously perform a defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A and air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, which was difficult to achieve with conventional technology, and this enables highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0126] (6) According to a sixth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 according to any one of the first to third aspects, the air conditioner 5 is provided with a plurality of the outdoor units 30A and 30B and a plurality of the indoor units 20A and 20B.

[0127] In this way, the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment controls the heat storage unit and multiple outdoor units, allowing for more effective use of stored heat energy for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation. Furthermore, the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment is configured to connect multiple outdoor units 30A-30B and multiple indoor units 20A-20B via the heat storage unit 40, allowing for the load on the multiple outdoor units to be distributed. This allows for more efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 than, for example, a configuration in which the load is unevenly distributed only on a specific outdoor unit corresponding to an indoor unit with a high load.

[0128] (7) According to a seventh aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 of the sixth aspect, the control device 10 further includes a demand response receiving unit 14 that receives a demand response command, and a power consumption adjusting unit 15 that, when the demand response command is received, sets an upper limit on the rotation speeds of the compressors 34A to 34B of the plurality of outdoor units 30A to 30B, and when the demand response command is received, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 to perform air conditioning in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping L2 does not include the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second piping L4 includes the first heat exchanger 43, the heat exchangers 21A to 21B of the plurality of indoor units 20A to 20B, and a third heat exchanger 412.

[0129] By doing this, the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 in this embodiment can respond to demand response while also performing air conditioning by utilizing the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40, making it possible to respond to demand response without reducing the air conditioning capacity of the hot water air conditioner 2 as a whole.

[0130] Furthermore, even when a demand response command has not been received, the hot water supply function of the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained and a constant amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained while the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is used for air conditioning as needed, according to the processing flow according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not utilized in order to respond to demand response when a demand response command has not been received, and therefore the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0131] (8) According to an eighth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the control device 10 further includes a frost determination unit 16 that determines whether a defrosting operation is necessary based on each of frost determination temperatures, which are temperatures at any position from the evaporator to the compressor inlet of the plurality of outdoor units 30A to 30B. When a defrosting operation is necessary for one or more of the outdoor units 30A to 30B, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 1 In the configuration of No. 2, the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the first heat exchanger 43, the heat exchangers 21A to 21B of the plurality of indoor units 20A to 20B, and a third heat exchanger 412, and air conditioning is performed using the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40, and control is performed so that only the outdoor unit 30A with the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units 30A that require defrosting operation performs defrosting operation.

[0132] The control device 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that, even if there are multiple outdoor units 30A-30B that require defrosting operation, the outdoor unit 30A having the lowest frost determination temperature among the multiple outdoor units 30A-30B that require defrosting operation performs the defrosting operation, while also performing air conditioning using the air conditioners 5 (outdoor units other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation) and the heat storage unit 40. As a result, even while the defrosting operation of the outdoor units that require defrosting operation is being performed, air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be performed while maximizing the air conditioning function of the outdoor units other than the outdoor unit performing defrosting operation. Furthermore, because the outdoor unit with the lowest frost determination temperature is given priority in the defrosting operation, the air conditioning function of the entire air conditioner 5 can be restored more efficiently.

[0133] (9) According to a ninth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to the eighth aspect, the plurality of outdoor units 30A to 30B have a function of automatically performing a defrosting operation, and when a defrosting operation is required for one or more of the plurality of outdoor units 30A to 30B, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 controls the circulation path of the first pipe L2 to include the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to include the first heat exchanger 414. 43 and the heat exchangers 21A to 21B of the plurality of indoor units 20A to 20B, and controls to perform air conditioning using the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40, and transmits a defrosting operation command to execute defrosting operation only to the outdoor unit 30A having the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units 30A to 30B that require defrosting operation, and transmits a defrosting operation prohibition command to prohibit defrosting operation to the outdoor unit 30B to which the defrosting operation command has not been transmitted.

[0134] By sending a defrosting operation prohibition command to the outdoor unit 30B to which the defrosting operation command has not been sent in this way, it is possible to avoid a situation in which, while the outdoor unit 30A to which the defrosting operation command has been sent is performing defrosting operation, the other outdoor unit 30B starts defrosting operation based on the function of automatically executing defrosting operation.

[0135] In this way, the control method using the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to existing equipment in which multiple outdoor units 30A to 30 of the air conditioner 5 have the function of automatically performing defrosting operation.

[0136] (10) According to the tenth aspect, in the control device 10 of the hot water air conditioner 2 relating to the ninth aspect, after the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 30A that sent the defrosting operation command is completed, the air conditioning heat storage control unit 12 sends a defrosting operation prohibition release command to the outdoor unit 30B that sent the defrosting operation prohibition command that prohibits the defrosting operation, to release the prohibition of the defrosting operation.

[0137] In this way, after the defrosting operation of outdoor unit 30A to which the defrosting operation command was sent is completed, a defrosting operation prohibition cancellation command is sent to outdoor unit 30B to which the defrosting operation prohibition command was sent, so that the defrosting operation of outdoor unit 30B can then be carried out.

[0138] (11) According to an eleventh aspect, the hot water air conditioner 2 includes the control device 10 according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0139] In this way, the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment can be controlled by the control device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0140] (12) According to a twelfth aspect, a hot water supply air conditioning system 1 includes the control device 10 according to any one of the first to tenth aspects and the hot water supply air conditioning unit 2.

[0141] In this way, the hot water supply air conditioning system 1 according to this embodiment can be easily applied to existing facilities equipped with the hot water supply air conditioning unit 2.

[0142] (13) According to a thirteenth aspect, a control method for a hot water supply air conditioner (2) is a control method for controlling a hot water supply air conditioner (2) including an air conditioner (5) including an outdoor unit (30A) and an indoor unit (20A), and a heat storage unit (40) having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit (40) includes: a first pipe (L2) through which a first heat medium circulates that is heat exchanged with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger (31A) of the outdoor unit (30A); a second pipe (L4) through which a second heat medium circulates that is heat exchanged with indoor air in a heat exchanger (21A) of the indoor unit (20A); a first heat exchanger (43) that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe (L2) and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe (L4); The hot water supply system includes a water tank 411 for storing hot water for hot water use, a second heat exchanger 413 for exchanging heat between a first heat medium flowing through a first pipe L2 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411, and a third heat exchanger 412 for exchanging heat between a second heat medium flowing through a second pipe L4 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411. The control method includes a step of determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT, and if the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than the predetermined threshold value QT, determining whether the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413 and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the third heat exchanger 412. and a step of controlling the air conditioning by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage in the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration including the first heat exchanger 412 of the indoor unit 20A and the first heat exchanger 43 and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and a step of determining whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold value when the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value. If the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, in the control step, the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the second heat exchanger 413 and the second pipe L4 The control step controls the air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40, with the circulation path of the first pipe L2 including the second heat exchanger 413, the circulation path of the second pipe L4 not including the third heat exchanger 412, and the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A being less than the predetermined load threshold value.

[0143] In this way, the control method for the hot water supply air conditioner 2 according to this embodiment controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is high (the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (rotation speed NT)). This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioner 5 during high-load operation (for example, a decrease in compressor efficiency due to operation exceeding the rotation speed range at which the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A can efficiently rotate). Furthermore, when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is not high and the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently (the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotation speed required for the compressor 34A) is less than a predetermined load threshold (rotation speed NT)), the control method controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This prevents excessive use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 and improves the energy efficiency of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 as a whole. Furthermore, heat can be stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently, and the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be used as needed, thereby enabling efficient use of the energy of the entire hot water supply air conditioner 2. As described above, the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0144] Furthermore, even if the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is large, if the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than a predetermined threshold QT, air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not performed, so the hot water supply function can be maintained at a high level. Also, since the amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained at a constant level, it is possible to respond at any time to situations where it is necessary to use the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 for other purposes (for example, responding to demand response, etc.).

[0145] (14) According to a fourteenth aspect, the program is a hot water supply air conditioner 2 including an air conditioner 5 including an outdoor unit 30A and an indoor unit 20A, and a heat storage unit 40 having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit 40 includes a first pipe L2 through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger 31A of the outdoor unit 30A, a second pipe L4 through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, a first heat exchanger 43 that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe L2 and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe L4, and a hot water supply unit 45 for supplying hot water. a second heat exchanger 413 for exchanging heat between a first heat medium flowing through a first pipe L2 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411; and a third heat exchanger 412 for exchanging heat between a second heat medium flowing through a second pipe L4 and the hot water stored in the water tank 411. The computer of the control device 10 for controlling the hot water air conditioner 2 is configured to perform a step of determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT, and when the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than the predetermined threshold value QT, a step of determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value QT. 13, and a step of controlling the circulation path of the second pipe L4 to perform air conditioning by the air conditioner 5 and heat storage in the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration including the first heat exchanger 43 and the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A without including a third heat exchanger 412, and a step of determining whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold value when the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value QT, and if the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold value, and controlling the air conditioning by the air conditioner 5 and the heat storage unit 40 in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first pipe L2 does not include the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 includes the first heat exchanger 43, the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A, and the third heat exchanger 412, and when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A is less than the predetermined load threshold, in the controlling step, the circulation path of the first pipe L2 includes the second heat exchanger 413, and the circulation path of the second pipe L4 does not include the first heat exchanger 43 and the third heat exchanger 412,The air conditioning is controlled so as to be performed by the air conditioner in a configuration including the heat exchanger 21A of the indoor unit 20A.

[0146] In this manner, the program according to the present embodiment controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 by the computer of the control device 10, which controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2. When the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is high (the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)), the program controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioner 5 during high-load operation (for example, a decrease in compressor efficiency due to operation exceeding the rotational speed range at which the compressor 34A of the outdoor unit 30A can efficiently rotate). Furthermore, when the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 is not high and the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently (the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit 30A (the rotational speed required for the compressor 34A) is less than a predetermined load threshold (rotational speed NT)), the program controls the hot water supply air conditioner 2 to perform air conditioning without using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40. This prevents excessive use of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 and improves the energy efficiency of the hot water supply air conditioner 2 as a whole. Furthermore, heat can be stored in the heat storage unit 40 when the air conditioner 5 can operate efficiently, and the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be used as needed, thereby enabling efficient use of the energy of the entire hot water supply air conditioner 2. As described above, the stored energy can be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning depending on the situation, enabling highly efficient and stable operation of the hot water supply air conditioner 2.

[0147] Furthermore, even if the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 5 included in the hot water supply air conditioner 2 is large, if the amount of heat stored in the water tank 411 is less than a predetermined threshold QT, air conditioning using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 is not performed, so the hot water supply function can be maintained at a high level. Also, since the amount of heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 can be maintained at a constant level, it is possible to respond at any time to situations where it is necessary to use the heat stored in the heat storage unit 40 for other purposes (for example, responding to demand response, etc.).

[0148] The control device for a hot water supply air conditioner, the hot water supply air conditioner, the hot water supply air conditioner system, the control method for a hot water supply air conditioner, and the program disclosed herein enable the stored energy to be effectively used for hot water supply and air conditioning, enabling the hot water supply air conditioner to operate efficiently and stably.

[0149] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hot water supply air conditioning system 2 hot water supply air conditioner 5 air conditioner 10 control device 11 heat storage amount determination unit 12 air conditioning heat storage control unit 13 air conditioning load determination unit 14 demand response receiving unit 15 power consumption adjustment unit 16 frost formation determination unit 19 memory unit 20A, 20B indoor unit 21A, 21B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 43, 412, 413 heat exchanger 25A, 25B, 415, 36A, 36B temperature sensor 30A, 30B outdoor unit 33A, 33B expansion valve 34A, 34B compressor 40 heat storage unit 45 pump 100 line 411 water tank 416 water storage amount sensor 900 computer 901 processor 902 Main storage device 903 Auxiliary storage device 904 Interface 910 External storage device L1A, L1B, L2, L2A, L2B, L3, L3A, L3B, L4 to L5, L6A, L6B, L7 to L9 Piping V1, V1A, V1B, V2, V2A, V2B, V3~V4, V5A~V5B, V6A~V6B, V7~V8 three-way valve

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a hot water supply air conditioner including an air conditioner with an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit with a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit includes: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; a water tank in which hot water for hot water supply is stored; a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank; and a third heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and the control device includes: a heat storage amount determination unit that determines whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; an air conditioning heat storage control unit that controls, when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold, so that air conditioning by the air conditioner and heat storage in the heat storage unit are performed with a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger and the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, but includes the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; and an air conditioning load determination unit that determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold, when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls so that air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit are performed with a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger, and the circulation path of the second piping includes the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, When the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls the air conditioner to perform air conditioning in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, and includes the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

2. The control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 1, wherein the heat storage unit further comprises: a first three-way valve provided between the circulation path of the first piping and the second heat exchanger, for switching the circulation path of the first piping between a configuration that includes the second heat exchanger and a configuration that does not include the second heat exchanger; and a third three-way valve provided between the circulation path of the second piping and the third heat exchanger, for switching the circulation path of the second piping between a configuration that includes the third heat exchanger and a configuration that does not include the third heat exchanger; and the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls the configuration of the circulation path of the first piping and the configuration of the circulation path of the second piping by switching the first three-way valve and the third three-way valve.

3. The control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 2, wherein the heat storage unit further comprises a second three-way valve provided between the circulation path of the second piping and the first heat exchanger, and which switches the circulation path of the second piping between a configuration that includes the first heat exchanger and a configuration that does not include the first heat exchanger, and the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls the configuration of the circulation path of the first piping and the configuration of the circulation path of the second piping by switching between the first three-way valve, the second three-way valve, and the third three-way valve.

4. A control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device further comprises: a demand response receiving unit that receives a demand response command; and a power consumption adjusting unit that sets an upper limit on the rotation speed of the compressor of the outdoor unit when the demand response command is received; and when the demand response command is received, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls so that air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit in a configuration where the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger, and the circulation path of the second piping includes the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger.

5. The control device further comprises a frost determination unit that determines whether defrosting operation is necessary based on a frost determination temperature, which is the temperature at any position from the evaporator to the compressor inlet of the outdoor unit, and when defrosting operation of the outdoor unit is necessary, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls so that the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping does not include the first heat exchanger, and includes the heat exchanger of the indoor unit and the third heat exchanger, and also performs air conditioning using the heat storage unit, while performing defrosting operation of the outdoor unit. A control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 1 or claim 3.

6. The hot water air conditioner control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the air conditioner comprises a plurality of the outdoor units and a plurality of the indoor units.

7. The control device for a hot water air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the control device further comprises: a demand response receiving unit that receives a demand response command; and a power consumption adjusting unit that, when the demand response command has been received, sets an upper limit on the rotation speeds of the compressors of the plurality of outdoor units; and when the demand response command has been received, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls the air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit so that the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger, and the circulation path of the second piping includes the first heat exchanger, heat exchangers of the plurality of indoor units, and the third heat exchanger.

8. The control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 6, wherein the control device further comprises a frost determination unit that determines whether defrosting operation is necessary based on each of frost determination temperatures, which are temperatures at any position from the evaporator to the compressor inlet of the plurality of outdoor units, and when defrosting operation is necessary for one or more of the plurality of outdoor units, the air conditioning heat storage control unit performs air conditioning using the air conditioner and the heat storage unit in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger and the circulation path of the second piping includes the first heat exchanger, heat exchangers of the plurality of indoor units, and the third heat exchanger, and controls so that only the outdoor unit with the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units that require defrosting operation performs defrosting operation.

9. A control device for a hot water air conditioner as described in claim 8, wherein the plurality of outdoor units have a function of automatically executing defrosting operation, and when defrosting operation is required for one or more of the plurality of outdoor units, the air conditioning heat storage control unit controls the circulation path of the first piping to include the second heat exchanger, and the circulation path of the second piping to include the first heat exchanger and heat exchangers of the plurality of indoor units, so that air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit, and sends a defrosting operation command to execute defrosting operation only to the outdoor unit having the lowest frost determination temperature among the one or more outdoor units requiring defrosting operation, and sends a defrosting operation prohibition command to prohibit defrosting operation to outdoor units to which the defrosting operation command has not been sent.

10. The control device for a hot water air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein, after the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit that sent the defrosting operation command has been completed, the air conditioning heat storage control unit sends a defrosting operation prohibition release command to release the prohibition of defrosting operation to the outdoor unit that sent the defrosting operation prohibition command that prohibits defrosting operation.

11. A hot water air conditioner equipped with the control device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. A hot water supply air conditioning system comprising: the control device according to claim 1 or 2; and the hot water supply air conditioning unit.

13. A control method for controlling a hot water supply air conditioner including an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit includes: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; a water tank in which hot water for hot water supply is stored; a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank; and a third heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, and the control method includes the steps of: determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; the step of controlling, when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold, so that air conditioning by the air conditioner and heat storage in the heat storage unit are performed with a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger and the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, but includes the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; and the step of determining, when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold, wherein, when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, in the controlling step, control is performed so that air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit is performed with a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping does not include the second heat exchanger, and the circulation path of the second piping includes the first heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, a control method for a hot water air conditioner, wherein, when the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, in the controlling step, the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, and the air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner in a configuration including the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

14. A hot water supply air conditioner comprising an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and a heat storage unit having a hot water supply function, wherein the heat storage unit comprises: a first pipe through which a first heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with a refrigerant in a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit; a second pipe through which a second heat medium circulates that exchanges heat with indoor air in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit; a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe; a water tank in which hot water for hot water supply is stored; a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing in the first pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank; and a third heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing in the second pipe and the hot water stored in the water tank, wherein the computer of a control device that controls the hot water supply air conditioner comprises: a step of determining whether the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; When the amount of heat stored in the water tank is less than the predetermined threshold, the system controls the circulation path of the first piping to include the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping not to include the third heat exchanger, and to include the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit, to perform air conditioning by the air conditioner and heat storage in the heat storage unit; and when the amount of heat stored in the water tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the system determines whether the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined load threshold. When the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, the system controls the circulation path of the first piping not to include the second heat exchanger, and to include the first heat exchanger, a heat exchanger of the indoor unit, and the third heat exchanger, to perform air conditioning by the air conditioner and the heat storage unit. When the air conditioning load of the outdoor unit is less than the predetermined load threshold, in the controlling step, the program controls the air conditioner to perform air conditioning in a configuration in which the circulation path of the first piping includes the second heat exchanger, the circulation path of the second piping does not include the third heat exchanger, and includes the first heat exchanger and a heat exchanger of the indoor unit.

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