Heat-pump hot water generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems cannot utilize stored heat for heating operations when the compressor is suspended, leading to reduced user comfort and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A heat-pump hot water generator with a refrigerant circuit connecting a compressor, radiator, and evaporator, along with a heating medium path that includes a main path and an auxiliary path with heat storage means, allowing for heating medium production and use even when the compressor is under suspension, using both refrigerant and heat storage for heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heat storage means is exclusively used for defrosting during heating operation, then the defrosting function is ensured, but the heating operation cannot be carried out using the stored heat when the compressor is suspended
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage means is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger during heating operation, and simultaneously serve as a heat source for heating operation when the compressor is suspended. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same component adaptable to different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes by controlling the flow paths of the heating medium. When the compressor is operating, the heating medium flows through the outdoor heat exchanger for normal heating and defrosting. When the compressor is suspended, the system switches to use the stored heat from the heat storage means, ensuring continuous heating capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is suspended to reduce electricity consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the heating operation cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Heat is stored in advance in the heat storage means during periods when the compressor is operating. This preliminary storage of thermal energy allows the system to maintain heating operation during compressor suspension periods, enabling energy-saving intermittent compressor operation without sacrificing heating continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat storage means acts as an intermediary between the compressor operation and the heating load. It decouples the direct dependency between compressor operation and heating provision, allowing the compressor to be suspended for energy saving while the stored heat mediates to maintain heating operation.
3Device complexity
If a single path with radiator is used in the heating medium path, then the system is simple, but the heating operation cannot utilize stored heat
Solution Approach 1:
The heating medium path is segmented into a main path containing the radiator and an auxiliary path containing the heat storage means. This segmentation allows the system to selectively route the heating medium through different paths depending on operational requirements, enabling both simple radiator-based heating and heat storage utilization modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the heating medium path by switching between the main path and auxiliary path based on operational conditions. When compressor operation is available, the main path is used for direct heating. When compressor suspension is required, the auxiliary path with heat storage means is activated, providing dynamic adaptability in heating modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances user comfort and energy efficiency by enabling continuous heating operations and reducing electricity consumption, while also allowing for efficient heat storage and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
heat storage means which exchanges heat with the heating medium
Implementation Method 2
auxiliary path having heat storage means which exchanges heat with the heating medium
Implementation Method 3
radiator in which refrigerant and heating medium exchange heat
Implementation Method 4
evaporator
Implementation Method 5
compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat-pump hot water generator including: a refrigerant circuit 8 formed by annularly connecting, to one another, a compressor 4, a radiator 5 in which refrigerant and heating medium exchange heat, decompressing means 6 and an evaporator 7 through a refrigerant pipe; and a heating medium path 19a through which the heating medium flows, wherein a main path 19b having the radiator 5 and an auxiliary path 19c having heat storage means 9 which exchanges heat with the heating medium are provided in the heating medium path 19a in parallel. Therefore, even when the compressor 4 is under suspension, heating medium can be heated by an amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 9, and it is possible to provide a heat-pump hot water generator having excellent comfort.