Heat Pump Control for Cooling-to-Hot-Water Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning and hot-water supply systems with heat pumps face challenges in maintaining user comfort when a hot-water supply operation is necessary, as they often interrupt cooling operations to initiate heating, leading to discomfort during cooling cycles.
Innovation Solution
A system with a controller that monitors hot-water supply requests and continues cooling operations until a predetermined condition is met, ensuring the area remains cooled before switching to heating, thereby maintaining comfort by managing the cooling operation's power and frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cooling operation is immediately interrupted upon a hot-water supply request, then the heating operation can start promptly to supply hot water, but the user comfort deteriorates due to the loss of cooling in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continues the cooling operation for a predetermined period after receiving a hot-water supply request during cooling operation, proactively maintaining cooling in the area before switching to heating mode. This preliminary continuation of cooling prevents comfort deterioration that would occur with immediate interruption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooling operation continues after a hot-water supply request, then user comfort is maintained, but the hot-water supply is delayed and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the operational parameter by continuing cooling for a predetermined period and then switching to heating operation. This parameter change (from continuous cooling to heating mode) resolves the contradiction by providing a structured transition that maintains comfort initially while ensuring hot-water supply follows promptly after the predetermined period.
3Reliability
If the indoor unit changes operation from cooling to heating upon hot-water request, then the hot-water supply unit can operate efficiently, but the cooling operation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller maintains the cooling operation for a predetermined period after receiving a hot-water supply request, preventing immediate switching that would destabilize the cooling operation. This preliminary continuation allows for a more stable transition from cooling to heating mode.
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 approach ensures user comfort by maintaining the cooling operation even after a hot-water supply request, allowing for a seamless transition to heating only when the area has reached the target temperature, thus minimizing disruptions and ensuring efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant-water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor unit having a compressor
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
an indoor heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A system for air-conditioning and hot-water supply is configured to selectively perform a cooling operation and a heating operation. The system includes: an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each of which is connected to the outdoor unit and includes an indoor heat exchanger; a hot-water supply unit connected to the outdoor unit so as to be arranged in parallel to the indoor unit and including a refrigerant-water heat exchanger; and a controller configured to monitor a request for hot-water supply from the hot-water supply unit. The controller is further configured to continue a cooling operation after the request has occurred and until a predetermined condition is satisfied where the request for hot-water supply has occurred during the cooling operation at at least one of the plurality of indoor units, and then to start a heating operation.