Heat Pump Hot Water Supply with Load-Based Refrigerant Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water supply devices associated with heat pumps face challenges in optimizing hot water supply performance and heating performance according to varying loads, leading to inefficiencies in both hot water supply and heating operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hot water supply device with a main refrigerant circuit including a compressor, indoor heat exchanger, expander, and outdoor heat exchanger, along with a hot water supply heat exchanger, allows for the adjustment of refrigerant flow based on hot water supply and cooling/heating loads, optimizing performance by using the hot water supply heat exchanger as a primary condenser and either the indoor or outdoor heat exchanger as a secondary condenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single condenser is used in the heat pump system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize hot water supply performance and heating performance according to varying loads is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the indoor heat exchanger to serve dual purposes: as an evaporator during cooling mode and as a condenser during heating mode. This allows a single heat exchanger component to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components while maintaining the ability to optimize performance for different operational modes (hot water supply vs. heating). The system achieves adaptability through mode switching rather than through parallel redundant components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant flow is fixed in the heat pump system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the hot water supply performance and heating performance cannot be optimized according to varying loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing adjustable refrigerant flow control mechanisms that allow the system to dynamically adapt refrigerant distribution between the hot water supply heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger based on operational mode and load conditions. During hot water supply mode, refrigerant flow is directed primarily to the hot water supply heat exchanger, while during heating mode, flow is directed to the indoor heat exchanger. This dynamic flow adjustment enables performance optimization without requiring complex multi-component architectures.
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 solution enables optimized hot water supply and heating performance by adjusting refrigerant flow rates, ensuring that hot water supply capability matches or exceeds heating capability, thereby improving temperature control and efficiency during simultaneous operations.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator in which the refrigerant expanded through the expander is evaporated, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expander, and the evaporator to form a refrigerant cycle. While the refrigerant flows in the heat pump, the refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a condenser in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is condensed. While the refrigerant flows in the heat pump, the refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator and emits heat in the condenser. The refrigerant transmits heat to the water in the hot water supply device
Implementation Method 3
a compressor compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
an expander in which the refrigerant passing through the condenser is expanded
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump. In the hot water supply device, hot water supply is performed using a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor. Also, an amount of a hot water supply side refrigerant and an amount of a cooling/heating side refrigerant are adjusted according to a hot water supply load and a cooling/heating load. Thus, hot water supply performance and heating performance may be further improved.