Heating and hot water supply system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and hot water supply systems require stopping the heating operation to perform hot water-storing, leading to reduced usability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a refrigerant circuit, a heat medium circuit, and a hot water-storing section, with a distributer and control device to allow simultaneous heating and hot water-storing operations by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the usage-side heat exchanger, load-side heat exchanger, and hot water-storing section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the heating operation is stopped to perform hot water-storing operation, then hot water can be stored, but usability and comfort are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The heating operation continues uninterrupted while the hot water-storing operation is performed simultaneously. The distributer enables continuous heat medium circulation to the usage-side heat exchanger for heating, while also directing a portion of the heat medium to the hot water-storing section, ensuring both functions operate continuously without stopping either operation.
2Productivity
If a distributer is provided to adjust heat medium flow distribution, then simultaneous heating and hot water-storing operations are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributer acts as an intermediary device that mediates the heat medium flow between the usage-side heat exchanger and the hot water-storing section. This single intermediate component enables sophisticated flow distribution and simultaneous operation of both heating and hot water storage functions without requiring complex control systems or multiple valves.
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
Enables continuous heating and hot water supply, enhancing usability and comfort by allowing hot water-storing during heating operations without compromising heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
refrigerant and heat medium exchange heat with each other in a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the heat medium heated by the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger radiates heat in the load-side heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
hot water is stored in the hot water-storing section by the heat medium heated by the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A heating and hot water supply system includes a refrigerant circuit 2 having a usage-side heat exchanger 22 and through which refrigerant circulates, a heat medium circuit 3 in which heat medium heated by refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 22 is conveyed to a load-side heat exchanger 32 and returns to the usage-side heat exchanger 22, a hot water-storing section 10 provided in the heat medium circuit 3 in parallel to the usage-side heat exchanger 22, and a control device 4. The heating and hot water supply system carries out a heating operation where heat medium heated by refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 22 radiates heat in the load-side heat exchanger 32, and a hot water-storing operation for storing hot water in the hot water-storing section 10 by heat medium heated by refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 22. The heating and hot water supply system includes a distributer 60 provided on a branch current portion 3A, 3B between the heat medium circuit 3 and the hot water-storing section 10. Heat medium flows out from the usage-side heat exchanger 22. The distributer 60 adjusts a distribution ratio of a flow rate of the heat medium which flows toward the hot water-storing section 10 and a flow rate of the heat medium which flows toward the load-side heat exchanger 32. The heating and hot water supply system has an operation mode in which the control device 4 adjusts the distribution ratio of the distributer 60 and the hot water-storing operation is carried out when the heating operation is carried out. Usability and comfort of the heating and hot water supply system are enhanced.