JP2009250462A

JP2009250462A - Heat pump water heater

Info

Publication number: JP2009250462A
Application number: JP2008095633A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuhiko Marumoto; 一彦丸本; Shinji Watanabe; 伸二渡辺; Takayuki Takatani; 隆幸高谷
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2008-04-02
Publication date: 2009-10-29

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat pump water heater having high operation efficiency by lowering the temperature of water of an intermediate temperature in a hot water storing operation without performing hot water supply to a user and hot water supply to a bathtub. <P>SOLUTION: In this heat pump water heater comprising a heat pump cycle 1 constituted by circularly connecting a compressor 2, a radiator 3, a pressure reducing means 4, and an air heat exchanger 5, and a heat storage means 10 comprising a hot water storage tank 8 for storing hot water heated by the radiator 3, and a water supply pipe 19 for supplying water, and having a heat storage material 38 exchanging heat between the water of intermediate temperature existing almost at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 8 and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 19, the temperature of the water of an intermediate temperature can be lowered during the hot water storing operation without performing the hot water supply to the user and the hot water supply to the bathtub, and thus the energy efficiency of the heat pump cycle 1 can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は加熱した湯水を貯湯タンクに蓄えて給湯を行うヒートポンプ給湯機に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a heat pump water heater that supplies hot water by storing heated hot water in a hot water storage tank.

従来この種のヒートポンプ給湯機としては、例えば、図２に記載されたものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 Conventionally, as this type of heat pump water heater, for example, there is one shown in FIG. 2 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

図２に示す貯湯運転では、ヒートポンプサイクル１を加熱源として沸き上げポンプ７で貯湯タンク８下部の低温水層の水を放熱器３に循環して加熱して貯湯タンク８上部に送り、湯として貯めており密度差により沸かされた高温の湯と低温水層の水が混じり合うことは殆どなく貯湯タンク８に貯められる。そして、貯湯タンク８に貯まった湯は利用端末２４や浴槽１３への給湯に使用される。 In the hot water storage operation shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump cycle 1 is used as a heating source and the boiling pump 7 circulates and heats the water in the low temperature water layer at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 to the radiator 3 and sends it to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8 for hot water. The hot water boiled due to the density difference is hardly mixed with the water in the low temperature water layer and is stored in the hot water storage tank 8. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 is used for hot water supply to the use terminal 24 and the bathtub 13.

また、浴槽１３内の湯を加熱する風呂加熱運転は、貯湯タンク８内の湯水の熱を浴槽１３内の湯水に放熱することで行っている。利用側回路３１においては、流路切換手段３６は、浴槽１３内の湯水を利用側ポンプ１２により風呂熱交換器１４に循環させる。一方、熱源側回路３０では貯湯タンク８の湯水を熱源側ポンプ１１により風呂熱交換器１４に循環して貯湯タンク８に環流している。 The bath heating operation for heating the hot water in the bathtub 13 is performed by radiating the heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 to the hot water in the bathtub 13. In the use side circuit 31, the flow path switching means 36 circulates hot water in the bathtub 13 to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the use side pump 12. On the other hand, in the heat source side circuit 30, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the heat source side pump 11 and circulated to the hot water storage tank 8.

そして、風呂熱交換器１４では高温の熱源側回路３０の湯と温度の低い利用側回路３１の湯が熱交換を行って、利用側回路３１の湯を加熱する。この一連の動作は風呂湯温センサー３２によって所定の風呂湯温に達したと判断されるまで持続される。 In the bath heat exchanger 14, the hot water in the high temperature heat source side circuit 30 and the hot water in the usage side circuit 31 having a low temperature exchange heat to heat the hot water in the usage side circuit 31. This series of operations is continued until the bath temperature sensor 32 determines that the predetermined bath temperature has been reached.

このとき、熱源回路３０では貯湯タンク８より高温の湯が風呂熱交換器１４で熱交換され、やや温度が下がった中温水となって貯湯タンク８に還流する。還流され貯湯タンク８に溜まった中温水は温度が高いため、貯湯運転時に中温水をヒートポンプサイクル１で再度加熱するとヒートポンプサイクル１の効率が低下する。 At this time, hot water having a temperature higher than that of the hot water storage tank 8 is exchanged by the bath heat exchanger 14 in the heat source circuit 30, and the hot water is returned to the hot water storage tank 8 as medium-temperature water having a slightly lowered temperature. Since the medium temperature water that has been refluxed and accumulated in the hot water storage tank 8 has a high temperature, the efficiency of the heat pump cycle 1 is reduced if the medium temperature water is heated again in the heat pump cycle 1 during the hot water storage operation.

そこで、貯湯タンク８長手方向の中間付近より中温水を導き、給湯管２１と接続して利用者への給湯や浴槽１３へのお湯張りの際に中温水を優先的に使用して、低温の給水を給水管１９より貯湯タンク８の下部に取り込みヒートポンプサイクル１へ供給する水温を低減できるよう工夫している。これによって、ヒートポンプサイクル１の効率向上を図っている。
特許第３９５００３１号公報 Therefore, the intermediate temperature water is guided from the middle in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 8 and connected to the hot water supply pipe 21 so that the medium temperature water is preferentially used when supplying hot water to the user or filling the bathtub 13 with a low temperature. The water supply is taken in from the water supply pipe 19 to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 so that the water temperature supplied to the heat pump cycle 1 can be reduced. As a result, the efficiency of the heat pump cycle 1 is improved.
Japanese Patent No. 3950031

しかしながら、上記の従来の構成では、利用者への給湯や浴槽のお湯張りの際に、中温水を使用しており利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなければ、中温水を低減する効果はない。従って、タイミングによっては、中温水に低減効果がないまま貯湯運転を行わなければならず、この状態で貯湯運転を行った場合にはヒートポンプの効率向上は図れない。 However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when hot water is supplied to the user or when the hot water is filled in the bathtub, the intermediate hot water is used. There is no effect to do. Therefore, depending on the timing, the hot water storage operation must be performed without any effect of reducing the intermediate temperature water. If the hot water storage operation is performed in this state, the efficiency of the heat pump cannot be improved.

本発明の目的は、前記従来の課題を解決するもので、利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、中温水の湯温を下げて運転効率の高いヒートポンプ給湯機を提供することを目的としている。 An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to provide a heat pump water heater with high operating efficiency by lowering the temperature of intermediate temperature water without performing hot water supply to a user or filling a bathtub. The purpose is to do.

前記従来の課題を解決するために本発明は、圧縮機、放熱器、減圧手段、空気熱交換器を環状に接続して構成されるヒートポンプサイクルと、前記放熱器にて加熱されたお湯を貯湯する貯湯タンクと、給水する給水管とを備え、前記貯湯タンクの長手方向略中央部に存在する中温水と前記給水管より給水された水とを熱交換する蓄熱材を有する蓄熱手段を設けたことを特徴とするヒートポンプ給湯機で、利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、貯湯運転時に中温水の湯温を下げることができる。 In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention relates to a heat pump cycle configured by annularly connecting a compressor, a radiator, a decompression unit, and an air heat exchanger, and hot water heated by the radiator. A hot water storage tank and a water supply pipe for supplying water, and provided with a heat storage means having a heat storage material for exchanging heat between the medium-temperature water present at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank and the water supplied from the water supply pipe With this heat pump water heater, it is possible to lower the hot water temperature during hot water storage operation without performing hot water supply to the user or filling the bathtub.

本発明によれば、中温水を蓄熱材と熱交換することにより、利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、中温水の湯温を下げることができるヒートポンプ給湯機を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, there is provided a heat pump water heater capable of lowering the temperature of medium-temperature water by exchanging the medium-temperature water with a heat storage material without performing hot water supply to a user or filling a bathtub. can do.

第１の発明は、圧縮機、放熱器、減圧手段、空気熱交換器を環状に接続して構成されるヒートポンプサイクルと、前記放熱器にて加熱されたお湯を貯湯する貯湯タンクと、給水する給水管とを備え、前記貯湯タンクの長手方向略中央部に存在する中温水と前記給水管より給水された水とを熱交換する蓄熱材を有する蓄熱手段を設けたことを特徴とするヒートポンプ給湯機で、利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、貯湯運転時に中温水の湯温を下げることができる。 1st invention supplies water with the heat pump cycle comprised by connecting a compressor, a radiator, pressure reduction means, and an air heat exchanger in an annular shape, and a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the radiator. A heat pump hot water supply comprising a water storage pipe, and provided with a heat storage means having a heat storage material for exchanging heat between medium-temperature water present at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank and water supplied from the water supply pipe Even without hot water supply to the user and hot water filling of the bathtub, the hot water temperature can be lowered during hot water storage operation.

第２の発明は、特に第１の発明において、蓄熱材は潜熱蓄熱材としたもので、蓄熱材の潜熱を利用することができるため、蓄熱材での単位体積当たりの蓄熱量を増加できコンパクト化できる。 In the second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the heat storage material is a latent heat storage material, and since the latent heat of the heat storage material can be used, the amount of heat storage per unit volume in the heat storage material can be increased. Can be

第３の発明は、特に第１または第２の発明において、ヒートポンプサイクルに臨界圧力以上に昇圧された冷媒を用いたもので、放熱器を流れる冷媒は、圧縮機で臨界圧力以上に加圧されているので、放熱器で熱を奪われて温度低下しても凝縮することがない。したがって放熱器全域で冷媒と水とに温度差を形成しやすくなり熱交換効率を高くできる。 The third invention uses the refrigerant whose pressure has been increased to a critical pressure or higher in the heat pump cycle in the first or second invention, and the refrigerant flowing through the radiator is pressurized to a critical pressure or higher by the compressor. Therefore, it does not condense even if the heat is taken away by the radiator and the temperature drops. Therefore, it becomes easy to form a temperature difference between the refrigerant and water in the entire radiator, and the heat exchange efficiency can be increased.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、この実施の形態によって本発明が限定されるものではない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

（実施の形態１）
図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるヒートポンプ給湯機の回路図である。装置の概要は、低温の湯水と高温の湯水とが層を成した状態で貯えられている貯湯タンク８と、その湯水を加熱する加熱源であるヒートポンプサイクル１を備え、ヒートポンプサイクル１によって貯湯タンク８の水を加熱して沸き上げて貯湯し給湯に利用される。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a heat pump water heater in the first embodiment of the present invention. The outline of the apparatus includes a hot water storage tank 8 in which low temperature hot water and high temperature hot water are stored in a layered state, and a heat pump cycle 1 that is a heating source for heating the hot water. 8 water is heated and boiled up to store hot water and used for hot water supply.

図１により、先ず、加熱源であるヒートポンプサイクル１の構成について説明する。ヒートポンプサイクル１は、冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機２、冷媒を冷却する放熱器３、冷媒を減圧する減圧手段４、冷媒を蒸発気化する空気熱交換器５で構成され、圧縮機２の吐出側より放熱器３を介して減圧手段４に接続し、さらに圧縮機２の吸入側に接続している。 First, the configuration of the heat pump cycle 1 as a heating source will be described with reference to FIG. The heat pump cycle 1 includes a compressor 2 that compresses the refrigerant, a radiator 3 that cools the refrigerant, a decompression unit 4 that decompresses the refrigerant, and an air heat exchanger 5 that evaporates and evaporates the refrigerant, from the discharge side of the compressor 2. It is connected to the decompression means 4 via the radiator 3 and further connected to the suction side of the compressor 2.

また、このヒートポンプサイクル１においては、冷媒として炭酸ガスが用いられており、圧縮機２によって圧縮された冷媒は、高温高圧の超臨界状態の冷媒として放熱器３に入り、ここで放熱して冷却する。その後、減圧手段４において減圧されて低温低圧の湿り蒸気となり、空気熱交換器５で空気と熱交換して蒸発気化し圧縮機２へ戻される。この時、送風機６は空気熱交換器５の熱交換効率を高めるために強制的に大気を空気熱交換器５に
循環させている。 Further, in this heat pump cycle 1, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 enters the radiator 3 as a high-temperature and high-pressure supercritical refrigerant, and radiates and cools it here. To do. Thereafter, the pressure is reduced in the pressure reducing means 4 to form low-temperature and low-pressure wet steam. At this time, the blower 6 forcibly circulates the air to the air heat exchanger 5 in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the air heat exchanger 5.

一方、湯の沸き上げに関する貯湯回路１８の構成は、貯湯タンク８の下部と、貯湯タンク８の長手の方向略中央部より蓄熱手段１０を介した配管とが切り替え手段２９に接続され、放熱器３を経て、沸き上げ管が貯湯タンク８上部へ接続している。 On the other hand, the structure of the hot water storage circuit 18 related to boiling water is such that the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 and the piping through the heat storage means 10 are connected to the switching means 29 from the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 8. 3, the boiling pipe is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8.

また、中温水温度センサー３６は貯湯タンク８の長手方向の略中央部に設置されて貯湯タンク８内の湯水の温度を検知し、切り替え温度センサー３７は蓄熱手段１０と切り替え手段２９の途中に設置され湯水の温度を検知して、切り替え手段２９を制御する。沸上げ管９が接続されている貯湯タンク上部とは、湯水が貯湯タンク８の高温層側であればよく、また、貯湯タンク８の下部とは、湯水が貯湯タンクの低温層側であればよい。 The medium temperature water temperature sensor 36 is installed at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 8 to detect the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8, and the switching temperature sensor 37 is installed in the middle of the heat storage means 10 and the switching means 29. The temperature of the hot water is detected and the switching means 29 is controlled. The upper part of the hot water storage tank to which the boiling pipe 9 is connected is sufficient if the hot water is on the high temperature layer side of the hot water storage tank 8, and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 is if the hot water is on the low temperature layer side of the hot water storage tank. Good.

貯湯タンク８から放熱器３に湯水を送り貯湯タンク８に戻すために、途中に出力を任意に変化させることができる循環ポンプ７を設けている。さらに、蓄熱手段１０は蓄熱材３８として潜熱蓄熱材を使用しており、この蓄熱材３８と流体の熱交換器を内包している。 In order to send hot water from the hot water storage tank 8 to the radiator 3 and return it to the hot water storage tank 8, a circulation pump 7 capable of arbitrarily changing the output in the middle is provided. Further, the heat storage means 10 uses a latent heat storage material as the heat storage material 38 and includes the heat storage material 38 and a fluid heat exchanger.

また、ヒートポンプサイクル１において加熱する前の低湯水の温度を検知する入水温度センサー１５を沸上げ管９の放熱器３入口側近傍に、加熱した高湯水の温度を検知する出湯温度センサー１６を沸上げ管９における放熱器３出口近傍に設けている。そして、貯湯タンク８の温度分布と蓄熱量を把握するため、外側壁面に垂直方向に貯湯温度センサー１７を備えている。 In addition, an incoming water temperature sensor 15 that detects the temperature of the low hot water before heating in the heat pump cycle 1 is boiled in the vicinity of the inlet side of the radiator 3 of the boiling pipe 9, and a hot water temperature sensor 16 that detects the temperature of the heated high hot water is boiled. It is provided in the vicinity of the radiator 3 outlet in the raising pipe 9. And in order to grasp | ascertain the temperature distribution and heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 8, the hot water storage temperature sensor 17 is provided in the perpendicular | vertical direction to the outer wall surface.

給湯に関する構成としては、給水源から給水を行う給水管１９が接続され、給水源からは減圧弁２０にて適度な圧力に減圧されて給水管１９に給水される。給水管１９は途中で分岐し、一方は貯湯タンク８の下部に接続し、他方の給水バイパス管２２は蓄熱手段１０を経て混合弁２３に接続される。 As a configuration related to hot water supply, a water supply pipe 19 for supplying water from a water supply source is connected, and the water supply source 19 supplies the water supply pipe 19 with a pressure reduced to an appropriate pressure by a pressure reducing valve 20. The water supply pipe 19 branches in the middle, one is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8, and the other water supply bypass pipe 22 is connected to the mixing valve 23 via the heat storage means 10.

また、貯湯タンク８上部には貯湯された高温水を出湯し給湯に利用するための給湯管２１が接続され、その途中には給水管１９からの給水バイパス管２２が接続されている。また、給湯管２１からの高温水と給水バイパス管２２からの低温水を任意の比率で混合可能な混合弁２３が設けられている。混合弁２３の下流側には、混合された給湯温度を検知するために給湯温度センサー２５が設けられ、その先に給湯端末２４が接続されている。 In addition, a hot water supply pipe 21 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8 for discharging the hot water stored in the hot water and using it for hot water supply, and a water supply bypass pipe 22 from the water supply pipe 19 is connected in the middle thereof. Moreover, the mixing valve 23 which can mix the high temperature water from the hot water supply pipe 21 and the low temperature water from the water supply bypass pipe 22 in arbitrary ratios is provided. On the downstream side of the mixing valve 23, a hot water supply temperature sensor 25 is provided to detect the mixed hot water supply temperature, and a hot water supply terminal 24 is connected to the end thereof.

風呂への注湯に関する構成としては、給湯管２１の途中から分岐して、浴槽１３へ注湯する注湯管２８が設けられており、給湯管２１と同ように、給湯管２１からの高湯水と給水バイパス管２２からの低温の湯水を混合して注湯できるように風呂用混合弁２６が設けられ、その下流には注湯温度センサー３５が設けられている。また、注湯管２８は注湯電磁弁２７を備え、それを任意に開閉させて自動で浴槽１３に注湯を行う。 As a configuration relating to the pouring of the bath, a hot water pouring pipe 28 is provided which branches from the middle of the hot water pipe 21 and pours into the bathtub 13. A bath mixing valve 26 is provided so that hot water and low-temperature hot water from the water supply bypass pipe 22 can be mixed and poured, and a pouring temperature sensor 35 is provided downstream thereof. Moreover, the pouring pipe 28 is provided with a pouring electromagnetic valve 27, which is arbitrarily opened and closed to pour water into the bathtub 13 automatically.

浴槽１３内の湯水を加熱、保温する風呂加熱運転の回路構成に関しては、利用側回路３１においては、浴槽１３内の湯水を利用側ポンプ１２により風呂熱交換器１４に循環させる。また、浴槽内１３の温度を検知するために風呂湯温センサー３２を設けている。そして、貯湯タンク８の湯水を熱源側ポンプ１１により風呂熱交換器１４に循環して貯湯タンク８に環流する。また、風呂熱交換器１４より利用側ポンプ１１で循環し環流された湯水の温度を検知するための環流温度センサー３３が取り付けられている。 Regarding the circuit configuration of the bath heating operation for heating and keeping hot water in the bathtub 13, in the use side circuit 31, the hot water in the bathtub 13 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the use side pump 12. In addition, a bath water temperature sensor 32 is provided to detect the temperature in the bathtub 13. Then, hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the heat source side pump 11 and circulated to the hot water storage tank 8. In addition, a circulating temperature sensor 33 for detecting the temperature of hot water circulated and circulated by the use-side pump 11 from the bath heat exchanger 14 is attached.

以上のように構成された給湯機において、以下、図１に基づいて動作、作用について説明する。 In the water heater configured as described above, the operation and action will be described below with reference to FIG.

貯湯タンク８に湯を貯める貯湯運転では、ヒートポンプサイクル１は、圧縮機２によっ
て圧縮された冷媒は、高温高圧の超臨界状態の冷媒として放熱器３に入り、ここで放熱して冷却する。その後、減圧手段４において減圧されて低温低圧の湿り蒸気となり、空気熱交換器５において空気と熱交換して蒸発気化し圧縮機２へ戻される。この時、送風機６が空気熱交換器５の熱交換効率を高めるために強制的に大気を空気熱交換器５に循環させる。 In the hot water storage operation in which hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 8, the heat pump cycle 1 causes the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 to enter the radiator 3 as a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in a supercritical state, where it dissipates and cools. Thereafter, the pressure is reduced in the pressure reducing means 4 to become low-temperature and low-pressure wet steam. At this time, the blower 6 forcibly circulates the air to the air heat exchanger 5 in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the air heat exchanger 5.

この時、中温水温度センサー３６で貯湯タンク８の湯水温度Ｔ１を検知し、切り替え温度センサーで、蓄熱手段１０の出口温度Ｔ２を検知する。Ｔ２がＴ１より小さくかつＴ２が所定温度より低い場合には、切り替え手段２９は貯湯タンク８の略中央部より放熱器３に水を流す方向に切り替え、その他の場合には貯湯タンク８の下部より放熱器３に水を流す方向に切り替える。 At this time, the hot water temperature T1 of the hot water storage tank 8 is detected by the intermediate hot water temperature sensor 36, and the outlet temperature T2 of the heat storage means 10 is detected by the switching temperature sensor. When T2 is smaller than T1 and T2 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the switching means 29 switches from a substantially central portion of the hot water storage tank 8 to the direction in which water flows to the radiator 3, and in other cases, from the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 8. Switch to the direction of flowing water through the radiator 3.

切り替え手段２９により、貯湯タンク８の略中央部より放熱器３に水を流す方向に切り替えた場合には、貯湯タンク８に滞留している中温水が循環ポンプ７により蓄熱手段１０で蓄熱材３８と熱交換して低温の水となって放熱器３に送られて加熱されるので、貯湯タンク８内の中温水は減少していく。従って、必ずしも利用者への給湯や浴槽１３へのお湯張りを行わなくても低温の水を放熱器３に供給できる。その他の場合には、貯湯タンク８の下部にある低温層の湯水が循環ポンプ７により放熱器３に送られ放熱器３の熱を吸熱して加熱される。 When the switching means 29 switches the direction of flowing water from the substantially central portion of the hot water storage tank 8 to the radiator 3, the medium temperature water staying in the hot water storage tank 8 is stored in the heat storage means 10 by the circulation pump 7. Since the heat is exchanged with the water, the water becomes low-temperature water and is sent to the radiator 3 to be heated, so that the medium-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 8 decreases. Therefore, low-temperature water can be supplied to the radiator 3 without necessarily supplying hot water to the user or filling the bathtub 13 with hot water. In other cases, the low temperature hot water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 is sent to the radiator 3 by the circulation pump 7 and is heated by absorbing the heat of the radiator 3.

即ち、貯湯タンク８の水をヒートポンプサイクル１により加熱し、貯湯タンク８に戻す貯湯運転においては、切り替え手段２９の動作に関わらず循環ポンプ７を駆動し、貯湯タンク８からの低温の湯水を加熱し、加熱された湯は沸き上げ管９を通って貯湯タンク８の上部に送られることになる。 That is, in the hot water storage operation in which the water in the hot water storage tank 8 is heated by the heat pump cycle 1 and returned to the hot water storage tank 8, the circulating pump 7 is driven regardless of the operation of the switching means 29 to heat the low temperature hot water from the hot water storage tank 8. The heated hot water is then sent to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8 through the boiling pipe 9.

そして、出湯温度センサー１６によりヒートポンプ６で加熱された水の温度を検知し、循環ポンプ７の出力を変えることで、ヒートポンプ６からの出湯温度を制御して目標の温度となるように加熱を行う。 And the temperature of the water heated with the heat pump 6 is detected by the hot water temperature sensor 16, and the output of the circulation pump 7 is changed, and the hot water temperature from the heat pump 6 is controlled, and it heats so that it may become target temperature. .

このようにして、貯湯タンク８に高温の湯を貯めてゆき、貯湯温度検知手段１７ａ、１７ｂ、１７ｃ、１７ｄ及び入水温度センサー１５で検知した温度によって、貯湯タンク８内の蓄熱量を検知して所定の蓄熱量となった時、ヒートポンプサイクル１を停止する。 In this way, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 8, and the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 8 is detected based on the temperatures detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d and the incoming water temperature sensor 15. When the predetermined heat storage amount is reached, the heat pump cycle 1 is stopped.

給湯端末２４への給湯運転では、給湯端末２４が給湯のために開けられると、貯湯タンク８内の湯水が給湯管２１から出湯されるとともに、給水管１９から貯湯タンク８に給水される。また、給水管１９から給水を分岐した給水バイパス管２２からの低温水と貯湯タンク８からの高湯水と給湯用混合弁２３において混合比を変えて混合することで、給湯温度を変化させて給湯端末２４に給湯する。 In the hot water supply operation to the hot water supply terminal 24, when the hot water supply terminal 24 is opened for hot water supply, hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is discharged from the hot water supply pipe 21 and supplied from the water supply pipe 19 to the hot water storage tank 8. Further, the hot water supply temperature is changed by mixing the low temperature water from the water supply bypass pipe 22 branched from the water supply pipe 19, the hot water from the hot water storage tank 8 and the hot water mixing valve 23 at a mixing ratio. Hot water is supplied to the terminal 24.

この時、給水バイパス管の途中には蓄熱手段１０が設置されており、蓄熱材３８と給水バイパス管２２を通る低温水とが熱交換する。蓄熱材３８には貯湯運転時に中温水と熱交換した熱エネルギーが蓄えられており、低温水が熱エネルギーを吸収することで低温水の温度が上昇すると共に蓄熱材３８の熱が奪われて温度が低下していく。即ち、中温水の熱エネルギーを給水に付加したことになる。そして、温度の上昇した給湯バイパス管２２を通る水が給湯用混合弁２３に送られる。 At this time, the heat storage means 10 is installed in the middle of the water supply bypass pipe, and the heat storage material 38 and the low-temperature water passing through the water supply bypass pipe 22 exchange heat. The heat storage material 38 stores heat energy that is heat exchanged with the medium temperature water during the hot water storage operation, and the low temperature water absorbs the heat energy, so that the temperature of the low temperature water rises and the heat of the heat storage material 38 is deprived. Will go down. That is, the thermal energy of medium temperature water is added to the water supply. Then, the water passing through the hot water supply bypass pipe 22 whose temperature has risen is sent to the hot water supply mixing valve 23.

また、この時の混合比は給湯温度センサー２５で検知される給湯温度に応じて制御され、リモコン（図示しない）により利用者が選択した給湯温度となるように保たれる。貯湯タンク８内の高温水と低温水を混ぜて温度を下げることによって所定温度の給湯を行うので、低温水側の温度が上昇することによって、高温水側の流量を低減することができる。 Further, the mixing ratio at this time is controlled according to the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 25 and is kept at the hot water temperature selected by the user by a remote controller (not shown). Hot water supply at a predetermined temperature is performed by mixing high temperature water and low temperature water in the hot water storage tank 8 and lowering the temperature. Therefore, the flow rate on the high temperature water side can be reduced by increasing the temperature on the low temperature water side.

風呂への注湯運転では、注湯運転を開始すると、注湯電磁弁２７が開成され、給水バイパス管２２により給水を分岐し、貯湯タンク８からの高湯水と給水からの低湯水を風呂用混合弁２６において混合比を変えて混合することで、注湯温度を変化させて浴槽１３に注湯する。 In the pouring operation to the bath, when the pouring operation is started, the pouring solenoid valve 27 is opened, the water supply is branched by the water supply bypass pipe 22, and hot water from the hot water storage tank 8 and low hot water from the water supply are used for the bath. The mixing valve 26 changes the mixing ratio and mixes, so that the pouring temperature is changed and the bath 13 is poured.

この時の混合比は注湯温度センサー３５で検知される注湯温度に応じて制御され、リモコン（図示しない）により利用者が選択した注湯温度となるように保たれる。即ち、貯湯タンク８内の高湯水と水を混ぜて温度を下げることによって浴槽１３に注湯を行うことになる。 The mixing ratio at this time is controlled according to the pouring temperature detected by the pouring temperature sensor 35, and is kept at the pouring temperature selected by the user by a remote controller (not shown). That is, hot water is poured into the bathtub 13 by mixing the hot water and water in the hot water storage tank 8 and lowering the temperature.

この時も給湯運転同ように、給水バイパス２２管の途中には蓄熱手段１０が設置されており、蓄熱材３８と給水バイパス管２２を通る低温水とが熱交換する。蓄熱材３８には貯湯運転時に中温水の熱エネルギーが蓄えられており、低温の給水が熱エネルギーを吸収することで水温が上昇すると共に蓄熱材３８の熱が奪われて温度が低下していく。 At this time, as in the hot water supply operation, the heat storage means 10 is installed in the middle of the water supply bypass 22 pipe, and the heat storage material 38 and the low-temperature water passing through the water supply bypass pipe 22 exchange heat. The heat storage material 38 stores the heat energy of the medium temperature water during the hot water storage operation, and the low temperature water supply absorbs the heat energy so that the water temperature rises and the heat of the heat storage material 38 is deprived and the temperature decreases. .

即ち、中温水の熱エネルギーを給水に付加したことになる。温度の上昇した給湯バイパス管２２を通る水が給湯用混合弁２３に送られる。貯湯タンク８内の高温水と低温水を混ぜて温度を下げることによって所定温度の給湯を行うので、低温水側の温度が上昇することによって、高温水側の流量を低減することができる。 That is, the thermal energy of medium temperature water is added to the water supply. Water passing through the hot water supply bypass pipe 22 whose temperature has risen is sent to the hot water supply mixing valve 23. Hot water supply at a predetermined temperature is performed by mixing high temperature water and low temperature water in the hot water storage tank 8 and lowering the temperature. Therefore, the flow rate on the high temperature water side can be reduced by increasing the temperature on the low temperature water side.

浴槽１３内の湯を加熱する風呂加熱運転では、貯湯タンク８内の湯水の熱を浴槽１３内の湯水に放熱することで行っている。 In the bath heating operation for heating the hot water in the bathtub 13, the heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is radiated to the hot water in the bathtub 13.

利用側回路３１においては、流路切換手段３６は、浴槽１３内の湯水を利用側ポンプ１２により風呂熱交換器１４に循環させる。一方、熱源側回路３０では貯湯タンク８の湯水を熱源側ポンプ１１により風呂熱交換器１４に循環して貯湯タンク８に環流している。 In the use side circuit 31, the flow path switching means 36 circulates hot water in the bathtub 13 to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the use side pump 12. On the other hand, in the heat source side circuit 30, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 14 by the heat source side pump 11 and circulated to the hot water storage tank 8.

そして、風呂熱交換器１４では高温の熱源側回路３０の湯と温度の低い利用側回路３１の湯が熱交換を行って、利用側回路３１の湯を加熱する。この一連の動作は風呂湯温センサー３２によって所定の風呂湯温に達したと判断されるまで持続される。このとき、貯湯タンク８へ還流した湯水は当初の湯の温度より低下しており中温水となって貯湯タンク８内に滞留することになる。 In the bath heat exchanger 14, the hot water in the high temperature heat source side circuit 30 and the hot water in the usage side circuit 31 having a low temperature exchange heat to heat the hot water in the usage side circuit 31. This series of operations is continued until the bath temperature sensor 32 determines that the predetermined bath temperature has been reached. At this time, the hot water recirculated to the hot water storage tank 8 is lower than the original hot water temperature and becomes medium temperature water and stays in the hot water storage tank 8.

このように、貯湯タンク８の下部の水と貯湯タンク８の長手方向略中央部より導かれ蓄熱材３８と熱交換して低温になった中温水とを切り替えて沸き上げポンプ９に送る切り替え手段２９と、切り替え手段２９によって選択された水を沸き上げポンプ９により放熱器３に循環させることによって高温の湯として貯湯タンク８に溜める貯湯回路１８と、蓄熱材３８と給湯端末２４への給湯時または浴槽１３への注湯時に貯湯タンク８から給湯された高温の湯と混合して湯温調整するための低温の給水とが熱交換できるように構成された蓄熱手段１０により利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、貯湯運転時に中温水の湯温を下げることができるのでヒートポンプサイクル１のエネルギー効率を向上できる。 In this way, switching means for switching between the water below the hot water storage tank 8 and the medium temperature water led from the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 8 and heat-exchanged with the heat storage material 38 and having a low temperature to send to the boiling pump 9. 29, hot water storage circuit 18 that stores hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 as hot water by circulating water selected by the switching means 29 to the radiator 3 by the boiling pump 9, and hot water supply to the heat storage material 38 and the hot water supply terminal 24 Alternatively, hot water is supplied to the user by the heat storage means 10 configured to exchange heat with the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 at the time of pouring into the bathtub 13 to adjust the hot water temperature. Even if hot water is not filled in the bathtub or the bathtub, the temperature of the medium temperature water can be lowered during the hot water storage operation, so that the energy efficiency of the heat pump cycle 1 can be improved.

以上のように、本発明にかかるヒートポンプ給湯機は、利用者への給湯や浴槽へのお湯張りを行わなくても、貯湯運転時に中温水の湯温を下げることができるのでエネルギー効率の高いヒートポンプ給湯機として有用である。 As described above, the heat pump water heater according to the present invention can reduce the hot water temperature during hot water storage operation without supplying hot water to the user or filling the bathtub. Useful as a water heater.

本発明の実施の形態１におけるヒートポンプ給湯機の回路図Circuit diagram of heat pump water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 従来のヒートポンプ給湯機の回路図Circuit diagram of conventional heat pump water heater

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ヒートポンプサイクル
２圧縮機
３放熱器
４減圧手段
５空気熱交換器
７循環ポンプ
８貯湯タンク
１０蓄熱手段
１３浴槽
１８貯湯回路
１９給水管
２２給水バイパス管
２９切り替え手段
３８蓄熱材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat pump cycle 2 Compressor 3 Radiator 4 Pressure reduction means 5 Air heat exchanger 7 Circulation pump 8 Hot water storage tank 10 Heat storage means 13 Bathtub 18 Hot water storage circuit 19 Water supply pipe 22 Water supply bypass pipe 29 Switching means 38 Heat storage material

Claims

圧縮機、放熱器、減圧手段、空気熱交換器を環状に接続して構成されるヒートポンプサイクルと、前記放熱器にて加熱されたお湯を貯湯する貯湯タンクと、給水する給水管とを備え、前記貯湯タンクの長手方向略中央部に存在する中温水と前記給水管より給水された水とを熱交換する蓄熱材を有する蓄熱手段を設けたことを特徴とするヒートポンプ給湯機。 A compressor, a radiator, a decompression means, a heat pump cycle configured by annularly connecting an air heat exchanger, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the radiator, and a water supply pipe for supplying water, A heat pump hot water supply apparatus comprising a heat storage means having a heat storage material for exchanging heat between medium-temperature water present at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank and water supplied from the water supply pipe.

蓄熱材は潜熱蓄熱材であることを特徴とする請求項１に記載のヒートポンプ給湯機。 The heat pump water heater according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage material is a latent heat storage material.

ヒートポンプサイクルに臨界圧力以上に昇圧された冷媒を用いたことを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載のヒートポンプ給湯機。 The heat pump water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a refrigerant whose pressure is raised to a critical pressure or higher is used in the heat pump cycle.