JP2010101577A

JP2010101577A - Heat pump water heater

Info

Publication number: JP2010101577A
Application number: JP2008274322A
Authority: JP
Inventors: So Hiraoka; 宗平岡; Akihiro Nishida; 明広西田; Masaki Toyoshima; 正樹豊島; So Nomoto; 宗野本; Taijo Murakami; 泰城村上
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-24
Also published as: JP5264408B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an easily manufacturable heat pump water heater responding to even a case where necessary heating amount per unit time during reheating operation is large, without deteriorating reliability. <P>SOLUTION: The heat pump water heater 100 uses hot water stored in a hot water storage tank 15 as a heat source and can reheat, in a load side heat exchanger 25, hot water used in an external load facility, lowered in temperature. The heat pump water heater 100 includes: a circulation pipe line 20 for sequentially interconnecting the load side heat exchanger 25, a circulating pump 12, a heating heat exchanger 2 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15; and a first switching pipe line 16 and a second switching pipe line 17 having one ends connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15. A first change-over valve 11 can change over flowing of hot water after used as a heat source in the load side heat exchanger 25 to the circulating pump side or flowing of low-temperature water within the first switching pipe line 16 to the circulating pump side, and a second change-over valve 13 can change over flowing of hot water within the circulation pipe line 20 to the heating heat exchanger side or to the second switching pipe line 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、他の設備で用いられて温度低下した湯水を再加熱することができる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 can reheat hot water that has been used in other equipment and whose temperature has dropped.

ヒートポンプユニットで沸上げた湯を貯湯タンクに一旦貯留し、該貯湯タンクから給湯管路を介して所望箇所に給湯するヒートポンプ給湯機では、貯湯タンク内に貯留した湯を熱源として用いて、浴槽などの外部負荷設備で用いられて温度低下した湯水を再加熱する機能を有するものがある。このようなヒートポンプ給湯機では、再加熱運転時に熱源として用いられて温度が低下した湯（中温湯）が貯湯タンクの下部に戻されて、該中温湯が貯湯タンクの下部に貯留した水に混ざることで貯湯タンク内に形成された温度成層が乱れ、再加熱運転後に行われる沸上運転時に貯湯タンクの下部から取り出される水の温度が上昇する結果、沸上運転時のヒートポンプユニットでの沸上効率が低下する。 In a heat pump water heater that temporarily stores hot water boiled in a heat pump unit in a hot water storage tank and supplies hot water to a desired location from the hot water storage tank via a hot water supply pipe, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is used as a heat source, and so on. Some of them have a function of reheating hot and cold water used in the external load equipment. In such a heat pump water heater, hot water (medium temperature hot water) that is used as a heat source during reheating operation and returned to the lower part of the hot water storage tank is returned to the hot water stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank. As a result, the temperature stratification formed in the hot water storage tank is disturbed, and the temperature of the water taken out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank rises during the boiling operation performed after the reheating operation. Efficiency is reduced.

再加熱運転後に行われる沸上運転での沸上効率を向上させるために、例えば特許文献１に記載されたヒートポンプ給湯装置（ヒートポンプ式給湯機）では、再加熱運転（追焚き運転）で生じた中温湯を貯湯タンクには戻さずにヒートポンプユニット（ヒートポンプ式加熱源）に戻して再び湯に沸上げ、この湯を外部熱交換器に直接供給して追焚きしている。 In order to improve the boiling efficiency in the boiling operation performed after the reheating operation, for example, in the heat pump hot water supply device (heat pump type water heater) described in Patent Document 1, it occurred in the reheating operation (chasing operation). The medium-temperature hot water is not returned to the hot water storage tank, but returned to the heat pump unit (heat pump type heating source) and boiled again, and this hot water is directly supplied to the external heat exchanger for follow-up.

このようなヒートポンプ給湯機では、浴槽内の適温の浴水を保温する場合のように単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が少ない場合を想定してヒートポンプユニットの性能を設定すると、大きく温度低下した浴水を比較的短時間で追焚きしようとしたときに加熱能力不足となる。このため、ヒートポンプユニットの性能は、通常、大きく温度低下した浴水を比較的短時間で適温に追焚きする場合のように単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が多い場合を想定して設定される。 In such a heat pump water heater, when the performance of the heat pump unit is set assuming that the required amount of heating per unit time is small as in the case where the bath water at an appropriate temperature in the bathtub is kept warm, Heating capacity becomes insufficient when trying to chase in a relatively short time. For this reason, the performance of the heat pump unit is usually set on the assumption that the required heating amount per unit time is large as in the case where the bath water whose temperature has been greatly decreased is chased to an appropriate temperature in a relatively short time.

特開２００７−１１３８３６号公報Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-113836

しかしながら、ヒートポンプユニットでの沸上効率は、低温水を湯に沸上げるときよりも中温湯を湯に沸上げるときの方が低い。このため、特許文献１に記載されたヒートポンプ給湯機では、単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が多い再加熱運転にも対応可能な能力をヒートポンプユニットに付与しようとすると、当該ヒートポンプユニット内の管路が複雑になったり、当該ヒートポンプユニットが大型になったりする。 However, the boiling efficiency in the heat pump unit is lower when boiling medium-temperature water into hot water than when boiling low-temperature water into hot water. For this reason, in the heat pump water heater described in Patent Document 1, when the heat pump unit is provided with an ability to cope with a reheating operation that requires a large amount of heating per unit time, a pipe line in the heat pump unit is provided. It becomes complicated or the heat pump unit becomes large.

また、ヒートポンプユニット内に設けられる熱交換器（加熱熱交換器）での流路は、一般に、当該加熱熱交換器の性能を向上させるためにその流路断面積が小さく、単位時間当たりの湯水の流量に制限があって、該制限を超えて湯水を流すと加熱熱交換器内が腐食して信頼性が著しく低下する。このため、単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が多い再加熱運転にも対応可能な能力をヒートポンプユニットに付与しようとすると、加熱熱交換器の再設計が必要となる。勿論、加熱熱交換器での湯水の流量を少なくして加熱能力を小さくすれば上記の腐食を防止することができるが、この場合には所望の能力をヒートポンプユニットに付与することができなくなる。 Further, the flow path in the heat exchanger (heating heat exchanger) provided in the heat pump unit is generally small in cross-sectional area of the flow path in order to improve the performance of the heating heat exchanger, and hot water per unit time. If the flow rate is limited, and hot water is allowed to flow exceeding this limit, the inside of the heat exchanger is corroded and the reliability is significantly reduced. For this reason, if it is going to give the heat pump unit the capability which can respond also to the reheating operation with much required heating amount per unit time, the redesign of a heating heat exchanger will be needed. Of course, if the heating capacity is reduced by reducing the flow rate of hot water in the heating heat exchanger, the above corrosion can be prevented, but in this case, the desired capacity cannot be imparted to the heat pump unit.

本発明は上記の事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、再加熱運転の際の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に拘わらず信頼性を損なうことなく対応可能なものを作製しやすいヒートポンプ給湯機を得ることを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a heat pump water heater that makes it easy to produce a product that does not impair reliability regardless of the amount of heating required per unit time during reheating operation. The purpose is to obtain.

上述した課題を解決し、目的を達成するために、本発明のヒートポンプ給湯機は、水を湯に沸上げる加熱熱交換器を有するヒートポンプユニットと、沸上げられた湯を貯留する貯湯タンクと、貯湯タンクに貯留された湯を熱源として用いる負荷側熱交換器とを有し、外部負荷設備から負荷側熱交換器に供給された湯水を負荷側熱交換器で再加熱するヒートポンプ給湯機であって、負荷側熱交換器と循環ポンプと加熱熱交換器と貯湯タンクの上部とを順次接続して構成される循環管路と、貯湯タンクの下部に一端が接続された第１切替管路と、循環管路での負荷側熱交換器と循環ポンプとの間に設けられて第１切替管路の他端が接続され、負荷側熱交換器で熱源として用いられた後の湯を循環ポンプ側に流すか、貯湯タンクから第１切替管路に流入した低温水を循環ポンプ側に流すか切り替える第１切替弁と、貯湯タンクの下部に一端が接続された第２切替管路と、循環管路での循環ポンプの下流側に設けられて第２切替管路の他端が接続され、循環管路内の湯水を該循環管路での下流側に流すか第２切替管路に流すか切り替える第２切替弁とを備えることを特徴とする。 In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the heat pump water heater of the present invention includes a heat pump unit having a heating heat exchanger for boiling water into hot water, a hot water storage tank for storing the boiled hot water, This heat pump water heater has a load-side heat exchanger that uses hot water stored in a hot water storage tank as a heat source, and reheats hot water supplied from an external load facility to the load-side heat exchanger using the load-side heat exchanger. A circulation line configured by sequentially connecting the load side heat exchanger, the circulation pump, the heating heat exchanger, and the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and a first switching line having one end connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank, The hot water after being used as a heat source in the load-side heat exchanger is provided between the load-side heat exchanger in the circulation line and the circulation pump, and the other end of the first switching line is connected to the circulation pump. From the hot water storage tank to the first switching line A first switching valve for switching whether or not the low-temperature water entered flows to the circulation pump side, a second switching line connected at one end to the lower part of the hot water storage tank, and a second switching line provided downstream of the circulation pump in the circulation line. And a second switching valve that is connected to the other end of the two switching pipes and switches between flowing the hot water in the circulation pipe to the downstream side of the circulation pipe or the second switching pipe. .

本発明のヒートポンプ給湯機では、再加熱運転の際の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に応じて、再加熱運転で生じた中温湯を加熱熱交換器で再び湯に沸上げて貯湯タンクに戻すか、湯に沸き上げることなく中温湯のまま貯湯タンクに戻すかを適宜選択することが可能になるので、加熱熱交換器として汎用のものを通常の条件下で用いても所望の再加熱運転を行いやすい。したがって、本発明によれば、再加熱運転の際の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に拘わらず信頼性を損なうことなく対応可能なヒートポンプ給湯機を作製しやすくなる。 In the heat pump water heater of the present invention, depending on the amount of heating required per unit time during the reheating operation, the medium-temperature hot water generated in the reheating operation is again boiled into hot water with a heating heat exchanger and stored in a hot water storage tank. Since it is possible to select whether to return to the hot water storage tank as it is, or to return to the hot water storage tank without boiling into hot water, the desired reheating can be performed even if a general-purpose heating heat exchanger is used under normal conditions. Easy to drive. Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes easy to produce a heat pump water heater that can be used without impairing reliability regardless of the amount of heating required per unit time during the reheating operation.

以下に、本発明にかかるヒートポンプ給湯機の実施の形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。なお、この発明は、下記の実施の形態に限定されるものではない。 Embodiments of a heat pump water heater according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

図１は、本発明にかかるヒートポンプ給湯機の一例を概略的に示す構成図である。同図に示すヒートポンプ給湯機１００は、浴槽や温水式床暖房装置等の外部負荷設備（図示せず）で用いられて温度低下した湯水を再加熱する機能を有するものであり、ヒートポンプユニット１０、貯湯タンクユニット４０、および制御装置５０を備えている。以下、ヒートポンプ給湯機１００の各構成要素について説明する。 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an example of a heat pump water heater according to the present invention. The heat pump water heater 100 shown in the figure has a function of reheating hot water that has been used in an external load facility (not shown) such as a bathtub or a hot water type floor heating device, and the heat pump unit 10, A hot water storage tank unit 40 and a control device 50 are provided. Hereinafter, each component of the heat pump water heater 100 will be described.

上記のヒートポンプユニット１０は、圧縮機１と、加熱熱交換器２と、膨張弁３と、蒸発器４と、これらを環状に接続する循環配管５と、蒸発器４を冷却する送風ファン６とを有する冷凍サイクルシステムを備え、熱源機として機能する。ヒートポンプユニット１０の冷凍サイクルシステムでは、冷媒が圧縮機１で圧縮されて高温、高圧となった後に加熱熱交換器２で放熱し、膨張弁３で減圧され、蒸発器４で吸熱してガス状態となって圧縮機１に吸入される。冷媒の流れる方向を図１中に破線の矢印で示している。ヒートポンプユニット１０の動作は、制御装置５０により制御される。 The heat pump unit 10 includes a compressor 1, a heating heat exchanger 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, a circulation pipe 5 that connects these in an annular shape, and a blower fan 6 that cools the evaporator 4. And functions as a heat source machine. In the refrigeration cycle system of the heat pump unit 10, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 1 to become high temperature and high pressure, then radiates heat by the heating heat exchanger 2, is depressurized by the expansion valve 3, and absorbs heat by the evaporator 4 to be in a gas state And is sucked into the compressor 1. The direction in which the refrigerant flows is indicated by broken arrows in FIG. The operation of the heat pump unit 10 is controlled by the control device 50.

加熱熱交換器２は、上記循環配管５を流れる冷媒を熱源として用いて、後述する循環管路２０の第５管路２０ｅを流れる水や中温湯を湯に沸上げるための熱交換器である。加熱熱交換器２により沸上げられた湯は、後述する循環管路２０の第１管路２０ａを流れる。 The heating heat exchanger 2 is a heat exchanger for boiling water or medium-temperature hot water flowing through a fifth pipe 20e of a circulation pipe 20 described later into hot water using the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 5 as a heat source. . The hot water boiled by the heating heat exchanger 2 flows through the first pipe line 20a of the circulation pipe line 20 described later.

貯湯タンクユニット４０は、貯湯タンク１５、循環管路２０、負荷側熱交換器２５、負荷側循環管路３０を有している。 The hot water storage tank unit 40 includes a hot water storage tank 15, a circulation line 20, a load side heat exchanger 25, and a load side circulation line 30.

貯湯タンク１５は、下部に接続された給水管路（図示せず）から供給される水を貯留すると共に加熱熱交換器２で沸上げられた湯を貯留するものであり、常に満水状態に保たれる。ヒートポンプ給湯機１００の使用時には、貯湯タンク１５内に温度成層が形成される。貯湯タンク１５の上部には、給湯管路（図示せず）の一端が接続されており、給湯管路の他端に設けられた給湯栓（図示せず）をユーザが開くことにより、所定量の湯が貯湯タンク１５から供給される。 The hot water storage tank 15 stores water supplied from a water supply pipe (not shown) connected to the lower part and stores hot water boiled by the heating heat exchanger 2, and is always kept in a full state. Be drunk. When the heat pump water heater 100 is used, temperature stratification is formed in the hot water storage tank 15. One end of a hot water supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15, and the user opens a hot water tap (not shown) provided at the other end of the hot water supply pipe so that a predetermined amount is obtained. Hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 15.

循環管路２０は、加熱熱交換器２と、貯湯タンク１５の上部と、負荷側熱交換器２５と、第１切替弁１１と、循環ポンプ１２と、第２切替弁１３とを環状に順次接続する管路である。循環管路２０は、加熱熱交換器２と貯湯タンク１５の上部とを接続する第１管路２０ａと、貯湯タンク１５の上部と負荷側熱交換器２５とを接続する第２管路２０ｂと、負荷側熱交換器２５と第１切替弁１１とを接続する第３管路２０ｃと、第１切替弁１１と第２切替弁１３とを接続する第４管路２０ｄと、第２切替弁１３と加熱熱交換器２とを接続する第５管路２０ｅとにより構成される。第１管路２０ａと第２管路２０ｂとは、貯湯タンク１５の上部にそれぞれ別個に設けられた接続口で当該貯湯タンク１５に接続されている。 The circulation line 20 is configured so that the heating heat exchanger 2, the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15, the load side heat exchanger 25, the first switching valve 11, the circulation pump 12, and the second switching valve 13 are sequentially annularly arranged. It is a pipe line to be connected. The circulation line 20 includes a first pipe line 20 a that connects the heating heat exchanger 2 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15, and a second pipe line 20 b that connects the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 and the load side heat exchanger 25. The third pipe line 20c that connects the load-side heat exchanger 25 and the first switching valve 11, the fourth pipe line 20d that connects the first switching valve 11 and the second switching valve 13, and the second switching valve 13 and the 5th pipe line 20e which connects the heating heat exchanger 2. The first pipe line 20 a and the second pipe line 20 b are connected to the hot water storage tank 15 through connection ports provided separately at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15.

第１切替弁１１は、循環管路２０での負荷側熱交換器２５と循環ポンプ１２との間に設けられた三方弁である。第１切替弁１１には、上流側に２つの流入口があり、下流側に１つの流出口がある。一方の流入口は第３管路２０ｃに接続され、他方の流入口は、貯湯タンク１５の下部に一端が接続された第１切替管路１６に接続され、流出口は第４管路２０ｄに接続されている。第１切替弁１１は、制御装置５０に接続されて該制御装置５０により動作制御され、制御装置５０から開度調整信号を受けて弁開度を調節して、負荷側熱交換器２５で熱源として用いられた後の湯（中温湯）を循環ポンプ１２側に流すか、貯湯タンク１５から第１切替管路１６に流入した低温水を循環ポンプ１２側に流すか切り替える。 The first switching valve 11 is a three-way valve provided between the load-side heat exchanger 25 and the circulation pump 12 in the circulation pipeline 20. The first switching valve 11 has two inlets on the upstream side and one outlet on the downstream side. One inlet is connected to the third pipeline 20c, the other inlet is connected to the first switching pipeline 16 connected at one end to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15, and the outlet is connected to the fourth pipeline 20d. It is connected. The first switching valve 11 is connected to the control device 50 and controlled in operation by the control device 50, receives the opening adjustment signal from the control device 50, adjusts the valve opening, and the load-side heat exchanger 25 generates a heat source. The hot water (medium temperature hot water) after being used as the hot water tank is switched to the circulation pump 12 side, or the low temperature water flowing from the hot water storage tank 15 into the first switching pipe 16 is switched to the circulation pump 12 side.

循環ポンプ１２は、第４管路２０ｄの途中の経路に設けられており、該第４管路２０ｄを流れる湯水を昇圧させて貯湯タンクユニット４０内の湯水を循環させるためのものである。循環ポンプ１２は、制御装置５０に接続されており、制御装置５０により動作制御される。 The circulation pump 12 is provided in the middle of the fourth pipe line 20d, and is used for increasing the pressure of hot water flowing through the fourth pipe line 20d to circulate hot water in the hot water storage tank unit 40. The circulation pump 12 is connected to the control device 50 and its operation is controlled by the control device 50.

第２切替弁１３は、循環管路２０での循環ポンプ１２と加熱熱交換器２との間に設けられた三方弁である。第２切替弁１３には、上流側に１つの流入口があり、下流側に２つの流出口がある。流入口は第４管路２０ｄに接続され、２つの流出口の一方は第５管路２０ｅに接続され、他方の流出口は、貯湯タンク１５の下部に一端が接続された第２切替管路１７に接続されている。第２切替弁１３は、制御装置５０に接続されて該制御装置５０により動作制御され、制御装置５０から開度調整信号を受けて弁開度を調節して、循環管路２０内の湯水を該循環管路２０での下流側（加熱熱交換器２側）に流すか第２切替管路１７に流すか切り替える。なお、第１切替管路１６と第２切替管路１７とは、それぞれ貯湯タンク１５の下部での互いに別個の接続口に接続されている。 The second switching valve 13 is a three-way valve provided between the circulation pump 12 and the heating heat exchanger 2 in the circulation pipeline 20. The second switching valve 13 has one inlet on the upstream side and two outlets on the downstream side. The inflow port is connected to the fourth pipe line 20d, one of the two outflow ports is connected to the fifth line 20e, and the other outflow port is a second switching line in which one end is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15. 17 is connected. The second switching valve 13 is connected to the control device 50 and controlled in operation by the control device 50, receives the opening adjustment signal from the control device 50, adjusts the valve opening, and supplies hot water in the circulation line 20 The flow is switched to the downstream side (heating heat exchanger 2 side) or the second switching line 17 in the circulation line 20. The first switching pipe 16 and the second switching pipe 17 are connected to separate connection ports at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15, respectively.

負荷側熱交換器２５は、第２管路２０ｂを介して貯留タンク１５の上部から取り出した湯を熱源として用いて、後述する負荷側循環管路３０の往き管３０ａを流れる湯水を再加熱するための熱交換器である。負荷側熱交換器２５により再加熱されて生じた温湯は戻り管３０ｂを流れて外部負荷設備に戻され、負荷側熱交換器２５で熱源として用いられて温度が低下した湯（中温湯）は第３管路２０ｃに流入する。 The load-side heat exchanger 25 uses the hot water taken out from the upper part of the storage tank 15 through the second pipe 20b as a heat source, and reheats the hot water flowing through the forward pipe 30a of the load-side circulation pipe 30, which will be described later. It is a heat exchanger for. The hot water generated by reheating by the load side heat exchanger 25 flows through the return pipe 30b and is returned to the external load facility, and the hot water (medium temperature hot water) whose temperature is lowered by being used as a heat source in the load side heat exchanger 25 is It flows into the 3rd pipe line 20c.

負荷側循環管路３０は、浴槽等の外部負荷設備で使用されて温度低下した湯水を取水して当該外部負荷設備に戻す管路であり、往き管３０ａと戻り管３０ｂとを含んでいる。往き管３０ａは、外部負荷設備と負荷側熱交換器２５の下部とを繋ぎ、戻り管３０ｂは、負荷側熱交換器２５の上部と外部負荷設備とを繋ぐ。往き管３０ａの途中には負荷側循環ポンプ３１が設けられており、往き管３０ａ内の湯水を昇圧することにより、負荷側循環管路３０内の湯水を循環させる。負荷側循環ポンプ３１は、制御装置５０に接続されており、制御装置５０により動作制御される。 The load-side circulation conduit 30 is a conduit that takes in hot and cold water that has been used in an external load facility such as a bathtub and returns to the external load facility, and includes a forward tube 30a and a return tube 30b. The forward pipe 30a connects the external load equipment and the lower part of the load side heat exchanger 25, and the return pipe 30b connects the upper part of the load side heat exchanger 25 and the external load equipment. A load-side circulation pump 31 is provided in the middle of the forward pipe 30a, and hot water in the load-side circulation pipe 30 is circulated by increasing the pressure of the hot water in the forward pipe 30a. The load-side circulation pump 31 is connected to the control device 50 and its operation is controlled by the control device 50.

制御装置５０は、制御部５１と記憶部５２とを有する。制御部５１は、記憶部５２に格納された情報や、ユーザが設定し、操作部（図示せず）から伝えられた制御情報等を用いて、ヒートポンプユニット１０で水を湯に沸上げて該湯を貯湯タンク１５に貯留する沸上運転や、外部負荷設備で温度低下した湯水を貯留タンク１５の上部から取り出した湯を熱源として用いて再加熱する再加熱運転等を制御する。制御部５１は、圧縮機１、膨張弁３、第１切替弁１１、循環ポンプ１２、第２切替弁１３、負荷側循環ポンプ３１等に接続されている。 The control device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52. The control unit 51 uses the information stored in the storage unit 52, the control information set by the user and transmitted from the operation unit (not shown), etc., to boil water into hot water with the heat pump unit 10, and A boiling operation in which hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 15, a reheating operation in which hot water taken out from the upper part of the storage tank 15 is reheated using hot water whose temperature has been reduced by an external load facility, and the like are controlled. The control unit 51 is connected to the compressor 1, the expansion valve 3, the first switching valve 11, the circulation pump 12, the second switching valve 13, the load side circulation pump 31, and the like.

次に、図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機１００での沸上運転の動作例について、図２を用いて説明する。図２は、図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での沸上運転時の動作例を示す概略図である。 Next, an operation example of the boiling operation in the heat pump water heater 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation example during the boiling operation in the heat pump water heater illustrated in FIG. 1.

沸上運転は、例えばユーザが制御装置５０の操作部（図示せず）から沸上運転開始指令を入力することにより、あるいは予め記憶部５２に記憶された沸上運転開始時刻になることにより開始される。沸上運転の開始時には、制御部５１が圧縮機１、膨張弁３、送風ファン６に運転開始信号を出力する。 The boiling operation is started, for example, when the user inputs a boiling operation start command from an operation unit (not shown) of the control device 50 or when the boiling operation start time stored in the storage unit 52 in advance is reached. Is done. At the start of the boiling operation, the control unit 51 outputs an operation start signal to the compressor 1, the expansion valve 3, and the blower fan 6.

次いで、制御部５１は、第１切替弁１１での流入口が第１切替管路１６側に開弁するように当該第１切替弁１１に開度調整信号を出力すると共に、第２切替弁１３での流出口が第５管路２０ｅ側に開弁するように当該第２切替弁１３に開度調整信号を出力し、さらには循環ポンプ１２に運転開始信号を出力する。これにより、貯湯タンク１５の下部から第１切替管路１６に低温水が引き抜かれて第４管路２０ｄに流入し、該低温水が第４管路２０ｄから第５管路２０ｅに流入する。第５管路２０ｅに流入した水は、加熱熱交換器２により湯に沸上げられて第１管路２０ａに流入し、該第１管路２０ａから貯湯タンク１５の上部に戻されて、貯湯タンク１５の上部に湯層を形成する。貯湯タンク１５内の湯は、第２管路２０ｂには流入しない。なお、図２においては、沸上運転で湯水が流れる方向を実線の矢印で示している。 Next, the control unit 51 outputs an opening degree adjustment signal to the first switching valve 11 so that the inlet of the first switching valve 11 opens to the first switching pipe line 16 side, and the second switching valve. An opening adjustment signal is output to the second switching valve 13 so that the outlet at 13 opens to the fifth pipe line 20 e side, and an operation start signal is output to the circulation pump 12. As a result, the low temperature water is drawn from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15 to the first switching pipe 16 and flows into the fourth pipe 20d, and the low temperature water flows from the fourth pipe 20d to the fifth pipe 20e. The water that has flowed into the fifth pipe 20e is boiled into hot water by the heating heat exchanger 2 and flows into the first pipe 20a, and is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 from the first pipe 20a. A hot water layer is formed on the upper portion of the tank 15. Hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 does not flow into the second pipe line 20b. In FIG. 2, the direction in which hot water flows in the boiling operation is indicated by solid arrows.

沸上運転の開始から時間が経過するにつれて、貯湯タンク１５の上部に形成された湯層が貯湯タンク１５の下部の方向に拡大する。貯湯タンク１５には温度センサ（図示せず）が配置されており、該温度センサの検知温度が所定温度に達すると所定量の湯が蓄えられたと制御部５１が判断して、該制御部５１の制御の下に沸上運転が終了される。 As time elapses from the start of the boiling operation, the hot water layer formed at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 expands toward the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15. A temperature sensor (not shown) is disposed in the hot water storage tank 15. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, the control unit 51 determines that a predetermined amount of hot water has been stored, and the control unit 51. The boiling operation is terminated under the control of.

次に、図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機１００での再加熱運転の動作例について、図３および図４を用いて説明する。図３は、図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での再加熱運転時の動作例を示す概略図であり、図４は、図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での再加熱運転時の他の動作例を示す概略図である。 Next, an operation example of the reheating operation in the heat pump water heater 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation example during the reheating operation in the heat pump water heater shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is another operation during the reheating operation in the heat pump water heater shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows an example.

再加熱運転は、例えばユーザが制御装置５０の操作部（図示せず）から再加熱運転開始指令を入力することにより、あるいは予め記憶部５２に記憶された再加熱運転開始時刻になることにより開始される。沸上運転の開始時には、まず、負荷側循環管路３０の往き管３０ａに設けられている温度センサ（図示せず）の検知温度と、記憶部５２に格納されている情報、例えば外部負荷設備が浴槽であるときの追焚き温度情報とを用いて、負荷側熱交換器２５での単位時間当たりの必要加熱量を制御部５１が算出し、該必要加熱量が所定量（以下、「条件値」という）未満であるか否かを制御部５１判断する。上記の条件値は、加熱熱交換器２の加熱能力および該加熱熱交換器２で許容される湯水の流速などを考慮して、ヒートポンプ給湯機１００のメーカにより予め決定されて、記憶部５２に格納される。 The reheating operation is started, for example, when a user inputs a reheating operation start command from an operation unit (not shown) of the control device 50 or when a reheating operation start time stored in advance in the storage unit 52 is reached. Is done. At the start of boiling operation, first, the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the forward pipe 30a of the load-side circulation line 30 and information stored in the storage unit 52, for example, external load equipment The control unit 51 calculates the required heating amount per unit time in the load-side heat exchanger 25 using the reheating temperature information when the is a bathtub, and the required heating amount is a predetermined amount (hereinafter referred to as “condition”). The control unit 51 determines whether or not the value is less than “value”. The above condition value is determined in advance by the manufacturer of the heat pump water heater 100 in consideration of the heating capacity of the heating heat exchanger 2 and the flow rate of hot water allowed in the heating heat exchanger 2, and is stored in the storage unit 52. Stored.

上記単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が条件値未満である場合、例えば浴槽内の適温の浴水の保温などの場合、制御部５１は、循環ポンプ１２と負荷側循環ポンプ３１とに運転開始信号を出力する一方で、圧縮機１、膨張弁３、送風ファン６にも運転開始信号を出力する。また、第１切替弁１１での流入口が第３管路２０ｃ側に開弁するように当該第１切替弁１１に開度調整信号を出力すると共に、第２切替弁１３での流出口が第５管路２０ｅ側に開弁するように当該第２切替弁１３に開度調整信号を出力する。 When the required heating amount per unit time is less than the condition value, for example, in the case of keeping warm bath water at an appropriate temperature in the bathtub, the control unit 51 sends an operation start signal to the circulation pump 12 and the load-side circulation pump 31. On the other hand, an operation start signal is also output to the compressor 1, the expansion valve 3, and the blower fan 6. In addition, an opening adjustment signal is output to the first switching valve 11 so that the inlet at the first switching valve 11 opens toward the third pipeline 20c, and an outlet at the second switching valve 13 is provided. An opening degree adjustment signal is output to the second switching valve 13 so as to open to the fifth pipe line 20e side.

図３中に実線の矢印で示すように、制御部５１による上述の制御の結果として、貯湯タンク１５に貯留されている湯が第２管路２０ｂに引き抜かれて負荷側熱交換器２５に送られ、該負荷側熱交換器２５で負荷側循環管路３０の往き管３０ａを流れる湯水を加温する熱源として用いられて中温湯となった後、第３管路２０ｃに流入する。そして、第３管路２０ｃに流入した中温湯は、第１切替弁１１から第４管路２０ｄに流入し、さらには第４管路２０ｄから第５管路２０ｅに流入して加熱熱交換器２により湯に沸上げられ、その後、加熱熱交換器２で沸上げられた湯が第１管路２０ａを経由して貯湯タンク１５の上部に戻される。なお、第１切替管路１６から循環管路２０への低温水の流入はない。また、第２切替弁１３から第２切替管路１７への中温水の流入もない。 As indicated by the solid arrows in FIG. 3, as a result of the above-described control by the control unit 51, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is drawn out to the second pipe 20b and sent to the load side heat exchanger 25. The hot water flowing through the forward pipe 30a of the load-side circulation line 30 is used as a heat source for heating the hot water flowing in the load-side circulation line 30 to become medium hot water, and then flows into the third pipe 20c. And the warm water which flowed into the 3rd pipe line 20c flows into the 4th pipe line 20d from the 1st switching valve 11, and also flows into the 5th pipe line 20e from the 4th pipe line 20d, and is a heating heat exchanger. 2, the hot water boiled in the heating heat exchanger 2 is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 via the first pipe line 20a. Note that there is no inflow of low-temperature water from the first switching line 16 to the circulation line 20. Further, there is no inflow of medium temperature water from the second switching valve 13 to the second switching pipe 17.

一方、前述した単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が条件値以上である場合、例えば大きく温度低下した浴水を比較的短時間で追焚きしようとする場合、制御部５１は、循環ポンプ１２と負荷側循環ポンプ３１とに運転開始信号を出力する一方で、第１切替弁１１での流入口が第３管路２０ｃ側に開弁するように当該第１切替弁１１に開度調整信号を出力すると共に、第２切替弁１３での流出口が第２切替管路１７側に開弁するように当該第２切替弁１３に開度調整信号を出力する。 On the other hand, when the necessary heating amount per unit time is equal to or more than the condition value, for example, when trying to replenish the bath water whose temperature has been greatly decreased in a relatively short time, the control unit 51 is connected to the circulation pump 12 and the load side. While outputting an operation start signal to the circulation pump 31, an opening degree adjustment signal is output to the first switching valve 11 so that the inlet of the first switching valve 11 is opened to the third pipeline 20c side. At the same time, an opening degree adjustment signal is output to the second switching valve 13 so that the outlet at the second switching valve 13 opens to the second switching pipe 17 side.

図４中に実線の矢印で示すように、制御部５１による上述の制御の結果として、貯湯タンク１５に貯留されている湯が第２管路２０ｂに引き抜かれて負荷側熱交換器２５に送られ、該負荷側熱交換器２５で負荷側循環管路３０の往き管３０ａを流れる湯水を加温する熱源として用いられて中温湯となった後、第３管路２０ｃに流入する。そして、第３管路２０ｃに流入した中温湯は、第１切替弁１１から第４管路２０ｄに流入し、第２切替弁１３から第２切替管路１７に流入して、貯湯タンク１５の下部に戻される。なお、第１切替管路１６から循環管路２０への低温水の流入はない。また、第２切替弁１３から第４管路２０ｅへの中温水の流入もない。加熱熱交換器２は駆動されない。 As shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 4, as a result of the above-described control by the control unit 51, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is drawn out to the second pipe 20 b and sent to the load side heat exchanger 25. The hot water flowing through the forward pipe 30a of the load-side circulation line 30 is used as a heat source for heating the hot water flowing in the load-side circulation line 30 to become medium hot water, and then flows into the third pipe 20c. Then, the hot water flowing into the third pipe 20c flows from the first switching valve 11 into the fourth pipe 20d, flows from the second switching valve 13 into the second switching pipe 17, and enters the hot water storage tank 15. Returned to the bottom. Note that there is no inflow of low-temperature water from the first switching line 16 to the circulation line 20. Further, there is no inflow of medium temperature water from the second switching valve 13 to the fourth pipe line 20e. The heating heat exchanger 2 is not driven.

再加熱運転時に負荷側熱交換器２５で生じた中温湯の流路を当該再加熱運転での単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に応じて上述のように変更するヒートポンプ給湯機１００では、上記の必要加熱量が多いときには加熱熱交換器２を駆動させないので、該加熱熱交換器２としては、再加熱運転時の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が少ないときに対応可能なものを用いればよい。そして、再加熱運転時の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が少ないときには、加熱熱交換器２で再び湯に沸上げて貯湯タンク１５に戻す単位時間当たりの湯量が比較的少なくて済むので、加熱熱交換器２として特段性能の高いものを用いる必要がない。現在汎用されている熱交換器を加熱熱交換器２として用いても、中温水の流量が制限値を超えて腐食を起こす程の過酷な条件下で当該加熱熱交換器２を駆動させることなく所望の再加熱運転を容易に行うことができる。 In the heat pump water heater 100 in which the flow path of the medium-temperature hot water generated in the load-side heat exchanger 25 during the reheating operation is changed as described above according to the amount of required heating per unit time in the reheating operation, Since the heating heat exchanger 2 is not driven when the required heating amount is large, the heating heat exchanger 2 may be used when the required heating amount per unit time during the reheating operation is small. . When the required heating amount per unit time during the reheating operation is small, the amount of hot water per unit time that is boiled again by the heating heat exchanger 2 and returned to the hot water storage tank 15 is relatively small. It is not necessary to use a high performance as the exchanger 2. Even if a currently used heat exchanger is used as the heating heat exchanger 2, the heating heat exchanger 2 is not driven under such severe conditions that the corrosion of the medium-temperature water exceeds the limit value and causes corrosion. A desired reheating operation can be easily performed.

したがって、ヒートポンプ給湯機１００では、再加熱運転の際の単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に拘わらず、信頼性を損なうことなく当該再加熱運転に対応することが可能である。ユーザにとっての利便性が高いものを、加熱熱交換器２の大型化や複雑化を図らなくても作製することができる。換言すれば、ユーザにとっての利便性が高く、小型で消費エネルギーが少なく、かつ長寿命のものを低コストで作製することができる。 Therefore, the heat pump water heater 100 can cope with the reheating operation without impairing the reliability, regardless of the amount of heating required per unit time in the reheating operation. What is highly convenient for the user can be manufactured without increasing the size and complexity of the heating heat exchanger 2. In other words, a user with high convenience, small size, low energy consumption, and long life can be manufactured at low cost.

また、単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が少ない再加熱運転を前述のようにして行うと、負荷側熱交換器２５での単位時間当たりの必要加熱量は少ないものの長時間に亘って再加熱運転しなければならない場合でも、貯湯タンク１５内の熱量の減少を抑えることができる。負荷側熱交換器２５から第３〜第５管路２０ｃ〜２０ｅを経て加熱熱交換器２に供給される中温湯の温度は、負荷側熱交換器２５で熱源として用いられた後の中温湯を一旦貯湯タンク１５に戻して貯湯タンク１５内の高温の湯と混ざった後で取り出して加熱熱交換器２に供給する場合に比べて低いので、加熱熱交換器２での沸上効率の低下も抑えられる。 Further, when the reheating operation with a small required heating amount per unit time is performed as described above, the reheating operation is performed for a long time although the required heating amount per unit time in the load side heat exchanger 25 is small. Even in the case where it is necessary, the decrease in the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 15 can be suppressed. The temperature of the medium temperature hot water supplied from the load side heat exchanger 25 to the heating heat exchanger 2 through the third to fifth pipes 20c to 20e is the medium temperature hot water after being used as a heat source in the load side heat exchanger 25. Is lower than the case where the hot water is once returned to the hot water storage tank 15 and mixed with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 and then taken out and supplied to the heating heat exchanger 2. Is also suppressed.

以上、本発明のヒートポンプ給湯機について実施の形態を挙げて説明したが、前述のように、本発明は上述の形態に限定されるものではない。本発明のヒートポンプ給湯機は、貯湯タンクに貯留した湯を熱源として用いて再加熱運転をすることができ、かつ再加熱運転時に負荷側熱交換器で生じた中温湯を加熱熱交換器で湯に沸き上げてから貯湯タンクに戻すか、加熱熱交換器で湯に沸き上げることなく貯湯タンクに戻すかを適宜選択可能なものであれば基本的によく、その構成は適宜変更可能である。例えば、第２切替弁は、循環管路での加熱熱交換器の下流側に設けることもできる。 The heat pump water heater of the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The heat pump water heater of the present invention can perform reheating operation using hot water stored in a hot water storage tank as a heat source, and hot water generated in the load side heat exchanger during the reheating operation is heated with the heating heat exchanger. Basically, it can be appropriately selected as long as it can be appropriately selected whether to return to the hot water storage tank without boiling it up with a heating heat exchanger. For example, the second switching valve can be provided on the downstream side of the heating heat exchanger in the circulation line.

また、再加熱運転の仕方についても、適宜変更可能である。例えば、単位時間当たりの必要加熱量が条件値以上であっても貯湯タンク内の残湯量が少ないと判断されるときには、図３を用いて説明した仕方で再加熱運転を行ってもよい。また、単位時間当たりの必要加熱量の多少に拘わらず、必要に応じて第２切替弁１３での流出口を加熱熱交換器２側と第２切替管路１７（図１参照）側の両方に開弁させて、再加熱運転を行うことも可能である。本発明については、上述した以外にも種々の変形、修飾、組み合わせ等が可能である。 Moreover, it can change suitably also about the method of a reheating driving | operation. For example, when it is determined that the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank is small even if the required heating amount per unit time is equal to or greater than the condition value, the reheating operation may be performed in the manner described with reference to FIG. In addition, regardless of the amount of heating required per unit time, the outlet of the second switching valve 13 is connected to both the heating heat exchanger 2 side and the second switching pipe 17 (see FIG. 1) side as necessary. It is also possible to perform reheating operation by opening the valve. The present invention can be variously modified, modified and combined in addition to the above.

本発明にかかるヒートポンプ給湯機は、外部負荷設備で用いられて温度低下した湯水を再加熱することができる家庭用または業務用のヒートポンプ給湯機として好適である。 The heat pump water heater according to the present invention is suitable as a heat pump water heater for home use or business use that can reheat hot water that has been used in external load equipment and whose temperature has dropped.

本発明にかかるヒートポンプ給湯機の一例を概略的に示す構成図である。It is a block diagram which shows roughly an example of the heat pump water heater concerning this invention. 図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での沸上運転時の動作例を示す概略図である。It is the schematic which shows the operation example at the time of the boiling operation in the heat pump water heater shown in FIG. 図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での再加熱運転時の動作例を示す概略図である。It is the schematic which shows the operation example at the time of the reheating driving | operation with the heat pump water heater shown in FIG. 図１に示したヒートポンプ給湯機での再加熱運転時の他の動作例を示す概略図である。It is the schematic which shows the other operation example at the time of the reheating driving | operation with the heat pump water heater shown in FIG.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１圧縮機
２加熱熱交換器
３膨張弁
４蒸発器
５循環配管
６送風ファン
１０ヒートポンプユニット
１１第１切替弁
１２循環ポンプ
１３第２切替弁
１５貯湯タンク
１６第１切替管路
１７第２切替管路
２０循環管路
２０ａ第１管路
２０ｂ第２管路
２０ｃ第３管路
２０ｄ第４管路
２０ｅ第５管路
２５負荷側熱交換器
３０負荷側循環管路
３０ａ往き管
３０ｂ戻り管
３１負荷側循環ポンプ
４０貯湯タンクユニット
５０制御装置
５１制御部
５２記憶部
１００ヒートポンプ給湯機 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Heating heat exchanger 3 Expansion valve 4 Evaporator 5 Circulation piping 6 Blower fan 10 Heat pump unit 11 1st switching valve 12 Circulation pump 13 2nd switching valve 15 Hot water storage tank 16 1st switching pipe line 17 2nd switching pipe Line 20 Circulation line 20a First line 20b Second line 20c Third line 20d Fourth line 20e Fifth line 25 Load side heat exchanger 30 Load side circulation line 30a Outward line 30b Return line 31 Load Side circulation pump 40 Hot water storage tank unit 50 Control device 51 Control unit 52 Storage unit 100 Heat pump water heater

Claims

水を湯に沸上げる加熱熱交換器を有するヒートポンプユニットと、前記沸上げられた湯を貯留する貯湯タンクと、前記貯湯タンクに貯留された湯を熱源として用いる負荷側熱交換器とを有し、外部負荷設備から前記負荷側熱交換器に供給された湯水を前記負荷側熱交換器で再加熱するヒートポンプ給湯機であって、
前記負荷側熱交換器と循環ポンプと前記加熱熱交換器と前記貯湯タンクの上部とを順次接続して構成される循環管路と、
前記貯湯タンクの下部に一端が接続された第１切替管路と、
前記循環管路での前記負荷側熱交換器と前記循環ポンプとの間に設けられて前記第１切替管路の他端が接続され、前記負荷側熱交換器で熱源として用いられた後の湯を前記循環ポンプ側に流すか、前記貯湯タンクから前記第１切替管路に流入した低温水を前記循環ポンプ側に流すか切り替える第１切替弁と、
前記貯湯タンクの下部に一端が接続された第２切替管路と、
前記循環管路での前記循環ポンプの下流側に設けられて前記第２切替管路の他端が接続され、前記循環管路内の湯水を該循環管路での下流側に流すか前記第２切替管路に流すか切り替える第２切替弁と、
を備えることを特徴とするヒートポンプ給湯機。 A heat pump unit having a heating heat exchanger for boiling water into hot water, a hot water storage tank for storing the heated hot water, and a load side heat exchanger using the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank as a heat source A heat pump water heater for reheating hot water supplied from an external load facility to the load side heat exchanger with the load side heat exchanger,
A circulation line configured by sequentially connecting the load side heat exchanger, the circulation pump, the heating heat exchanger, and the upper part of the hot water storage tank;
A first switching pipe having one end connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank;
After being provided between the load-side heat exchanger in the circulation line and the circulation pump, the other end of the first switching line is connected and used as a heat source in the load-side heat exchanger A first switching valve that switches between flowing hot water to the circulating pump side or switching low temperature water flowing from the hot water storage tank to the first switching line to the circulating pump side;
A second switching line having one end connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank;
Provided at the downstream side of the circulation pump in the circulation line and connected to the other end of the second switching line, and the hot water in the circulation line is allowed to flow downstream in the circulation line or the first A second switching valve for switching between flowing in the two switching lines;
A heat pump water heater characterized by comprising.

前記外部負荷設備から前記負荷側熱交換器に供給された湯水を再加熱するときの必要加熱量が所定量以上であるときには、前記第２切替弁を前記第２切替管路側に開弁させ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。 When the required heating amount when reheating hot water supplied from the external load equipment to the load side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the second switching valve is opened to the second switching line side. The heat pump water heater according to claim 1.

前記外部負荷設備から前記負荷側熱交換器に供給された湯水を再加熱するときの必要加熱量が所定量未満であるときには、前記第２切替弁を前記循環管路での下流側に開弁させる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。 When the required heating amount when reheating hot water supplied from the external load equipment to the load side heat exchanger is less than a predetermined amount, the second switching valve is opened downstream in the circulation line. The heat pump water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat pump water heater is used.