JP3663977B2

JP3663977B2 - Heat pump bath water heater

Info

Publication number: JP3663977B2
Application number: JP14989099A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 吉継西山; 竹司渡辺; 昌宏尾浜
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1999-05-28
Filing date: 1999-05-28
Publication date: 2005-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-28
Also published as: JP2000337702A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ヒートポンプを応用して、大気熱や太陽熱などを浴槽水の加熱に利用したり、大気熱や太陽熱や浴槽水の温熱を給湯の加熱などに利用する装置の改良に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、ヒートポンプサイクルを用いて外部の熱源から熱を吸熱し、給湯、および、風呂浴槽水の加熱を行う装置が提供されている。
【０００３】
図１１に、従来例の風呂浴槽水の温熱、または、大気熱を熱源とし、ヒートポンプによって給湯の加熱、または、風呂浴槽水の加熱を行う装置の構成を示す。図１１のヒートポンプ給湯機は、圧縮機１と、膨張弁２ａ、２ｂと、冷媒回路３と、給湯熱交換器４と、給湯水回路５と、貯湯タンク６と、風呂熱交換器７と、浴槽水回路８と、浴槽９と、大気熱または太陽熱を集熱する集熱機１０と、冷媒回路３を開閉する冷媒回路開閉弁１１ａ、１１ｂ、１１ｃ、浴槽水を循環させる浴槽水ポンプ１２により構成されている。
【０００４】
浴槽の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯の加熱運転をするときは、以下のような運転を行う。まず、浴槽水循環ポンプ１２によって浴槽９の浴槽水を浴槽水回路８と、風呂熱交換器７に循環させる。そして、圧縮機１を運転して冷媒回路３内の冷媒を高温高圧に加圧し、給湯熱交換器４、膨張弁２ａ、風呂熱交換器７の順に送る。冷媒は風呂熱交換器７で浴槽水の熱を吸熱し、その後圧縮機１に吸入されて高温高圧に加圧され、給湯熱交換器４で凝縮して給湯水の加熱を行う。
【０００５】
浴槽９の浴槽水の加熱運転をするときは、以下のような運転を行う。まず、浴槽水ポンプ１２によって浴槽９の浴槽水を浴槽水回路８と、風呂熱交換器７に循環させる。そして、圧縮機１を運転して冷媒回路３内の冷媒を高温高圧に加圧し、風呂熱交換器７、膨張弁２ｂ、集熱機１０の順に送る。冷媒は集熱機１０で大気の熱を吸熱し、その後圧縮機１で高温高圧に加圧され、風呂熱交換器７で凝縮して浴槽水の加熱を行う。
【０００６】
この従来のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成において、効率よく浴槽水の冷却と加熱を行うために、例えば特公平８−２７０７９号公報に記載されているような方法が提案されている。さらに、ヒートポンプの応用展開として、浴槽水温熱を暖房に利用することが特開平９−１５９２６７号公報に記載されている。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記のような従来の構成では、以下に挙げる理由から、浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に利用することは困難であった。
【０００８】
すなわち、風呂熱交換器７で冷媒から吸熱された浴槽水の温度は、浴槽９内の浴槽水の温度より低いので、両浴槽水の間には密度差が生じ、密度の大きい低温の浴槽水は浴槽９の底部に向けて流れる。従って、風呂熱交換器７から戻ってきた温度の低くなった浴槽水は、浴槽９の温度の高い浴槽水と十分に撹拌されることなく、浴槽９の底部に低温の層を形成する。従って、浴槽の浴槽水は、図１２に示すような、浴槽９の底部の温度が低く、浴槽の上部の温度が高いような温度分布となる。
【０００９】
このまま運転を続けていくと、浴槽９の底部の低温層は厚みを増していき、浴槽の浴槽水の出水口まで達したときは、風呂熱交換器７に流入する浴槽水の温度は著しく低下する。風呂熱交換器７に流入する浴槽水の温度が低下すると、ヒートポンプの効率が低下するばかりでなく、循環している浴槽水が吸熱された後で凍結するため、浴槽上部の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に利用できないままヒートポンプの運転を終了しなければならない。従って、浴槽上部の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に利用するためには、図１２に示した浴槽９内に形成された温度分布を均一にしなければならない事が課題となる。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するために、圧縮機を有するヒートポンプ回路と、浴槽と、前記ヒートポンプ回路の冷媒と給湯水が熱交換する給湯熱交換器を有する給湯水回路と、浴槽水ポンプならびに前記ヒートポンプ回路の冷媒で浴槽水の熱を回収する風呂熱交換器を有する浴槽水回路と、前記風呂熱交換器をバイパスするように、この風呂熱交換器と並列に設けられ、浴槽水入口部と浴槽水出口部を短絡するバイパス回路と、前記バイパス回路を開閉するバイパス回路開閉弁と、前記バイパス回路開閉弁を運転制御する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、浴槽内での浴槽水の上下温度差が所定値以上となったとき、前記バイパス回路開閉弁を開いて浴槽水ポンプを駆動し、風呂熱交換器を流動する浴槽水とバイパス回路を介した浴槽水とに分流して循環流動させることで浴槽に戻る浴槽水温度の低下を抑制し、かつ前記浴槽に戻る浴槽水の総循環量を増加させて浴槽内の浴槽水を攪拌し、上下温度差を小さくするようにしたものである。
【００１１】
上記発明によれば、浴槽水の温熱を利用して給湯の加熱運転を行うときに、浴槽の底部の温度が低く、浴槽の上部の温度が高いような温度分布を均一化することが出来る。
【００１２】
従って、浴槽水の温熱を有効かつ高効率に給湯の加熱に利用することができる。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施の形態は、圧縮機を有するヒートポンプ回路と、浴槽と、前記ヒートポンプ回路の冷媒と給湯水が熱交換する給湯熱交換器を有する給湯水回路と、浴槽水ポンプならびに前記ヒートポンプ回路の冷媒で浴槽水の熱を回収する風呂熱交換器を有する浴槽水回路と、前記風呂熱交換器をバイパスするように、この風呂熱交換器と並列に設けられ、浴槽水入口部と浴槽水出口部を短絡するバイパス回路と、前記バイパス回路を開閉するバイパス回路開閉弁と、前記バイパス回路開閉弁を運転制御する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、浴槽内での浴槽水の上下温度差が所定値以上となったとき、前記バイパス回路開閉弁を開いて浴槽水ポンプを駆動し、風呂熱交換器を流動する浴槽水とバイパス回路を介した浴槽水とに分流して循環流動させることで浴槽に戻る浴槽水温度の低下を抑制し、かつ前記浴槽に戻る浴槽水の総循環量を増加させて浴槽内の浴槽水を攪拌し、上下温度差を小さくするようにした。
【００１４】
浴槽内での浴槽水の上下温度差は、例えば、運転時間で推測したり、或いは、浴槽水回路の浴槽水の温度にもとづいて検知する。その他、風呂熱交換器を流動する浴槽水の圧力とか、風呂熱交換器を流動する冷媒の温度または圧力にもとづいても検知できる。
【００１５】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について図面を用いて説明する。
【００１６】
（実施例１）
図１は本発明の実施例におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施例のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機は、従来の構成である圧縮機１、膨張弁２ａ、２ｂ、冷媒回路３、給湯熱交換器４、給湯水回路５、貯湯タンク６、風呂熱交換器７、浴槽水回路８、浴槽９、集熱機１０、冷媒回路開閉弁１１ａ、１１ｂ、１１ｃ、浴槽水ポンプ１２に加えて、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水の入口部と出口部を連結するバイパス回路１３、バイパス回路開閉弁１４、および、制御手段１５を備えている。制御手段１５は、バイパス回路開閉弁１４を運転時間に基づいて開閉させる制御手段である。
【００１７】
次に動作と作用について説明する。浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱を行うときは、従来例と同様の動作を行い、運転開始時はバイパス回路開閉弁１４は閉とし、バイパス回路１３には浴槽水を流さない。浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱運転を続けていくにつれて、浴槽９には図１２のような温度分布が形成される。
【００１８】
このとき、制御手段１５によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を閉から開とし、バイパス回路１３を開放する。従って、浴槽水の一部がバイパス回路１３を流れるようになり、風呂熱交換器７を循環する浴槽水流量は低下するが、浴槽水回路８の圧力損失が低下するために、浴槽水ポンプ１２で搬送される浴槽水の総循環流量は増加する。浴槽水回路８を循環する浴槽水の流量が増加すれば、浴槽９内の浴槽水の対流が促進され、浴槽９の底部の低温の浴槽水は、表層部の温度の高い浴槽水と効果的に対流によって攪拌されていく。
【００１９】
従って、浴槽９の温度分布は徐々に均一になっていく。温度分布が均一に近い状態になったら、制御手段１５によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を開から閉へとする。この上記運転を繰り返すときの循環する浴槽水の温度変化を図２に示す。バイパス回路開閉弁１４の制御を繰り返し行うことによって、浴槽９の浴槽水全体の温度は徐々に低下し、ある所定の温度以下になるまでシステムの運転を行うことが出来れば、浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に活用できたことになる。制御手段１５の制御により、風呂熱交換器７に流れる浴槽水流量が減り、熱交換能力が低下するが、浴槽９に戻る浴槽水温度が上昇するので、浴槽９の温度分布は均一化されやすい。
【００２０】
本実施例において、制御手段１５によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４が閉である時間ａは、図１２のような温度分布が形成されるまでの時間とし、制御手段１５によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４が開である時間ｂは、浴槽水の上層部と低層部の温度差が所定の温度差となるまでに要する値に設定した。
【００２１】
また、本実施例では浴槽水を加熱する場合においても適用することが出来る。すなわち、浴槽９の浴槽水を均一に加熱することが可能となる。従って、高効率な浴槽の加熱運転をすることが出来る。
【００２２】
また、浴槽水の加熱運転を開始する場合に、浴槽水ポンプ１２を停止させたままで、制御手段１５によってバイパス回路１３を開放すれば、バイパス回路１３を経由した自然対流を利用した浴槽水の加熱運転が出来る。その後、浴槽水ポンプ１２の運転を行うと、浴槽９の初期加熱特性は低下するが、ヒートポンプサイクルも早期に安定するので、比較的早く浴槽水の高温加熱化が実現される。
【００２３】
なお、本実施例ではバイパス回路を１回路設置したが、複数回路設置しても良い。
【００２４】
（実施例２）
図３は本発明の実施例２におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施例のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機は、従来の構成に加えて、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水の入口部と出口部を連結するバイパス回路１３、バイパス回路開閉弁１４、および、温度センサー１６、制御手段１７を備えている。
【００２５】
温度センサー１６は、浴槽水回路８の浴槽水温度の検知手段である。制御手段１７は、バイパス回路開閉弁１４を温度センサー１６の検知温度に基づいて、開閉させる制御手段である。本実施例では、温度センサー１６にはサーミスターを使用したが、他にも、熱電対や、測温抵抗体などを用いても良い。また、設置位置は浴槽水回路８であって浴槽水温度を測定できれば場所はどこでも良い。
【００２６】
次に動作と作用について説明する。浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱を行うときは、従来例と同様の動作を行い、運転開始時はバイパス回路開閉弁１４は閉とし、バイパス回路１３には浴槽水を流さない。浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱運転を続けていくにつれて、浴槽９には図１２のような温度分布が形成される。このとき、温度センサー１６の温度が所定温度Ｔ１以下になったら、制御手段１７によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を閉から開とし、風呂熱交換器７の入口部と出口部と連結させたバイパス回路１３を開放する。
【００２７】
従って、浴槽水の一部が浴槽出水口８ａよりバイパス回路１３を通って浴槽入水口８ｂに流れるようになり、風呂熱交換器７を流れる浴槽水の流量は低下するが、浴槽水回路８の圧力損失が低下するため、浴槽水ポンプ８で搬送される浴槽水の総循環流量は増加する。浴槽水回路８を循環する浴槽水の流量が増加すれば、浴槽９内の浴槽水の対流が促進され、浴槽９の底部の低温の浴槽水は、表層部の温度の高い浴槽水と効果的に対流によって攪拌されていく。
【００２８】
従って、浴槽９の温度分布は徐々に均一になっていく。温度分布が均一となるに従い、循環している浴槽水の温度は高くなるから、温度センサー１６の検知温度が所定の温度Ｔ２以上になったら、浴槽９の浴槽水の温度分布は均一になったと判断して、制御手段１７によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を開から閉へとする。
【００２９】
この上記運転を繰り返すときの循環する浴槽水の温度変化を図４に示す。バイパス回路開閉弁１４の制御を繰り返し行うことによって、浴槽９の浴槽水全体の温度は徐々に低下し、ある所定の温度以下になるまでシステムの運転を行うことが出来れば、浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に活用できたことになる。制御手段１６の制御により、風呂熱交換器７に流れる浴槽水流量が減り、熱交換能力が低下するが、浴槽９に戻る浴槽水温度が上昇するので、浴槽９の温度分布は均一化されやすい。
【００３０】
本実施例では、所定温度Ｔ１、Ｔ２は一定値としたが、繰り返し回数や運転時間の関数として指定しても良く、同様の効果が得られる。
【００３１】
なお、浴槽９の浴槽水温度を検知するために既存の温度センサーが設置してあれば、これを利用することで本実施例は実施できる。
【００３２】
また、本実施例では浴槽水を加熱する場合においても適用することが出来る。すなわち、浴槽９の浴槽水を均一に加熱することが可能となる。従って、高効率な浴槽の加熱運転をすることが出来る。
【００３３】
また、浴槽水の加熱運転を開始する場合に、浴槽水ポンプ１２を停止させたままで、制御手段１６によってバイパス回路１３を開放すれば、バイパス回路１３を経由した自然対流を利用した浴槽水の加熱運転が出来る。その後、浴槽水ポンプ１２の運転を行うと、浴槽９の初期加熱特性は低下するが、ヒートポンプサイクルも早期に安定するので、比較的早く浴槽水の高温加熱化が実現される。
【００３４】
（実施例３）
図５は本発明の実施例３におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施例のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機は、従来の構成に加えて、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水の入口部と出口部を連結するバイパス回路１３、バイパス回路開閉弁１４、および、圧力センサー１８、制御手段１９を備えている。
【００３５】
圧力センサー１８は、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水入口圧力と出口圧力のの差圧検知手段である。制御手段１９は、バイパス回路開閉弁１４を圧力センサー１８の検知圧力に基づいて、開閉させる制御手段である。本実施例では、圧力センサー１８は風呂熱交換器７の差圧力計として設置したが、風呂熱交換器の浴槽水の入口、または出口の絶対圧力、または、ゲージ圧力であっても良い。
【００３６】
次に動作と作用について説明する。浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱を行うときは、従来例と同様の動作を行い、運転開始時はバイパス回路開閉弁１４は閉とし、バイパス回路１３には浴槽水を流さない。浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱運転を続けていくにつれて、浴槽９には図１２のような温度分布が形成される。風呂熱交換器７に流入する浴槽水温度が低下すると、浴槽水の粘性が大きくなり風呂熱交換器７における浴槽水の圧力損失が増加する。
【００３７】
すなわち、循環する浴槽水の温度は、圧力センサー１８の検知圧力に反映される。従って、圧力センサー１８の差圧力が所定の値Ｐ１以上になったら、制御手段１９によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を閉から開とし、風呂熱交換器７の入口部と出口部と連結させたバイパス回路１３を開放する。
【００３８】
従って、浴槽水の一部がバイパス回路１３を流れるようになり、風呂熱交換器７を流れる浴槽水の流量は減少するが、浴槽水回路８の圧力損失が低下するために、浴槽水ポンプ８で搬送される浴槽水の総循環流量は増加する。浴槽水回路８を循環する浴槽水の流量が増加すれば、浴槽９内の浴槽水の対流が促進され、浴槽９の底部の低温の浴槽水は、表層部の温度の高い浴槽水と効果的に対流によって攪拌されていく。
【００３９】
従って、浴槽９の温度分布は徐々に均一になっていく。循環している浴槽水の温度は高くなると、浴槽水の粘性が小さくなり風呂熱交換器７における浴槽水の圧力損失が減少する。圧力センサー１８の検知する差圧力が所定の値Ｐ２以下になったら、浴槽９の浴槽水の温度分布は均一になったと判断して、制御手段１９によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を開から閉へとする。
【００４０】
この上記運転を繰り返すときの循環する浴槽水の温度変化を図６に示す。バイパス回路開閉弁１４の制御を繰り返し行うことによって、浴槽９の浴槽水全体の温度は徐々に低下し、ある所定の温度以下になるまでシステムの運転を行うことが出来れば、浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に活用できたことになる。制御手段１７の制御により、風呂熱交換器７に流れる浴槽水流量が減り、熱交換能力が低下するが、浴槽９に戻る浴槽水温度が上昇するので、浴槽９の温度分布は均一化されやすい。
【００４１】
本実施例では、所定圧力Ｐ１、Ｐ２は一定値としたが、繰り返し回数や運転時間の関数として指定しても良く、同様の効果が得られる。
【００４２】
また、本実施例では浴槽水を加熱する場合においても適用することが出来る。すなわち、浴槽９の浴槽水を均一に加熱することが可能となる。従って、高効率な浴槽の加熱運転をすることが出来る。
【００４３】
また、浴槽水の加熱運転を開始する場合に、浴槽水ポンプ１２を停止させたままで、制御手段１９によってバイパス回路１３を開放すれば、バイパス回路１３を経由した自然対流を利用した浴槽水の加熱運転が出来る。その後、浴槽水ポンプ１２の運転を行うと、浴槽９の初期加熱特性は低下するが、ヒートポンプサイクルも早期に安定するので、比較的早く浴槽水の高温加熱化が実現される。
【００４４】
（実施例４）
図７は本発明の実施例４におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施例のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機は、従来の構成に加えて、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水の入口部と出口部を連結するバイパス回路１３、バイパス回路開閉弁１４、および、温度センサー２０、制御手段２１を備えている。温度センサー２０は、風呂熱交換器７の冷媒入口温度の検知手段である。
【００４５】
制御手段２１は、バイパス回路開閉弁１４を温度センサー２０の検知温度に基づいて、開閉させる制御手段である。本実施例では、温度センサー２０にはサーミスターを使用したが、他にも、熱電対や、測温抵抗体などを用いても良い。また、設置位置は風呂熱交換器の冷媒出口であっても良い。
【００４６】
次に動作と作用について説明する。浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱を行うときは、従来例と同様の動作を行い、運転開始時はバイパス回路開閉弁１４は閉とし、バイパス回路１３には浴槽水を流さない。
【００４７】
浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱運転を続けていくにつれて、浴槽９には図１２のような温度分布が形成される。風呂熱交換器７に流入する浴槽水温度が低下すると、ヒートポンプ回路の蒸発圧力が低下するために、風呂熱交換器７に流入する冷媒の温度も低下する。すなわち、循環する浴槽水の温度は、温度センサー１８の検知温度に反映される。
【００４８】
従って、温度センサー２０の温度が所定温度Ｔ３以下になったら、制御手段２１によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を閉から開とし、風呂熱交換器７の入口部と出口部と連結させたバイパス回路１３を開放する。従って、浴槽水の一部がバイパス回路１３を流れるようになり、風呂熱交換器７を流れる浴槽水の流量は減少するが、浴槽水回路８の圧力損失が低下するために、浴槽水ポンプ８で搬送される浴槽水の総循環流量は増加する。浴槽水回路８を循環する浴槽水の流量が増加すれば、浴槽９内の浴槽水の対流が促進され、浴槽９の底部の低温の浴槽水は、表層部の温度の高い浴槽水と効果的に対流によって攪拌されていく。
【００４９】
従って、浴槽９の温度分布は徐々に均一になっていく。温度分布が均一となるに従い、循環している浴槽水の温度は高くなるから、温度センサー２０の検知温度が所定の温度Ｔ４以上になったら、浴槽９の浴槽水の温度分布は均一になったと判断して、制御手段２１によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を開から閉へとする。この上記運転を繰り返すときの循環する浴槽水の温度変化を図８に示す。
【００５０】
バイパス回路開閉弁１４の制御を繰り返し行うことによって、浴槽９の浴槽水全体の温度は徐々に低下し、ある所定の温度以下になるまでシステムの運転を行うことが出来れば、浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に活用できたことになる。制御手段２１の制御により、風呂熱交換器７に流れる浴槽水流量が減り、熱交換能力が低下するが、浴槽９に戻る浴槽水温度が上昇するので、浴槽９の温度分布は均一化されやすい。
【００５１】
なお、ヒートポンプサイクルを制御するために、温度センサーが浴槽水熱交換器の冷媒入口、または、出口に設置してあれば、これを用いて本実施例は実施できる。逆に、設置していなかった場合は、本実施例で設置した温度センサーを利用して、ヒートポンプサイクルの制御をすることが出来る。
【００５２】
本実施例では、所定温度Ｔ３、Ｔ４は一定値としたが、繰り返し回数や運転時間の関数として指定しても良く、同様の効果が得られる。
【００５３】
また、本実施例では浴槽水を加熱する場合においても適用することが出来る。すなわち、浴槽９の浴槽水を均一に加熱することが可能となる。従って、高効率な浴槽の加熱運転をすることが出来る。
【００５４】
また、浴槽水の加熱運転を開始する場合に、浴槽水ポンプ１２を停止させたままで、制御手段２１によってバイパス回路１３を開放すれば、バイパス回路１３を経由した自然対流を利用した浴槽水の加熱運転が出来る。その後、浴槽水ポンプ１２の運転を行うと、浴槽９の初期加熱特性は低下するが、ヒートポンプサイクルも早期に安定するので、比較的早く浴槽水の高温加熱化が実現される。
【００５５】
（実施例５）
図９は本発明の実施例５におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施例のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機は、従来の構成に加えて、風呂熱交換器７の浴槽水の入口部と出口部を連結するバイパス回路１３、バイパス回路開閉弁１４、および、圧力センサー２２、制御手段２３を備えている。圧力センサー２２は、風呂熱交換器７の冷媒入口圧力の検知手段である。制御手段２３は、バイパス回路開閉弁１４を圧力センサー２２の検知圧力に基づいて、開閉させる制御手段である。本実施例では、圧力センサー２２は風呂熱交換器７の冷媒入口に設置したが、設置位置は風呂熱交換器の冷媒出口であっても良い。
【００５６】
次に動作と作用について説明する。浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱を行うときは、従来例と同様の動作を行い、運転開始時はバイパス回路開閉弁１４は閉とし、バイパス回路１３には浴槽水を流さない。浴槽水の温熱を利用して、給湯水の加熱運転を続けていくにつれて、浴槽９には図１２のような温度分布が形成される。風呂熱交換器７に流入する浴槽水温度が低下すると、ヒートポンプ回路の冷媒の蒸発する圧力が低下する。すなわち、循環する浴槽水の温度は、圧力センサー２２の検知圧力に反映される。
【００５７】
従って、圧力センサー２２の検知圧力が所定の値Ｐ３以下になったら、制御手段２３によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を閉から開とし、風呂熱交換器７の入口部と出口部と連結させたバイパス回路１３を開放する。従って、浴槽水の一部がバイパス回路１３を流れるようになり、風呂熱交換器７を流れる浴槽水の流量は減少するが、浴槽水回路８の圧力損失が低下するために、浴槽水ポンプ１２で搬送される浴槽水の総循環流量は増加する。
【００５８】
浴槽水回路８を循環する浴槽水の流量が増加すれば、浴槽９内の浴槽水の対流が促進され、浴槽９の底部の低温の浴槽水は、表層部の温度の高い浴槽水と効果的に対流によって攪拌されていく。
【００５９】
従って、浴槽９の温度分布は徐々に均一になっていく。温度分布が均一となるに従い、循環している浴槽水の温度は高くなるから、圧力センサー２２の検知圧力が所定の値Ｐ４以上になったら、浴槽９の浴槽水の温度分布は均一になったと判断して、制御手段２３によってバイパス回路開閉弁１４を開から閉へとする。この上記運転を繰り返すときの循環する浴槽水の温度変化を図１０に示す。
【００６０】
バイパス回路開閉弁１４の制御を繰り返し行うことによって、浴槽９の浴槽水全体の温度は徐々に低下し、ある所定の温度以下になるまでシステムの運転を行うことが出来れば、浴槽９の浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に活用できたことになる。制御手段２３の制御により、風呂熱交換器７に流れる浴槽水流量が減り、熱交換能力が低下するが、浴槽９に戻る浴槽水温度が上昇するので、浴槽９の温度分布は均一化されやすい。
【００６１】
なお、ヒートポンプサイクルを制御するために、圧力センサーが浴槽水熱交換器の冷媒入口、または、出口に設置してあれば、これを用いて本実施例は実施できる。逆に、設置していなかった場合は、本実施例で設置した圧力センサーを利用して、ヒートポンプサイクルの制御をすることが出来る。
【００６２】
本実施例では、所定圧力Ｐ３、Ｐ４は一定値としたが、繰り返し回数や運転時間の関数として指定しても良く、同様の効果が得られる。
【００６３】
上記実施例に記載したヒートポンプ風呂給湯機によれば、次のような効果が得られる。
【００６４】
（１）浴槽水の温熱を利用して給湯の加熱運転を行う場合に、浴槽の深さ方向に運転効率に不利な浴槽水の温度分布が形成されても、バイパス回路に浴槽水を流す制御により、浴槽の温度分布を均一にすることが出来る。
【００６５】
したがって、浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に利用できることから、浴槽水の温熱を利用して給湯の加熱運転を行う場合の高効率化が実現される。
【００６６】
（２）バイパス回路を開とするときに、循環する流量が増加することから、浴槽と浴槽水回路、および、風呂熱交換器に汚れが付着しにくい。
【００６７】
（３）風呂熱交換器の出口部分で浴槽水における汚れや腐食による閉塞が起きても、バイパス回路を用いることにより、風呂熱交換器で浴槽水との熱交換が可能であるから、装置の延命化が可能となる。
【００６８】
（４）付加した温度センサーを、装置の安全性を感知する手段とする事が出来るので、装置の安全性が向上し、またこの温度センサーを浴槽水の湯温を制御するために兼用することもできる。
【００６９】
（５）風呂熱交換器に汚れが付着して浴槽水流路の圧力損失が上昇した場合には、圧力センサーでこの状態を検知することが出来る。従って、メンテナンス時期を知らせる機能を持たせることができる。
【００７０】
（６）温度センサーをヒートポンプサイクル制御にも利用することが出来るため、これを利用することで、装置の高効率化が図れる。
【００７１】
【発明の効果】
このように本発明のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機によれば、浴槽水の温熱を有効に給湯の加熱に利用できるもので、効率の向上が期待できるものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図２】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の運転時間と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【図３】本発明の実施例２におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図４】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の運転時間と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【図５】本発明の実施例３におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図６】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の運転時間と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【図７】本発明の実施例４におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図８】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の運転時間と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【図９】本発明の実施例５におけるヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図１０】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の運転時間と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【図１１】従来のヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の構成説明図
【図１２】同ヒートポンプ風呂給湯機の浴槽水深と浴槽水温度との関係を示した図
【符号の説明】
１圧縮機
２ａ、２ｂ膨張弁
３冷媒回路
４給湯熱交換器
５給湯水回路
６貯湯タンク
７風呂熱交換器
８浴槽水回路
９浴槽
１０集熱機
１１ａ、１１ｂ、１１ｃ開閉弁
１２浴槽水ポンプ
１３バイパス回路
１４バイパス回路開閉弁
１５運転時間に基づいてバイパス回路開閉弁を制御する制御手段
１６、２０温度センサー
１７、２１温度センサーの検知温度に基づいてバイパス回路開閉弁を制御する制御手段
１８、２２圧力センサー
１９、２３圧力センサーの検知圧力に基づいてバイパス回路開閉弁を制御する制御手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of an apparatus that uses a heat pump to utilize atmospheric heat, solar heat, or the like for heating bath water, or uses atmospheric heat, solar heat, or bath water temperature for heating hot water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an apparatus that absorbs heat from an external heat source using a heat pump cycle and heats hot water and bath tub water.
[0003]
In FIG. 11, the structure of the apparatus which uses the heat of the bath tub water of a prior art example or atmospheric heat as a heat source and heats hot water supply or bath tub water with a heat pump is shown. The heat pump water heater of FIG. 11 includes a compressor 1, expansion valves 2a and 2b, a refrigerant circuit 3, a hot water supply heat exchanger 4, a hot water supply circuit 5, a hot water storage tank 6, a bath heat exchanger 7, A bathtub water circuit 8, a bathtub 9, a heat collector 10 that collects atmospheric heat or solar heat, refrigerant circuit on / off valves 11a, 11b, and 11c that open and close the refrigerant circuit 3, and a bathtub water pump 12 that circulates the bathtub water. Has been.
[0004]
When the hot water heating operation is performed using the temperature of the bathtub water, the following operation is performed. First, the bathtub water circulation pump 12 circulates the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 through the bathtub water circuit 8 and the bath heat exchanger 7. Then, the compressor 1 is operated to pressurize the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 3 to a high temperature and a high pressure, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 2a, and the bath heat exchanger 7 are sent in this order. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 7 and is then sucked into the compressor 1 and pressurized to high temperature and high pressure, and condensed in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to heat the hot water.
[0005]
When the bath water heating operation of the bathtub 9 is performed, the following operation is performed. First, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is circulated through the bathtub water circuit 8 and the bath heat exchanger 7 by the bathtub water pump 12. And the compressor 1 is drive | operated and the refrigerant | coolant in the refrigerant circuit 3 is pressurized to high temperature / high pressure, and it sends in order of the bath heat exchanger 7, the expansion valve 2b, and the heat collector 10. FIG. The refrigerant absorbs atmospheric heat with the heat collector 10 and is then pressurized to a high temperature and high pressure with the compressor 1, condensed in the bath heat exchanger 7, and heated in the bath water.
[0006]
In the configuration of this conventional heat pump bath water heater, for example, a method as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-27079 has been proposed in order to efficiently cool and heat bath water. Furthermore, as an application development of a heat pump, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-159267 describes that bath water temperature heat is used for heating.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration as described above, it has been difficult to effectively use the temperature of the bath water for heating hot water for the following reasons.
[0008]
That is, since the temperature of the bath water absorbed from the refrigerant in the bath heat exchanger 7 is lower than the temperature of the bath water in the bath 9, there is a density difference between both bath waters, and the low-temperature bath water having a high density and low temperature. Flows toward the bottom of the bathtub 9. Therefore, the low-temperature bathtub water returned from the bath heat exchanger 7 forms a low-temperature layer at the bottom of the bathtub 9 without being sufficiently stirred with the high-temperature bathtub water of the bathtub 9. Accordingly, the bathtub water in the bathtub has a temperature distribution such that the temperature at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is low and the temperature at the top of the bathtub is high, as shown in FIG.
[0009]
If the operation is continued as it is, the low temperature layer at the bottom of the bathtub 9 will increase in thickness, and when the bath water outlet of the bathtub is reached, the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 will drop significantly. To do. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, not only the efficiency of the heat pump decreases, but also the circulating bath water freezes after being absorbed, so the hot water at the upper part of the bath is effectively supplied. The heat pump operation must be terminated without being available for heating. Therefore, in order to effectively use the heat of the upper part of the bathtub for heating the hot water supply, the problem is that the temperature distribution formed in the bathtub 9 shown in FIG. 12 must be uniform.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bathtub water pump, and the above A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger that recovers the heat of the bath water with a refrigerant of the heat pump circuit, and provided in parallel with the bath heat exchanger so as to bypass the bath heat exchanger, A bypass circuit that short-circuits the bathtub water outlet, a bypass circuit on-off valve that opens and closes the bypass circuit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the bypass circuit on-off valve. When the temperature difference between the top and bottom is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the bypass circuit on-off valve is opened to drive the bathtub water pump, and the bathtub water flowing through the bath heat exchanger and the bathtub water via the bypass circuit To suppress the drop in the temperature of the bath water returning to the bathtub by circulating and flowing, and to increase the total circulation amount of the bath water returning to the bath to agitate the bath water in the bath so as to reduce the vertical temperature difference It is a thing.
[0011]
According to the said invention, when performing the heating operation of hot water supply using the hot water of bathtub water, the temperature distribution that the temperature of the bottom part of a bathtub is low and the temperature of the upper part of a bathtub is high can be equalized.
[0012]
Therefore, the temperature of the bath water can be effectively and efficiently used for heating hot water.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention include a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bathtub water pump, and the heat pump circuit. A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger that recovers heat of the bath water with a refrigerant, and provided in parallel with the bath heat exchanger so as to bypass the bath heat exchanger, a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet A bypass circuit that short-circuits the bypass circuit, a bypass circuit on-off valve that opens and closes the bypass circuit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the bypass circuit on-off valve, wherein the control unit includes a difference in vertical temperature of bathtub water in the bathtub. Opens the bypass circuit on-off valve and drives the bathtub water pump to divide and circulate into the bathtub water flowing through the bath heat exchanger and the bathtub water via the bypass circuit. A decrease in the bath water temperature back to the bathtub by causing movement suppressed, and increase the total circulation amount of bath water returning to the bath and stirred for a bath water in the bathtub, and to reduce the vertical temperature difference.
[0014]
The difference in the vertical temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is, for example, estimated from the operation time or detected based on the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub water circuit. In addition, it can be detected based on the pressure of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger or the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the bath heat exchanger.
[0015]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment includes a compressor 1, an expansion valve 2a, 2b, a refrigerant circuit 3, a hot water heat exchanger 4, a hot water circuit 5, a hot water storage tank 6, a bath heat exchanger 7, which have a conventional configuration. In addition to the bathtub water circuit 8, the bathtub 9, the heat collector 10, the refrigerant circuit opening / closing valves 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and the bathtub water pump 12, a bypass circuit 13 that connects the bathtub water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7 , A bypass circuit on-off valve 14 and a control means 15 are provided. The control means 15 is a control means for opening and closing the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the operation time.
[0017]
Next, the operation and action will be described. When heating the hot water supply using the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed at the start of operation, and the bypass circuit 13 has a bathtub water. Do not flush. As the heating operation of the hot water is continued using the temperature of the bath water, a temperature distribution as shown in FIG.
[0018]
At this time, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is opened from the closed state by the control means 15 and the bypass circuit 13 is opened. Accordingly, a part of the bath water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bath water circulating through the bath heat exchanger 7 is decreased, but the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 is decreased. The total circulation flow rate of the bathtub water transported in increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 is increased, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the bathtub water having a high surface layer temperature. It is stirred by convection.
[0019]
Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 becomes gradually uniform. When the temperature distribution becomes nearly uniform, the control circuit 15 causes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 to change from open to closed. The temperature change of the circulating bath water when repeating this operation is shown in FIG. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until it reaches a predetermined temperature or lower, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is obtained. It was possible to effectively use the heat of water for heating hot water. Control of the control means 15 reduces the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 and decreases the heat exchange capacity, but the temperature of the bathtub 9 returning to the bathtub 9 rises, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily uniformized. .
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the time a during which the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed by the control means 15 is the time until the temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed, and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is opened by the control means 15. A certain time b was set to a value required for the temperature difference between the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the bath water to reach a predetermined temperature difference.
[0021]
Moreover, in a present Example, it can apply also when heating bathtub water. That is, it becomes possible to heat the bathtub water of the bathtub 9 uniformly. Therefore, a highly efficient bathtub heating operation can be performed.
[0022]
Further, when the bathtub water heating operation is started, if the bypass circuit 13 is opened by the control means 15 while the bathtub water pump 12 is stopped, the bath water is heated using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13. I can drive. Thereafter, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated, the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, but the heat pump cycle is also stabilized at an early stage, so that the bath water is heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.
[0023]
In this embodiment, one bypass circuit is installed, but a plurality of circuits may be installed.
[0024]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition to the conventional configuration, the heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment includes a bypass circuit 13, a bypass circuit on-off valve 14, and a temperature sensor 16, which connect the bath water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. Control means 17 is provided.
[0025]
The temperature sensor 16 is a means for detecting the bath water temperature of the bath water circuit 8. The control means 17 is a control means for opening and closing the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16. In this embodiment, a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 16, but a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, or the like may be used. Moreover, the installation position is the bathtub water circuit 8, and the place may be anywhere as long as the bathtub water temperature can be measured.
[0026]
Next, the operation and action will be described. When heating the hot water supply using the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed at the start of operation, and the bypass circuit 13 has a bathtub water. Do not flush. As the heating operation of the hot water is continued using the temperature of the bath water, a temperature distribution as shown in FIG. At this time, when the temperature of the temperature sensor 16 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1, the bypass circuit on / off valve 14 is closed to open by the control means 17 and connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. Is released.
[0027]
Therefore, a part of the bathtub water flows from the bathtub outlet 8a through the bypass circuit 13 to the bathtub inlet 8b, and the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced. Since the pressure loss decreases, the total circulation flow rate of the bathtub water conveyed by the bathtub water pump 8 increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 is increased, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the bathtub water having a high surface layer temperature. It is stirred by convection.
[0028]
Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 becomes gradually uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 exceeds the predetermined temperature T2, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bath 9 becomes uniform. Judgment is made and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed by the control means 17.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until it reaches a predetermined temperature or lower, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is obtained. It was possible to effectively use the heat of water for heating hot water. By the control of the control means 16, the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced and the heat exchange capacity is lowered, but the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 is increased, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily made uniform. .
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperatures T1 and T2 are constant values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0031]
In addition, if the existing temperature sensor is installed in order to detect the bath water temperature of the bathtub 9, a present Example can be implemented by utilizing this.
[0032]
Moreover, in a present Example, it can apply also when heating bathtub water. That is, it becomes possible to heat the bathtub water of the bathtub 9 uniformly. Therefore, a highly efficient bathtub heating operation can be performed.
[0033]
Further, when the bathtub water heating operation is started, if the bypass circuit 13 is opened by the control means 16 while the bathtub water pump 12 is stopped, the bath water is heated using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13. I can drive. Thereafter, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated, the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, but the heat pump cycle is also stabilized at an early stage, so that the bath water is heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.
[0034]
(Example 3)
FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition to the conventional configuration, the heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment includes a bypass circuit 13, a bypass circuit on-off valve 14, and a pressure sensor 18, which connect the bath water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. Control means 19 is provided.
[0035]
The pressure sensor 18 is a differential pressure detection means between the bath water inlet pressure and the outlet pressure of the bath heat exchanger 7. The control means 19 is a control means for opening and closing the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18. In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 18 is installed as a differential pressure gauge of the bath heat exchanger 7, but may be an absolute pressure or gauge pressure at the inlet or outlet of the bath water of the bath heat exchanger.
[0036]
Next, the operation and action will be described. When heating the hot water supply using the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed at the start of operation, and the bypass circuit 13 has a bathtub water. Do not flush. As the heating operation of the hot water is continued using the temperature of the bath water, a temperature distribution as shown in FIG. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the viscosity of the bath water increases and the pressure loss of the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 7 increases.
[0037]
That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is reflected in the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 18. Accordingly, when the differential pressure of the pressure sensor 18 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value P1, the bypass circuit on / off valve 14 is closed to open by the control means 19, and the bypass circuit is connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. 13 is released.
[0038]
Accordingly, a part of the bath water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced, but the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 is reduced, so that the bath water pump 8 The total circulation flow rate of the bathtub water transported in increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 is increased, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the bathtub water having a high surface layer temperature. It is stirred by convection.
[0039]
Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 becomes gradually uniform. When the temperature of the circulating bath water increases, the viscosity of the bath water decreases, and the pressure loss of the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases. When the differential pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value P2, it is determined that the temperature distribution of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 has become uniform, and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed by the control means 19. To do.
[0040]
FIG. 6 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until it reaches a predetermined temperature or lower, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is obtained. It was possible to effectively use the heat of water for heating hot water. By the control of the control means 17, the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced and the heat exchange capacity is lowered, but the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 is increased, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily made uniform. .
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the predetermined pressures P1 and P2 are constant values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0042]
Moreover, in a present Example, it can apply also when heating bathtub water. That is, it becomes possible to heat the bathtub water of the bathtub 9 uniformly. Therefore, a highly efficient bathtub heating operation can be performed.
[0043]
When the bathtub water pump 12 is stopped and the bypass circuit 13 is opened by the control means 19 when the bath water heating operation is started, the bath water is heated using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13. I can drive. Thereafter, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated, the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, but the heat pump cycle is also stabilized at an early stage, so that the bath water is heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.
[0044]
(Example 4)
FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In addition to the conventional configuration, the heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment includes a bypass circuit 13, a bypass circuit on / off valve 14, and a temperature sensor 20, which connect the bath water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. Control means 21 is provided. The temperature sensor 20 is a means for detecting the refrigerant inlet temperature of the bath heat exchanger 7.
[0045]
The control means 21 is a control means for opening and closing the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20. In this embodiment, a thermistor is used for the temperature sensor 20, but a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, or the like may be used. Further, the installation position may be the refrigerant outlet of the bath heat exchanger.
[0046]
Next, the operation and action will be described. When heating the hot water supply using the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed at the start of operation, and the bypass circuit 13 has a bathtub water. Do not flush.
[0047]
As the heating operation of the hot water is continued using the temperature of the bath water, a temperature distribution as shown in FIG. When the bath water temperature flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the evaporation pressure of the heat pump circuit decreases, so the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 also decreases. That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is reflected in the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18.
[0048]
Accordingly, when the temperature of the temperature sensor 20 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T3, the bypass circuit on / off valve 14 is opened from the closed state by the control means 21, and the bypass circuit 13 connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7 is connected. Open. Accordingly, a part of the bath water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced, but the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 is reduced, so that the bath water pump 8 The total circulation flow rate of the bathtub water transported in increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 is increased, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the bathtub water having a high surface layer temperature. It is stirred by convection.
[0049]
Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 becomes gradually uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T4, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bath 9 becomes uniform. Judgment is made and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed by the control means 21. FIG. 8 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated.
[0050]
By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until it reaches a predetermined temperature or lower, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is obtained. It was possible to effectively use the heat of water for heating hot water. By the control of the control means 21, the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced and the heat exchange capacity is lowered, but the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 is increased, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily made uniform. .
[0051]
In addition, in order to control a heat pump cycle, if a temperature sensor is installed in the refrigerant | coolant inlet of a bathtub water heat exchanger, or an exit, a present Example can be implemented using this. On the contrary, when not installed, the heat pump cycle can be controlled using the temperature sensor installed in the present embodiment.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperatures T3 and T4 are constant values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0053]
Moreover, in a present Example, it can apply also when heating bathtub water. That is, it becomes possible to heat the bathtub water of the bathtub 9 uniformly. Therefore, a highly efficient bathtub heating operation can be performed.
[0054]
Further, when the bathtub water heating operation is started, if the bypass circuit 13 is opened by the control means 21 while the bathtub water pump 12 is stopped, the bath water is heated using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13. I can drive. Thereafter, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated, the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, but the heat pump cycle is also stabilized at an early stage, so that the bath water is heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.
[0055]
(Example 5)
FIG. 9 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In addition to the conventional configuration, the heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment includes a bypass circuit 13, a bypass circuit on-off valve 14, and a pressure sensor 22, which connect the bath water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. Control means 23 is provided. The pressure sensor 22 is a means for detecting the refrigerant inlet pressure of the bath heat exchanger 7. The control means 23 is a control means for opening and closing the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 22. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 22 is installed at the refrigerant inlet of the bath heat exchanger 7, but the installation position may be the refrigerant outlet of the bath heat exchanger.
[0056]
Next, the operation and action will be described. When heating the hot water supply using the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed at the start of operation, and the bypass circuit 13 has a bathtub water. Do not flush. As the heating operation of the hot water is continued using the temperature of the bath water, a temperature distribution as shown in FIG. When the bath water temperature flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the pressure at which the refrigerant in the heat pump circuit evaporates decreases. That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is reflected in the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 22.
[0057]
Therefore, when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 22 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined value P3, the bypass circuit on / off valve 14 is closed to open by the control means 23 and connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. 13 is released. Therefore, a part of the bath water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, but the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 decreases, so the bath water pump 12 The total circulation flow rate of the bathtub water transported in increases.
[0058]
If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 is increased, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the bathtub water having a high surface layer temperature. It is stirred by convection.
[0059]
Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 becomes gradually uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 22 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value P4, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bath 9 becomes uniform. Judgment is made and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed by the control means 23. FIG. 10 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated.
[0060]
By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until it reaches a predetermined temperature or lower, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is obtained. It was possible to effectively use the heat of water for heating hot water. By the control of the control means 23, the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced and the heat exchange capacity is lowered, but the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 is increased, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily uniformized. .
[0061]
In addition, in order to control a heat pump cycle, if a pressure sensor is installed in the refrigerant | coolant inlet of a bathtub water heat exchanger, or an exit, a present Example can be implemented using this. On the contrary, when not installed, the heat pump cycle can be controlled using the pressure sensor installed in the present embodiment.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, the predetermined pressures P3 and P4 are constant values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0063]
According to the heat pump bath water heater described in the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0064]
(1) When performing hot water heating operation using the temperature of the bath water, even if a bath water temperature distribution that is disadvantageous in operating efficiency is formed in the depth direction of the bath, the bath water flows through the bypass circuit. Thus, the temperature distribution of the bathtub can be made uniform.
[0065]
Therefore, since the temperature of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, high efficiency can be achieved when the hot water heating operation is performed using the temperature of the bathtub water.
[0066]
(2) When the bypass circuit is opened, the circulating flow rate increases, so that dirt is less likely to adhere to the bathtub, the bathtub water circuit, and the bath heat exchanger.
[0067]
(3) Even if clogging occurs due to dirt or corrosion in the bath water at the outlet of the bath heat exchanger, it is possible to exchange heat with the bath water in the bath heat exchanger by using the bypass circuit. Life extension is possible.
[0068]
(4) Since the added temperature sensor can be used as a means to sense the safety of the device, the safety of the device is improved, and this temperature sensor is also used to control the temperature of the bath water. You can also.
[0069]
(5) When the bath heat exchanger becomes dirty and the pressure loss in the bath water flow path increases, this state can be detected by the pressure sensor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a function for notifying the maintenance time.
[0070]
(6) Since the temperature sensor can be used for heat pump cycle control, the use of this temperature sensor can increase the efficiency of the apparatus.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the heat pump bath water heater of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, and an improvement in efficiency can be expected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and the bath water temperature. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the heat pump bath water heater in Example 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and the bath water temperature. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and the bath water temperature. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and the bath water temperature. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the bath temperature and the bath water temperature. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional heat pump bath water heater. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the bath water depth and the bath water temperature of the heat pump bath water heater. Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2a, 2b Expansion valve 3 Refrigerant circuit 4 Hot water supply heat exchanger 5 Hot water supply circuit 6 Hot water storage tank 7 Bath heat exchanger 8 Bath water circuit 9 Bath 10 Heat collector 11a, 11b, 11c Open / close valve 12 Bath water pump 13 Bypass Circuit 14 Bypass circuit on / off valve 15 Control means for controlling bypass circuit on / off valve based on operating time 16, 20 Temperature sensor 17, 21 Control means for controlling bypass circuit on / off valve based on temperature detected by temperature sensor 18, 22 Pressure Sensors 19, 23 Control means for controlling the bypass circuit on-off valve based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor

Claims

A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, and a bathtub water pump and the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit for recovering the heat of the bathtub water A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger, a bypass circuit provided in parallel with the bath heat exchanger so as to bypass the bath heat exchanger, and short-circuiting the bath water inlet and the bath water outlet , A bypass circuit on / off valve that opens and closes the bypass circuit; and a control unit that controls the operation of the bypass circuit on / off valve. , the bypass circuit by opening the closing valve by driving the bath water pump, the bath heat exchanger in a bath by causing branched into the bath water through the bath water and the bypass circuit circulating fluidized flowing That suppressing a decrease in bath water temperature, and increasing the total circulating amount of bath water returning to the bath and stirred for a bath water in the bathtub, the heat pump bath water heater, characterized in that to reduce the vertical temperature difference.

The heat pump bath water heater according to claim 1, wherein the difference in temperature between the upper and lower sides of the bathtub water in the bathtub is estimated by the operation time.

The heat pump bath water heater according to claim 1, wherein the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the bathtub water in the bathtub is detected based on the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub water circuit.

The heat pump bath water heater according to claim 1, wherein the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the bathtub water in the bathtub is detected based on the pressure of the bathtub water flowing through the bath heat exchanger.

The heat pump bath water heater according to claim 1, wherein the temperature difference between the upper and lower water in the bathtub is detected based on the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the bath heat exchanger.