JPWO2018116404A1 - Heat pump equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

  The heat pump utilization device includes a refrigerant circuit, a heat medium circuit, and a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, and the main circuit of the heat medium circuit has a branch portion and a junction portion. The pressure protection device and the refrigerant leakage detection device are connected to the main circuit, and the pressure protection device is provided between the heat exchanger and one of the branch portion or the junction portion in the main circuit. A first shut-off device connected to the connection portion located in the main circuit and capable of interrupting the flow from the heat exchanger toward the connection portion between the heat exchanger and the connection portion in the main circuit, Between the heat exchanger and the other of the branch portion or the junction portion in the main circuit, a second blocking device capable of blocking the flow from the heat exchanger toward the other is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump utilizing device having a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit.

  Patent Document 1 describes an outdoor unit of a heat pump cycle device using a flammable refrigerant. This outdoor unit has an excess of water pressure in a water circuit for supplying water heated by the water heat exchanger and a refrigerant circuit to which a compressor, an air heat exchanger, a throttling device and a water heat exchanger are connected by piping. And a pressure relief valve for preventing the rise. Thereby, in the water heat exchanger, the partition separating the refrigerant circuit and the water circuit is broken, and the flammable refrigerant is discharged to the outside through the pressure relief valve even when the flammable refrigerant is mixed in the water circuit. Can.

JP, 2013-167398, A

  In a heat pump utilizing device such as a heat pump cycle device, generally, a pressure relief valve of a water circuit is provided in an indoor unit. There are various combinations of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump utilizing apparatus, and not only when the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the same manufacturer are combined but also the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of different manufacturer may be combined. Therefore, the outdoor unit described in Patent Document 1 may be combined with an indoor unit provided with a pressure relief valve.

  However, in this case, when the refrigerant leaks into the water circuit, the refrigerant mixed in the water of the water circuit is discharged not only from the pressure relief valve provided in the outdoor unit but also from the pressure relief valve provided in the indoor unit. May be Therefore, there is a problem that the refrigerant may leak into the room through the water circuit.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump utilizing device that can prevent the refrigerant from leaking into the room.

  The heat pump utilization apparatus according to the present invention comprises a refrigerant circuit for circulating a refrigerant, a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium, the heat medium The circuit has a main circuit passing through the heat exchanger, and the main circuit is provided at the downstream end of the main circuit, and a branch portion to which a plurality of branch circuits branching from the main circuit are connected And a confluence portion provided at an upstream end of the main circuit and connected to the plurality of branch circuits confluent to the main circuit, wherein the main circuit includes a pressure protection device, and refrigerant leakage detection. A device is connected, and the pressure protection device is connected to a connection portion of the main circuit located between the heat exchanger and one of the branch portion and the junction portion, In the main circuit, the heat exchange is performed between the heat exchanger and the connection portion. A first shut-off device capable of shutting off the flow from the air conditioner to the connection portion, and the heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the other of the branch portion or the junction portion in the main circuit A second blocking device capable of blocking the flow from the container to the other.

  According to the present invention, even if the refrigerant leaks to the heat medium circuit, the flow of the refrigerant mixed in the heat medium can be blocked by the blocking device. Therefore, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking into the room from the pressure protection device.

It is a circuit diagram which shows schematic structure of the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows schematic structure of the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning position of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 in the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning position of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 in the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning position of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 in the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning position of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 in the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows schematic structure of the heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Embodiment 1
The heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat pump utilization device according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 is illustrated as a heat pump utilization apparatus. In the following drawings including FIG. 1, the dimensional relationships, shapes, and the like of the respective constituent members may differ from actual ones.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 has a refrigerant circuit 110 for circulating a refrigerant, and a water circuit 210 for circulating water. Further, the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 has an outdoor unit 100 installed outdoors (for example, outdoors) and an indoor unit 200 installed indoors. The indoor unit 200 is installed, for example, in a storage space such as a kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry room, and a storage door inside a building.

  The refrigerant circuit 110 includes a compressor 3, a refrigerant flow switching device 4, a load side heat exchanger 2, a first pressure reducing device 6, an intermediate pressure receiver 5, a second pressure reducing device 7, and a heat source side heat exchanger 1. Via a series connection in the form of a ring. In the refrigerant circuit 110 of the heat pump water heating and heating apparatus 1000, the refrigerant is circulated in the reverse direction to the normal operation (for example, heating and hot water supply operation) for heating the water flowing through the water circuit 210, and the heat source side heat exchanger 1 It is possible to perform defrosting operation to perform defrosting.

  The compressor 3 is a fluid machine that compresses the sucked low-pressure refrigerant and discharges it as a high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 3 of this example includes an inverter device and the like, and can change the capacity (the amount of refrigerant to be sent out per unit time) by arbitrarily changing the drive frequency.

  The refrigerant flow switching device 4 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 110 between the normal operation and the defrosting operation. For example, a four-way valve is used as the refrigerant flow switching device 4.

  The load-side heat exchanger 2 is a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 110 and the water flowing in the water circuit 210. As the load side heat exchanger 2, for example, a plate type heat exchanger is used. The load-side heat exchanger 2 includes a refrigerant channel for circulating the refrigerant as a part of the refrigerant circuit 110, a water channel for circulating water as a part of the water circuit 210, and a thin plate for separating the refrigerant channel and the water channel. And the like. The load side heat exchanger 2 functions as a condenser (radiator) that heats water during normal operation, and functions as an evaporator (heat absorber) during defrosting operation.

  The first pressure reducing device 6 adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant, and performs, for example, pressure adjustment of the refrigerant flowing through the load-side heat exchanger 2. The medium pressure receiver 5 is located between the first pressure reducing device 6 and the second pressure reducing device 7 in the refrigerant circuit 110, and stores excess refrigerant. A suction pipe 11 connected to the suction side of the compressor 3 passes through the inside of the medium pressure receiver 5. In the medium pressure receiver 5, heat exchange between the refrigerant passing through the suction pipe 11 and the refrigerant in the medium pressure receiver 5 is performed. Thus, the medium pressure receiver 5 has a function as an internal heat exchanger in the refrigerant circuit 110. The second pressure reducing device 7 adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant to perform pressure adjustment. The first pressure reducing device 6 and the second pressure reducing device 7 of this example are electronic expansion valves capable of changing the opening degree based on an instruction from the control device 101 described later.

  The heat source side heat exchanger 1 is an air-refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 110 and the outdoor air blown by an outdoor fan (not shown) or the like. The heat source side heat exchanger 1 functions as an evaporator (heat absorber) during normal operation, and functions as a condenser (radiator) during defrosting operation.

  As the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 110, for example, a slightly flammable refrigerant such as R1234yf, R1234ze (E), or a strongly flammable refrigerant such as R290, R1270 is used. These refrigerants may be used as a single refrigerant, or may be used as a mixed refrigerant in which two or more are mixed. Hereinafter, a refrigerant having a flammability of at least a slight burn level (for example, 2 L or more in the ASHRAE 34 classification) may be referred to as a “flammable refrigerant” or a “flammable refrigerant”. In addition, as the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 110, non-combustible refrigerants such as R407C and R410A having non-combustibility (for example, 1 in the ASHRAE 34 classification) can also be used. These refrigerants have greater density than air at atmospheric pressure (eg, temperature is room temperature (25 ° C.)). Furthermore, as the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 110, a toxic refrigerant such as R717 (ammonia) can be used.

  The refrigerant circuit 110 including the compressor 3, the refrigerant flow switching device 4, the load side heat exchanger 2, the first pressure reducing device 6, the medium pressure receiver 5, the second pressure reducing device 7 and the heat source side heat exchanger 1 is all outside the room It is accommodated in the machine 100.

  In addition, the outdoor unit 100 mainly controls the operation of the refrigerant circuit 110 (for example, the compressor 3, the refrigerant flow switching device 4, the first pressure reducing device 6, the second pressure reducing device 7, the outdoor fan not shown, etc.) A control device 101 is provided. The control device 101 includes a microcomputer provided with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O port, and the like. The control device 101 can mutually communicate with the control device 201 and the operation unit 202 described later via the control line 102.

  Next, an example of the operation of the refrigerant circuit 110 will be described. In FIG. 1, the flow direction of the refrigerant during normal operation in the refrigerant circuit 110 is indicated by a solid arrow. During normal operation, the refrigerant flow path switching device 4 switches the refrigerant flow path as indicated by solid arrows, and the refrigerant circuit 110 is configured such that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows into the load-side heat exchanger 2.

  The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows through the refrigerant flow switching device 4 into the refrigerant flow path of the load-side heat exchanger 2. During normal operation, the load-side heat exchanger 2 functions as a condenser. That is, in the load-side heat exchanger 2, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant flow channel and the water flowing in the water flow channel, and the condensation heat of the refrigerant is released to the water. Thus, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the load-side heat exchanger 2 is condensed to be a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Moreover, the water which flows through the water flow path of the load side heat exchanger 2 is heated by heat radiation from the refrigerant.

  The high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed by the load-side heat exchanger 2 flows into the first pressure reducing device 6 and is slightly depressurized to be a two-phase refrigerant. The two-phase refrigerant flows into the medium pressure receiver 5 and is cooled by heat exchange with the low pressure gas refrigerant flowing through the suction pipe 11 to become a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant flows into the second pressure reducing device 7 and is decompressed to be a low pressure two-phase refrigerant. The low pressure two-phase refrigerant flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 1. At the time of normal operation, the heat source side heat exchanger 1 functions as an evaporator. That is, in the heat source side heat exchanger 1, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the outdoor air blown by the outdoor fan, and the evaporation heat of the refrigerant is absorbed from the outdoor air. Thereby, the refrigerant which has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 1 evaporates and becomes a low pressure gas refrigerant. The low pressure gas refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 11 via the refrigerant flow switching device 4. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the suction pipe 11 is heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the medium pressure receiver 5, and is drawn into the compressor 3. The refrigerant drawn into the compressor 3 is compressed to be a high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant. In normal operation, the above cycle is repeated continuously.

  Next, an example of the operation at the time of the defrosting operation will be described. In FIG. 1, the flow direction of the refrigerant during the defrosting operation in the refrigerant circuit 110 is indicated by a broken arrow. At the time of defrosting operation, the refrigerant flow path switching device 4 switches the refrigerant flow path as indicated by a broken line arrow, and the refrigerant circuit 110 is configured such that the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 1.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows through the refrigerant flow switching device 4 and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 1. At the time of defrosting operation, the heat source side heat exchanger 1 functions as a condenser. That is, in the heat source side heat exchanger 1, the condensation heat of the refrigerant flowing inside is radiated to the frost adhering to the surface of the heat source side heat exchanger 1. Thereby, the refrigerant flowing through the inside of the heat source side heat exchanger 1 is condensed to be a high pressure liquid refrigerant. Moreover, the frost adhering to the surface of the heat source side heat exchanger 1 is fuse | melted by the thermal radiation from a refrigerant | coolant.

  The high pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the heat source side heat exchanger 1 becomes a low pressure two-phase refrigerant via the second pressure reducing device 7, the medium pressure receiver 5 and the first pressure reducing device 6, and the refrigerant of the load side heat exchanger 2 Flow into the flow path. At the time of defrosting operation, the load-side heat exchanger 2 functions as an evaporator. That is, in the load side heat exchanger 2, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant flow channel and the water flowing in the water flow channel, and the evaporation heat of the refrigerant is absorbed from the water. Thus, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the load-side heat exchanger 2 evaporates and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 3 via the refrigerant flow switching device 4 and the suction pipe 11. The refrigerant drawn into the compressor 3 is compressed to be a high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant. In the defrosting operation, the above cycle is repeated continuously.

  Next, the water circuit 210 will be described. The water circuit 210 of the present embodiment is a closed circuit that circulates water. In FIG. 1, the flow direction of water is indicated by a white thick arrow. The water circuit 210 is configured by connecting the water circuit on the outdoor unit 100 side and the water circuit on the indoor unit 200 side. The water circuit 210 includes a main circuit 220, a branch circuit 221 that constitutes a hot water supply circuit, and a branch circuit 222 that constitutes a part of a heating circuit. The main circuit 220 constitutes a part of a closed circuit. The branch circuits 221 and 222 are branched and connected to the main circuit 220, respectively. The branch circuits 221 and 222 are provided in parallel with each other. The branch circuit 221 and the main circuit 220 constitute a closed circuit. The branch circuit 222, together with the main circuit 220 and the heating device 300 connected to the branch circuit 222, constitutes a closed circuit. The heating device 300 is provided in the room separately from the indoor unit 200. As the heating device 300, a radiator, a floor heating device or the like is used.

  Although water is mentioned as an example as a heat carrier which circulates water circuit 210 in this embodiment, other liquid heat carriers, such as brine, can be used as a heat carrier.

  The main circuit 220 has a configuration in which a strainer 56, a flow switch 57, a load-side heat exchanger 2, a booster heater 54, a pump 53, and the like are connected via water piping. A drain port 62 for draining water in the water circuit 210 is provided in the middle of the water piping that constitutes the main circuit 220. The downstream end of the main circuit 220 is connected to the inlet of a three-way valve 55 (an example of a branch) having one inlet and two outlets. In the three-way valve 55, branch circuits 221 and 222 branch from the main circuit 220. The upstream end of the main circuit 220 is connected to the merging unit 230. In the merging portion 230, the branch circuits 221 and 222 merge with the main circuit 220. The water circuit 210 from the junction 230 to the three-way valve 55 via the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the like forms a main circuit 220.

  The load-side heat exchanger 2 of the main circuit 220 is provided in the outdoor unit 100. The devices other than the load-side heat exchanger 2 in the main circuit 220 are provided in the indoor unit 200. That is, the main circuit 220 of the water circuit 210 is provided straddling the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200. A part of the main circuit 220 is provided in the outdoor unit 100, and another part of the main circuit 220 is provided in the indoor unit 200. The outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 are connected to each other via two connection pipes 211 and 212 which constitute a part of the main circuit 220.

  The pump 53 is a device that pressurizes the water in the water circuit 210 and circulates the water circuit 210. The booster heater 54 is a device that further heats the water in the water circuit 210, for example, when the heating capacity of the outdoor unit 100 is insufficient. The three-way valve 55 is a device for switching the flow of water in the water circuit 210. For example, the three-way valve 55 switches whether the water in the main circuit 220 is circulated on the branch circuit 221 side or the circulation on the branch circuit 222 side. The strainer 56 is a device for removing the scale in the water circuit 210. The flow switch 57 is a device for detecting whether the flow rate of water circulating in the water circuit 210 is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Instead of the flow switch 57, a flow sensor can be used.

  A pressure relief valve 70 (an example of a pressure protection device) is connected to the booster heater 54. That is, the booster heater 54 is a connection portion of the pressure relief valve 70 (an example of the pressure protection device). Hereinafter, the connection of the pressure relief valve 70 may be simply referred to as a “connection”. The pressure relief valve 70 is a protection device that prevents an excessive increase in pressure in the water circuit 210 due to a temperature change of water. The pressure relief valve 70 discharges water out of the water circuit 210 based on the pressure in the water circuit 210. For example, when the pressure in the water circuit 210 becomes higher than the pressure control range of the expansion tank 52 (described later), the pressure relief valve 70 is opened, and the water in the water circuit 210 is externally released from the pressure relief valve 70. Released into The pressure relief valve 70 is provided in the indoor unit 200. The pressure relief valve 70 is provided in the indoor unit 200 in order to perform pressure protection in the water circuit 210 in the indoor unit 200.

  The casing of the booster heater 54 is connected to one end of a pipe 72 serving as a water flow path branched from the main circuit 220. At the other end of the pipe 72, a pressure relief valve 70 is attached. That is, the pressure relief valve 70 is connected to the booster heater 54 via the pipe 72. The booster heater 54 is a connection where the pressure relief valve 70 is connected to the main circuit 220. It is in the booster heater 54 that the water temperature is highest in the main circuit 220. For this reason, the booster heater 54 is optimal as a connection to which the pressure relief valve 70 is connected. Also, if the pressure relief valve 70 is connected to the branch circuit 221, 222, the pressure relief valve 70 needs to be provided for each individual branch circuit 221, 222. In the present embodiment, since the pressure relief valve 70 is connected to the main circuit 220, the number of pressure relief valves 70 may be one.

  In the middle of the pipe 72, a branch portion 72a is provided. One end of a pipe 75 is connected to the branch portion 72a. An expansion tank 52 is connected to the other end of the pipe 75. That is, the expansion tank 52 is connected to the booster heater 54 through the pipes 75 and 72. The expansion tank 52 is a device for controlling the pressure change in the water circuit 210 with the temperature change of water within a certain range.

  On the downstream side of the load-side heat exchanger 2, a shutoff device 77 is provided as a first shutoff device. The shutoff device 77 is provided in the main circuit 220 between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the booster heater 54 (that is, the connection portion to which the pressure relief valve 70 is connected). As the shutoff device 77, an on-off valve such as a solenoid valve, a flow control valve or an electronic expansion valve is used. The shutoff device 77 is open during normal operation. The shutoff device 77 shuts off the flow from the load heat exchanger 2 toward the booster heater 54 when the shutoff device 77 is in the closed state. The shutoff device 77 is controlled by a control device 201 described later. If the connection portion to which the pressure relief valve 70 is connected is provided between the load side heat exchanger 2 and the merging portion 230, the shutoff device 77 serves as a second shutoff device of the main circuit 220. The load-side heat exchanger 2 is provided between the three-way valve 55 (branch).

  On the upstream side of the load-side heat exchanger 2, a shutoff device 78 is provided as a second shutoff device. The shutoff device 78 is provided between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the merging portion 230 in the main circuit 220. As the blocking device 78, a check valve that allows the flow of water from the merging portion 230 to the load-side heat exchanger 2 and blocks the flow from the load-side heat exchanger 2 to the merging portion 230 can be used. Moreover, as the interruption | blocking apparatus 78, on-off valves, such as a solenoid valve, a flow regulating valve, or an electronic expansion valve, can also be used. When the on-off valve is used as the shutoff device 78, the shutoff device 78 is controlled by the control device 201 described later or operates in conjunction with the shutoff device 77. If the connection portion to which the pressure relief valve 70 is connected is provided between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the merging portion 230, the shutoff device 78 serves as a first shutoff device of the main circuit 220. The load-side heat exchanger 2 is provided between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the connection portion.

  A refrigerant leak detection device 98 is provided downstream of the shutoff device 77. The refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected between the shutoff device 77 and the booster heater 54 (connection portion) in the main circuit 220. The refrigerant leakage detection device 98 is a device that detects the leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 110 to the water circuit 210. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 110 to the water circuit 210, the pressure in the water circuit 210 rises. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 can detect the leakage of the refrigerant to the water circuit 210 based on the pressure in the water circuit 210 (the value of pressure or the time change of the pressure). As the refrigerant leak detection device 98, for example, a pressure sensor or a pressure switch (high pressure switch) that detects the pressure in the water circuit 210 is used. For example, the pressure switch may be electrical or mechanical using a diaphragm. The refrigerant leak detection device 98 outputs a detection signal to the control device 201.

  In the present embodiment, the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 are all provided in the indoor unit 200. As a result, since the control device 201 can be connected to the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 via the control line in the indoor unit 200, cost can be reduced. The blocking devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 may be provided in the outdoor unit 100. As a result, the control device 101 can be connected to the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 via the control line in the outdoor unit 100, so that cost can be reduced.

  The branch circuit 221 constituting the hot water supply circuit is provided in the indoor unit 200. The upstream end of the branch circuit 221 is connected to one outlet of the three-way valve 55. The downstream end of the branch circuit 221 is connected to the junction 230. The branch circuit 221 is provided with a coil 61. The coil 61 is built in a hot water storage tank 51 that holds water inside. The coil 61 is a heating means for heating the water stored in the hot water storage tank 51 by heat exchange with water (hot water) circulating in the branch circuit 221 of the water circuit 210. Further, the hot water storage tank 51 incorporates a water immersion heater 60. The water immersion heater 60 is a heating means for further heating the water stored in the hot water storage tank 51.

  A sanitary circuit side pipe 81a (for example, a hot water supply pipe) connected to, for example, a shower or the like is connected to an upper portion in the hot water storage tank 51, for example. A sanitary circuit side pipe 81 b (for example, a makeup water pipe) is connected to the lower portion in the hot water storage tank 51. At the lower part of the hot water storage tank 51, a drainage port 63 for draining the water in the hot water storage tank 51 is provided. The hot water storage tank 51 is covered with a heat insulating material (not shown) in order to prevent the temperature of the water inside from decreasing due to the heat radiation to the outside. As the heat insulating material, for example, felt, Thinsulate (registered trademark), VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panel) or the like is used.

  The branch circuit 222 that constitutes a part of the heating circuit is provided in the indoor unit 200. The branch circuit 222 has a forward pipe 222a and a return pipe 222b. The upstream end of the forward pipe 222 a is connected to the other outlet of the three-way valve 55. The downstream end of the forward pipe 222a and the upstream end of the return pipe 222b are connected to the heating circuit side pipes 82a and 82b, respectively. The downstream end of the return pipe 222 b is connected to the junction 230. Accordingly, the forward pipe 222a and the return pipe 222b are connected to the heating device 300 through the heating circuit side pipes 82a and 82b, respectively. The heating circuit side pipes 82a and 82b and the heating device 300 are provided indoors but outside the indoor unit 200. The branch circuit 222 constitutes a heating circuit together with the heating circuit side pipes 82a and 82b and the heating device 300.

  A pressure relief valve 301 is connected to the heating circuit side pipe 82a. The pressure relief valve 301 is a protective device that prevents the pressure in the water circuit 210 from rising excessively, and has a structure similar to that of the pressure relief valve 70, for example. For example, when the pressure in the heating circuit side pipe 82a becomes higher than the set pressure, the pressure relief valve 301 is opened, and the water in the heating circuit side pipe 82a is discharged from the pressure relief valve 301 to the outside. The pressure relief valve 301 is provided indoors but outside the indoor unit 200.

  Heating equipment 300, heating circuit side piping 82a and 82b, and pressure relief valve 301 in the present embodiment are not a part of heat pump water heating and heating apparatus 1000, but are equipment to be constructed by a local contractor according to the circumstances of each property. is there. For example, in the existing equipment in which a boiler is used as a heat source machine of the heating device 300, the heat source machine may be updated to the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000. In such a case, the heating device 300, the heating circuit side pipes 82a and 82b, and the pressure relief valve 301 are used as they are unless there is a particular problem. Therefore, it is desirable that the heat pump hot water supply and heating apparatus 1000 can be connected to various facilities regardless of the presence or absence of the pressure relief valve 301.

  The indoor unit 200 is provided with a control device 201 that mainly controls the operation of the water circuit 210 (for example, the pump 53, the booster heater 54, the three-way valve 55, the shutoff device 77, etc.). The control device 201 includes a microcomputer provided with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O port, and the like. The control device 201 can communicate with the control device 101 and the operation unit 202 mutually. For example, when the leakage of the refrigerant to the water circuit 210 is detected based on the detection signal from the refrigerant leakage detection device 98, the control device 201 sets the blocking device 77 in the closed state. In addition, when the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 outputs a contact signal at the time of a refrigerant | coolant leak, the refrigerant | coolant leak detection apparatus 98 and the interruption | blocking apparatus 77 may be directly connected without passing through the control apparatus 201.

  The operation unit 202 is configured such that the user can operate the heat pump water heater / heater 1000 and perform various settings. The operation unit 202 in this example includes a display unit 203. The display unit 203 can display various types of information such as the state of the heat pump water heater / heater 1000. The operation unit 202 is provided, for example, on the surface of the housing of the indoor unit 200.

  Next, in the load-side heat exchanger 2, an operation in the case where a partition that separates the refrigerant channel from the water channel is broken will be described. The load-side heat exchanger 2 functions as an evaporator during the defrosting operation. For this reason, the partition of the load side heat exchanger 2 may be damaged due to freezing of water or the like particularly during the defrosting operation. In general, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the load-side heat exchanger 2 is higher than the pressure of water flowing through the water flow path of the load-side heat exchanger 2 during both normal operation and defrosting operation. For this reason, when the partition of the load-side heat exchanger 2 is damaged, the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow channel flows out to the water flow channel in both the normal operation and the defrosting operation, and the refrigerant mixes in the water in the water flow channel. At this time, the refrigerant mixed in water is gasified due to the decrease in pressure. In addition, the pressure in the water circuit 210 is increased by mixing the water with the refrigerant whose pressure is higher than that of the water.

  The refrigerant mixed in the water of the water circuit 210 in the load side heat exchanger 2 flows not only in the direction along the normal flow of water (that is, in the direction from the load side heat exchanger 2 toward the booster heater 54) Due to the difference, the water also flows in the reverse direction (that is, the direction from the load-side heat exchanger 2 to the junction 230) to the normal water flow. When the pressure relief valve 70 is provided in the main circuit 220 of the water circuit 210 as in this example, the refrigerant mixed in the water can be released from the pressure relief valve 70 into the room together with the water. When the pressure relief valve 301 is provided on the heating circuit side piping 82a or the heating circuit side piping 82b as in the present example, the refrigerant mixed in the water can be released together with the water from the pressure relief valve 301 into the room. . That is, each of the pressure relief valves 70 and 301 functions as a valve for releasing the refrigerant mixed in the water in the water circuit 210 to the outside of the water circuit 210. In the case where the refrigerant is flammable, if the refrigerant is released into the room, there is a possibility that a flammable concentration region may be generated in the room.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the shutoff device 77 is provided between the load side heat exchanger 2 and the booster heater 54, the flow of refrigerant from the load side heat exchanger 2 toward the booster heater 54 is shut off. be able to. Therefore, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking from the pressure relief valve 70 into the room. Further, in the present embodiment, since the blocking device 78 is provided between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the merging portion 230, the flow of refrigerant from the load-side heat exchanger 2 toward the merging portion 230 is blocked. be able to. Therefore, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking from the pressure relief valve 301 into the room.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat pump utilization device according to a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, this modification differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in that the load-side heat exchanger 2 is accommodated in the indoor unit 200. The refrigerant circuit 110 is provided straddling the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200. A part of the refrigerant circuit 110 is provided in the outdoor unit 100, and another part of the refrigerant circuit 110 is provided in the indoor unit 200. The outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 are connected to each other via two connection pipes 111 and 112 which constitute a part of the refrigerant circuit 110. The same effect as that of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained by this modification as well. Further, in the present modification, the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 are all provided in the indoor unit 200. As a result, since the control device 201 can be connected to the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 via the control line in the indoor unit 200, cost can be reduced.

  Next, the arrangement position of the refrigerant leak detection device 98 will be described. 3 to 6 are explanatory views showing an example of the arrangement position of the refrigerant leak detection device 98 in the heat pump utilization device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, four arrangement positions A to D are shown as an example of the arrangement position of the refrigerant leak detection device 98. In the case of the arrangement positions A and B, the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected to the pipe 72. That is, the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected to the main circuit 220 by the booster heater 54 (connection portion), similarly to the pressure relief valve 70. In such a case, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 can reliably detect the refrigerant leakage before the refrigerant leaking to the water circuit 210 in the load side heat exchanger 2 is released from the pressure relief valve 70. The same effect is obtained when the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected to the load side heat exchanger 2, the load side heat exchanger 2 and the booster heater 54 or to the booster heater 54 in the main circuit 220. Can also be obtained.

  Further, the refrigerant gasifies when it leaks to the water circuit 210. For this reason, the mass velocity when the refrigerant leaks from the pressure relief valve 70 is reduced to about 1/1000 of that in the case where the liquid refrigerant leaks due to the difference between the specific volumes of the gas and the liquid. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant that can be released from the pressure relief valve 70 between the time when the refrigerant leakage is detected and the time when the flow is shut off by the shutoff device 77 reaches such an amount that the flammable concentration zone is generated in the room. Absent.

  On the other hand, at the arrangement positions C and D, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 is connected between the booster heater 54 (connection portion) and the three-way valve 55 in the main circuit 220. In this case, the refrigerant may be released from the pressure relief valve 70 before the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 detects the leakage of the refrigerant. However, due to the difference in specific volume between the gas and the liquid as described above, the amount of refrigerant that can be discharged from the pressure relief valve 70 does not reach such an amount that the flammable concentration region is generated in the room.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, if the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is provided between the load side heat exchanger 2 and the shutoff device 77, the shutoff device 77 is closed immediately after the refrigerant leak is detected. By doing this, the amount of refrigerant discharged from the pressure relief valve 70 can be made almost zero. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, if the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is provided between the load side heat exchanger 2 and the shutoff device 78, the amount of refrigerant discharged from the pressure relief valve 301 is substantially zero. can do. That is, in order to make the discharge amount of the refrigerant into the room substantially zero, it is desirable that the refrigerant leak detection device 98 be connected between the shutoff device 77 and the shutoff device 78 in the main circuit 220.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shutoff device 78 is not a check valve but an on-off valve, the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected between the shutoff device 78 and the merging portion 230 in the main circuit 220. It may be done.

  In all the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 is not the branch circuit (for example, the heating circuit side piping 82a, 82b and the heating device 300) installed by the local contractor, but the main circuit 220. It is connected to the. Therefore, the manufacturer of the indoor unit 200 can attach the refrigerant leak detection device 98 and connect the refrigerant leak detection device 98 and the control device 201. Therefore, it is possible to avoid human errors such as forgetting to attach the coolant leakage detection device 98 and forgetting to connect the coolant leakage detection device 98.

  As described above, the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 (an example of a heat pump utilization device) according to the present embodiment includes a refrigerant circuit 110 for circulating a refrigerant and a water circuit 210 (heat for circulating water (an example of a heat medium) An example of a medium circuit) and a load-side heat exchanger 2 (an example of a heat exchanger) for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and water are provided. The water circuit 210 has a main circuit 220 passing through the load side heat exchanger 2. The main circuit 220 is provided at the downstream end of the main circuit 220, and is connected to the three-way valve 55 (an example of a branch portion) to which a plurality of branch circuits 221 and 222 branched from the main circuit 220 are connected. And a merging portion 230 connected to the plurality of branch circuits 221 and 222 that merge with the main circuit 220. The main circuit 220 includes a pressure relief valve 70 (an example of a pressure protection device) that releases water to the outside of the water circuit 210 based on the pressure in the water circuit 210, and leakage of refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 110 to the water circuit 210. And a refrigerant leak detection device 98 for detecting the The pressure relief valve 70 is connected to a booster heater 54 (an example of a connection portion) located between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and one of the three-way valve 55 or the junction 230 in the main circuit 220. Between the load heat exchanger 2 and the booster heater 54 in the main circuit 220, a shutoff device 77 (an example of a first shutoff device) capable of shutting off the flow from the load heat exchanger 2 toward the booster heater 54 is provided. It is provided. Between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the other of the three-way valve 55 or the junction 230 in the main circuit 220, a shut-off device 78 (second shut-off that can shut off the flow from the load-side heat exchanger 2 toward the other An example of the device is provided.

  According to this configuration, even if the refrigerant leaks to the water circuit 210 in the load side heat exchanger 2, the flow of the refrigerant mixed in the water can be blocked by the blocking devices 77 and 78. Therefore, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking from the pressure relief valve 70 into the room. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking into the room from the pressure relief valve 301 which may be provided in the circuit (for example, the heating circuit side piping 82a, 82b) before the branching portion.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the shutoff devices 77 and 78 are on / off valves that are closed when leakage of refrigerant to the water circuit 210 is detected. According to this configuration, when the refrigerant leaks into the water circuit 210, the flow of the refrigerant mixed in the water can be more reliably shut off.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 is connected to the merging portion 230, the merging portion 230 and the booster heater 54 in the main circuit 220, or to the booster heater 54. . According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably detect the leakage of the refrigerant before the refrigerant leaked to the water circuit 210 is discharged into the room.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, of the shutoff devices 77 and 78, the shutoff device 78 provided between the load-side heat exchanger 2 and the merging portion 230 is a check valve. Further, the refrigerant leak detection device 98 is connected between the check valve and the booster heater 54 in the main circuit 220 or to the booster heater 54. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably detect the leakage of the refrigerant before the refrigerant leaked to the water circuit 210 is discharged into the room.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 is connected between the shutoff device 77 and the shutoff device 78 in the main circuit 220. According to this configuration, the amount of refrigerant discharged from the pressure relief valve can be made substantially zero.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage detection device 98 detects the leakage of the refrigerant to the water circuit 210 based on the pressure in the water circuit 210. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably detect the leakage of the refrigerant.

  The heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 100 housing the refrigerant circuit 110, a part of the water circuit 210, and the load-side heat exchanger 2, and an indoor unit 200 housing the other part of the water circuit 210. And further. One of the outdoor unit 100 or the indoor unit 200 accommodates the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98. According to this configuration, since the control device 101 or the control device 201 can be connected to each of the blocking devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 in the outdoor unit 100 or the indoor unit 200, cost reduction is possible. Become.

  A heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 100 accommodating a part of the refrigerant circuit 110, an indoor unit 200 accommodating the other part of the refrigerant circuit 110, the water circuit 210, and the load side heat exchanger 2. And further. The indoor unit 200 accommodates the shutoff devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98. According to this configuration, since the control device 201 can be connected to the blocking devices 77 and 78 and the refrigerant leak detection device 98 in the indoor unit 200, cost can be reduced.

  In the heat pump water heating apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant may be a flammable refrigerant or a toxic refrigerant.

Second Embodiment
The heat pump utilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of the heat pump utilization device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 mainly shows the configuration of the indoor unit 200. In addition, about the component which has the same function as Embodiment 1, and an effect | action, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a boiling circuit 240 for heating the water stored in the hot water storage tank 51 is provided outside the hot water storage tank 51. The boiling circuit 240 has a water flow path connecting the lower portion and the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 51. The boiling circuit 240 is provided with a boiling pump 241 and a boiling heat exchanger 242 which performs heat exchange between the water flowing through the boiling circuit 240 and the water flowing through the branch circuit 221. When the boiling pump 241 operates, the water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 51 flows into the boiling circuit 240. The water flowing into the boiling circuit 240 is heated by heat exchange in the boiling heat exchanger 242, and returns to the top of the hot water storage tank 51. Also according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, a plate type heat exchanger has been exemplified as the load side heat exchanger 2, but if the load side heat exchanger 2 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, It may be something other than a plate type heat exchanger, such as a double-pipe type heat exchanger.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the heat pump hot-water supply heating apparatus 1000 was mentioned as an example as a heat pump utilization apparatus, this invention is applicable also to other heat pump utilization apparatuses, such as a chiller.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the indoor unit 200 provided with the hot water storage tank 51 was mentioned as the example, the hot water storage tank may be provided separately from the indoor unit 200. FIG.

  The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination with each other.

  1 heat source side heat exchanger, 2 load side heat exchanger, 3 compressor, 4 refrigerant flow switching device, 5 medium pressure receiver, 6 first pressure reducing device, 7 second pressure reducing device, 11 suction piping, 51 hot water storage tank, 52 expansion tank, 53 pump, 54 booster heater, 55 three-way valve, 56 strainer, 57 flow switch, 60 water immersion heater, 61 coil, 62, 63 drain port, 70 pressure relief valve, 72 piping, 72a branch, 75 piping, 77, 78 shut-off device, 81a, 81b sanitary circuit side piping, 82a, 82b heating circuit side piping, 98 refrigerant leak detection device, 100 outdoor unit, 101 control device, 102 control line, 110 refrigerant circuit, 111, 112 connection piping, 200 indoor unit, 201 control unit, 202 operation unit, 203 display unit, 210 water circuit, 211, 212 Continuous piping, 220 main circuit, 221, 222 branch circuit, 222a forward pipe, 222b return pipe, 230 junction, 240 boiling circuit, 241 boiling pump, 242 boiling heat exchanger, 300 heating device, 301 pressure relief valve , 1000 heat pump water heater heating system.

Claims (9)

A refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant;
A heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium;
A heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium;
The heat medium circuit has a main circuit passing through the heat exchanger,
The main circuit is
A branch portion provided at the downstream end of the main circuit and connected to a plurality of branch circuits branching from the main circuit;
And a merging section provided at an upstream end of the main circuit and connected to the plurality of branch circuits merging into the main circuit;
A pressure protection device and a refrigerant leak detection device are connected to the main circuit,
The pressure protection device is connected to a connection portion located between the heat exchanger and one of the branch portion or the junction portion in the main circuit,
A first shutoff device capable of shutting off the flow from the heat exchanger to the connection portion is provided between the heat exchanger and the connection portion in the main circuit,
Between the heat exchanger and the other of the branch portion or the junction portion in the main circuit, there is provided a heat pump utilization provided with a second blocking device capable of blocking the flow from the heat exchanger toward the other machine.   The heat pump utilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first shutoff device and the second shutoff device are on-off valves that are closed when leakage of the refrigerant to the heat medium circuit is detected.   The heat pump utilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant leak detection device is connected to the junction portion, the junction portion and the connection portion, or the connection portion in the main circuit. . Of the first blocking device and the second blocking device, the blocking device provided between the heat exchanger and the junction is a check valve,
The heat pump utilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant leak detection device is connected between the check valve and the connection portion or the connection portion in the main circuit.   The heat pump utilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refrigerant leak detection device is connected between the first shutoff device and the second shutoff device in the main circuit. .   The heat pump utilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the refrigerant leakage detection device detects leakage of the refrigerant to the heat medium circuit based on the pressure in the heat medium circuit. An outdoor unit that accommodates the refrigerant circuit, a part of the heat medium circuit, and the heat exchanger;
And an indoor unit for accommodating the other portion of the heat medium circuit,
The heat pump utilization according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit accommodates the first shutoff device, the second shutoff device, and the refrigerant leak detection device. machine. An outdoor unit that accommodates part of the refrigerant circuit;
It further comprises an indoor unit that accommodates the other part of the refrigerant circuit, the heat medium circuit, and the heat exchanger,
The heat pump utilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indoor unit accommodates the first shutoff device, the second shutoff device, and the refrigerant leakage detection device.   The heat pump utilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant or a toxic refrigerant.

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