HEAT PUMP TYPE SPEED HEATING APPARATUS

Abstract

A heat pump type speed heating apparatus is provided that may include a cooling cycle circuit (including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger), a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the cooling cycle circuit through a hot water supply flow path for a refrigerant from the compressor to condense, expand, and evaporate in the cooling cycle circuit after being used for a hot water supply, a refrigerant controller to control a flow direction of the refrigerant from the compressor such that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor passes through the hot water supply heat exchanger or bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger bypass flow path to guide the refrigerant that has passed the hot water heat exchanger between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to bypass either of the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Application No. 10-2010-0037504, filed Apr. 22, 2010, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention may relate to a heat pump speed heating apparatus. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention may relate to a heat pump speed heating apparatus where a refrigerant compressed in a compressor may be selectively used for at least one of a hot water supply and an air conditioning.

2. Background

A heat pump is a cooling and heating apparatus that transfers a heat source at a low temperature to a high temperature or transfers a heat source at a high temperature to a low temperature by using heating or condensing of a refrigerant.

A heat pump may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger. Heat pump type speed heating apparatuses may be developed in which a hot water supply makes use of heating water by employing a refrigerant compressed in a compressor to minimize consumption of fossil fuel.

JP 2001-263857A, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a cooling/heating and hot water supply apparatus, where a refrigerant discharged from a compressor sequentially passes a heat exchanger for hot water supply, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and a heat exchanger for air conditioning and is recovered by the compressor, or where the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is recovered by the compressor after sequentially passing the heat exchanger for air conditioning, the expansion apparatus, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

In a cooling/heating and hot water supply apparatus according to disadvantageous arrangements, as a refrigerant that has passed a hot water supply heat exchanger is condensed, expanded, and evaporated as the refrigerant passes all of an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an outdoor heat exchanger, a hot water supply performance may be degraded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space cooling operation;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space cooling operation and a hot water supply operation;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space heating operation;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in both a space heating operation and a hot water supply operation;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a floor heating operation;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in both a floor heating operation and a hot water supply operation;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a hot water supply operation;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 9) is in a defrosting operation during a hot water supply operation;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space heating, a floor heating operation, and a hot water supply operation; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments may be described with reference to appended drawings. For the description of the embodiments, same names and symbols may be used for the same structure and an additional description according thereto may not be provided below.

FIG. 1 is a view of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include an outdoor unit O, an indoor unit I and a hot water supply unit H. The outdoor unit O may provide and receive refrigerant from the indoor unit I. The outdoor unit O may provide and receive refrigerant from the hot water supply unit H.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include a cooling cycle circuit 2 (or cooling cycle part), a hot water supply heat exchanger 4, a refrigerant controller 6, a heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, and an auxiliary refrigerant controller 10.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may include a compressor 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, an expansion apparatus 16, 17, and an indoor heat exchanger 18. The cooling cycle circuit 2 may perform an air conditioning operation.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may perform indoor cooling and air conditioning or indoor heating and air conditioning. The air conditioning operation of the cooling cycle circuit 2 may include a space heating operation that performs heating and air conditioning by inhaling indoor air and a space cooling operation that performs cooling and air conditioning by inhaling indoor air.

Indoor air conditioning may be performed as a first refrigerant circulates the compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may condense or evaporates the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be provided in the form of an air refrigerant heat exchanger where outdoor air exchanges heat with the refrigerant or in the form of a water refrigerant heat exchanger where cooling water exchanges heat with the refrigerant.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14, when provided in the form of an air refrigerant heat exchanger, may be equipped with an outdoor fan 30 that ventilates outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 18 through a heat exchanger connecting pipe 32.

The expansion apparatus 16, 17 can be provided at (or installed in) the heat exchanger connecting pipe 32.

The expansion apparatus 16, 17 can include an outdoor expansion apparatus 16 provided close to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and between the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 18. The expansion apparatus 16, 17 may also include an indoor expansion apparatus 17 provided close to the indoor heat exchanger 18 and between the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The heat exchanger connecting pipe 32 may include an outdoor heat exchanger-outdoor expansion apparatus connecting pipe 34 that connects the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, an expansion apparatus connecting pipe 36 that connects the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17, and an indoor expansion apparatus-indoor heat exchanger connecting pipe 38 that connects the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The indoor heat exchanger 18 may perform cooling or heating of an indoor space as the indoor air exchanges heat with the refrigerant. An indoor fan 39 may be provided to circulate the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may be provided in the form of a cooling air conditioner where the indoor heat exchanger 18 cools down indoor air since the cooling cycle circuit 2 is connected such that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 12 sequentially passes the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 18, and is recovered by the compressor 12.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may be provided in the form of a heating air conditioner where the indoor heat exchanger 18 heats up indoor air since the cooling cycle circuit 2 is connected such that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 12 sequentially passes the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 18, and is recovered by the compressor 12.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may be provided in the form of an air conditioner for both cooling and heating, where the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 12 sequentially passes the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 18, and is recovered by the compressor 12; and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 12, at a time of a heating operation, sequentially passes the indoor heat exchanger 18, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 18, and is recovered by the compressor 12.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may be provided for the indoor heat exchanger 18 to cool down or heat up an indoor space. The cooling cycle circuit 2 may be composed of an air conditioner for both cooling and heating, and may switch between a cooling operation and a heating operation.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may further include a cooling/heating switching valve 40 that circulates the refrigerant in an order of the compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 18, or in an order of the compressor 12, the indoor heat exchanger 18, the expansion apparatus 16, 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

The cooling/heating switching valve 40 can be connected to the compressor 12 through a compressor inflow flow path 22 and a compressor discharge flow path 26. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may be connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 14 through an outdoor heat exchanger connecting pipe 42, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40 may be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 18 through an indoor heat exchanger connecting pipe 44.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be connected to the cooling cycle circuit 2 through the hot water supply flow path 50 such that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 is used for a hot water supply and is then condensed, expanded, and evaporated in the cooling cycle circuit 2.

The hot water supply flow path 50 can include a hot water supply inflow flow path 52 that is connected for the refrigerant of the cooling cycle circuit 2, and more particularly the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and a hot water supply outflow flow path 54 that is connected for the refrigerant flowed out from the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to the cooling cycle circuit 2, and more particularly the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water supply inflow flow path 52 and the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 may be connected to the compressor 12 and the cooling/heating switching valve 40, respectively.

One end of the hot water supply inflow flow path 52 may be connected to the compressor discharge flow path 26, and the other end of the hot water supply inflow flow path 52 may be connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

One end of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 may be connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, and the other end of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 may be connected to the compressor discharge flow path 26.

When the refrigerant controller 6 controls the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may correspond to a desuperheater that condenses the refrigerant overheated at the compressor 12 by making the refrigerant exchange heat with water used for hot water supply.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may have a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant overheated at the compressor 12 may pass and a water flow path through which the water used for hot water supply passes.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be formed as a double pipe heat exchanger such that the refrigerant flow path and the water flow path are disposed to have a heat transfer member between them, or may be formed as a sheet type heat exchanger such that the refrigerant and the water flow path disposed in an alternate fashion to have the heat transfer member between them.

The hot water supply exchanger 4 may be connected to the hot water supply tank 56 and a hot water pipe 58. A hot water pump 60 may be provided at (or installed to) the hot water pipe 58.

A water supply unit 62, through which external water is supplied to the hot water supply tank 56, and a water outflow unit 64, through which the water of the hot water supply tank 56 flows out, may be connected to the hot water supply tank 56.

The hot water supply tank 56 may be constructed such that the water that has flowed into the hot water supply tank 56 after being heated may flow out directly through the water outflow unit 64.

A hot water supply coil connected to the hot water pipe 58 may be provided inside the hot water supply tank 56. Water heated in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the inside of the hot water supply tank 56 while passing through the hot water supply coil. Water flowing into the water supply unit 62 may be heated by the hot water supply coil and may flow out to the water outflow unit 64.

In the heat pump type speed heating apparatus, the refrigerant that has heated the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may immediately flow into the cooling cycle circuit 2. Additionally, the refrigerant that has heated the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may flow into the cooling cycle circuit 2 after being used for indoor floor heating or air conditioned heating.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may further include a water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 connected to the hot water supply flow path 50 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path 70.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path 70 may include a heating inflow flow path 74 where the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 and a heating outflow flow path 76 where the refrigerant that has passed the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may flow out through the hot water outflow flow path 54.

In the heating outflow flow path 76, a check valve 78 may be provided to prevent the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 from passing through the heating outflow flow path 76 and flowing backward to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be a condensation heat exchanger where the refrigerant condensed for a first time in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be additionally condensed while exchanging heat with water.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may have a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant (that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4) passes and a water flow path through which water used for floor heating or indoor air conditioning passes.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be a double pipe heat exchanger formed such that the refrigerant flow path and the water flow path are disposed to have a heat transfer member between them, or may be a sheet type heat exchanger formed such that the refrigerant and the water flow path are disposed in an alternate fashion to have the heat transfer member between them.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be connected to a floor heating pipe 80 provided in an indoor floor through a heating water pipe 82. If a floor heating pump 84 is installed in the heating water pipe 82, heat of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be additionally used for indoor floor heating.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be provided inside a case. When an indoor fan that circulates indoor air inside the case into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 is provided, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, the case, and the indoor fan may be a fan coil unit that performs circulated heating against indoor air to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The heat of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be additionally used for air conditioned heating of an indoor space.

The floor heating pipe 80 may be connected to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating water pipe 82, and the floor heating pump 84 may be provided at the heating water pipe 82.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include a water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 that controls flow of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to pass or bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be directly connected to the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 for the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to be used for floor heating. However, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may be provided such that the user may selectively operate the floor heating.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be composed of a floor heating valve that allows the refrigerant to pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 when the user selects a floor heating.

If the operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus includes a floor heating operation, then the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may control a flow direction of the refrigerant such that the refrigerant flows into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. On the other hand, if the operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus does not include a floor heating operation, then the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may control the flow of the refrigerant such that the refrigerant bypasses the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may control the refrigerant to flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 at a time of the floor heating operation, at a time of simultaneous operation of the floor heating and the hot water supply, and at a time of simultaneous operation of the floor heating, the hot water supply, and the air conditioning.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may include a three-way valve provided at the hot water supply flow path 60, and more particularly at the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to select an outflow direction of the refrigerant.

If the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 is a three-way valve, an inlet port and a first outlet port thereof may be connected to the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 and a second outlet port thereof may be connected to the floor heating inflow flow path 74.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may further include a first valve that is provided in the heating inflow flow path 74, and the first valve may be opened at the time of a floor heating operation and may be closed when a floor heating operation is not performed. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may also include a second valve that is provided in the hot water outflow flow path 54, and the second valve is closed at the time of the floor heating operation and is opened when the floor heating operation is not performed.

The refrigerant controller 6 may control the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 for the discharged refrigerant to pass through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 or bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

If the operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus includes at least one of a hot water supply operation and a floor heating operation, the refrigerant controller 6 may control the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. On the other hand, if the operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus includes neither the hot water supply operation nor the floor heating operation, the refrigerant controller 90 may control the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant controller 6, at the time of the hot water supply operation, may control the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant controller 6, at the time of simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the air conditioning, may control the first refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant controller 6, at the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply and floor heating, can control the first refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant controller 6, at the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply, floor heating, and air conditioning, can control the first refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant controller 6, at the time of air conditioning operation, can control the refrigerant to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. In other words, the refrigerant controller 6 can control the refrigerant to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 at the time of a space cooling operation and can control the refrigerant to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 at the time of a space heating operation.

The refrigerant controller 6 can be composed of a three-way valve that is provided in the cooling cycle circuit 2 and can select the outflow direction of the refrigerant.

If the refrigerant controller 6 is a three-way valve, an inlet port and a first outlet port thereof can be connected to a compressor outflow flow path 26 and a second outlet port can be connected to the hot water supply inflow flow path 52.

The heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 can be connected to guide the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 between the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 18 for the refrigerant that has passed the hot water heat exchanger 4 to bypass either of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 18.

One end of the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 can be connected to the hot water supply flow path 50 and the other end of the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 can be connected between the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16.

The heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 can guide the refrigerant of the hot water outflow flow path 54 between the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 as one end of the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 is connected to the hot water outflow flow path 54 of the hot water flow path 50 and the other end of the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 is connected to an expansion apparatus connecting pipe 36.

The refrigerant guided to the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 is expanded in the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and can be recovered by the compressor 12 after being evaporated, or the refrigerant is expanded in the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and can be recovered by the compressor 12 after being evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

In other words, if the refrigerant is guided between the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, a condensation process is not generated but only an expansion and an evaporation process are generated in the cooling cycle circuit 2, the amount of heat transferred of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 is increased, and an efficiency of hot water supply and floor heating is enhanced.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 can control the flow direction of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 for the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to pass through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 or bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8.

If the operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus includes both a hot water supply and an air conditioning, the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the air conditioning.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of simultaneous operation of the hot water supply, the floor heating, and the air conditioning.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of operation of the air conditioning.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of operation of the hot water supply.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the floor heating.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 at the time of operation of the floor heating.

If defrosting conditions occur during the hot water supply operation, the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, and at this time, the cooling cycle circuit 2 may be switched from the heating operation to the cooling operation for defrost of the outdoor heat exchanger 14. Defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be described below.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may include a three-way valve installed at the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to select an outflow direction of the refrigerant.

If the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 is a three-way valve, then an inlet port and a first outlet port thereof can be connected to the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 and a second outlet port can be connected to the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may include a first valve that is provided between the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and the cooling/heating switching valve 40 in the hot water supply outflow flow path 54. The first valve may be opened when the hot water supply operation and the air conditioning operation are performed or when the floor heating operation and the air conditioning operation are performed. The first valve may be closed when at least one of the floor heating operation and the hot water supply operation are performed although the air conditioning operation is not performed. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may also include a second valve that is provided in the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The second valve may be closed when the hot water supply operation and the air conditioning operation are performed, or the floor heating operation and the air conditioning operation are performed. The second valve may be opened when at least one of the floor heating operation and the hot water supply operation are performed although the air conditioning operation is not performed.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may further include a heat exchanger bypass valve 88 provided in the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant, and a liquid refrigerant valve 90 provided between the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 can be opened for simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the floor heating, the floor heating operation, and/or the hot water supply operation. The heat exchanger bypass valve 96 can be closed for the air conditioning operation, simultaneous operation of the air conditioning and the hot water supply, and/or simultaneous operation of the air conditioning, the hot water supply, and the floor heating.

The liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened for the air conditioning operation, simultaneous operation of the air conditioning and the hot water supply, and/or simultaneous operation of the air conditioning, the hot water supply, and the floor heating. The liquid refrigerant valve 98 may be closed for simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the floor heating, the floor heating operation, and/or the hot water supply operation.

The cooling cycle circuit 2 may include a separation type air conditioner that includes the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I, and the hot water supply unit H may be connected to the outdoor unit O.

The compressor 12, the cooling/heating switching valve 30, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, and the outdoor fan 30 may be provided in the outdoor unit O.

The indoor expansion apparatus 17, the indoor heat exchanger 18 and the indoor fan 39 may be provided in the indoor unit I.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the hot water pump 60, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, the floor heating pump 84, and the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be provided in the hot water supply unit H.

The refrigerant controller 6, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10, the heat exchanger bypass valve 88, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be provided in the outdoor unit O.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space cooling operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus, in an example of a space cooling operation during an air conditioning, may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may be operated. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 while bypassing the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, and the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to flow into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 and the indoor fan 39 may be rotated. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a cooling mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened. The hot water pump 60 and the floor heating pump 84 may not be operated.

The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 at the time of operating the compressor 12 may pass through the refrigerant controller 6 and flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 by bypassing the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. Afterwards, the refrigerant may be condensed at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant condensed at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may expand by at least one of the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17, and the refrigerant may evaporate at the indoor heat exchanger 18. The refrigerant evaporated at the indoor heat exchanger 18 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the indoor expansion apparatus 17, the indoor heat exchanger 18, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may condense the refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 18 may evaporate the refrigerant, and the indoor air may be cooled down by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may use the refrigerant to cool down indoor air at the time of a space cooling operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space cooling operation and a hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may be provided.

In an example of simultaneous operation of a space cooling and a hot water supply, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may operate. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 and the indoor fan 39 may be rotated. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a cooling mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened. The hot water pump 60 may operate, and the floor heating pump 84 may not operate.

At the time of operating the hot water pump 60, water of the hot water supply tank 56 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the hot water pipe 58 and may pass through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, and may then circulate to the hot water supply tank 56.

At the time of operation of the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 may pass through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52, and may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant heated at the compressor 12 may be condensed by exchanging heat with water while the refrigerant passes through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant condensed at the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 while passing through the hot water supply outflow flow path 54, and may pass through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40. The refrigerant may be condensed again at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant condensed at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may expand in at least one of the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17, and the refrigerant may evaporate at the indoor heat exchanger 18. The refrigerant may be recovered by the compressor 12 as the refrigerant evaporated at the indoor heat exchanger 18 passes through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the indoor expansion apparatus 17, the indoor heat exchanger 18, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may condense the refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 18 may evaporate the refrigerant. Indoor air may be cooled down by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 18. The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56.

At the time of simultaneous operation of a space cooling and a hot water supply, the refrigerant may be used to cool down indoor air after being used for heating water.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space heating operation. Other embodiments and configurations may be provided.

In an example of a space heating operation during an air conditioning, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may operate. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 while bypassing the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, and the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to flow into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 and the indoor fan 39 may rotate. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened. The hot water pump 60 and the floor heating pump 84 may not operate.

The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 at the time of operating the compressor 12 may pass through the refrigerant controller 6 and flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 by bypassing the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The refrigerant may be condensed at the indoor heat exchanger 18 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant condensed at the indoor heat exchanger 18 may expand by at least one of the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17, and may evaporate at the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the indoor heat exchanger 17, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The indoor heat exchanger 18 may condense the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. The indoor air may be heated up by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 18.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may use the refrigerant to heat up indoor air at the time of a space heating operation.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in both a space heating operation and a hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

In an example of simultaneous operation of a space heating and a hot water supply, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may operate. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 and the indoor fan 39 may rotate. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened. The hot water pump 60 may operate, and the floor heating pump 84 may not be operated.

At the time of operating the hot water pump 60, the water of the hot water supply tank 56 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the hot water pipe 58 and pass through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, and then circulate to the hot water supply tank 56.

At the time of operation of the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 passes through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52 and flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant heated at the compressor 12 may be condensed by exchanging heat with water while the refrigerant passes through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant condensed at the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 while passing through the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 and passing through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40. The refrigerant may be condensed again at the indoor heat exchanger 18 by exchanging heat with indoor air. The refrigerant condensed at the indoor heat exchanger 18 may expand in at least one of the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17, and the refrigerant may evaporate at the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant may be recovered by the compressor 12 as the refrigerant evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 passes through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 18, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the indoor expansion apparatus 17, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 18 may condense the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. Indoor air may be heated up by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 18. The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56.

At the time of simultaneous operation of the space heating and the hot water supply, the refrigerant may be used to heat up indoor air after being used for heating water.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a floor heating operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

In the example of a floor heating operation, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may be operated. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 may rotate, and the indoor fan 39 may not rotated. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be opened, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be closed. The hot water pump 60 is not operated, and the floor heating pump 84 may be operated.

At the time of operating the floor heating pump 84, the water of the floor heating pipe 80 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating water pipe 82, pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, and circulate to the floor heating pipe 80.

At the time of operation of the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 may pass through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52 and flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant may pass the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 without exchanging heat, and flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86. The refrigerant that has flowed into the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the floor heating inflow flow path 74 and may be condensed by exchanging heat with water while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The refrigerant condensed at the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may flow into the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 through the heating inflow flow path 76, and the refrigerant may then flow into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 by passing through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10. The refrigerant that has flowed into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 may expand at the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 after passing through the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 and may evaporate at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be recovered by the compressor 12 by passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may condense the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may heat the water of the floor heating pipe 80.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may use the refrigerant to heat the water of the floor heating pipe 80 at the time of a floor heating operation. The water temperature of the floor heating pipe 80 may increase more quickly than an example where the refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 18 or the hot water pump 60 is operated.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in both a floor heating operation and a hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

In an example of simultaneous operation of a floor heating and a hot water supply, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may be operated. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 may rotate, and the indoor fan 39 may not rotate. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be opened, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be closed. The hot water pump 60 may be operated, and the floor heating pump 84 may be operated.

At the time of operating the hot water pump 60, the water of the hot water supply tank 56 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the hot water pipe 58 and pass through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and then circulate to the hot water supply tank 56.

The water of the floor heating pipe 80, at the time of operating the floor heating pump 84, may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating water pipe 82 and may pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 and then circulate to the floor heating pipe 80.

At the time of operating the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 after passing through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52. The refrigerant overheated at the compressor 12 while passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be condensed by exchanging heat with water. The refrigerant condensed at the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 and flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating inflow flow path 74, and the refrigerant may be condensed again by exchanging heat with water while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The refrigerant condensed at the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may flow into the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 through the heating inflow flow path 76 and then flow into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 by passing through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10. The refrigerant that has flowed into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 may expand at the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 after passing through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 88. The refrigerant may evaporate at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged at the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may condense the refrigerant sequentially The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56. The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may heat the water of the floor heating pipe 80.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may use the refrigerant to heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56 and the floor heating pipe 80 at the time of simultaneous operation of the floor heating and the hot water supply. Therefore, the water temperature of the hot water supply tank 56 and the floor heating pipe 80 can be increased more quickly than an example where the refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 18.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when a heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

In an example of a hot water supply operation, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may be operated. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 may be rotated, and the indoor fan 39 may not be rotated. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be opened, and the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be closed. The hot water pump 60 may be operated, and the floor heating pump 84 may not be operated.

At the time of operating the hot water pump 60, the water of the hot water supply tank 56 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the hot water pipe 58. The water of the hot water supply tank 4 may then pass through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and may be circulated to the hot water supply tank 56.

At the time of operating the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 after passing through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52. The refrigerant overheated at the compressor 12 while passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be condensed by exchanging heat with water. The refrigerant condensed at the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 flows into the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 and bypasses the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 and flows into the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10. The refrigerant that has flowed into the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 flows into the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 and may be expanded at the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 after passing through the heat exchanger bypass valve 88. The refrigerant expanded in the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 may be evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air and may be recovered by the compressor 12 after passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 is recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may condense the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may use the refrigerant to heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56 at the time of hot water supply operation. Therefore, water temperature of the hot water supply tank 56 may be raised more quickly than an example where the refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 18.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 9) is in a defrosting operation in a middle of hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

Since the outdoor heat exchanger 14 functions as an evaporator at a time of operation of a hot water supply, a frost can be developed at the outdoor heat exchanger 14. If defrosting conditions are met for the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be switched to defrost while the heat pump type speed heating apparatus continues a hot water supply operation.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may control the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 for the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 and that switches the cooling cycle circuit 2 from a heating operation to a cooling operation.

The defrosting conditions are such that accumulated time of the hot water supply operation is a predetermined time or more. The temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is a predetermined temperature or less for a predetermined time period or more.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may control the refrigerant to flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 during a hot water supply operation. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a cooling mode. The liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened, and the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed.

The refrigerant condensed while passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 after being compressed by the compressor 12 may bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 as the refrigerant passes through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and flow into the cooling/heating switching valve 40. The refrigerant that has passed the cooling/heating switching valve 40 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and is condensed again while defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger 14. Afterwards, the first refrigerant expands as the first refrigerant passes through at least one of the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and may be evaporated as the first refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 18. The refrigerant evaporated at the indoor heat exchanger 18 passes through the cooling/heating switching valve 40 and is recovered by the compressor 12.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 is recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the indoor expansion apparatus 17, the indoor heat exchanger 18, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may be defrosted as the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 condenses the refrigerant and the outdoor heat exchanger 14 condenses the refrigerant again, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 heats the water of the hot water supply tank 56.

Since the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is defrosted as the refrigerant continuously heats the water of the hot water supply tank 56 at the time of hot water supply operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus, a water temperature of the hot water supply tank 56 may increase more quickly and efficiency of hot water supply is enhanced.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the heat pump type speed heating apparatus (FIG. 2) is in a space heating, floor heating, and hot water supply operation. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

In an example of simultaneous operation of space heating, floor heating and hot water supply, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as follows. The compressor 12 may be operated. The refrigerant controller 6 may be controlled for the refrigerant to flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 may be controlled for the refrigerant of the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The outdoor fan 30 may be rotated, and the indoor fan 39 may be rotated. The cooling/heating switching valve 40 may operate in a heating mode. The heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may be closed, the liquid refrigerant valve 90 may be opened. The hot water pump 60 may be operated, and the floor heating pump 84 may be operated.

At the time of operating the hot water pump 60, the water of the hot water supply tank 56 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the hot water pipe 58 and may be circulated to the hot water supply tank 56 after passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4.

At the time of operating the floor heating pump 84, the water of the floor heating pipe 80 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating water pipe 82 and may be circulated to the floor heating pipe 80 after passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72.

At the time of operating the compressor 12, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 12 may flow into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 after passing through the refrigerant controller 6 and the hot water supply inflow flow path 52. The refrigerant overheated at the compressor 12 while passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may be condensed by exchanging heat with water. The refrigerant condensed at the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86 and flow into the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 through the heating inflow flow path 74, and may be condensed again by exchanging heat with water while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72. The refrigerant condensed at the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may flow into the hot water supply outflow flow path 54 through the heating inflow flow path 76 and then pass through the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10, flowing into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 while bypassing the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8. The refrigerant that has flowed into the cooling/heating switching valve 40 may flow into the indoor heat exchanger 18 and may be additionally condensed. The refrigerant may be expanded in at least one of the indoor expansion apparatus 17 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and may then be evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant evaporated at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after passing through the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 may be recovered by the compressor 12 after sequentially passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchange 72, the cooling/heating switching valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 18, the indoor expansion apparatus 17, the outdoor expansion apparatus 16, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the cooling/heating switching valve 40.

The hot water heat exchanger 4, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, and the indoor heat exchanger 18 may condense the refrigerant sequentially for three times in total. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant. The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 may heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56. The water refrigerant heat exchanger 72 may heat the water of the floor heating pipe 80.

At the time of simultaneous operation of floor heating, hot water supply, and space heating, the refrigerant may be used to heat the water of the hot water supply tank 56, the water of the floor heating pipe 80, and the indoor air together. Therefore, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may efficiently perform hot water supply, floor heating, and space heating.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include a multi-stage compressor where the compressor 12 compresses the refrigerant in multi-steps.

The compressor 12 can include a low pressure side compression unit 12a and a high pressure compression unit 12b connected to the low pressure compression unit 12a to compress the refrigerant compressed at the low pressure compression unit 12a.

The low pressure compression unit 12a and the high pressure compression unit 12b may be connected to each other in series. An inflow flow path 22 of the compressor 12 may be connected to the low pressure compression unit 12a and a discharge flow path 26 of the compressor may be connected to the high pressure compression unit 12b.

A gas-liquid separator 100 can be provided between the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 and the indoor expansion apparatus 17 of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus. An injection line 102 that injects a vaporized refrigerant by using the compressor 12 may be connected to the gas-liquid separator 100.

The gas-liquid separator 100 can be provided between the heat exchanger bypath flow path 8 and the outdoor expansion apparatus 16 to inject the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor 12 at the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply and heating, hot water supply operation, and/or heating operation.

An injection refrigerant controller 104 may be provided at the injection line 102 to control the refrigerant that is injected into the compressor 12.

The injection refrigerant controller 104 may control the vaporized refrigerant that has flowed out from the gas-liquid separator 100. The injection refrigerant controller 104 may include an opening and closing valve whose opening and closing is controlled by on-off control. The injection refrigerant controller 104 may also include an electronic expansion valve whose opening angle is controlled.

The injection refrigerant controller 104 may be closed at the time of a starting operation of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus and may be opened after stabilization of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus according to a temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

A temperature sensor 108 that senses a temperature can be provided at the outdoor heat exchanger 14 and the injection refrigerant controller 104 can be opened if the sensed temperature of the temperature sensor 108 is a predetermined temperature or less after stabilization of the heat pump type speed heating apparatus.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include an electronic expansion valve that lowers the pressure of the refrigerant injected to the injection line 102 to an intermediate pressure between a condensation pressure of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and an evaporation pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 while preventing the liquid refrigerant inside the gas-liquid separator 100 from flowing into the injection line 102 at the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply and heating, hot water supply operation, and/or heating operation.

The electronic expansion valve may be provided between the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and the gas-liquid separator 100. The electronic expansion valve may be provided between the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 and the gas-liquid separator 100. The electronic expansion valve may also be provided between the auxiliary refrigerant controller 10 and the heat exchanger bypass valve 88.

If the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 includes an electronic expansion valve, at the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply and floor heating, hot water supply operation, or floor heating operation, a pressure of the refrigerant that passes through the heat exchanger bypass flow path 8 is lowered to an intermediate pressure between a condensation pressure and an evaporation pressure. When the heat pump type speed heating apparatus performs a defrosting operation in a middle of a hot water supply operation, simultaneous operation of air conditioning and hot water supply, simultaneous operation of air conditioning, hot water supply, and flow heating, and/or air conditioning operation, the heat exchanger bypass valve 96 may be closed.

Since the remaining structure and functions except for the compressor 12, the heat exchanger bypass valve 88, the gas-liquid separator 100, the injection line 102, and the injection refrigerant controller 104 are identical or similar to one embodiment, the same symbols may be used and a detailed description corresponding thereto may be omitted.

A description may be provided with an example of a hot water supply operation.

At the time of hot water supply operation, the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may operate as described in one embodiment. If the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is at a predetermined temperature or less while the heat pump type speed heating apparatus is stabilized after starting, the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 may expand the refrigerant to a pressure between a condensation pressure of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and an evaporation pressure of the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the injection refrigerant controller 104 may be opened.

At the time of refrigerant expansion of the heat exchanger bypass valve 88 and opening of the injection refrigerant controller 88, a refrigerant with an intermediate pressure injected through the injection line 102 may flow between the low pressure compression unit 12a and the high pressure compression unit 12b of the compressor 12. Therefore, a compression period may be reduced according to injection of the refrigerant with an intermediate pressure. Effective hot water supply may be made possible at a cold area or at low outdoor temperature due to increase of a condensation capacity of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. A highest management temperature of the compressor 12 may also be lowered.

Even at the time of simultaneous operation of floor heating and hot water supply or floor heating operation, a refrigerant of an intermediate pressure may be injected to the compressor 12 and an efficient operation may be made possible for the heat pump type speed heating apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to the above embodiment although the heat pump type speed heating apparatus may also be operated by at least one of air conditioning operation and hot water supply operation without floor heating operation and not including the water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path 70, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 72, the check valve 78, the floor heating pipe 80, the heating water pipe 82, the floor heating pump 84, and the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller 86. Various embodiments may be possible within the technical scope to which the present invention belongs.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus, at the time of hot water supply operation, may improve hot water supply performance as the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger bypasses either of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger. At the time of simultaneous operation of hot water supply and air conditioning, the refrigerant that has been condensed while heating the hot water supply heat exchanger performs air conditioning by passing through both the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger, and thereby improving efficiency.

Hot water supply can be provided continuously by defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger during hot water supply operation.

At the time of hot water supply operation, as the refrigerant at an intermediate pressure between a condensation pressure and an evaporation pressure is injected into the compressor, a degradation of hot water supply performance is degraded under outdoor low temperature environments, efficiency of hot water supply is high since condensation performance of the hot water supply heat exchanger may be improved.

Furthermore, hot water supply, floor heating, and space air conditioning may be performed together.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made to provide a heat pump type speed heating apparatus with high efficiency, where a refrigerant that has passed a hot water supply heat exchanger can bypass either of an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger.

A heat pump type speed heating apparatus may include: a cooling cycle circuit capable of operating air conditioning (including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger); a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the cooling cycle circuit through a hot water supply flow path for a refrigerant discharged from the compressor to be condensed, expanded, and evaporated in the cooling cycle circuit after being used for hot water supply; a refrigerant controller that controls flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor for the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to pass through or bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger; and a heat exchanger bypass flow path connected to guide the refrigerant that has passed the hot water heat exchanger between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to bypass either of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

The refrigerant controller may be controlled so that a refrigerant flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger at the time of hot water supply operation or simultaneous operation of hot water supply and air conditioning.

The refrigerant controller can be controlled so that a refrigerant bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger at the time of air conditioning operation.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include an auxiliary refrigerant controller that controls the flow direction of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger so that the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger can either pass through or bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller can be controlled so that the refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger bypass flow path at the time of hot water supply operation.

If defrosting conditions are met during the hot water supply operation, the auxiliary refrigerant controller can be controlled that the refrigerant bypasses the heat exchanger bypass flow path. The cooling cycle circuit may be switched from a heating operation to a cooling operation.

The auxiliary refrigerant controller can be controlled such that the refrigerant bypasses the heat exchanger bypass flow path when hot water supply and air conditioning are operated at a same time.

The expansion apparatus can include an indoor expansion apparatus and an outdoor expansion apparatus. One end of the heat exchanger bypass flow path can be connected to the hot water supply flow path and the other end thereof can be connected between the indoor expansion apparatus and the outdoor expansion apparatus.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a heat exchanger bypass valve that is installed in the heat exchanger bypass flow path and controls the flow of a refrigerant.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a liquid refrigerant valve that is installed between the heat exchanger bypass flow path and the indoor expansion apparatus and that controls the flow of a refrigerant.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a water refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the hot water supply flow path through a water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path for the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger to flow into the hot water supply flow path after heating water.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a floor heating pipe connected to the water refrigerant heat exchanger through a heating water pipe and a floor heating pump installed in the heating water pipe.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a case where the water refrigerant heat exchanger is installed and an indoor fan that is installed inside the case and that circulates indoor air to the water refrigerant heat exchanger.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus can further include a water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller that controls the flow direction of a refrigerant so that the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger passes through or bypasses the water refrigerant heat exchanger.

The water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller may be controlled so that a refrigerant flows into a water refrigerant heat exchanger at the time of floor heating operation, simultaneous operation of floor heating and hot water supply, and simultaneous operation of floor heating, hot water supply, and air conditioning.

The refrigerant controller may be controlled so that a refrigerant flows into the hot water supply heat exchanger at the time of floor heating operation.

The expansion apparatus can include an indoor expansion apparatus and an outdoor expansion apparatus. The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may further include a gas-liquid separator installed between the indoor expansion apparatus and the outdoor expansion apparatus and an injection line that injects vaporized refrigerant of the gas-liquid separator to the compressor.

The gas-liquid separator may be provided between the heat exchanger bypass flow path and the outdoor expansion apparatus.

The heat pump type speed heating apparatus may further include an injection refrigerant controller that can be installed in the injection line to control vaporized refrigerant injected to the compressor, and may be closed at the time of a starting operation and opened after stabilization.

The cooling cycle circuit can further include a cooling/heating switching valve that switches between a cooling operation and a heating operation. The hot water supply flow path may include a hot water supply inflow flow path leading the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor to the hot water supply heat exchanger and a hot water outflow flow path leading the refrigerant that has flowed out from the hot water supply heat exchanger to the cooling/heating switching valve. The hot water supply inflow flow path and the hot water supply outflow flow path may be connected to the compressor and the cooling/heating switching valve respectively. The heat exchanger bypass flow path may be connected to the hot water supply outflow flow path.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A heat pump type speed heating apparatus comprising:

a cooling cycle circuit to provide an air conditioning, the cooling cycle circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger;

a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the cooling cycle circuit by a hot water supply flow path, the hot water supply heat exchanger to receive the refrigerant from the compressor and to provide a hot water supply based on the received refrigerant, and for the refrigerant to condense, expand, and evaporate in the cooling cycle circuit;

a refrigerant controller to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant such that the refrigerant from the compressor passes through the hot water supply heat exchanger or bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger; and

a heat exchanger bypass flow path to guide the refrigerant that has passed through the hot water heat exchanger and to bypass either the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to the hot water supply heat exchanger during a hot water supply operation or during a simultaneous operation of a hot water supply and an air conditioning.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger during an air conditioning operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary refrigerant controller to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant that has passed through the hot water supply heat exchanger such that the refrigerant either passes through the heat exchanger bypass flow path or bypasses the heat exchanger bypass flow path.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the auxiliary refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant through the heat exchanger bypass flow path during a hot water supply operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein when defrosting conditions occur during the hot water supply operation, the auxiliary refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path, and the cooling cycle circuit switches from a heating operation to a cooling operation.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger bypass flow path when the hot water supply operation and an air conditioning occur at a same time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger bypass valve, provided in the heat exchanger bypass flow path, to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a liquid refrigerant valve, provided between the heat exchanger bypass flow path and an indoor expansion apparatus, to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the hot water supply flow path by a water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path for the refrigerant that has passed through the hot water supply heat exchanger to flow into the hot water supply flow path after heating water.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a floor heating pipe connected to the water refrigerant heat exchanger by a heating water pipe, and a floor heating pump provided at the heating water pipe.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant to pass through the water refrigerant heat exchanger or to bypass the water refrigerant heat exchanger.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to the water refrigerant heat exchanger during a floor heating operation, during a simultaneous operation of floor heating and hot water supply, and during a simultaneous operation of floor heating, hot water supply, and air conditioning.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the refrigerant controller controls the flow of the refrigerant to the hot water supply heat exchanger during a floor heating operation.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion apparatus includes an indoor expansion apparatus and an outdoor expansion apparatus, and wherein the heat pump type speed heating apparatus further comprises:

a gas-liquid separator between the indoor expansion apparatus and the outdoor expansion apparatus; and

an injection line to inject vaporized refrigerant of the gas-liquid separator to the compressor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the gas-liquid separator is provided between the heat exchanger bypass flow path and the outdoor expansion apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling cycle circuit further includes a cooling/heating switching valve to switch between a cooling operation and a heating operation;

the hot water supply flow path includes a hot water supply inflow flow path to guide the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor to the hot water supply heat exchanger and a hot water outflow flow path to guide the refrigerant from the hot water supply heat exchanger to the cooling/heating switching valve;

the hot water supply inflow flow path and the hot water supply outflow flow path are connected to the compressor and the cooling/heating switching valve respectively; and

the heat exchanger bypass flow path is connected to the hot water supply outflow flow path.

18. A heat pump type speed heating apparatus comprising:

a cooling cycle circuit that circulates a refrigerant to provide an air conditioning, the cooling cycle circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger;

a hot water supply heat exchanger to receive the refrigerant from the compressor and to provide a hot water supply based on the refrigerant;

a refrigerant controller to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the hot water supply heat exchanger or to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger; and

a heat exchanger bypass flow path to selectively guide the refrigerant that has passed the hot water heat exchanger to either the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an auxiliary refrigerant controller to selectively control a flow of the refrigerant that has passed the hot water supply heat exchanger so the refrigerant either passes through the heat exchanger bypass flow path or bypasses the heat exchanger bypass flow path.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a heat exchanger bypass valve in the heat exchanger bypass flow path to control the flow of the refrigerant.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a water refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the hot water supply flow path by a water refrigerant heat exchanger connecting flow path for the refrigerant that has passed through the hot water supply heat exchanger to flow into the hot water supply flow path after heating water.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a floor heating pipe connected to the water refrigerant heat exchanger by a heating water pipe, and

a floor heating pump.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a water refrigerant heat exchanger refrigerant controller to selectively control the flow of the refrigerant so the refrigerant that has passed through the hot water supply heat exchanger passes through the water refrigerant heat exchanger or bypasses the water refrigerant heat exchanger.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the expansion apparatus includes an indoor expansion apparatus and an outdoor expansion apparatus, and wherein the heat pump type speed heating apparatus further includes:

a gas-liquid separator between the indoor expansion apparatus and the outdoor expansion apparatus; and

an injection line to inject vaporized refrigerant of the gas-liquid separator to the compressor.