JP2002005537A - Refrigerant heating device and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] To improve the performance of an air conditioner by attaching a refrigerant heating device to the air conditioner after installation. A liquid pipe (12), a gas pipe (13), and a heater (19).
The bypass pipe (14), the first solenoid valve (20), and the second solenoid valve (22) are housed in a casing (11), and the refrigerant heating device (10) is configured as one unit. The heater (19) heats the refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12). The bypass pipe (14) connects the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13). The bypass pipe (14) includes a second solenoid valve (22). The liquid pipe (12) is connected to the connection pipe end (12b) of the bypass pipe (14) and the bypass pipe (1).
A first solenoid valve (20) is provided between the first solenoid valve (20) and the connection part (4). Both ends of liquid pipe (12) and gas pipe (13) (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b)
Is connectable in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerant heating device and an air conditioner, and more particularly to a measure for improving defrost performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, air conditioners have been disclosed in
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60411, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger are provided with a refrigerant circuit connected by liquid-side and gas-side refrigerant pipes, and a refrigerant heater is connected to the liquid-side refrigerant pipe. Are known. Generally, when frost forms on the outdoor heat exchanger during the heating operation, the refrigerant is circulated in the reverse direction to perform a reverse cycle defrost operation to perform defrosting. When the air conditioner is used in a cold region, it may take a long time to defrost. In the meantime, since the operation of the indoor fan is stopped, indoor air conditioning cannot be performed, and indoor comfort cannot be maintained. And if the stop time is long, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger will decrease, so after the heating operation starts,
It takes time for the indoor heat exchanger to return to the temperature before shutdown.

[0003] Therefore, the air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant heater in the refrigerant pipe on the liquid side, and by heating the liquid refrigerant, improves the defrosting ability, shortens the defrost time, and improves indoor comfort. To maintain.

[0004]

However, since the conventional refrigerant heater is provided integrally with the refrigerant circuit and is not configured as one dedicated product, it cannot be retrofitted to an air conditioner. Therefore, when the air conditioner currently in use does not include the refrigerant heater, the refrigerant heater cannot be attached to the already installed air conditioner later. As a result, when a refrigerant heater is required to improve the comfort of the room or to improve the heating capacity, the air conditioner must be newly purchased,
There is a problem that it is not economical.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant heating device that can be attached to an existing refrigerant circuit that is currently in use, and to improve the performance of an air conditioner. .

[0006]

According to the present invention, the refrigerant heating device is constructed as one unit, and the refrigerant heating device is attached after the air conditioner is installed.

More specifically, a first solution is to provide a liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and configured to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow therethrough, and a liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12). A heater (19) for heating; the liquid pipe (12) and the heater (19);
Are housed in a casing (11) to constitute one unit, while both ends (12a, 12b) of the liquid pipe (12) are
It is configured to be connectable in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50).

The second solution means is a liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and configured to flow a liquid refrigerant, and a liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and flows a gas refrigerant. Gas pipe (13) configured as above and the above liquid pipe (12)
A heater (19) for heating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the pipe, and a bypass pipe (14) connected to the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13).
And an opening / closing mechanism (22) provided in the bypass pipe (14). The liquid pipe (12), the gas pipe (13), and the heater (19)
And the bypass pipe (14) are housed in a casing (11) to constitute one unit, while both ends (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) of the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13) are It is configured to be connectable in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50).

Further, a third solution means is a liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and configured to flow a liquid refrigerant, and a liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and flows a gas refrigerant. Gas pipe (13) configured as above and the above liquid pipe (12)
A heater (19) for heating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the pipe, and a bypass pipe (14) connected to the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13).
A first opening / closing mechanism (20) provided between an end of the liquid pipe (12) on the connection side of the bypass pipe (14) and a connection part of the bypass pipe (14); 14) a second opening / closing mechanism (22) provided in the liquid pipe (12), the gas pipe (13), the heater (19), the bypass pipe (14) and the first pipe.
The opening / closing mechanism (20) and the second opening / closing mechanism (22) are housed in a casing (11) and configured as one unit,
Both ends (12a, 12b, 1) of the liquid pipe (12) and gas pipe (13)
3a, 13b) are configured to be connectable in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50).

A fourth solution is that the heater (19) is an electromagnetic induction heater on the premise of the refrigerant heating device according to any one of the first to third solutions.

A fifth solution is an air conditioner provided with a refrigerant heating device (10) according to the first or fourth solution, wherein the compressor (45) and the heat source side heat exchanger ( 47)
And a refrigerant circuit (50) in which an expansion mechanism (48) and a use side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order, and the refrigerant circuit (50)
The liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10) between the expansion mechanism (48) and the use side heat exchanger (49) in the liquid pipe (43)
And a reverse cycle heating control means (33) for driving the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) to heat the refrigerant during the reverse cycle defrost operation.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner provided with the refrigerant heating device (10) according to the second or fourth aspect, wherein the compressor (45) and the heat source side heat exchanger ( 47)
, An expansion mechanism (48) and a use side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order. The refrigerant circuit has a reversible refrigerant circuit (50), and an expansion mechanism in the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50). (Four
The liquid pipe (12) of the above-mentioned refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the refrigerant circuit (5) and the utilization-side heat exchanger (49).
0) The gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the use side heat exchanger (49) and the compressor (45) in the gas pipe (44), while the reverse cycle defrost operation is performed. A reverse cycle heating control means (33) for heating the refrigerant by driving the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) at times and an opening / closing control means (32) for opening the opening / closing mechanism (22) during the reverse cycle defrost operation. Is provided.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner provided with the refrigerant heating device (10) according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the compressor (45) and the heat source side heat exchanger ( 47)
, An expansion mechanism (48) and a use side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order. The refrigerant circuit has a reversible refrigerant circuit (50), and an expansion mechanism in the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50). (Four
The liquid pipe (12) of the above-mentioned refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the refrigerant circuit (5) and the utilization-side heat exchanger (49).
0) The gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the use side heat exchanger (49) and the compressor (45) in the gas pipe (44), while the reverse cycle defrost operation is performed. A reverse cycle heating control means (33) for heating the refrigerant by driving a heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) at the time, and closing the first opening / closing mechanism (20) during the reverse cycle defrost operation,
Open / close control means (32) for opening the open / close mechanism (22) is provided.

An eighth solution is based on the premise that the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to seventh solutions is adopted, and when the capacity of the use side heat exchanger (49) is insufficient during the heating operation, A capacity control means (35) for operating the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is provided.

A ninth solution means is based on the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to seventh solution means, and the refrigerant circuit (50) performs a reverse cycle defrost operation and a normal cycle defrost operation. On the other hand, the refrigerant heating device (10) during the forward cycle defrost operation
And a normal cycle heating control means (34) for driving the heater (19) to heat the refrigerant.

A tenth solution means is based on the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to eighth solution means, wherein the heater (19) is provided with a power source (other than the power source of the refrigerant circuit (50)). 23).

That is, in the first to third solutions, since the liquid pipe (12), the heater (19) and the like are formed in one unit, the heater (19) is connected to the existing refrigerant circuit (5).
When mounting on the 0), both ends (12a, 12b) of the liquid pipe (12)
To the middle of the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50).

For example, in the fifth solution means, the middle of the liquid pipe (43) in the existing refrigerant circuit (50) is separated and both ends (12a, 12b) of the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10) are separated. To the liquid pipe (43).

In the sixth and seventh solving means, the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (4) in the existing refrigerant circuit (50) are provided.
4) Separating the middle of the process, the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10)
Then, both ends (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) of the gas pipe (13) are connected to the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44).

Thereafter, when the heat source side heat exchanger (47) is frosted, a defrost operation is performed. For example, during the reverse cycle defrost operation, the reverse cycle heating control means (3
3) drives the heater (19) to heat the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (50).

That is, in the fifth to seventh solving means, for example, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (50) circulates in a reverse cycle, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) is supplied to the heat source side heat exchanger ( The frost that flows into the heat source side heat exchanger (47) and adheres to the heat source side heat exchanger (47) is melted. The refrigerant flowing through the heat source side heat exchanger (47) flows through the liquid pipe (43), and flows through the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10) on the way, and is Heated. In particular, in the fourth solution, the refrigerant is instantaneously heated by the electromagnetic induction heater (19).

Thereafter, in a fifth solution, the heated refrigerant returns to the compressor (45) via the use side heat exchanger (49).

According to a sixth solution, the heater (19)
A part of the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant flows through the bypass pipe (14), the other refrigerant flows through the use side heat exchanger (49), and returns to the compressor (45).

According to a seventh solution, a heater (19)
All the refrigerant heated by the above flows through the bypass pipe (14) and returns to the compressor (45).

The above operation is repeated to perform defrost.

On the other hand, according to the eighth solution, in the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to seventh solutions, even if the capacity of the use side heat exchanger (49) during the heating operation is insufficient, the heater is not used. (19) is driven, and the refrigerant flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger (49) is heated. For this reason, the amount of heat exchange of the refrigerant in the heat source side heat exchanger (47) can be reduced. Therefore, in the heat source side heat exchanger (47), the required heat exchange amount can be ensured even if the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the outside air temperature becomes small, and thus the heat source side heat exchanger (47)
Can be increased. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor (45) rises, the discharge temperature rises, and the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the use side heat exchanger (49) rises. Further, since the refrigerant flowing out of the use side heat exchanger (49) is heated by the heater (19),
The degree of supercooling of the refrigerant in the use side heat exchanger (49) can be increased without lowering the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger (47).

Therefore, the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the use-side heat exchanger (49) increases and the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger (49) decreases. (49) Ability increases.

Further, in the ninth solution means, the reverse cycle defrost and the normal cycle defrost are selectively used, and the heater (19) is also used during the normal cycle defrost operation.
Is driven, and the refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12) is heated.

That is, during the normal cycle defrost operation, the refrigerant circulates in the same direction as during the heating operation. In the course of flowing through the liquid pipe (43), the refrigerant is heated by the heater (19), flows into the heat source side heat exchanger (47) after heating, and melts frost formed on the heat source side heat exchanger (47). .

According to the tenth solution, in the air conditioner according to the fifth to eighth solutions, the heater (19) is supplied with power from a source other than the air conditioner.

[0031]

Thus, according to the first to third means, the refrigerant heating device (10) is formed in one unit, and the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13) have both ends (12a). , 12b, 13
a, 13b) is configured to be connectable in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50), so that it can be easily attached to the existing refrigerant circuit. As a result,
Even when it is necessary to improve the indoor comfort or the heating capacity, it is not necessary to buy a new air conditioner, and the existing device can be effectively used.

Further, according to the fourth solution, since the electromagnetic induction type heater (19) is used, the heater (19) can be downsized, and the refrigerant heating device (10) can be downsized. Since the electromagnetic induction heater (19) has a high heating efficiency, the refrigerant can be heated instantaneously.

Further, according to the fifth solution, since the refrigerant is heated during the reverse cycle defrost operation, the frost formed on the heat source side heat exchanger (47) can be efficiently defrosted, and the indoor fan can be defrosted. The defrost time during which the operation is stopped can be shortened. Therefore, the stop time of the indoor fan can be shortened, the decrease in room temperature can be suppressed, and the indoor comfort can be maintained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the refrigerant is heated during the reverse cycle defrosting operation, the defrosting ability can be improved, and at the same time, the refrigerant flows to the use side heat exchanger (49). Since the amount of the refrigerant decreases, the temperature of the use side heat exchanger (49) can be prevented from lowering. Therefore, after starting the heating operation, the use side heat exchanger (4
9) The time required to return to the temperature before stopping can be shortened, and the room can be kept comfortable.

According to the seventh solution, the refrigerant is heated during the reverse cycle defrost operation, so that the defrosting ability can be improved, and at the same time, the refrigerant flows to the use side heat exchanger (49). Since the refrigerant is shut off, a decrease in the temperature of the use-side heat exchanger (49) can be further suppressed as compared with the sixth solution. Therefore, after the heating operation is started, the time until the use-side heat exchanger (49) returns to the temperature before the stop can be shortened, and the room can be kept more comfortable.

According to the eighth solution, the capacity of the use side heat exchanger (49) can be improved without increasing the capacity of the heat source side heat exchanger (47), and the heating capacity can be improved. Can be eliminated.

According to the ninth solution, the refrigerant heated by the heater (19) is supplied to the heat source side heat exchanger (47).
Therefore, the defrosting ability at the time of the normal cycle defrost operation can be improved.

According to the tenth solution, for example, in the case of use in Hokkaido, it is possible to use a snow-melting power source with a low electricity bill, and to reduce running costs.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment of the Invention> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerant heating device (10) of the first embodiment can be retrofitted to an existing refrigerant circuit (50), and A rectangular parallelepiped casing (11) is provided. The casing (11) has a liquid pipe (12), a gas pipe (13), a bypass pipe (14) for connecting the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13), and a filter. Frost controller (3
0) is stored in one unit.

The liquid pipe (12) is disposed substantially horizontally near the center of the casing (11), and near the center of the opposing first side (15) and second side (16) of the casing (11). Penetrates.

That is, one end (12a) of the liquid pipe (12)
Project from the first side surface (15) of the casing (11) toward the right of the figure to the outside of the casing (11), and extend from the other end (12).
b) protrudes outward from the casing (11) from the second side surface (16) of the casing (11) to the left in the figure.
As shown in FIG. 2, a single union pipe joint (17) is brazed to both ends (12a, 12b), and the one union pipe joint (17) is connected to the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50). The liquid pipe (43) is connected by screwing in the flare nut (53) fitted in ()).

The liquid pipe (12) includes a heater (19) for heating the refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12) in order from the first side surface (15) side, and a first solenoid valve (20) as a first opening / closing mechanism. It has.

The heater (19) includes a coil (21) and an iron core (not shown). The above heater (1
9) By applying a high-frequency current to the coil (21),
An electromagnetic induction heater configured to generate an induced current in the core and heat the core is configured.

The gas pipe (13) is disposed substantially horizontally below the casing (11), and penetrates near the lower portions of the opposing first side (15) and second side (16) of the casing (11). ing. One end (13a) of the gas pipe (13) protrudes from the first side surface (15) of the casing (11) to the right of the drawing to the outside of the casing (11), and the other end (13b) extends from the casing (11). ) Protrudes outward from the casing (11) from the second side surface (16) to the left in the figure. Both ends (13
a, 13b) is a single union pipe joint (1
8) is brazed, and a flare nut (54) fitted into the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50) is screwed into the union pipe joint (18).
4) is connected.

The bypass pipe (14) has a first vertical section (14a) connected below the liquid pipe (12) and a second vertical section (14b) connected above the gas pipe (13). 1st vertical part (14a)
And a horizontal portion (14c) connecting the second vertical portion (14b). The first vertical section (14) of the bypass pipe (14)
One end of a) is connected to the heater (19) in the liquid pipe (12) and the first
It is connected between the solenoid valve (20). Bypass pipe (1
One end of the second vertical portion (14b) of 4) is connected to the vicinity of the first side surface (15) of the gas pipe (13) in the casing (11). In the horizontal part (14c) of the bypass pipe (14),
A second solenoid valve (22) as a second opening / closing mechanism is provided.

The defrost controller (30) includes a reverse cycle heating control section (33), a forward cycle heating control section (34), a capacity control section (35), and an opening / closing control section (32). Located at the top inside. The defrost controller (30) receives a control signal from the air conditioning controller of the refrigerant circuit to drive the heater (19), open and close the first solenoid valve (20), and open and close the second solenoid valve (22). And an operation.

The reverse cycle heating control section (33) constitutes a reverse cycle heating control means. That is, the reverse cycle heating control section (33) is configured to drive the heater (19) when receiving the control signal output when the operation is switched to the reverse cycle defrost operation.

The positive cycle heating control section (34) constitutes a positive cycle heating control means. That is, the normal cycle heating control section (34) is configured to drive the heater (19) when receiving the control signal output when the mode is switched to the normal cycle defrost operation.

The capacity control section (35) constitutes a capacity control means. That is, the capacity control unit (35) receives the control signal that is output when it is determined that the heating capacity is insufficient for the heating load during the heating operation, and the heater (19)
Is driven.

The open / close control section (32) constitutes open / close control means. That is, the opening / closing controller (32) closes the first solenoid valve (20) installed in the liquid pipe (12) when receiving the control signal output when the operation is switched to the reverse cycle defrost operation. The second solenoid valve (22) installed in the bypass pipe (14) is opened.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, an air conditioner (40) in which the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected as an optional unit will be described.

The air conditioner (40) includes one outdoor unit (41) and one indoor unit (42). The outdoor unit (41) and the indoor unit (42) are connected by a liquid pipe (43) and a gas pipe (44). And the said refrigerant heating device (10)
It is connected in the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and the gas pipe (44).

The outdoor unit (41) includes a compressor (45)
, A four-way switching valve (46), an outdoor heat exchanger (47) as a heat source side heat exchanger, and an expansion valve (48) as an expansion mechanism.

The indoor unit (42) includes an indoor heat exchanger (49) which is a use side heat exchanger.

The compressor (45), the four-way switching valve (46), the outdoor heat exchanger (47), the expansion valve (48) and the indoor heat exchanger (4)
9) is connected by a liquid pipe (43) and a gas pipe (44) to form a refrigerant circuit (50) in which refrigerant circulation is reversible.

The liquid pipe (43) is connected to an outdoor heat exchanger (47).
And a second liquid pipe (52) connected to the indoor heat exchanger (49). First
The liquid pipe (51) and the second liquid pipe (52) are connected to the refrigerant heating device (1).
0) is connected via a liquid pipe (12).

Specifically, the end (12a) of the liquid pipe (12) near the heater (19) is connected to one end of a first liquid pipe (51) connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (47). ing. This connection is performed by fitting a flare nut (53) fitted in the first liquid pipe (51) to a single union pipe joint (17) brazed to the end (12a) of the liquid pipe (12). It is done by. End (12b) of liquid pipe (12) near first solenoid valve (20)
Is the second liquid pipe (52) connected to the indoor heat exchanger (49)
Is connected to one end. This connection is made with the second liquid pipe (5
2) Insert the flare nut (53) into the liquid tube (1).
This is done by fitting the union pipe joint (17) brazed to the end (12b) of 2).

During heating and forward cycle defrost operation, the refrigerant flows through the liquid pipe (12) from the end (12a) near the heater (19) toward the end (12b) near the first solenoid valve (20). During reverse cycle defrost operation, the refrigerant is configured to flow from the end (12b) near the first solenoid valve (20) toward the end (12a) near the heater (19).

The gas pipe (44) is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (4).
The first gas pipe (55) connected to 7) and the indoor heat exchanger (4
9) and a second gas pipe (56) connected to the second gas pipe. The first gas pipe (55) is provided with a four-way switching valve (46) and a compressor (45), and has one end connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (47). First gas pipe (55) and second gas pipe (56)
Are connected via a gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10).

Specifically, one end (13) of the gas pipe (13)
a) is the first gas pipe (5) connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (47).
5) is connected to one end. This connection is performed by fitting a flare nut (54) fitted in the first gas pipe (55) to a single union pipe joint (18) brazed to the end (13a) of the gas pipe (13). It is done by. The other end (13b) of the gas pipe (13) is connected to one end of a second gas pipe (56) connected to the indoor heat exchanger (49). This connection is performed by fitting a flare nut (54) fitted in the second gas pipe (56) to a single union pipe joint (18) brazed to the end (13b) of the gas pipe (13). It is done by.

The four-way switching valve (46) reverses the direction of circulation of the refrigerant by switching, and switches between a heat pump cycle operation and a refrigeration cycle operation.

The outdoor heat exchanger (47) exchanges heat between outdoor air and a refrigerant, and includes an outdoor fan (57).

The expansion valve (48) is constituted by an electric expansion valve whose flow rate can be adjusted.

The indoor heat exchanger (49) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air, and includes an indoor fan (58).

The heater (1) of the refrigerant heating device (10)
9) is connected to an external power supply (23) different from the power supply of the air conditioner (40). For example, when this refrigerant heating device (10) is used in Hokkaido, a snow melting power source with a low electricity bill is used.

The outdoor heat exchanger (47) is provided with an outdoor temperature sensor (T1) for detecting an outdoor temperature and outputting a control signal. A heat exchange temperature sensor (T) that detects the refrigerant temperature and outputs a control signal is installed on the heat transfer tube of the outdoor heat exchanger (47).
2) is installed.

The indoor heat exchanger (49) is provided with an indoor temperature sensor (T3) for detecting the indoor temperature and outputting a control signal.

The control signals output from the sensors (T1, T2, T3) are sent to the air conditioning controller (60). The air conditioning controller (60) receives a signal from each of the sensors (T1, T2, T3), switches between a heating operation and a defrost operation, and performs a defrost controller (30) provided in the refrigerant heating device (10). ). The air conditioning controller (60) includes a reverse cycle defrost control unit (6
1), a positive cycle defrost control unit (62), and a heating control unit (63).

The reverse cycle defrost control section (61)
During the heating operation when the outdoor temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (T1) is less than 0 ° C., when the frost formation is determined from the refrigerant temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor (T2), the heating operation is performed. It is configured to switch to the reverse cycle defrost operation and to output a reverse cycle defrost signal as a control signal to the defrost controller (30).

The positive cycle defrost control section (62)
During the heating operation when the outdoor temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (T1) is 0 ° C. or higher, when the frost formation is determined from the refrigerant temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor (T2), the heating operation is performed. It is configured to switch to the normal cycle defrost operation and to output a normal cycle defrost signal, which is a control signal, to the defrost controller (30).

During the heating operation, the heating control section (63) determines the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger (49) based on the outdoor temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (T1) and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor (T3). Is configured to output a high power request signal, which is a control signal, to the defrost controller (30) when it is determined that the power is insufficient.

-Operation- An air conditioner (4) to which the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected
Operation operation 0) will be described.

During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve (46) is
It switches to the broken line side shown inside. After passing through the four-way switching valve (46), the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) flows through the gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10), and flows into the indoor heat exchanger (49). The gas refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger (49) exchanges heat with indoor air to heat the room and condense. The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger (49) passes through the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10), and then flows into the expansion valve (4).
The pressure is reduced by 8) and becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (47) and exchanges heat with outdoor air. In the outdoor heat exchanger (47), the liquid refrigerant evaporates, and the gas refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger (47)
After passing through the four-way switching valve (46), it returns to the compressor (45), and this circulation is repeated.

During the heating operation, the outside air temperature sensor (T1), the heat exchange temperature sensor (T2), and the indoor temperature sensor (T3)
Is output to the air conditioning controller (60).

When the outdoor temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (T1) is lower than 0 ° C., if it is determined that frost is formed by the refrigerant temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor (T2), the reverse cycle defrost control unit ( 61) switches the refrigerant circuit (50) to the reverse cycle defrost operation and outputs a reverse cycle defrost signal to the defrost controller (30) installed in the refrigerant heating device (10).

In this reverse cycle defrost operation, the capacity of the compressor (45) is increased, the four-way switching valve (46) is switched to the solid line side in the figure, the expansion valve (48) is fully opened, and the outdoor fan (57) is opened. ) And the indoor fan (58) are stopped. When the defrost controller (30) receives the reverse cycle defrost signal, the reverse cycle heating control section (33) drives the heater (19), and the opening / closing control section (32) closes the first solenoid valve (20). Then, the second solenoid valve (22) is opened.

Accordingly, since the first solenoid valve (20) is closed and the circulation direction of the refrigerant is reversed, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) receives the four-way switching valve (46) and the outdoor heat exchanger ( 47), expansion valve (48), liquid pipe (1
2), the gas passes through the bypass pipe (14), the gas pipe (13), and the four-way switching valve (46) in this order, and returns to the compressor (45).

That is, the high-temperature gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) flows to the outdoor heat exchanger (47). Then, the frost attached to the outdoor heat exchanger (47) is melted by the high-temperature gas refrigerant.

The refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger (47) is
It will flow through the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50),
While flowing through the liquid pipe (43), it flows through the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10). When flowing through the liquid pipe (12), the refrigerant is heated by the heater (19). The heated refrigerant flows through the bypass pipe (14) without flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (49), and returns to the compressor (45). By repeating this circulation operation, reverse cycle defrost of the outdoor heat exchanger (47) is performed.

When the outdoor temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (T1) is equal to or higher than 0 ° C., if it is determined that frost is formed by the refrigerant temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor (T2), the normal cycle defrost control unit ( 62) switches to the normal cycle defrost operation and outputs a normal cycle defrost signal to the defrost controller (30) installed in the refrigerant heating device (10).

In the forward cycle defrost operation, the capacity of the compressor (45) is reduced, the expansion valve (48) is fully opened, and the indoor fan (58) is controlled at a low speed. Outdoor fan (57)
Are operated in the same manner as in the heating operation. When the defrost controller (30) receives the positive cycle defrost signal, the positive cycle heating control section (34) drives the heater (19).

In this case, the refrigerant circulates without reversing the refrigerant circulation direction. The gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) at a lower pressure than during the heating operation is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger (49).
, Heat exchange with indoor air to heat and condense the room. The liquid refrigerant is the heater (1) of the refrigerant heater (10).
After being heated by 9), it flows to the outdoor heat exchanger (47). The refrigerant defrosts the frost adhering to the heat transfer tubes of the outdoor heat exchanger (47) and returns to the compressor (45). That is, defrosting is performed while continuing the heating operation.

When the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor (T3) is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time or more when the room temperature is low or when the operation is started, the indoor heat exchanger is used. It is determined that the capacity of (49) is insufficient, and the heating control unit (63) outputs a high power request signal to the defrost controller (30). When the defrost controller (30) receives the high power request signal, the capacity control unit (35) drives the heater (19) to heat the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger (49).

Therefore, the amount of heat exchange of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (47) can be reduced. Accordingly, in the outdoor heat exchanger (47), even if the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature and the outside air temperature becomes small, the heat exchange amount necessary for evaporating the refrigerant can be secured, so that the outdoor heat exchanger (47) Can be increased. As a result, the compressor (45)
As the temperature of the refrigerant drawn into the heat exchanger rises, the discharge temperature rises, and the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger (49) rises.

On the other hand, since the liquid refrigerant is heated before flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger (47), the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger (47) does not decrease, and the indoor heat exchanger ( The supercooling degree of the refrigerant in 49) can be increased. Therefore, the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger (49) can be reduced.

Therefore, the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger (49) increases and the enthalpy of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger (49) decreases. The amount of refrigerant condensed increases,
The capacity of the indoor heat exchanger (49) increases.

During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve (46) switches to the solid line side in the figure. The gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) passes through the four-way switching valve (46) and passes through the outdoor heat exchanger (4).
It flows to 7) and exchanges heat with outdoor air to condense. The condensed liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve (48), and the liquid pipe (12)
And flows into the indoor heat exchanger (49). In the indoor heat exchanger (49), the liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air to cool the indoor air and evaporate. The evaporated gas refrigerant passes through the gas pipe (13), passes through the four-way switching valve (46), returns to the compressor (45), and the circulation is repeated.

-Effects of First Embodiment- According to the first embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.

The refrigerant heating device (10) is formed as one unit, and the liquid tube (12) and the gas tube (13) have both ends (12a, 12a).
b, 13a, 13b) can be connected to the middle of the liquid pipe (43) and gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50), so that it can be easily attached to the existing refrigerant circuit (50). .
As a result, even when it is necessary to improve the comfort in the room or when the heating capacity needs to be improved, it is not necessary to newly purchase an air conditioner, and the existing device can be effectively used.

Further, since the electromagnetic induction heater (19) is used, the heater (19) can be downsized, and the refrigerant heating device (10)
Can be made compact. Since the electromagnetic induction heater (19) has a high heating efficiency, the refrigerant can be heated instantaneously.

Further, during the reverse cycle defrost operation, the refrigerant is heated, so that the defrosting ability can be improved, and at the same time, the refrigerant flowing to the indoor heat exchanger (49) is shut off. (49) The temperature drop can be suppressed. Therefore, the time until the indoor heat exchanger (49) returns to the temperature before the stop after the heating operation is started can be further shortened, and the room can be kept more comfortable.

Further, the capacity of the indoor heat exchanger (49) can be improved without increasing the capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger (47), and the shortage of the heating capacity can be solved.

[0094] Further, since the refrigerant heated by the heater (19) flows to the outdoor heat exchanger (47), the defrosting ability during the forward cycle defrost operation can be improved.

Also, since the power supply of the heater (19) is different from the power supply of the air conditioner (40), for example, in the case of use in Hokkaido, a snow melting power supply with a low electricity bill is used. Can be used, and the running cost can be reduced.

<Second Embodiment of the Invention> As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant heating device (10) of the second embodiment does not include the first solenoid valve (20) of the liquid pipe (12) in the first embodiment. Things.

That is, the refrigerant heating device (10) includes a liquid pipe (12), a gas pipe (13), and a liquid pipe (12) in a casing (11).
A bypass pipe (14) for connecting the gas and the gas pipe (13) and a defrost controller (30) are housed in one unit.

An electromagnetic valve (22) as an opening / closing mechanism is installed in the first vertical portion (14a) of the bypass pipe (14).

On the other hand, the defrost controller (30) includes a reverse cycle heating control section (33) and a forward cycle heating control section (3).
4) a capacity control unit (35) and an open / close control unit (32);

The opening / closing control section (32) constitutes opening / closing control means, and opens the solenoid valve (22) when receiving a control signal output when the operation mode is switched to the reverse cycle defrost operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant heating device (10) is provided as an optional unit as an air conditioner (4).
0).

Therefore, in the reverse cycle defrost operation,
The capacity of the compressor (45) is increased, the four-way switching valve (46) switches to the solid line in the figure, the expansion valve (48) is fully opened, and the outdoor fan (57) and the indoor fan (58) stop. I do. When the defrost controller (30) receives the reverse cycle defrost signal, the reverse cycle heating control section (33) drives the heater (19), and the opening / closing control section (32) opens the solenoid valve (22).

Since the circulation direction of the refrigerant is reversed, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) is supplied to the four-way switching valve (46)
Outdoor heat exchanger (47), expansion valve (48), refrigerant heating device (1
0) liquid pipe (12), indoor heat exchanger (49), gas pipe (13)
And the four-way switching valve (46) in that order, and returns to the compressor (45). Further, a part of the gas refrigerant is diverted to the bypass pipe (14) in the liquid pipe (12), and returns to the compressor (45) without flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (49). Since the amount of refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (49) is reduced, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger (49) is less likely to decrease.

-Effects of Second Embodiment- According to the second embodiment, the refrigerant heating device (1
Since the number of parts is smaller than that of (0), the cost can be reduced.

Further, during the reverse cycle defrost operation, the refrigerant is heated, so that the defrosting ability can be improved, and at the same time, the amount of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger (49) decreases, so that the indoor heat exchanger (49) decreases. A decrease in the temperature of the heat exchanger (49) can be suppressed. Therefore, the time until the indoor heat exchanger (49) returns to the temperature before the stop after the heating operation is started can be shortened, and the room can be kept comfortable.

Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Third Embodiment of the Invention> As shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant heating device (10) of the third embodiment does not include the bypass pipe (14) and the first solenoid valve (20) of the first embodiment. Things.

That is, the refrigerant heating device (10) has a casing (11) in which the liquid pipe (12), the gas pipe (13) and the defrost controller (30) are housed, and is configured as one unit.

On the other hand, the defrost controller (30) includes a reverse cycle heating control section (33) and a forward cycle heating control section (3).
4) and only the capacity control unit (35).
2) is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant heating device (10) is provided as an optional unit as an air conditioner (4).
0).

Accordingly, in the reverse cycle defrost operation,
The capacity of the compressor (45) is increased, the four-way switching valve (46) switches to the solid line in the figure, the expansion valve (48) is fully opened, and the outdoor fan (57) and the indoor fan (58) stop. I do. When the defrost controller (30) receives the reverse cycle defrost signal, the reverse cycle heating controller (33) drives the heater (19).

Since the circulation direction of the refrigerant is reversed, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor (45) is supplied to the four-way switching valve (46).
Outdoor heat exchanger (47), expansion valve (48), refrigerant heating device (1
0) liquid pipe (12), indoor heat exchanger (49), gas pipe (13)
And the four-way switching valve (46) in that order, and returns to the compressor (45).

-Effects of Third Embodiment- According to the third embodiment, the refrigerant heating device (1
Compared with (0), the number of parts is small, so that the cost can be reduced and the device can be made compact.

Further, since the refrigerant is heated during the reverse cycle defrost operation, defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger (47) can be efficiently performed, and the defrost time during which the operation of the indoor fan is stopped is reduced. can do. Therefore, the stop time of the indoor fan can be shortened, the decrease in room temperature can be suppressed, and the room can be maintained comfortably.

Other structures, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Other Embodiments of the Invention>
Unlike the above embodiments, the power supply of the refrigerant heating device (10) may be shared with the power supply of the air conditioner (40).

The air conditioner of the present invention may be configured as a so-called multi-type air conditioner (40) composed of one outdoor unit (41) and a plurality of indoor units (42). .

In the third embodiment, the refrigerant heating device (10) may be configured so that the gas pipe (13) is omitted and only the liquid pipe (12) is connected to the refrigerant circuit (50).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerant heating device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerant heating device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerant heating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) Refrigerant heating device (11) Casing (12) Liquid pipe (12a) End (12b) End (13) Gas pipe (13a) End (13b) End (14) Bypass pipe (19) Heater ( 20) 2nd solenoid valve (22) 1st solenoid valve (solenoid valve) (32) Open / close control unit (33) Reverse cycle heating control unit (34) Forward cycle heating control unit (35) Capacity control unit (43) Liquid piping (44) Gas piping (45) Compressor (47) Outdoor heat exchanger (48) Expansion valve (49) Indoor heat exchanger (50) Refrigerant circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F25B 47/02 550 F25B 47/02 550H

Claims (10)

[Claims] A liquid pipe (12) formed to have a predetermined length and configured to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow therethrough, and a heater (19) for heating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12). The liquid pipe (12) and the heater (19) are housed in a casing (11) to constitute one unit, while both ends (12a, 12b) of the liquid pipe (12) are connected to a refrigerant circuit (5).
0) A refrigerant heating device characterized in that it can be connected in the middle of the liquid pipe (43). 2. A liquid pipe (12) formed to a predetermined length and configured to allow a liquid refrigerant to flow therethrough, and a gas pipe formed to a predetermined length and configured to flow a gas refrigerant. (13) and a heater (19) for heating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12)
And a bypass pipe (14) connected to the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13); and an opening / closing mechanism (22) provided in the bypass pipe (14). ), A gas pipe (13), a heater (19), and a bypass pipe (14) are housed in a casing (11) to constitute one unit, while the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13) Both ends (12a, 12b, 13
a, 13b) is a refrigerant heating device characterized in that it can be connected in the middle of a liquid pipe (43) and a gas pipe (44) of a refrigerant circuit (50). 3. A liquid pipe (12) formed to have a predetermined length and configured to allow liquid refrigerant to flow therethrough, and a gas pipe formed to have a predetermined length and configured to allow gas refrigerant to flow therethrough. (13) and a heater (19) for heating the liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe (12)
A bypass pipe (14) connected to the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13); an end of the liquid pipe (12) on the connection side of the bypass pipe (14); And a second opening / closing mechanism (22) provided in the bypass pipe (14).
A liquid pipe (12), a gas pipe (13), a heater (19), a bypass pipe (14), a first opening / closing mechanism (20), and a second opening / closing mechanism (22).
Are housed in a casing (11) to form a single unit, while both ends (12a, 12b, 13) of the liquid pipe (12) and the gas pipe (13)
a, 13b) is a refrigerant heating device characterized in that it can be connected in the middle of a liquid pipe (43) and a gas pipe (44) of a refrigerant circuit (50). 4. The refrigerant heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater (19) is an electromagnetic induction heater. 5. An air conditioner comprising the refrigerant heating device (10) according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the compressor (45), the heat source side heat exchanger (47), and the expansion mechanism (48). )
And a use side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order. The refrigerant circuit (50) includes an expansion mechanism (48) in the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50) and the use side heat exchanger (49). ) Is connected to the liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10), and the reverse cycle in which the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is driven to heat the refrigerant during the reverse cycle defrost operation. An air conditioner comprising a heating control means (33). 6. An air conditioner comprising the refrigerant heating device (10) according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the compressor (45), the heat source side heat exchanger (47), and the expansion mechanism (48). )
And a use-side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order. The refrigerant circuit has a reversible refrigerant circuit (50). The expansion mechanism (48) in the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50) is connected to the use side. The liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected to the heat exchanger (49), and the use side heat exchanger (49) in the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50).
The gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the compressor and the compressor (45), and the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is driven during the reverse cycle defrost operation to operate the refrigerant. An air conditioner, comprising: a reverse cycle heating control means (33) for heating the air conditioner; and an opening / closing control means (32) for opening the opening / closing mechanism (22) during the reverse cycle defrost operation. 7. An air conditioner comprising the refrigerant heating device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the compressor (45), the heat source side heat exchanger (47), and the expansion mechanism (48). )
And a use-side heat exchanger (49) are connected in order. The refrigerant circuit has a reversible refrigerant circuit (50). The expansion mechanism (48) in the liquid pipe (43) of the refrigerant circuit (50) and the use side The liquid pipe (12) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected to the heat exchanger (49), and the use side heat exchanger (49) in the gas pipe (44) of the refrigerant circuit (50).
The gas pipe (13) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is connected between the compressor and the compressor (45), and the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) is driven during the reverse cycle defrost operation to operate the refrigerant. Cycle heating control means (33) for heating the first opening / closing mechanism (20) and opening / closing control means (32) for opening the second opening / closing mechanism (22) during the reverse cycle defrost operation. An air conditioner characterized by: 8. The capacity for operating the heater (19) of the refrigerant heating device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, when the capacity of the use side heat exchanger (49) is insufficient during the heating operation. An air conditioner comprising a control means (35). 9. The refrigerant circuit (50) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the refrigerant circuit (50) is configured to perform a reverse cycle defrost operation and a normal cycle defrost operation. An air conditioner comprising a normal cycle heating control means (34) for heating a refrigerant by driving a heater (19) of the apparatus (10). 10. The heater according to claim 5, wherein the heater (19) is configured to receive power supply from a power supply (23) different from a power supply for the refrigerant circuit (50). An air conditioner characterized by the following.