JP5820998B2 - Heating system control method and heating system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating system control method, and more particularly to a heating system control method including a heat pump heating device.

  A heat pump hot water supply device absorbs heat from the atmosphere, compresses and heats a refrigerant with electricity, and makes hot water from water by a heat exchanger. Moreover, the heat pump type heating device uses hot water produced by a heat pump for heating.

  In the heat pump, when the temperature of the atmosphere is low, a phenomenon (frost formation) occurs in which frost forms on the heat exchanger when the heat of the atmosphere is absorbed. The more frost that adheres to the heat exchanger, the more difficult it is to absorb the heat of the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in the output of the heat pump or a decrease in the efficiency of the heat pump. For this reason, the heat pump apparatus has a function of performing an operation (defrosting) to remove frost when it is detected that frost has formed on the heat exchanger to some extent.

JP 2010-249333 A

  In recent years, with the spread of heat pumps, the proportion of electric power has increased as an energy source to cover heat demand, and the peak of electric power demand has risen.

  For this reason, in addition to the conventional contract system in which power charges are expensive during peak hours, a contract system that lowers the power charges to some extent instead of suppressing the power load during peak hours specified by the power company Can be selected.

  If the electric power load is suppressed during the peak time period using this contract system, the output of the heat pump is insufficient with respect to the heating heat demand and the room temperature is lowered, so that the user's comfort may be impaired.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a control method for a heat pump heating system that suppresses a decrease in user comfort while reducing the peak of power demand.

  A heating system control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling a heating system that operates by receiving power supply from a power supply source. The heating system includes a heat pump that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply source, and a heat radiating unit that radiates heat generated by the heat pump. The heat pump operates in a heating mode for generating heat for radiating heat to the heat radiating unit or a defrosting mode for removing frost generated in the heat pump. The control method of the heating system includes an acquisition step of acquiring an output suppression instruction indicating an output suppression time zone for suppressing power consumption of the heat pump from the power supply source, and starts operation of the heat pump in the defrost mode. A defrosting condition including a defrosting start condition to be performed and a defrosting end condition for causing the heat pump to end the operation in the defrosting mode, wherein the first defrosting applied to a time zone other than the output suppression time zone When the defrost condition determining step for determining the defrost condition and the second defrost condition applied in the output suppression time zone, and the defrost start condition determined in the defrost condition determining step, When the heat pump is started to operate in the defrost mode, and the defrost end condition determined in the defrost condition determination step is satisfied, the heat pump is operated in the defrost mode. An operation control step for ending rolling, and in the defrosting condition determining step, a time during which the heat pump continuously operates in the defrosting mode according to the second defrosting condition is based on the first defrosting condition. At least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the second defrost condition is made different from the first defrost condition so as to be shorter.

  Note that these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, and realized by any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. May be.

  According to the present invention, since the time for continuous operation in the defrosting mode is shortened during the output suppression time period, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while reducing the peak power demand.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of the heat pump heating system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the heat pump heating system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the heat pump heating device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a refrigerant flow in the heat pump that operates in the heating mode according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a refrigerant flow in the heat pump operating in the defrosting mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a detailed configuration diagram of the system control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the entire process of the heat pump heating system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the HP control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the DR control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a defrosting required time table according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a defrosting allowable time table according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating a transition model of defrosting required time, defrosting allowable time, and heat exchanger surface temperature according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of the defrosting required time, the defrosting allowable time, the heat exchanger surface temperature, the room temperature, and the power consumption when the control according to Embodiment 1 is executed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a DR control process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature when the control according to the second embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a DR control process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature when the control according to Embodiments 2 and 3 is executed.

(Knowledge that became the basis of the present invention)
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating an operation schedule that minimizes power consumption using a solution to an optimization problem, including a decrease in efficiency of a heat pump due to frost formation and a defrosting time. ing.

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, using the contract system described in “Problems to be Solved by the Invention” and making an operation schedule in consideration of power consumption, defrosting occurs during peak hours (high power charges). May occur. In this case, the room temperature is further lowered because it is not possible to cover the heat demand from the heat pump during the defrosting in spite of the peak time zone where the room temperature is lowered due to insufficient heat pump output. And there is a problem of impairing comfort.

  In addition, if defrosting is performed during peak hours, it will not be able to meet the demand for heat and will not contribute to comfort, but will use expensive power, which is not economical and wastes grid power. A heavy load. In addition, if the method of Patent Document 1 is to optimize power charges and comfort in addition to power consumption, there is a problem that the calculation cost increases and a solution cannot be obtained in real time.

  In order to solve such a problem, a heating system control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a heating system that operates by receiving power supply from a power supply source. The heating system includes a heat pump that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply source, and a heat radiating unit that radiates heat generated by the heat pump. The heat pump operates in a heating mode for generating heat for radiating heat to the heat radiating unit or a defrosting mode for removing frost generated in the heat pump. The control method of the heating system includes an acquisition step of acquiring an output suppression instruction indicating an output suppression time zone for suppressing power consumption of the heat pump from the power supply source, and starts operation of the heat pump in the defrost mode. A defrosting condition including a defrosting start condition to be performed and a defrosting end condition for causing the heat pump to end the operation in the defrosting mode, wherein the first defrosting applied to a time zone other than the output suppression time zone When the defrost condition determining step for determining the defrost condition and the second defrost condition applied in the output suppression time zone, and the defrost start condition determined in the defrost condition determining step, When the heat pump is started to operate in the defrost mode, and the defrost end condition determined in the defrost condition determination step is satisfied, the heat pump is operated in the defrost mode. An operation control step for ending rolling, and in the defrosting condition determining step, a time during which the heat pump continuously operates in the defrosting mode according to the second defrosting condition is based on the first defrosting condition. At least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the second defrost condition is made different from the first defrost condition so as to be shorter.

  According to the above method, since the time for continuous operation in the defrost mode during the output suppression time period (the required time per defrost operation) is shortened, a decrease in the room temperature during defrosting can be suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to save power consumed by a heater or the like for suppressing a decrease in room temperature. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user comfort while reducing the peak of power demand.

For example, in the defrosting condition determination step, information indicating a room temperature is further acquired, and a time during which the heat pump operates in the defrosting mode is acquired in a time zone in which the second defrosting condition is applied. At least one of the defrosting start condition and the defrosting end condition included in the second defrosting condition may be determined so that the lower the indoor temperature indicated by the information, the shorter the indoor temperature.
In addition, for example, in the defrosting condition determination step, at each time for each predetermined time interval in the output suppression time period, the time from when the heat pump is switched to the defrosting mode until the defrosting end condition is satisfied. A certain defrosting time reaches the defrosting allowable time which is a time from when the heat pump is switched to the defrosting mode until the room temperature reaches a predetermined lower limit value. You may determine with the said defrost start conditions of defrost conditions.

  As an example, the heating system includes the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger constituting the heat pump and the defrosting time, the outside air temperature, the indoor temperature, and the defrosting allowable time. A correspondence relationship may be maintained. In the acquisition step, the outside air temperature, the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger, and the room temperature may be acquired. And in the said operation control step, the said defrost required time matched with the said external temperature acquired by the said acquisition step, and the surface temperature of the said air heat exchanger for every predetermined time interval in the said output suppression time slot | zone. The defrost start condition of the second defrost condition may be determined using the outside air temperature acquired in the acquisition step and the defrost allowable time associated with the indoor temperature. .

  As another example, the heating system includes a correspondence relationship between the outside air temperature and the refrigerant temperature in the heat pump and the defrosting required time, and a correspondence relationship between the outside air temperature and the indoor temperature and the defrosting allowable time. May be held. In the acquisition step, the outside air temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the room temperature may be acquired. In the operation control step, the defrosting time associated with the outside air temperature and the refrigerant temperature acquired in the acquisition step, and the acquisition for each predetermined time interval in the output suppression time zone. The defrost start condition of the second defrost condition may be determined using the outside air temperature acquired in the step and the defrost allowable time associated with the room temperature.

  Further, the defrosting start condition may include a lower limit value of the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger constituting the heat pump. In the condition determining step, a lower limit value of the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger included in the second defrost condition may be set higher than that of the first defrost condition.

  Further, the defrosting termination condition may include an upper limit value of the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger constituting the heat pump. In the condition determination step, an upper limit value of the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger included in the second defrost condition may be set lower than that of the first defrost condition.

  The defrosting start condition may include a lower limit value of the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump. In the condition determining step, a lower limit value of the refrigerant temperature included in the second defrost condition may be set higher than the first defrost condition.

  In addition, the defrosting termination condition may include an upper limit value of the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump. In the condition determining step, an upper limit value of the temperature of the refrigerant included in the second defrost condition may be set lower than that of the first defrost condition.

  In the operation control step, when the state that satisfies the defrost start condition continues for a predetermined time, the heat pump starts operation in the defrost mode, or the state that satisfies the defrost end condition satisfies the predetermined time. When it continues, you may make the said heat pump complete | finish the driving | operation in the said defrost mode.

  Further, in the operation control step, the heat pump operating in the heating mode is made to heat the first heat quantity per unit time in a time zone other than the output suppression time zone, and per unit time in the output suppression time zone. Second heat quantity less than the first heat quantity may be regenerated.

  A heating system according to one embodiment of the present invention operates by receiving power supply from a power supply source. Specifically, the heating system includes a heat pump that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply source, a heat radiating unit that dissipates heat generated by the heat pump, and a control that controls operation of the heat pump. A part. The heat pump operates in a heating mode for generating heat for radiating heat to the heat radiating unit or a defrosting mode for removing frost generated in the heat pump. The control unit acquires an output suppression instruction indicating an output suppression time zone for suppressing power consumption of the heat pump from the power supply source, and defrosting that causes the heat pump to start operation in the defrost mode. A defrost condition including a start condition and a defrost end condition for causing the heat pump to end the operation in the defrost mode, wherein the first defrost condition is applied to a time zone other than the output suppression time zone; When the defrosting condition determining unit that determines the second defrosting condition to be applied in the output suppression time zone and the defrosting start condition determined by the defrosting condition determining unit are satisfied, the heat pump An operation control unit for starting the operation in the defrosting mode and for causing the heat pump to end the operation in the defrosting mode when the defrosting end condition determined by the defrosting condition determining unit is satisfied. . And the said defrost condition determination part is a said 2nd defrost condition so that the time for which the said heat pump operate | moves continuously in the said defrost mode according to a said 2nd defrost condition becomes shorter than a said 1st defrost condition. At least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the defrost condition is made different from the first defrost condition.

  These comprehensive or specific modes may be realized by a recording medium recording medium such as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM, and the system, method, integrated circuit, You may implement | achieve with arbitrary combinations of a computer program or a recording medium.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements.

(Embodiment 1)
(Overview)
First, the outline | summary of the control method of the heat pump type heating system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of control of the heat pump heating system according to the present embodiment. Here, the heat pump heating system 1 includes a heat pump heating device 100 and a system control unit 8 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump heating system 1 according to the present embodiment first outputs an output suppression signal (hereinafter referred to as “DR (Demand Response) signal”) from an energy supplier to an expensive power charge time zone. Is received (step S101). The DR signal includes information for specifying an output suppression time zone (hereinafter referred to as “DR time zone”) that is a time zone in which the power consumption of the heat pump should be suppressed.

  The output suppression time zone is a time zone that can be arbitrarily specified by the energy supplier, for example, a time zone in which the power supplied by the energy supplier reaches a peak. 2 hours ". The heat pump heating system 1 receives the DR signal before the DR start time (for example, 17:30).

  Next, the heat pump heating system 1 switches the defrost condition from the first defrost condition to the second defrost condition at the DR start time (step S102), and further at the DR end time, the second defrost condition. To the first defrosting condition (step S103). That is, the heat pump heating system 1 determines the necessity for the defrosting operation under the first defrosting condition in a time zone other than the DR time zone (hereinafter referred to as “normal time zone”), and in the DR time zone. The necessity for the defrosting operation is determined under the second defrosting condition.

  Here, the defrosting operation refers to an operation for removing frost attached to a heat exchanger (described later) constituting the heat pump heating device 100. That is, the heat pump heating device 100 can operate in a heating mode that generates heat for use in heating or a defrosting mode that removes frost generated in the heat pump heating device 100.

  The defrosting condition includes a defrosting start condition that causes the heat pump heating device 100 to start operation in the defrosting mode, and a defrosting end condition that causes the heat pump heating device 100 to end the operation in the defrosting mode. . The first defrost condition and the second defrost condition are different in at least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition.

  Specifically, the time during which the heat pump heating device 100 continuously operates in the defrosting mode according to the second defrosting condition is continuously increased in the defrosting mode according to the first defrosting condition. The first and second defrost conditions are determined so as to be shorter than the operating time (details will be described later).

  Furthermore, the heat pump heating system 1 causes the heat pump heating device 100 operating in the heating mode to heat the first amount of heat (for example, 5 kW) per unit time in the normal time zone, and the DR time zone per unit time. The second heat quantity (for example, 2 kW) smaller than the first heat quantity is heated. That is, the heating mode includes a normal mode that generates the first amount of heat per unit time and an output suppression mode that generates the second amount of heat per unit time.

  As in the above configuration, by reducing the amount of generated heat per unit time in the DR time zone from that in the normal time zone, the peak of power demand can be reduced. In addition, the second defrosting condition applied in the DR time zone is compared with the first defrosting condition applied in the normal time zone, so that the time for one defrosting operation is shortened. By doing, it can suppress that a user's comfort falls.

(System Configuration)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the heat pump heating system 1 including the heat pump heating device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 2, power is supplied from an energy supplier (power supply source) 4 to a house (building) through first and second power systems. The first power system is a power system to which power is stably supplied. The first power system is a power system having a relatively high power rate, and the power consumption is measured by the first power meter 6. On the other hand, the second power system is a power system in which the energy supplier 4 can suppress power supply in an arbitrary time zone. Further, the second power system is a power system whose power rate is lower than that of the first power system, and the power consumption is measured by the second power meter 7.

  Moreover, the electric power load 5, the system control part 8, and the heat pump type heating apparatus 100 are installed in the house shown by FIG. The heat pump heating device 100 includes at least a heat pump (raw heat unit) 101, a heat exchanger 102, and a heating device (heat radiating unit) 104.

  The heat pump heating device 100 dissipates the heat generated by the heat pump 101 from the heating device 104 through the heat exchanger 102, whereby the room temperature of the room in which the heating device 104 is installed includes a predetermined set temperature. Keep within the temperature range of.

  The 1st electric power meter 6 measures the power consumption of apparatuses (namely, the electric power load 5 and the system control part 8) other than the heat pump type heating apparatus 100. FIG. That is, the system control unit 8 and the power load 5 operate using the power supplied from the energy supplier 4 through the first power system.

  On the other hand, the 2nd electric power meter 7 measures the power consumption which each component of the heat pump type heating apparatus 100, such as a compressor, a pump, and a fan (illustration omitted) consumes. That is, each component of the heat pump heating device 100 operates using electric power supplied from the energy supplier 4 through the second electric power system.

  In the example of FIG. 2, two power meters are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a power meter that includes a first interface that outputs power of the first power system and a second interface that outputs power of the second power system, and individually measures the power output through each interface Only one may be installed.

  The system control unit 8 has a function of communicating with the energy supplier 4 and gives a control command to the heat pump heating device 100. For example, the system control unit 8 controls the operation of the heat pump heating device 100 so that the power consumption of the heat pump 101 in the DR time zone is suppressed.

  The energy supplier 4 is a company that supplies electric power or gas to each household, and transmits a DR signal to the system control unit 8 when it is desired to suppress the use of electric power in each household. After receiving the DR signal, the system control unit 8 suppresses the consumption of power supplied to each home (heat pump heating device 100) through the second power system.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of heat pump heating device 100 according to the present embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the configuration of the heat pump 101. FIG.

  3 includes a heat pump 101, a heat exchanger 102, a heating device 104, an HP control unit 103, an outside air temperature detection unit 105, an indoor temperature detection unit 106, and a heat exchanger. A surface temperature detection unit 107, a heater 108, a hot water temperature detection unit 109, a flow rate detection unit 110, and an incoming water temperature detection unit 111 are provided. The heat pump 101 and the heat exchanger 102 are collectively referred to as a heat pump unit.

  The heat pump 101 uses air as a heat source and compresses the refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the heat pump 101 includes an air heat exchanger 101a that generates heat at low temperature and low pressure by causing heat exchange between outside air and low temperature and low pressure liquid refrigerant, A motor-driven compressor 101b that compresses the vapor refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant, an expansion valve 101c that generates a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant by reducing the pressure of the low-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant, and the refrigerant in the evaporator and the outside air It is comprised by the fan (illustration omitted) etc. which accelerate heat exchange.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant output from the compressor 101b exchanges heat with water (heat storage material) in the heat exchanger 102, and flows into the expansion valve 101c as a low-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. That is, the refrigerant in the heat pump 101 circulates clockwise in the heat pump cycle of FIG. 4A. The refrigerant of the heat pump 101 is R-410A, for example. Due to the characteristics of this refrigerant, the maximum temperature at the outlet on the water cycle side of the heat exchanger 102 is 55 ° C., so the upper limit value of the set heating temperature is 55 ° C. However, this maximum temperature is a value that varies depending on the characteristics of the refrigerant, and is not limited to the above example.

  The heat exchanger (water heat exchanger) 102 is a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output from the heat pump 101 and a secondary water cycle (that is, between the heat exchanger 102 and the heating device 104) filled with water. Heat exchange with water circulated in). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a water pump that adjusts the amount of water input to the heat exchanger 102 is installed on the flow path from the heating device 104 to the heat exchanger 102.

  The heating device 104 is a device for warming the home, for example, a radiator or floor heating that releases heat energy into the room through a heat dissipation panel, or an air conditioner that outputs warm air heated by the heat exchanger 102 Etc. In addition, the specific example of the heating apparatus 104 is not limited to these, All apparatuses which have the thermal radiation part which discharge | releases the heat | fever produced | generated with the heat pump 101 correspond.

  The outside air temperature detection unit 105 detects the outside air temperature, and specifically detects the outside air temperature in the vicinity where the heat pump heating device 100 is installed. The room temperature detection unit 106 detects the room temperature, and specifically detects the room temperature of the room in which the heat pump heating device 100 is installed. The heat exchanger surface temperature detector 107 detects the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger 101a. Further, the heat pump heating device 100 may include a refrigerant temperature detection unit (not shown) that detects the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump 101.

  The specific configurations of the outside air temperature detection unit 105, the indoor temperature detection unit 106, the heat exchanger surface temperature detection unit 107, and the refrigerant temperature detection unit are not particularly limited. For example, a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector What is necessary is just to employ | adopt suitably the general structure which measures temperature, such as a thermistor and a bimetal thermometer, according to the object to measure.

  The HP control unit 103 controls the amount of generated heat by controlling the compressor 101b and the expansion valve 101c of the heat pump 101. First, the HP control unit 103 can operate the heat pump 101 in the heating mode (normal mode or output suppression mode) or defrosting mode.

  The heating mode is an operation mode that generates heat for radiating heat to the heating device 104, and is realized by circulating the refrigerant in the heat pump 101 clockwise as shown in FIG. 4A. Specifically, the HP control unit 103 in which the heating mode is set controls the operation of the heat pump 101 in the normal time zone, for example, according to the operating conditions set by the user (normal mode). On the other hand, in the DR time zone, the HP control unit 103 prioritizes the instruction from the system control unit 8 and controls the operation of the heat pump 101 according to this instruction (output suppression mode).

  On the other hand, the defrost mode is an operation mode in which frost generated on the surface of the air heat exchanger 101a is removed, and the refrigerant in the heat pump 101 is circulated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 4B (in the opposite direction to FIG. 4A). It is realized by circulating). That is, by supplying the high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant generated by the compressor 101b to the air heat exchanger 101a, frost generated on the surface of the air heat exchanger 101a can be melted.

  The method for operating the heat pump 101 in the defrosting mode is not limited to the example of FIG. 4B. For example, even when the refrigerant circulation direction is the same as in FIG. 4A, the high-pressure refrigerant can be supplied to the air heat exchanger 101a by making the expansion rate of the expansion valve 101c smaller than that in the heating mode. It becomes possible. As a result, frost can be melted even in this case.

  Further, the HP control unit 103 uses the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature detecting unit 105 and the heat exchanger surface temperature measured by the heat exchanger surface temperature detecting unit 107 to perform heating mode and defrost mode. Judgment of switching. The HP control unit 103 according to the present embodiment operates the heat pump 101 when the outside air temperature is 5 ° C. or less and the heat exchanger surface temperature is −10 ° C. or less (first defrost start condition). Is switched from the heating mode to the defrosting mode. On the other hand, the HP control unit 103 switches the operation mode of the heat pump 101 from the defrost mode to the heating mode when the heat exchanger surface temperature becomes 10 ° C. or higher (first defrost end condition).

  Further, when the HP control unit 103 receives a defrosting start notification from an operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 to be described later, the HP control unit 103 sets the heat pump 101 regardless of whether or not the first defrosting start condition is satisfied. The operation mode is switched from the heating mode to the defrosting mode.

  Similarly, when the HP control unit 103 receives a defrosting end notification from an operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 to be described later, the heat pump 101 regardless of whether the first defrosting end condition is satisfied. The operation mode is switched from the defrost mode to the heating mode.

  The HP control unit 103 notifies the data collection unit 81 of the system control unit 8 of the current operation mode. The notification timing is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a timing when the operation mode is switched, a timing requested from the system control unit 8, or a predetermined timing (every day at midnight, etc.).

  Further, the HP control unit 103 performs the heat exchange measured by the incoming water temperature detection unit 111 and the temperature of the hot water output from the heat exchanger 102 measured by the hot water temperature detection unit 109 shown in FIG. Multiplying the difference between the temperature of the water input to the heater 102 (the incoming water temperature) and the flow rate in the flow path between the heat exchanger 102 and the heating device 104 measured by the flow rate detection unit 110, the heat pump 101 Calculate the output value. Then, the HP control unit 103 transmits the calculated output value to the system control unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 108 is installed on a flow path from the heat exchanger 102 to the heating device 104, and can further heat the hot water output from the heat exchanger 102. Although the specific structure of the heater 108 is not specifically limited, For example, a heating wire etc. can be used.

  In the heat pump heating apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, for example, a tapping temperature that is a temperature of hot water output from the heat exchanger 102 is set by a user, and an operating condition of the heat pump 101 is determined in order to realize this tapping temperature. . However, the heat pump 101 requires a certain amount of time until the amount of generated heat is stabilized after being activated, and it is difficult to follow a large setting change in real time.

  Therefore, the heater 108 measures the hot water output from the heat exchanger 102 when the hot water temperature (measured hot water temperature) detected by the hot water temperature detection unit 109 is less than the temperature set by the user (set hot water temperature). Heat so that the tapping temperature approaches the set tapping temperature.

  Further, when the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is the defrosting mode, the circuit of the heat pump 101 is switched to defrosting, so that the tapping temperature is lowered and the room temperature is also lowered. Therefore, the heater 108 can heat the hot water output from the heat exchanger 102 while the heat pump 101 operates in the defrosting mode so as not to impair user comfort.

(Block diagram of system control unit 8)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the system control unit (system control apparatus) 8 according to the present embodiment. The system control unit 8 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a data collection unit 81, a communication unit 82, an operation control unit 83, and a defrost condition determination unit 84.

  In addition, although the system control part 8 shown by FIG.2 and FIG.5 is comprised separately from the heat pump type heating apparatus 100, this invention is not limited to this. That is, the system control unit 8 may be configured integrally with the heat pump heating device 100. For example, a function corresponding to the system control unit 8 may be mounted inside the heat pump heating device 100.

  The data collection unit 81 is measured by various temperatures detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit 105, the indoor temperature detection unit 106, the heat exchanger surface temperature detection unit 107, and the like, the first power meter 6 and the second power meter 7. Collect various information such as power consumption. Further, the data collection unit 81 receives a current operation mode notification of the heat pump 101 from the HP control unit 103.

  The communication unit 82 receives a DR signal from the energy supplier 4. Further, the communication unit 82 notifies the energy supplier 4 that the supply of power to the heat pump heating device 100 through the second power system has been suppressed or resumed. The communication unit 82 may communicate with the energy supplier 4 through a power line (Power Line Communication: PLC), or may communicate with the energy supplier 4 through a line different from the power line such as the Internet.

  The DR signal is transmitted from the energy supplier 4 before the start time (for example, 0.5 hours to 12 hours before) of the DR time zone in which the use of power in each household is desired to be suppressed, for example. In this case, the DR signal includes information for specifying the start time and end time of the DR time zone. In the present embodiment, “DR start time: 18:00, DR end time: 20:00” will be described as an example.

  A specific example of “information for specifying a start time and an end time of a DR time zone” is not particularly limited. For example, a DR start time such as “DR start time: 18:00, DR end time: 20:00” And DR end time itself, or information indicating the DR start time and the length of the DR time zone, such as “DR start time 18:00, DR time: 2 hours”.

  The operation control unit 83 switches the operation of the HP control unit 103 between the normal time zone and the DR time zone. That is, the operation control unit 83 causes the HP control unit 103 to control the operation of the heat pump 101 so as to realize the tapping temperature set by the user in the normal time zone (typically, the heat pump 101 is set to the normal mode). To work with).

  On the other hand, the operation control unit 83 determines the operation condition of the heat pump 101 in the DR time period when the DR signal is received by the communication unit 82. The operation control unit 83 causes the HP control unit 103 to control the operation of the heat pump 101 under the operation conditions determined by the operation control unit 83 (typically, the heat pump 101 is operated in the output suppression mode). In this case, the command from the system control unit 8 (operation control unit 83) has priority over the HP control unit 103.

  This operating condition includes, for example, a set value of hot water temperature (hot water temperature) output from the heat exchanger 102 and an operating state of the heater 108. For example, the operation control unit 83 may cause the heat pump 101 to generate a heat amount (second heat amount) smaller than a raw heat amount (first heat amount) per unit time of the heat pump 101 in a time zone other than the DR time zone. The hot water temperature of the heat pump 101 in the time zone is determined.

  Specifically, for example, the operation control unit 83 sets the temperature of the hot water from the heat exchanger 102 from a first temperature setting (for example, 55 ° C.) to a second temperature setting (for example, 30 ° C.) lower than the first temperature. ), And the amount of raw heat per unit time in the heat pump 101 is decreased from the first amount of heat to the second amount of heat. In addition, the activation of the heater 108 is suppressed (or prohibited) to reduce power consumption. Here, the amount of hot water (outflow amount) output from the heat exchanger 102 is constant. For example, the operation condition determination process is performed at a timing when the communication unit 82 receives the DR signal from the energy supplier 4, but is not limited thereto.

  The defrost condition determination part 84 determines the defrost conditions applied to each of a normal time slot | zone and DR time slot | zone. The defrosting condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment has a defrosting condition (first defrosting condition) that is applied in the normal time zone, and the first defrosting start condition set in the HP control unit 103. And the first defrosting termination condition. That is, the defrosting determination in the normal time zone in the present embodiment is performed by the HP control unit 103.

  On the other hand, the defrost condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment sets the second defrost start condition as the defrost required time among the defrost conditions (second defrost condition) applied in the DR time zone. It is determined that the defrosting allowable time is reached (the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time coincide with each other from the state where the defrosting required time is less than the defrosting allowable time), and the second defrosting termination condition is set to It is determined to be the same as the defrosting end condition. In addition, the defrost condition determining unit 84 controls the start of the defrost determination based on the second defrost condition at the DR start time and the end of the defrost determination based on the second defrost condition at the DR end time. Notification to the unit 83. That is, the operation control unit 83 performs the defrosting determination in the DR time zone in the present embodiment.

  The time required for defrosting refers to the time required from the time when the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrosting mode until the second defrosting end condition is satisfied. The defrosting allowable time refers to the time required for the room temperature to reach a predetermined lower limit after switching the heat pump 101 to the defrosting mode.

  The operation control unit 83 acquires the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time every predetermined interval (for example, 1 minute) in the DR time zone, and determines the second defrosting start condition. When the second defrost start condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 83 transmits a defrost start notification to the HP control unit 103. In addition, the operation control unit 83 acquires the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 105 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 minute) through the data collection unit 81 in the DR time period, and performs the second defrosting. Determine the termination condition. When the second defrost termination condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 83 transmits a defrost termination notification to the HP control unit 103.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 6-9C, the control method of the heat pump heating system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the control process of the heat pump heating system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the HP control process (step S603 in FIG. 6) shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the DR control process (step S604 in FIG. 6) shown in FIG. FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are diagrams for explaining a determination method of the second defrosting start condition according to the present embodiment.

  First, the communication unit 82 of the system control unit 8 receives a DR signal from the energy supplier 4 (step S601). Then, the system control unit 8 monitors the arrival of the DR start time specified by the DR signal (step S602).

  On the other hand, the HP control unit 103 executes HP control processing (step S603). Details of the HP control process (step S603) shown in FIG. 6 are shown in FIG. First, the HP control unit 103 checks whether or not the current operation mode of the heat pump 101 is the defrost mode (step S701).

  When the current operation mode is not the defrosting mode (No in step S701), the heat pump 101 is already operating in the heating mode (heating operation). Next, the HP control unit 103 confirms whether or not a defrosting start notification is received from the operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 (step S702).

  When the defrosting start notification has not been received (No in step S702), the HP control unit 103 uses the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature detection unit 105 and the heat exchanger measured by the heat exchanger surface temperature detection unit 107. With reference to the surface temperature, it is determined whether or not the current state satisfies the first defrosting start condition (step S703). The first defrosting start condition in the present embodiment is, for example, “the outside air temperature is 5 ° C. or less and the heat exchanger surface temperature is −10 ° C. or less”.

  When the current state satisfies the first defrost start condition (Yes in step S703), the HP control unit 103 sets the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the defrost mode (step S705) and removes the heat pump 101. Operation is started in the frost mode (step S706). On the other hand, when the current state does not satisfy the first defrost start condition (No in step S703), the HP control unit 103 causes the heat pump 101 to continue to operate in the heating mode (step S704).

  When the defrost start notification is received (Yes in step S702), the HP control unit 103 sets the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the defrost mode without determining the first defrost start condition. (Step S705), the heat pump 101 is started to operate in the defrosting mode (Step S706).

  On the other hand, when the current operation mode is the defrost mode (Yes in step S701), the heat pump 101 is already operating in the defrost mode (defrost operation). Next, the HP control unit 103 confirms whether or not a defrosting end notification has been received from the operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 (step S707).

  When the defrosting end notification has not been received (No in step S707), the HP control unit 103 refers to the heat exchanger surface temperature measured by the heat exchanger surface temperature detecting unit 107, and ends the first defrosting. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step S708). The first defrosting termination condition in the present embodiment is, for example, “the heat exchanger surface temperature is 10 ° C. or higher”.

  When the first defrost termination condition is satisfied (Yes in step S708), the HP control unit 103 sets the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the heating mode (step S710), and causes the heat pump 101 to start the operation in the heating mode. (Step S711). On the other hand, when the first defrost termination condition is not satisfied (No in step S708), the HP control unit 103 causes the heat pump 101 to continue to operate in the defrost mode (step S709).

  Moreover, when the defrost end notification is received (Yes in step S707), the HP control unit 103 sets the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the heating mode without determining the first defrost end condition ( In step S710, the heat pump 101 is started to operate in the heating mode (step S711).

  Then, the HP control unit 103 repeatedly executes each of the above processes (steps S701 to S711) at a predetermined interval (for example, 1 minute) (step S712). Here, since the defrosting start notification and the defrosting end notification are not issued in the normal time zone, the HP control unit 103, as shown in FIG. The defrosting end condition of 1 is determined by itself, and the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched.

  Next, returning to FIG. 6, when the DR start time arrives (Yes in step S602), the system control unit 8 executes a DR control process (step S604). Details of the DR control process (step S604) shown in FIG. 6 are shown in FIG.

  The operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 transmits an output suppression command to the HP control unit 103 (step S801). The output suppression command transmitted here is an instruction to set the temperature of the hot water from the heat exchanger 102 to 30 ° C., for example, as shown in FIG. Then, the HP control unit 103 that has received the output suppression command switches the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the output suppression mode.

  Next, the operation control unit 83 of the system control unit 8 detects the current outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting unit 105, the current indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature detecting unit 106, and the heat exchanger surface temperature detection. The current heat exchanger surface temperature detected by the unit 107 is acquired through the data collection unit 81 (step S802).

  Next, the operation control unit 83 calculates the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time based on each temperature acquired in step S802 (step S803). For example, the operation control unit 83 according to the present embodiment calculates the defrosting required time based on the defrosting required time table shown in FIG. 9A, and defrosts based on the defrosting allowable time table shown in FIG. 9B. Calculate the allowable time. With reference to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the process of step S803 will be described in detail.

  First, the defrosting time table shown in FIG. 9A is a table that holds the correspondence relationship between the outside air temperature, the heat exchanger surface temperature, and the defrosting time. For example, the first column of the defrosting time table indicates that the defrosting time is 7 minutes when the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. and the heat exchanger surface temperature is −5 ° C.

  Further, the defrosting allowable time table shown in FIG. 9B is a table that holds the correspondence relationship between the outside air temperature, the room temperature, and the defrosting allowable time. For example, in the first column of the defrosting allowable time table, when the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. and the room temperature is 19 ° C., it takes 4 minutes for the room temperature to decrease by 0.5 ° C., and the room temperature decreases by 1.0 ° C. It takes 7 minutes to complete. That is, the defrosting allowable time refers to the time required for the indoor temperature to decrease by a predetermined decrease width (for example, 1 ° C.) under the current outside air temperature and the current indoor temperature.

  The allowable defrosting time held in the allowable defrosting time table is longer as the outside air temperature is higher, longer as the indoor temperature is higher, and longer as the allowable decrease in the indoor temperature is larger. In the example of FIG. 9B, the defrosting allowable time when the room temperature decreases by 0.5 ° C. and the defrosting allowable time when the indoor temperature decreases by 1.0 ° C. are illustrated. For example, you may hold | maintain the defrost allowable time corresponding to 1.5 degreeC, 2.0 degreeC, ... etc.).

  Next, the operation control unit 83 determines whether or not the second defrost start condition is satisfied using the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time calculated in step S803 (step S804). Specifically, the operation control unit 83 determines that the second defrost start condition is satisfied when the defrosting required time reaches the defrosting allowable time (Yes in step S804), and the defrosting required time is removed. If it is less than the allowable frost time, it is determined that the second defrosting start condition is not satisfied (No in step S804).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9C, the relationship between the defrosting required time, the defrosting allowable time, and the heat exchanger surface temperature will be described. First, the time required for defrosting gradually increases with time. On the other hand, the defrosting allowable time has little change with the passage of time. Therefore, initially, the defrost allowable time exceeds the defrost required time, but the difference between the defrost allowable time and the defrost required time is reduced with the passage of time. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the operation control unit 83 determines that the second defrosting start condition is satisfied at the timing when the defrosting required time reaches the defrosting allowable time.

  On the other hand, the heat exchanger surface temperature gradually decreases with time and satisfies the first defrosting start condition (−10 ° C.). However, in a house with general heat insulation performance, as shown in FIG. 9C, the second defrost start condition is satisfied before the first defrost start condition is satisfied. That is, by using the second defrosting start condition, the defrosting start time is advanced compared to the case of using the first defrosting start condition.

  If the second defrost start condition is satisfied (Yes in step S804), the operation control unit 83 transmits a defrost start notification to the HP control unit 103 (step S805). The HP control unit 103 (Yes in step S702 in FIG. 7) that has received the defrost start notification switches the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the defrost mode.

  On the other hand, when the second defrost start condition is not satisfied (No in step S804), the operation control unit 83 determines whether or not the second defrost end condition is satisfied (step S806). Note that the second defrosting termination condition according to the present embodiment is the same as the first defrosting termination condition (that is, the heat exchanger surface temperature is 10 ° C. or higher). 1 is satisfied? ”

  When the second defrost termination condition is satisfied (Yes in step S806), the operation control unit 83 transmits a defrost termination notification to the HP control unit 103 (step S807). The HP control unit 103 (Yes in step S707 in FIG. 7) that has received the defrosting end notification switches the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the heating mode.

  Next, the system control unit 8 determines whether the DR end time has arrived (step S808). If the DR end time has not yet been reached (No in step S808), the system control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time (eg, 1 minute) (Yes in step S809), and then Steps S802 to S807) are executed again. That is, the system control unit 8 repeatedly executes the processing of steps S802 to S807 at a predetermined interval (for example, every minute) until the DR end time arrives (Yes in step S808) (step S809). .

  When the DR end time arrives (Yes in step S808), the operation control unit 83 transmits an output suppression release command to the HP control unit 103 (step S810), and ends the DR control process. The output suppression cancellation command transmitted here is an instruction to set the temperature of the hot water from the heat exchanger 102 to 55 ° C., for example, as shown in FIG. Then, the HP control unit 103 that has received the output suppression release command switches the operation mode of the heat pump 101 to the normal mode.

  The effect obtained by the above processing will be described with reference to FIG. (A) of FIG. 10 is a figure which shows the example of transition of defrost required time (broken line) and defrost allowable time (one-dot chain line). (B) of FIG. 10 is a figure which shows the example of transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature. (C) of FIG. 10 is a figure which shows the example of transition of room temperature. (D) of FIG. 10 is a figure which shows the example of transition of the power consumption of the heat pump 101. FIG.

  In (b) to (d) of FIG. 10, the short broken line indicates the case where the defrost determination is performed under the first defrost condition and the use of the heater 108 is prohibited during the defrost operation (normal defrost control (1 )), The long broken line shows the transition of the case where the defrosting determination is performed under the first defrosting condition and the use of the heater 108 is permitted during the defrosting operation (normal defrosting control (2)), The solid line shows the transition when the defrost determination is performed under the second defrost condition and the use of the heater 108 is prohibited during the defrost operation (DR defrost control).

  In the example of FIG. 10, the operation of the heat pump 101 is controlled so that the room temperature is maintained at 20 ° C. during the normal time zone and the room temperature is maintained at 19 ° C. during the DR time zone. That is, the normal mode in this example is an operation mode for maintaining the room temperature at 20 ° C., and the output suppression mode is an operation mode for maintaining the room temperature at 19 ° C.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the DR start time is 18:00, the DR end time is 20:00, and the DR time zone is 2 hours. Furthermore, in the DR defrost control, it is assumed that the room temperature drop during the defrosting operation in the DR time zone can be allowed to 1 ° C. (that is, the lower limit value of the room temperature is set to 18 ° C.).

  First, since the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched from the normal mode to the output suppression mode at 18:00, the power consumption of the heat pump 101 is 5 kW (normal mode) in all control methods as shown in FIG. Decrease to 2 kW (output suppression mode). Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, the room temperature gradually decreases from 20 ° C. to 19 ° C. in all the control methods.

  First, in the DR defrost control, as shown in FIG. 10A, the second defrost start condition is satisfied at 18:40, and the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrost mode at this time ( DR defrost). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the heat exchanger surface temperature gradually increases and reaches 10 ° C. at 18:45 (that is, the second defrost termination condition is satisfied) The operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched to the heating mode (output suppression mode) at this time.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10C, the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrosting mode at 18:40, so that the heat radiation from the heating device 104 is stopped, so that the room temperature gradually decreases, At 10:45 (at the same time as the second defrost termination condition is satisfied), the room temperature reaches 18 ° C., which is the lower limit value. Further, since the heat pump is switched to the output suppression mode at 18:45, the heat radiation from the heating device 104 is resumed, so that the room temperature gradually increases and recovers to 19 ° C. at 10:50.

  Furthermore, as shown in (d) of FIG. 10, the power consumption of the heat pump 101 is changed from 2 kW (output suppression mode) to 4 kW (defrost mode) by switching the heat pump 101 to the defrost mode at 18:40. To rise. Further, from 18:45 to 18:50, the heat pump 101 operating in the output suppression mode consumes 4 kW of power in order to increase the room temperature from 18 ° C. to 19 ° C.

  The transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature, room temperature, and power consumption from 19:25 to 19:35 when DR defrost control is performed is the same as the transition from 18:40 to 18:50. Therefore, the re-explanation is omitted.

  Next, in the normal defrost control (1), as shown in FIG. 10A, the first defrost start condition is satisfied at 19:20, and the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is defrosted at this time. Switch to mode (normal defrost). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the heat exchanger surface temperature gradually increases and reaches 10 ° C. at 19:30 (that is, the first defrost termination condition is satisfied). The operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched to the heating mode (output suppression mode) at this time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, since the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrosting mode at 19:20, the heat radiation from the heating device 104 is stopped, so that the room temperature gradually decreases. Here, in the normal defrost control (1), since the use of the heater 108 in the DR time zone is prohibited, the room temperature at 19:30 falls to 17 ° C.

  Furthermore, in the normal defrost control (1), as shown in FIG. 10 (d), when the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrost mode at 19:20, the power consumption of the heat pump 101 is 2 kW (output suppression). Mode) to 4 kW (defrost mode). Further, from 19:30 to 19:40, the heat pump 101 operating in the output suppression mode consumes 4 kW of power in order to increase the room temperature from 17 ° C. to 19 ° C.

  Here, when DR defrost control and normal defrost control (1) are compared, the peak of power consumption (4 kW) in the DR time zone is the same. However, the room temperature (17 ° C.) after the end of normal defrosting is lower than the room temperature (18 ° C.) after the end of DR defrost. That is, DR defrost control can suppress a decrease in comfort as compared with normal defrost control (1).

  Next, in the normal defrost control (2), as shown in FIG. 10A, the first defrost start condition is satisfied at 19:20, and the operation mode of the heat pump 101 is defrosted at this time. Switch to mode (normal defrost). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the heat exchanger surface temperature gradually increases and reaches 10 ° C. at 19:30 (that is, the first defrost termination condition is satisfied). The operation mode of the heat pump 101 is switched to the heating mode (output suppression mode) at this time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, since the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrosting mode at 19:20, the heat radiation from the heating device 104 is stopped, so that the room temperature gradually decreases. Here, in the normal defrost control (2), since the use of the heater 108 in the DR time zone is permitted, the room temperature at 19:30 falls only to 18 ° C.

  Further, in the normal defrost control (2), as shown in FIG. 10 (d), when the heat pump 101 is switched to the defrost mode at 19:20, the power consumption of the heat pump 101 is 2 kW (output suppression). Mode). Here, since the use of the heater 108 is permitted in the normal defrost control (2), the heat pump 101 is 6 kW (4 kW for operating in the defrost mode and 2 kW consumed by the heater 108 during the defrost operation). Power). Further, from 19:30 to 19:35, the heat pump 101 operating in the output suppression mode consumes 4 kW of power in order to increase the room temperature from 18 ° C. to 19 ° C.

  Here, when the DR defrost control and the normal defrost control (2) are compared, the lower limit (18 ° C.) of the room temperature during the defrost operation is the same. However, in the normal defrost control (2), since the heater 108 is used to suppress the room temperature decrease during the defrost operation, the power consumption peak (6 kW) is compared with the DR defrost control (4 kW). Get higher. That is, the DR defrost control can lower the peak of the power consumption in the DR time period as compared with the normal defrost control (2).

  As described above, the time required for one DR defrosting (5 minutes) is usually shorter than the time required for one defrosting (10 minutes). Therefore, according to the DR defrost control according to the present embodiment, the defrost operation is performed as compared with the normal defrost control (1) in which the use of the heater 108 is prohibited in order to suppress the peak of power consumption in the DR time zone. It is possible to reduce the decrease in the indoor temperature inside. Moreover, according to DR defrost control which concerns on this Embodiment, compared with normal defrost control (2) which permitted use of the heater 108 in order to suppress the room temperature fall during a defrost operation, it is DR time slot | zone. The peak of power consumption can be kept low.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the first defrosting condition and the second defrosting condition are different only in the defrosting start condition and the defrosting end condition is made common is described. Specifically, the defrost condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment has the second defrost start condition as the first defrost start condition when the heat pump heating device 100 is operated under the same conditions. The second defrosting start condition is determined so as to be satisfied earlier.

  That is, when the defrosting determination is performed according to the second defrosting condition, the heat exchanger surface temperature at the start of the defrosting operation is higher than that according to the first defrosting condition. Therefore, if the defrost termination conditions are common, the time required for one defrost operation is shorter when the second defrost condition is followed than when the first defrost condition is followed.

  As a result, when the heat pump heating device 100 is operated under the same conditions, the temperature drop in the room when the heat pump heating device 100 is operated in the defrosting mode according to the second defrosting condition is set to the first It can be made smaller than the temperature drop width in the room when the heat pump heating device 100 is operated in the defrost mode in accordance with the defrosting conditions.

  In the present embodiment, instantaneous values of the outside air temperature and the heat exchanger surface temperature are used as the first defrosting start condition, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a condition such as “a state where the heat exchanger surface temperature is −10 ° C. or lower continues for a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes)” may be used by using a continuous value or a moving average. The same applies to the first defrost termination condition, the second defrost start condition, and the second defrost termination condition.

  Moreover, although this Embodiment demonstrated the example which included the heat exchanger surface temperature in the 1st defrost start condition, the 1st defrost end condition, and the 2nd defrost end condition, it replaced with this The temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the pipe may be used. Furthermore, the amount of frost formation may be estimated by a combination of the heat exchanger surface temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the like. Furthermore, you may measure the amount of frost formation directly using an imaging device (camera).

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the defrosting required time is calculated using the outside air temperature and the heat exchanger surface temperature, and the defrosting allowable time is calculated using the outside air temperature and the room temperature. Is not limited to this, and the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time may be calculated using other parameters. Furthermore, a parameter different from the defrosting required time and the defrosting allowable time may be included in the second defrosting start condition.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, with reference to FIG.11 and FIG.12, the control method of the heat pump type heating system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of DR control processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature when the control method according to the present embodiment is executed. A detailed description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  First, the basic configuration of the heat pump heating system according to the present embodiment is common to FIGS. The basic operation of the heat pump heating system is the same as in FIGS. However, the DR control process of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes the processes of steps S1102 and S1103 instead of steps S802 and S803 of the DR control process shown in FIG. Is different.

  First, the defrost condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment determines the second defrost start condition and the second defrost end condition in step S1102 of FIG. The defrost condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment sets the threshold (upper limit / lower limit) of the heat exchanger surface temperature included in the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition as the first defrost condition and the first defrost condition. Different depending on the defrosting condition of 2.

  Specifically, the defrost condition determination unit 84 sets the lower limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature included in the second defrost start condition to the lower limit of the heat exchanger surface temperature included in the first defrost start condition. Be higher than the value. In the following example, the first defrost start condition is “the outside air temperature is 5 ° C. or less and the heat exchanger surface temperature is −10 ° C. or less”, and the second defrost start condition is “the outside air temperature is 5 ° C. or less”. And the surface temperature of the heat exchanger is 0 ° C. or lower ”.

  In addition, the defrost condition determining unit 84 sets the upper limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature included in the second defrost end condition to be lower than the upper limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature included in the first defrost end condition. To do. In the following example, the first defrosting end condition is “the heat exchanger surface temperature is 10 ° C. or higher”, and the second defrosting end condition is “the heat exchanger surface temperature is 5 ° C. or higher”.

  Next, the operation control unit 83 according to the present embodiment, in step S1103 of FIG. 11, the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting unit 105 and the heat exchanger detected by the heat exchanger surface temperature detecting unit 107. The surface temperature is acquired through the data collection unit 81. And the operation control part 83 compares the 2nd defrost conditions determined by step S1103, and the information acquired by step S1103, and determines the defrost start (step S804) and the defrost end (step S806). Do.

  The effect obtained by the above processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature. In the example of FIG. 12, by performing the defrost determination under the second defrost condition in the DR time zone (18:00 to 20:00), from 5 minutes from 18:35 to 18:40, and from 19:30 DR defrosting is performed for 5 minutes until 19:35. On the other hand, the normal defrosting is executed for 30 minutes from 22:00 to 22:30 by performing the defrosting determination under the first defrosting condition in the normal time zone.

  In the present embodiment, the first defrost start condition is satisfied earlier than the first defrost start condition, and the second defrost end condition is satisfied earlier than the first defrost end condition. Both the 2 defrost start conditions and the 2nd defrost end conditions are changed. That is, when the heat pump 101 is operated under the same conditions, DR defrosting starts earlier than normal defrosting and ends earlier. As a result, the required time per DR defrosting can be further shortened compared to the required time per normal defrosting.

  In the DR control process shown in FIG. 11, the system control unit 8 performs the defrosting start determination (step S804) by itself using the second defrosting start condition determined in step S1102, and is determined in step S1102. The end of the defrosting is determined by itself using the second defrosting completion condition (step S806).

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the system control unit 8 sets the second defrost conditions (second defrost start condition and second defrost end condition) determined in step S1102 to the HP control unit 103. And the HP control unit 103 may perform the defrosting determination. That is, the HP control unit 103 performs the defrost determination in the normal time zone (steps S703 and S708 in FIG. 7) using the first defrost condition, and acquires the defrost determination in the DR time zone from the system control unit 8. The second defrosting condition may be used.

  In this case, if the system control unit 8 executes a process of transmitting the second defrosting condition to the HP control unit 103 after step S1102 instead of omitting the processes of steps S1103 to S807 and S809 of FIG. Good. The same applies to Embodiment 3 to be described later.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, with reference to FIG.13 and FIG.14, the control method of the heat pump type heating system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the DR control process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature when the control method according to the second and third embodiments is executed. Detailed description of points common to Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  First, the basic configuration of the heat pump heating system according to the present embodiment is common to FIGS. The basic operation of the heat pump heating system is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 11. However, the DR control process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is different from the second embodiment in that it includes the process of step S1302 instead of step S1102 of the DR control process shown in FIG. More specifically, the defrost condition determining unit 84 according to the present embodiment uses the same defrost start condition (the first defrost start condition) in the first defrost condition and the second defrost condition. = Second defrost start condition), and only the defrost end condition is varied (first defrost end condition ≠ second defrost end condition).

  The effect obtained by the above processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of the heat exchanger surface temperature when the control process according to Embodiments 2 and 3 is performed. First, since the lower limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature is higher in the second defrosting start condition of the second embodiment than in the first defrosting start condition, the DR defrosting according to the second embodiment is performed in the example of FIG. By performing the control, the DR defrosting is executed twice in the DR time zone.

  On the other hand, the second defrosting start condition of the present embodiment is the same as the first defrosting start condition (in other words, the lower limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature is lower than the second defrosting start condition of the second embodiment). Therefore, in the example of FIG. 14, the DR defrosting is not executed in the DR time zone by performing the DR defrosting control according to the third embodiment.

  Thus, in order to shorten the time required for one DR defrosting, the lower limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature of the second defrosting start condition is raised (Embodiment 2). DR defrosting may also be performed when the belt does not require defrosting operation (Embodiment 3). Therefore, as in the third embodiment, by reducing only the upper limit value of the heat exchanger surface temperature of the second defrosting termination condition, the required time per DR defrosting can be shortened, and DR It is possible to effectively prevent unnecessary DR defrosting from occurring when the time zone is short.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the heat pump hot water heating system is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a heat pump air conditioner (air conditioner) may be used.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.

  (1) Specifically, each of the above-described devices can be realized by a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or the hard disk unit. Each device achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  (2) A part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described devices may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor loading a computer program from the ROM to the RAM and performing operations such as operations in accordance with the loaded computer program.

  (3) Part or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above apparatuses may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and detached from each apparatus or a single module. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

  (4) The present invention may be realized by the method described above. Further, these methods may be realized by a computer program realized by a computer, or may be realized by a digital signal consisting of a computer program.

  The present invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark)). ) Disc), or recorded in a semiconductor memory or the like. Moreover, you may implement | achieve with the digital signal currently recorded on these recording media.

  In the present invention, a computer program or a digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

  The present invention may also be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory. The memory may store a computer program, and the microprocessor may operate according to the computer program.

  The program or digital signal may be recorded on a recording medium and transferred, or the program or digital signal may be transferred via a network or the like, and may be implemented by another independent computer system.

  (5) You may combine the said embodiment and the said modification, respectively.

  As mentioned above, although the control method of the heating system which concerns on one or several aspects was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in this embodiment, and forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments are also within the scope of one or more aspects. May be included.

  The control method of the heat pump heating system according to the present invention does not require defrosting operation during peak hours when power consumption increases, contributing to stabilization of system power by peak cut and reduction of user electricity bills. This is useful as a driving method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat pump type heating system 4 Energy supplier 5 Electric power load 6 1st electric power meter 7 2nd electric power meter 8 System control part 81 Data collection part 82 Communication part 83 Operation control part 84 Defrost condition determination part 100 Heat pump type heating device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Heat pump 101a Air heat exchanger 101b Compressor 101c Expansion valve 102 Heat exchanger 103 HP control part 104 Heating apparatus 105 Outside air temperature detection part 106 Indoor temperature detection part 107 Heat exchanger surface temperature detection part 108 Heater 109 Hot water temperature detection part 110 Flow rate detector 111 Inlet water temperature detector

Claims (7)

A control method for a heating system that operates by receiving power supply from a power supply source,
The heating system includes a heat pump that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply source, and a heat radiating unit that radiates heat generated by the heat pump.
The heat pump operates in a heating mode for generating heat for radiating heat to the heat radiating unit, or a defrosting mode for removing frost generated in the heat pump,
The heating system control method includes:
An acquisition step of acquiring an output suppression instruction indicating an output suppression time zone for suppressing power consumption of the heat pump from the power supply source;
A defrost condition including a defrost start condition for causing the heat pump to start operation in the defrost mode, and a defrost end condition for causing the heat pump to end operation in the defrost mode, wherein the output suppression time zone A defrosting condition determining step for determining a first defrosting condition applied to a time zone other than the above and a second defrosting condition applied to the output suppression time zone;
When the defrost start condition determined in the defrost condition determining step is satisfied, the heat pump is started to operate in the defrost mode, and the defrost end condition determined in the defrost condition determining step is determined. An operation control step of ending the operation in the defrost mode in the heat pump when satisfying,
In the defrosting condition determination step, the time for the heat pump to operate in the defrosting mode according to the second defrosting condition is shorter than the time for the heat pump to operate in the defrosting mode according to the first defrosting condition. As such, at least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the second defrost condition is different from the first defrost condition ,
At each time at predetermined time intervals in the output suppression time zone, the defrosting time, which is the time from when the heat pump is switched to the defrost mode to when the defrost termination condition is satisfied, is removed from the heat pump. The defrost start condition of the second defrost condition at the time is determined to reach the defrost allowable time that is the time until the room temperature reaches a predetermined lower limit after switching to the frost mode. Control method for heating system. In the defrosting condition determination step, information indicating the room temperature is further acquired,
In the time zone in which the second defrosting condition is applied, the time for the heat pump to operate in the defrosting mode is shorter as the indoor temperature indicated by the acquired information is lower. The control method of the heating system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the frost condition is determined. In the heating system, the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger constituting the heat pump and the defrosting required time, and the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the room temperature and the defrosting allowable time, Hold
In the obtaining step, the outside air temperature, the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger, and the room temperature are further obtained,
In the operation control step, for each predetermined time interval in the output suppression time zone, the defrosting time associated with the outside air temperature acquired in the acquisition step and the surface temperature of the air heat exchanger, using said acquired the outside air temperature and said defrost allowable time associated with the indoor temperature obtained in step, according to claim 1 or 2 determines the defrosting start condition of the second defrosting condition The control method of the heating system as described in 2. The heating system maintains the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump and the defrosting required time, and the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the room temperature and the defrosting allowable time,
In the obtaining step, the outside temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the room temperature are further obtained,
In the operation control step, for each predetermined time interval in the output suppression time zone, the defrosting time associated with the outside air temperature and the refrigerant temperature acquired in the acquisition step, and in the acquisition step The heating according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the defrost start condition of the second defrost condition is determined using the acquired outside air temperature and the defrost allowable time associated with the indoor temperature. How to control the system. In the operation control step, when the state satisfying the defrosting start condition continues for a predetermined time, the heat pump starts operation in the defrosting mode, or the state satisfying the defrosting end condition continues for a predetermined time. The control method of the heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the operation of the defrosting mode is ended by the heat pump. In the operation control step, the heat pump operating in the heating mode is further made to heat the first heat quantity per unit time in a time zone other than the output suppression time zone, and per unit time in the output suppression time zone. The control method of the heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a second amount of heat less than the first amount of heat is regenerated. A heating system that operates by receiving power supply from a power supply source,
A heat pump that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply source;
A heat dissipating part for dissipating the heat generated by the heat pump;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the heat pump,
The heat pump operates in a heating mode for generating heat for radiating heat to the heat radiating unit, or a defrosting mode for removing frost generated in the heat pump,
The controller is
An acquisition unit that acquires an output suppression instruction indicating an output suppression time zone for suppressing power consumption of the heat pump from the power supply source,
A defrost condition including a defrost start condition for causing the heat pump to start operation in the defrost mode, and a defrost end condition for causing the heat pump to end operation in the defrost mode, wherein the output suppression time zone A defrosting condition determining unit that determines a first defrosting condition applied to a time zone other than the above and a second defrosting condition applied to the output suppression time zone;
When the defrost start condition determined by the defrost condition determining unit is satisfied, the heat pump is started to operate in the defrost mode, and the defrost end condition determined by the defrost condition determining unit is determined. An operation control unit that terminates the operation in the defrost mode in the heat pump,
The defrost condition determining unit is configured such that the time during which the heat pump operates in the defrost mode according to the second defrost condition is shorter than the time during which the heat pump operates in the defrost mode according to the first defrost condition. As such, at least one of the defrost start condition and the defrost end condition included in the second defrost condition is different from the first defrost condition ,
At each time at predetermined time intervals in the output suppression time zone, the defrosting time, which is the time from when the heat pump is switched to the defrost mode to when the defrost termination condition is satisfied, is removed from the heat pump. The defrost start condition of the second defrost condition at the time is determined to reach the defrost allowable time that is the time until the room temperature reaches a predetermined lower limit after switching to the frost mode. Heating system.

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