HEAT PUMP AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

Abstract

A heat pump and a control method are provided. The heat pump includes a compressor, a heat exchanger configured to receive a refrigerant from the compressor, a heat exchange pipe provided adjacent to the heat exchanger, wherein water exchanging heat with the refrigerant of the heat exchanger flows through the heat exchange pipe, a storage tank configured to store water supplied through an outlet of the heat exchange pipe and supply the stored water to a plurality of air temperature control devices, a mixing valve connected to at least one air temperature control device of the plurality of air temperature control devices and configured to mix water supplied from the storage tank with water discharged from the at least one air temperature control device and supply the mixed water to the at least one air temperature control device, and a circulation pump configured to pump the water stored in the storage tank and transfer the pumped water to the heat exchanger, wherein a part of the plurality of air temperature control devices includes a floor heating device, wherein a remaining part of the plurality of air temperature control devices includes a radiating device, and wherein the mixing valve is connected to the floor heating device.

Claims

1. A heat pump comprising: a compressor; a heat exchanger configured to receive a refrigerant from the compressor; a heat exchange pipe provided adjacent to the heat exchanger, wherein water exchanging heat with the refrigerant of the heat exchanger flows through the heat exchange pipe; a storage tank configured to store water supplied through an outlet of the heat exchange pipe and supply the stored water to a plurality of air temperature control devices; a mixing valve connected to at least one air temperature control device of the plurality of air temperature control devices and configured to mix water supplied from the storage tank with water discharged from the at least one air temperature control device and supply the mixed water to the at least one air temperature control device; and a circulation pump configured to pump the water stored in the storage tank and transfer the pumped water to the heat exchanger, wherein a part of the plurality of air temperature control devices includes a floor heating device, wherein a remaining part of the plurality of air temperature control devices includes a radiating device, and wherein the mixing valve is connected to the floor heating device.

2. The heat pump of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of pumps respectively connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices and configured to pump the water of the storage tank and supply the pumped water to the plurality of air temperature control devices; a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of outflow water discharged through the outlet of the heat exchange pipe; a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of inflow water flowing into the radiating device; memory storing one or more computer programs; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the plurality of pumps, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor to control on/off of the compressor based on the detected temperature of inflow water, the detected temperature of outflow water, a target temperature of outflow water, and a target temperature of inflow water, and maintain operations of the plurality of pumps during the on/off control of the compressor.

3. The heat pump of claim 2, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a first difference value between the detected temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water and a second difference value between the target temperature of inflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water, recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the first difference value, the second difference value, and the target temperature of inflow water, recognize a first target compensation temperature based on the target temperature of outflow water and a first compensation temperature, turn off the compressor based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water being identical to the target temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature, and recognize a second target compensation temperature based on the target temperature of outflow water and a second compensation temperature, and turn on the compressor according to the detected temperature of outflow water being lower than the second target temperature during off control of the compressor.

4. The heat pump of claim 2, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a first difference value between the detected temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water and a second difference value between the target temperature of inflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water, recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the first difference value, the second difference value, and the target temperature of inflow water, and recognize a third target compensation temperature based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and a third compensation temperature, and turn off the compressor based on the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature.

5. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor at a time at which the compressor is turned off, recognize a fourth target compensation temperature based on a fourth compensation temperature and the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor is turned off, and according to the temperature of outflow water being lower than the target temperature during off control of the compressor, switch the compressor to a turned-on state based on the temperature of outflow water and the fourth target compensation temperature.

6. The heat pump of claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of pumps respectively connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices and configured to pump the water of the storage tank and supply the pumped water to the plurality of air temperature control devices; a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of outflow water discharged through the outlet of the heat exchange pipe; a second temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of first inflow water flowing into the radiating device; a third temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of second inflow water flowing into the floor heating device among the air temperature control devices; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the plurality of pumps, the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor to control on/off of the compressor based on a target temperature of an air temperature control device operating while the radiating device or the floor heating device operates, a temperature of inflow water detected by a temperature sensor connected to the air temperature control device operating, the detected temperature of outflow water, and the target temperature of outflow water, and maintain operations of the plurality of pumps during the on/off control of the compressor.

7. The heat pump of claim 6, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a difference value between the temperature of outflow water and the temperature of inflow water detected by the temperature sensor connected to the air temperature control device operating, recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized difference value and the target temperature of the air temperature control device operating, turn off the compressor based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water being identical to the target temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature, and recognize a second target compensation temperature based on the target temperature of outflow water and a second compensation temperature, and turn on the compressor according to the detected temperature of outflow water being lower than the second target temperature during off control of the compressor.

8. The heat pump of claim 6, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a difference value between the temperature of outflow water and the temperature of inflow water detected by the temperature sensor connected to the air temperature control device operating, recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized difference value and the target temperature of the air temperature control device operating, and recognize a third target compensation temperature based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and a third compensation temperature, and turn off the compressor based on the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature.

9. The heat pump of claim 8, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor at a time at which the compressor is turned off, recognize a fourth target compensation temperature based on the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor is turned off and a fourth compensation temperature, and switch the compressor to a turned-on state based on the temperature of outflow water and the fourth target compensation temperature according to the temperature of outflow water being lower than the target temperature during off control of the compressor.

10. The heat pump of claim 8, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the heat pump to: adjust a frequency of the compressor from a first frequency to a second frequency or lower according to the temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, wherein the first frequency is higher than the second frequency.

11. The heat pump of claim 1, further comprising: a third temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of inflow water flowing into the at least one air temperature control device through the mixing valve; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the compressor, the heat exchanger, the heat exchange pipe, the storage tank, the mixing valve, and the circulation pump to configured to open or close the mixing valve based on the temperature of inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor and a target temperature of the at least one air temperature control device.

12. A method of controlling a heat pump including a compressor and a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant circulates and a storage tank configured to store water heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger and supply the stored water to first and second air temperature control devices, the method comprising: detecting a temperature of outflow water discharged through an outlet of a heat exchange pipe provided in the heat exchanger during on control of the compressor; turning off the compressor based on the detected temperature of outflow water and a target temperature of outflow water; maintaining operations of first and second pumps connected to the first and second air temperature control devices during off control of the compressor; turning on the compressor based on the target temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of outflow water during the off control of the compressor, and maintaining operations of the first and second pumps; and controlling a mixing valve provided between any one air temperature control device of the first and second air temperature control devices and the storage tank to adjust a temperature of water flowing from the storage tank to the any one air temperature control device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the turning off of the compressor comprises: detecting a temperature of inflow water flowing into an air temperature control device having a highest target temperature between the first and second air temperature control devices; and according to a difference value between the temperature of outflow water and the temperature of inflow water being less than or equal to a reference value and the temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the target temperature, turning off the compressor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the turning off of the compressor comprises: recognizing a first difference value between the detected temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water and a second difference value between the target temperature of inflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water; recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the first difference value, the second difference value, and the target temperature of inflow water; recognizing a first target compensation temperature based on the target temperature of outflow water and the first compensation temperature; turning off the compressor based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water being identical to the target temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature; recognizing a second target compensation temperature based on the target temperature of outflow water and a second compensation temperature; and turning on the compressor according to the detected temperature of outflow water during the off control of the compressor being lower than the second target compensation temperature.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the turning off of the compressor comprises: recognizing a first difference value between the detected temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water and a second difference value between the target temperature of inflow water and the detected temperature of inflow water; recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the first difference value, the second difference value, and the target temperature of inflow water; recognizing a third target compensation temperature based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and a third compensation temperature; turning off the compressor according to the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature; recognizing a temperature of outflow water detected by a first temperature sensor at a time at which the compressor is turned off, and recognizing a fourth target compensation temperature based on the recognized temperature of outflow water at the time at which the compressor is turned off and a fourth compensation temperature; and according to a temperature of outflow water during the off control of the compressor being lower than the target temperature, switching the compressor to a turned-on state based on the temperature of outflow water and the fourth target compensation temperature.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the recognizing of the first target compensation temperature is performed upon recognizing that the recognized difference value is less than a reference value and a counted on time of the compressor has reached a reference time.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: recognizing a temperature difference value between temperature of second inflow water and second target temperature based on third temperature information and second target temperature information; and controlling an opening degree of a second mixing valve based on the recognized temperature difference value.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: adjusting a frequency of the compressor from a first frequency to a second frequency or lower according to the temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, wherein the first frequency is higher than the second frequency.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second frequency ranges from 50 Hz to 35 Hz.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the second frequency is 35 Hz or less.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a configuration view of a refrigeration cycle device of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0040] FIGS. 3 and 4 are configuration views of a hydro unit of a heat pump according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating compressor efficiency with respect to temperatures of water heat-exchanged in a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating compressor efficiency with respect to frequencies of a compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 9 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 11 is a configuration view of a hydro unit of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0048] FIG. 12 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] The same reference numerals are used to represent the same elements throughout the drawings.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0051] It is to be understood that the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a component surface includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0052] In this document, phrases, such as A or B, at least one of A and B, at least one of A or B, A, B or C, at least one of A, B and C, and at least one of A, B, or C, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0053] As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

[0054] As used herein, such terms as 1.sup.st and 2.sup.nd or first and second may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (for example, importance or order).

[0055] It is to be understood that if a certain component (for example, a first component) is referred to, with or without the term operatively or communicatively, as coupled with, coupled to, connected with, or connected to another component (for example, a second component), it means that the component may be connected to the other component directly (for example, wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

[0056] It is to be understood that the terms, such as including or having, or the like, are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

[0057] It is to be understood that if a certain component is referred to as being connected to, coupled to, supported on or in contact with another component, it means that the component may be connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other component directly or indirectly via a third component.

[0058] It will also be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being on or over another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0059] A heat pump according to various embodiments may be an apparatus capable of performing not only a cooling or heating function in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter, referred to as indoor) but also functions, such as cold water supply, hot water supply, air purification, ventilation, and humidity control.

[0060] The heat pump may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates along a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger.

[0061] All components of a heat pump may be installed in a single housing forming an appearance of the heat pump, which corresponds to a window-type air conditioner or a portable air conditioner.

[0062] On the other hand, components of a heat pump may be installed in a plurality of housings forming the heat pump, which corresponds to a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-alone air conditioner, or a system air conditioner.

[0063] The heat pump including the plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoor and at least one indoor unit installed indoor.

[0064] For example, the heat pump may be configured such that a single outdoor unit is connected to a single indoor unit through a refrigerant pipe. For example, the heat pump may be configured such that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through refrigerant pipes. For example, the heat pump may be configured such that two or more outdoor units are connected to two or more indoor units through a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

[0065] The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, a user may input information (or a command) for controlling the heat pump through an input interface provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit or the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.

[0066] The heat pump may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0067] The outdoor heat exchanger may perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and outside air by using a phase change (for example, evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant may emit heat to outside air while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, and while the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger is evaporated, the refrigerant may absorb heat from outside air.

[0068] The indoor unit may be positioned indoor. For example, the indoor unit may be classified into a ceiling type indoor unit, a stand type indoor unit, a wall-mounted type indoor unit, or the like, according to installation methods. For example, the ceiling type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit, or the like, according to air discharge methods.

[0069] Likewise, the indoor heat exchanger may perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and indoor air by using a phase change (for example, evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, while the refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from indoor air, and by blowing indoor air cooled by passing through the indoor heat exchanger cooled, an indoor space may be cooled. In addition, while the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may emit heat to indoor air, and by blowing indoor air heated by passing through the indoor heat exchanger heated to a high temperature, an indoor space may be heated.

[0070] For example, the heat pump may perform a cooling or heating function through a phase change process of a refrigerant circulating along the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and for the circulation of the refrigerant, the heat pump may include a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The compressor may suck in a refrigerant gas through an inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through an outlet. The compressor may be positioned inside the outdoor unit.

[0071] The refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant pipe in the order of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger or in the order of the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0072] For example, in a heat pump where a single outdoor unit is connected directly to a single indoor unit through a refrigerant pipe, a refrigerant may circulate between the single outdoor unit and the single indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0073] For example, in a heat pump where a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through refrigerant pipes diverging from the outdoor unit, a refrigerant may flow to a plurality of indoor units through the refrigerant pipes. Refrigerants discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined and circulate to the outdoor unit. For example, the indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to the single outdoor unit through the separate refrigerant pipes.

[0074] Each of the indoor units may operate independently according to an operation mode set by a user. For example, some of the indoor units may operate in a cooling mode, and simultaneously, others may operate in a heating mode. At this time, a refrigerant may flow into the respective indoor units and then be discharged selectively in a high-pressure or low-pressure state from the respective indoor units along a circulation path designated through a flow path switching valve which will be described below, and then circulate to the outdoor unit.

[0075] For example, in a heat pump where two or more outdoor units are connected to two or more indoor units through a plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerants discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be combined and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, then again diverge at a certain location, and thus flow into the plurality of indoor units.

[0076] All of the plurality of outdoor units may operate or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not operate according to an operation load depending on an operation amount of the plurality of indoor units. At this time, a refrigerant may flow into an outdoor unit operating selectively through the flow path switching valve and circulate.

[0077] The heat pump may include an expansion device for lowering pressure of a refrigerant that flows into a heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be positioned inside the indoor unit or the outdoor unit or inside both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

[0078] The expansion device may lower a temperature and pressure of the refrigerant by using, for example, a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing a cross-sectional area of a flow path. The refrigerant passed through the orifice may be lowered in temperature and pressure.

[0079] The expansion device may be implemented as, for example, an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting an opening rate (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a partially open state with respect to a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a fully open state). An amount of a refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be controlled depending on an opening rate of the electronic expansion valve.

[0080] The heat pump may further include the flow path switching valve positioned on the refrigerant circulation flow path. The flow path switching valve may include, for example, a 4-way valve. The flow path switching valve may set a circulation path of a refrigerant depending on an operation mode (for example, a cooling operation or a heating operation) of the indoor unit. The flow path switching valve may be connected to the outlet of the compressor.

[0081] The heat pump may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the inlet of the compressor. A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger may enter the accumulator.

[0082] While a refrigerant being a mixture of a refrigerant liquid and a refrigerant gas enters the accumulator, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.

[0083] The heat pump may further include a hydro unit which is connected to the indoor heat exchanger and provides cold water or hot water through heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger.

[0084] The hydro unit may discharge cold water or hot water to provide the cold water or hot water for a user, or may cool or heat an air-conditioned space through cold water or hot water.

[0085] An outdoor fan may be provided around the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger to facilitate heat exchange between a refrigerant and outside air.

[0086] The outdoor unit of the heat pump may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may include an environment sensor. The sensor of the outdoor unit may be positioned inside the outdoor unit or at an arbitrary location outside the outdoor unit. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may include a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting humidity of air around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting refrigerant pressure of the refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

[0087] The outdoor unit of the heat pump may include an outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device may receive a control signal from a controller of the indoor unit of the heat pump, which will be described below. The outdoor unit may control an operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan, based on a control signal received through the outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit may transmit a sensing value detected by the sensor of the outdoor unit to the controller of the indoor unit through the outdoor unit communication device.

[0088] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include a housing, a blower that circulates air into or out of the housing, and the indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air entered the housing.

[0089] The housing may include an inlet. Indoor air may enter the housing through the inlet.

[0090] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include a filter that filters a foreign material from air entered the housing through the inlet.

[0091] The housing may include an outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to outside of the housing through the outlet.

[0092] In the housing of the indoor unit, an airflow guide for guiding a direction of air to be discharged through the outlet may be provided. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned on the outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include, but is not limited thereto, an auxiliary fan for adjusting an airflow to be discharged. However, the airflow guide may be omitted.

[0093] Inside the housing of the indoor unit, the indoor heat exchanger and the blower may be positioned on a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet.

[0094] The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial flow fan, a mixed flow fan, a cross flow fan, and a centrifugal fan.

[0095] The indoor heat exchanger may be positioned between the blower and the outlet or between the inlet and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air entered the indoor heat exchanger through the inlet or transfer heat to air entered the indoor heat exchanger through the inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange pipe through which a refrigerant flows and a heat exchange fin that is in contact with the heat exchange pipe to increase a heat transfer area.

[0096] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include a drain tray positioned below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. Condensed water accommodated in the drain tray may be discharged to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0097] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include an input interface. The input interface may include an arbitrary type of user input device including a button, a switch, a touch screen, and/or a touch pad. A user may himself/herself input setting data (for example, a desired temperature, an operation mode setting for cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning, an outlet selection setting, and/or an air volume setting) through the input interface.

[0098] The input interface may also be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a certain location (for example, a part of a wall) of an indoor space. The user may input setting data for an operation of the heat pump by controlling the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data input through the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. The user may input setting data for an operation of the heat pump remotely by using a wireless remote controller. The setting data input through the wireless remote controller may be transmitted as an infrared signal to the input interface.

[0099] In addition, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transfer the converted electrical signal to an indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the heat pump to execute a function corresponding to the user's voice command.

[0100] The setting data (for example, a desired room temperature, an operation mode setting for cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning, an outlet selection setting, and/or an air volume setting) obtained through the input interface may be transferred to the indoor unit controller which will be described below. According to an example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to an external device, that is, the outdoor unit or a server through an indoor unit communication device which will be described below.

[0101] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

[0102] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environment sensor positioned inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors positioned at a preset space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor that detects a temperature at each of an entrance, middle part, and/or exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0103] For example, environment information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transferred to the indoor unit controller which will be described below or transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication device which will be described below.

[0104] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include the indoor unit communication device. The indoor unit communication device may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-distance communication module. The indoor unit communication device may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with another device. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device may also include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-distance communication module.

[0105] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited thereto, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) module, a wireless local area network (WLAN, Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, a ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, or the like.

[0106] The long-distance wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various kinds of long-distance communications, and may include a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may transmit/receive a wireless signal to/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.

[0107] The indoor unit communication device may communicate with an external device, such as a server, a mobile device, another home appliance, or the like, through a surrounding access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the heat pump or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected.

[0108] The heat pump or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN. The indoor unit of the heat pump may include the indoor unit controller that controls the components of the indoor unit, including the blower, or the like. The outdoor unit of the heat pump may include an outdoor unit controller that controls the components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, or the like. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication device and the outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication device, or transfer a control signal transmitted from the indoor unit communication device to the outdoor unit controller. For example, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may perform bidirectional communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated while the heat pump operates.

[0109] The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to the components of the outdoor unit and control operations of the individual components. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor, and control the flow path switching valve to switch a circulation direction of a refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal for adjusting an opening degree of the expansion valve. A refrigerant may circulate along a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger, under control by the outdoor unit controller.

[0110] Each of various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a detected temperature to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, each of humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.

[0111] The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device, or the like, through the indoor unit communication device, or obtain a user input directly through the input interface or the remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control the components of the indoor unit, including the blower, or the like, in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information about the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

[0112] The outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit including the compressor, or the like, based on the information about the user input, received from the indoor unit. For example, according to reception of a control signal corresponding to a user input of selecting an operation mode, such as a cooling operation, a heating operation, a blowing operation, a defrosting operation, or a dehumidifying operation, from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the heat pump corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0113] Each of the indoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include a processor and memory. The indoor unit controller may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.

[0114] Each memory may memorize/store various information required for operations of the heat pump. The memory may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs required for the operations of the heat pump. For example, the memory may store various programs for a cooling operation, a heating operation, a dehumidifying operation, and/or a defrosting operation of the heat pump. The memory may include volatile memory, such as static random access memory (S-RAM) and dynamic random access memory (D-RAM), for temporarily memorizing data. In addition, the memory may include non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), for storing data for a long time.

[0115] Each processor may generate a control signal for controlling the operations of the heat pump based on the instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit, as hardware. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instruction provided from the memory, and generate a control signal according to the processed result. The memory and processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or a plurality of circuits.

[0116] The indoor unit of the heat pump may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller, and output information related to an operation of the heat pump under control by the indoor unit controller. For example, information, such as an operation mode, a direction of wind, an air volume, and a temperature, selected by a user input may be output. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information or a warning/error message obtained from an indoor unit sensor or an outdoor unit sensor.

[0117] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker, which is a sound system, may output various sounds. The display may display information input by the user or information to be provided to the user, as various graphic elements. For example, operation information of the heat pump may be displayed as at least one of an image or text. In addition, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

[0118] Hereinafter, a heat pump according to various embodiments will be described below.

[0119] It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include computer-executable instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

[0120] Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a BluetoothM chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display drive integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

[0121] FIG. 1 is a configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0122] FIG. 2 is a configuration view of a refrigeration cycle device of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0123] FIGS. 3 and 4 are configuration views of a hydro unit of a heat pump according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat pump 1 may include an outdoor unit 100, an indoor unit 200, a hydro unit 300, and a controller 400.

[0125] The outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 may be provided in a single housing.

[0126] The outdoor unit 100 may be separated from the indoor unit 200. For example, the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 may be provided in different housings.

[0127] The outdoor unit 100 may be installed outdoor. Herein, outdoor may be a space other than an air-conditioned space.

[0128] The indoor unit 200 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100 through a refrigerant pipe RP.

[0129] A refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe RP may circulate between the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200.

[0130] The indoor unit 200 may perform a cooling operation or a heating operation by using airflow.

[0131] The indoor unit 200 may perform heat exchange with water flowing through the hydro unit 300.

[0132] The indoor unit 200 may be installed in an indoor space and exchange heat with air of the indoor space. For example, the indoor unit 200 may perform a cooling operation or a heating operation by using airflow.

[0133] The hydro unit 300 may be installed in an indoor space.

[0134] The hydro unit 300 may include a plurality of pipes WP through which water flows.

[0135] The hydro unit 300 may be connected to the indoor unit 200 through some of the plurality of pipes WP.

[0136] Water flowing through some of the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300 may exchange heat with a refrigerant of the indoor unit 200.

[0137] The hydro unit 300 may perform a cold water operation or a hot water operation through heat exchange with the indoor unit 200.

[0138] For example, the hydro unit 300 may generate cold water or hot water through heat exchange with the indoor unit 200 and cool or heat an air-conditioned space by radiation or convection using the generated cold water or hot water through a floor, a ceiling, and/or a wall of the air-conditioned space.

[0139] The hydro unit 300 may include an air temperature control device for heating or cooling through heat-exchanged water.

[0140] The air temperature control device may include at least one of a heat absorbing device for cooling through using heat-exchanged water or a radiating device for heating through heat-exchanged water.

[0141] The radiating device may include at least one of a radiator or a fan coil, and may include a floor heating device.

[0142] The hydro unit 300 may further include a hot-water supply device.

[0143] The controller 400 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100, the indoor unit 200, and the hydro unit 300 and control driving of the outdoor unit 100, the indoor unit 200, and the hydro unit 300.

[0144] The controller 400 may be connected to the outdoor unit 100, the indoor unit 200, and the hydro unit 300 wiredly or wirelessly.

[0145] The controller 400 may set an operation mode based on a user input to a user interface, and control driving of the outdoor unit 100, the indoor unit 200, and the hydro unit 300 based on the operation mode and a target temperature.

[0146] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a heat pump in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are provided in a single housing will be described as an example. Hereinafter, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit provided in the single housing are referred to as a refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigeration cycle device 150 may include a compressor 151, a four-way valve 152, a first heat exchanger 153, a fan 154, an expansion valve 155, a second heat exchanger 156, an accumulator 157, and a bypass valve 158.

[0148] The compressor 151, the four-way valve 152, the first heat exchanger 153, the expansion valve 155, the second heat exchanger 156, the accumulator 157, and the bypass valve 158 may be connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant circulates.

[0149] The compressor 151 may compress a refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state to the first heat exchanger 153 through the four-way valve 152.

[0150] The compressor 151 may include an inverter type compressor. One or a plurality of compressors 151 may be provided.

[0151] The four-way valve 152 may be positioned to an outlet side of the compressor 151 and receive a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 151.

[0152] The four-way valve 152 may be a flow path switching valve for switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation.

[0153] During a cooling operation, the four-way valve 152 may receive a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 151 and guide the refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 153, and during a heating operation, the four-way valve 152 may receive a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 151 and guide the refrigerant to the second heat exchanger 156.

[0154] More specifically, during a cooling operation, the four-way valve 120 may guide a refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure state discharged from the compressor 151 to the first heat exchanger 153, and guide a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant received from the second heat exchanger 156 to the compressor 151.

[0155] Meanwhile, during a heating operation, the four-way valve 120 may guide a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 151 to the second heat exchanger 156 and guide a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant received from the first heat exchanger 153 to the compressor 151.

[0156] The first heat exchanger 153 may be provided as a plate-type or double-pipe heat exchanger.

[0157] The first heat exchanger 153 may be an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0158] The first heat exchanger 153 may be connected to the compressor 151 through the four-way valve 152 and the refrigerant pipe.

[0159] During a cooling operation, the first heat exchanger 153 may condense a refrigerant received from the compressor 151 through heat release of the refrigerant. At this time, a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant may change in phase into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0160] During a heating operation, the first heat exchanger 153 may evaporate a refrigerant received from the expansion valve 155 through heat absorption of the refrigerant. At this time, a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant may change in phase into a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

[0161] The first heat exchanger 153 may discharge the phase-changed refrigerant to the compressor 151.

[0162] The first heat exchanger 153 may function as a condenser during a cooling operation and function as an evaporator during a heating operation.

[0163] The fan 154 may be provided around the first heat exchanger 153, and blow heat heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger 153 to outside.

[0164] The expansion valve 155 may be provided between the first heat exchanger 153 and the second heat exchanger 156.

[0165] The expansion valve 155 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 153 through the refrigerant pipe and to the second heat exchanger 156 through the refrigerant pipe.

[0166] The expansion valve 155 may decompress a received refrigerant.

[0167] The expansion valve 155 may lower a temperature and pressure of a refrigerant received from the first heat exchanger 153 and then transfer the refrigerant to the second heat exchanger 156, or the expansion valve 155 may lower a temperature and pressure of a refrigerant received from the second heat exchanger 156 and then transfer the refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 153.

[0168] A refrigerant passed through the expansion valve 155 may change from a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid state to a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid state. The expansion valve 155 may be implemented as a capillary tube.

[0169] The second heat exchanger 156 may be adjacent to a pipe of the hydro unit 300.

[0170] The second heat exchanger 156 may perform heat exchange with water of the hydro unit 300.

[0171] The second heat exchanger 156 may function as an evaporator during a cooling operation and function as a condenser during a heating operation.

[0172] More specifically, during a heating operation, the second heat exchanger 156 may perform heat exchange with water of the hydro unit 300 through heat release by condensation of a refrigerant received from the expansion valve 155.

[0173] During a cooling operation, the second heat exchanger 156 may perform heat exchange with water of the hydro unit 300 through heat absorption by evaporation of a refrigerant received from the compressor 151.

[0174] The second heat exchanger 156 may function as an evaporator during a cooling operation and function as a condenser during a heating operation.

[0175] During a cooling operation, the second heat exchanger 156 may phase-change a refrigerant in a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid state into a refrigerant in a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous state.

[0176] During a heating operation, the second heat exchanger 156 may phase-change a refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state into a refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid state or a refrigerant in a high-pressure and medium-temperature liquid state.

[0177] The accumulator 157 may be positioned to an inlet side of the compressor 151, and separate a liquid refrigerant not yet evaporated from among refrigerants moving from the second heat exchanger 156 to the compressor 151 to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being transferred to the compressor 151, thereby preventing damage of the compressor 151.

[0178] The bypass valve 158 may be provided between the outlet of the compressor 151 and the inlet of the compressor 151, and equalize high pressure and low pressure of the compressor 151 or increase a temperature of a refrigerant at the outlet side of the compressor 151.

[0179] A receiver (also referred to as a liquid receiver) may be a high-pressure gas container that temporarily stores a high-pressure refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the second heat exchanger 156.

[0180] The receiver may remove non-condensable gas or supply only a liquid refrigerant to the expansion valve 155.

[0181] The refrigeration cycle device 150 may include a heat exchanger pipe HEP provided in the second heat exchanger 156 and connected to the pipes WP of the hydro unit 300.

[0182] The heat exchanger pipe HEP may be a pipe through which water of the hydro unit 300 flows and in which heat exchange between the flowing water and a refrigerant of the second heat exchanger 156 occurs.

[0183] The heat exchange pipe HEP may be connected to the pipes WP of the hydro unit 300 through a valve.

[0184] The heat exchange pipe HEP may include an outlet H1 through which heat-exchanged water is discharged and an inlet H2 through which water returned from the hydro unit 300 enters.

[0185] The outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP may be connected to a first pipe WP1 of the hydro unit 300 through a first connection valve 301. The inlet H2 of the heat exchange pipe HEP may be connected to a second pipe WP2 of the hydro unit 300 through a second connection valve 302.

[0186] The heat exchange pipe HEP may be a part of the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300. In this case, the part of the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300 may be provided in the second heat exchanger 156.

[0187] The refrigeration cycle device 150 may further include a first temperature sensor 159 provided in the heat exchange pipe HEP at a location adjacent to the outlet H1 and configured to detect a temperature of water that is discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP.

[0188] The first temperature sensor 159 may detect a temperature of water that is discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP and transfer first temperature information about the detected temperature of the water to the controller 400.

[0189] The hydro unit 300 may supply cold water during a cooling operation and hot water during a heating operation. More specifically, the hydro unit 300 may supply water heated by condensation heat of the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150 during a heating operation to the air temperature control device, or supply water cooled by absorption heat of the second heat exchanger 156 during a cooling operation to the air temperature control device.

[0190] Referring to FIG. 3, the hydro unit 300 may include the plurality of pipes WP for circulating water.

[0191] The first pipe WP1 among the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300 may be connected to the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP provided in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0192] The first pipe WP1 may be connected to the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 through a first connection valve V1.

[0193] The first pipe WP1 may be connected to a plurality of air temperature control devices 500 and a hot-water supply device 501 through a three-way valve 310.

[0194] The first pipe WP1 may be a pipe through which water heat-exchanged in the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 flows. The first pipe WP1 may supply water heat-exchanged in the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 and the hot-water supply device 501.

[0195] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in a single air-conditioned space. For example, the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in a first zone.

[0196] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in different air-conditioned spaces. For example, a first air temperature control device among the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in the first zone, a second air temperature control device among the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in a second zone, and a third air temperature control device among the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may be provided in a third zone.

[0197] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may include the same type of air temperature control devices. For example, the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may include a plurality of floor heating devices. As another example, the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may include a plurality of radiating devices.

[0198] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may include different types of air temperature control devices. For example, the first air temperature control device among the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may include a floor heating device, and the second air temperature control device may include a radiating device.

[0199] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may adjust temperatures of air based on different target temperatures.

[0200] The plurality of air temperature control devices 500 may adjust temperatures of air based on the same target temperature.

[0201] The second pipe WP2 of the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300 may be connected to the inlet H2 of the heat exchange pipe HEP provided in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0202] The second pipe WP2 may be connected to the inlet H2 of the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 through a second connection valve V2.

[0203] The second pipe WP2 may be connected to a circulation pump 320.

[0204] The second pipe WP2 may transfer water pumped by the circulation pump 320 to the inlet H2 of the heat exchange pipe HEP provided in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150. In this case, the water entered the inlet H2 of the heat exchange pipe HEP may be subject to heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0205] The three-way valve 310 may be connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 and the hot-water supply device 501.

[0206] The three-way valve 310 may be connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 through a third pipe WP3, and to the hot-water supply device 501 through a fourth pipe WP4.

[0207] The three-way valve 310 may transfer water received through the first pipe WP1 to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 through the third pipe WP3, or transfer water received through the first pipe WP1 to the hot-water supply device 501 through the fourth pipe WP4.

[0208] The three-way valve 310 may be a flow path switching valve for switching a flow path of water received through the first pipe WP1.

[0209] The circulation pump 320 may be connected to a storage tank 330. The circulation pump 320 may be connected to the storage tank 330 through a fifth pipe WP5.

[0210] The circulation pump 320 may pump water of the storage tank 330. At this time, the pumped water may enter the circulation pump 320 through the fifth pipe WP5.

[0211] The circulation pump 320 may transfer the pumped water to the second heat exchanger 156 through the second pipe WP2.

[0212] The circulation pump 320 may be connected to the hot-water supply device 501. The circulation pump 320 may be connected to the hot-water supply device 501 through a sixth pipe WP6.

[0213] The circulation pump 320 may pump water of the hot-water supply device 501. At this time, the pumped water may enter the circulation pump 320 through the sixth pipe WP6. The circulation pump 320 may transfer the pumped water to the second heat exchanger 156 through the second pipe WP2.

[0214] The third pipe WP3 may be connected to the storage tank 330 through a third connection valve V3. The third pipe WP3 may be connected directly to the storage tank 330.

[0215] The fourth pipe WP4 may be connected to the hot-water supply device 501 through a fourth connection valve V4.

[0216] The fifth pipe WP5 may be connected to the storage tank 330 through a fifth connection valve V5.

[0217] The sixth pipe WP6 may be connected to the hot-water supply device 501 through a sixth connection valve V6.

[0218] The hot-water supply device 501 may receive water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150, store the water, exchange heat with the stored water, and discharge the stored water to the outside. For example, the hot-water supply device 501 may provide heat-exchanged water, that is, hot water to a user.

[0219] The storage tank 330 may be connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500, store water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150, and supply the stored water to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500.

[0220] The storage tank 330 may receive water from the plurality of air temperature control devices 500, and store the water received from the plurality of air temperature control devices 500.

[0221] The storage tank 330 may supply the stored water to the circulation pump 320 based on a pumping operation of the circulation pump 320.

[0222] The storage tank 330 may be a heat storage tank that maintains a temperature of water.

[0223] The storage tank 330 may be a buffer tank or a balancing tank.

[0224] The hydro unit 300 may include a plurality of outlet pipes that are connected to the storage tank 330 and supply water stored in the storage tank 330 to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500, and a plurality of inlet pipes that transfer water supplied from the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 to the storage tank 330.

[0225] The hydro unit 300 may further include a plurality of pumps that are respectively connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 and pump water of the storage tank 330.

[0226] The hydro unit 300 may further include a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively detect temperatures of water respectively supplied to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500.

[0227] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a heat pump that is connected to the first and second air temperature control devices and performs a heating operation will be described. Here, the first air temperature control device may be provided in the first zone, and the second air temperature control device may be provided in the second zone. A target temperature of the first air temperature control device may be higher than a target temperature of the second air temperature control device.

[0228] Referring to FIG. 4, the hydro unit 300 may include a first outlet pipe 331 that is connected to the storage tank 330 and supplies water stored in the storage tank 330 to the first air temperature control device 510, and a first inlet pipe 341 that transfers water supplied from the first air temperature control device 510 to the storage tank 330.

[0229] The hydro unit 300 may include a second outlet pipe 332 that is connected to the storage tank 330 and supplies water stored in the storage tank 330 to the second air temperature control device 520, and a second inlet pipe 342 that transfers water supplied from the second air temperature control device 520 to the storage tank 330.

[0230] The hydro unit 300 may further include a first pump 351 provided in the first outlet pipe 331.

[0231] The first pump 351 may be provided between the storage tank 330 and the first air temperature control device 510.

[0232] The first pump 351 may pump water stored in the storage tank 330 and supply the water to the first air temperature control device 510.

[0233] The hydro unit 300 may further include a second pump 352 provided in the second outlet pipe 332.

[0234] The second pump 352 may be provided between the storage tank 330 and the second air temperature control device 520.

[0235] The second pump 352 may pump water stored in the storage tank 330 and supply the water to the second air temperature control device 520.

[0236] The hydro unit 300 may include a second temperature sensor 361 that detects a temperature of water to be supplied to the first air temperature control device 510, and a third temperature sensor 362 that detects a temperature of water to be supplied to the second air temperature control device 520.

[0237] The second temperature sensor 361 may be provided in the first outlet pipe 331. The second temperature sensor 361 may detect a temperature of water to be supplied to the first air temperature control device 510 or a temperature of water flowing through the first outlet pipe 331, and transfer second temperature information about a detected temperature of water to the controller 400.

[0238] The third temperature sensor 362 may be provided in the second outlet pipe 332. The third temperature sensor 362 may detect a temperature of water to be supplied to the second air temperature control device 520 or a temperature of water flowing through the second outlet pipe 332 and transfer third temperature information about a detected temperature of water to the controller 400.

[0239] The hydro unit 300 may include a mixing valve 370 provided in an air temperature control device having a lower target temperature among the first air temperature control device 510 and the second air temperature control device 520.

[0240] In an embodiment of the disclosure, an example in which a target temperature of the first air temperature control device is higher than a target temperature of the second air temperature control device will be described.

[0241] For example, the hydro unit 300 may further include the mixing valve 370 provided between the second outlet pipe 332 and the second inlet pipe 342.

[0242] The mixing valve 370 may be a valve for mixing water flowing into the second air temperature control device 520 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0243] The mixing valve 370 may mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, thereby adjusting a temperature of water flowing into the second air temperature control device 520.

[0244] FIG. 5 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0245] Referring to FIG. 5, the heat pump may include the compressor 151, the first temperature sensor 159, the circulation pump 320, the first pump 351, the second pump 352, the second temperature sensor 361, the third temperature sensor 362, the mixing valve 370, the controller 400, a user interface 600, and a communication interface 630. Hereinafter, a control configuration of the heat pump that performs a heating operation will be described.

[0246] The compressor 151 may be turned on or off based on a control command from the controller 400.

[0247] The compressor 151 may operate at a frequency corresponding to a control command from the controller 400. An operation rate and the number of rotations of the compressor 151 may be adjusted by the frequency.

[0248] The first temperature sensor 159 may detect a temperature of water discharged from the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150 and transmit first temperature information corresponding to the detected temperature of the water to the controller 400.

[0249] The first temperature sensor 159 may detect a temperature of water heat-exchanged in the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0250] The circulation pump 320 may pump water stored in the hot-water supply device 501 and the storage tank 330 based on a control command from the controller 400, and supply the pumped water to the second heat exchanger 156 of the refrigeration cycle device 150, thereby causing water to circulate between the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 and the hydro unit 300.

[0251] The first pump 351 may be turned on or off based on a control command from the controller 400.

[0252] The first pump 351 may pump water stored in the storage tank 330 based on a control command from the controller 400 and transfer the pumped water to the first air temperature control device 510.

[0253] The second pump 352 may be turned on or off based on a control command from the controller 400.

[0254] The second pump 352 may pump water stored in the storage tank 330 based on a control command from the controller 400 and transfer the pumped water to the second air temperature control device 520.

[0255] The second temperature sensor 361 may detect a temperature of water to be supplied to the first air temperature control device 510 and transmit second temperature information corresponding to the detected temperature of the water to the controller 400.

[0256] The third temperature sensor 362 may detect a temperature of water to be supplied to the second air temperature control device 520 and transmit third temperature information corresponding to the detected temperature of the water to the controller 400.

[0257] The mixing valve 370 may be opened or closed based on a control command from the controller 400. The mixing valve 370 may adjust an opening degree based on a control command from the controller 400.

[0258] The user interface 600 may interface with a user.

[0259] The user interface 600 may include an input interface 610 for receiving a user input, and an output interface 620 for outputting information related to an operation of the heat pump.

[0260] The input interface 610 may receive an operation mode, identification information for each zone, on/off information for each zone, and a target temperature for each zone. The operation mode may include a heating operation and a cooling operation.

[0261] The input interface 610 may include at least one button, a switch, a key, a jog dial, a microphone, a pedal, a mouse, a track-ball, a touch pad, or a touch panel.

[0262] The input interface may include a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a touch pad, that is, a software device. The touch pad may be implemented as a touch screen panel (TSP) and constitute an interlayer structure with a display.

[0263] The output interface 620 may output an operation mode, identification information for each zone, and a target temperature for each zone.

[0264] The output interface 620 may include at least one of a display or a speaker.

[0265] The display may include at least one of a plurality of LEDs or a plurality of seven segments.

[0266] The display may be, but is not limited thereto, provided as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital light processing (DLP) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), an electro luminescence (EL) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, an electrochromic display (ECD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel.

[0267] The communication interface 630 may include various communication circuits for performing communication between the refrigeration cycle device 150, the hydro unit 300, and the controller 400, and wired communication and/or wireless communication with an external device (for example, a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance). The user device may include various electronic devices, such as a smart phone, a notebook, a laptop, a smart watch, a stationary type tablet, and a speaker.

[0268] The communication interface 630 may include at least one of a short-range communication circuit or a long-distance communication circuit.

[0269] The communication interface 630 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication interface 630 may support cellular communication, a wireless local area network, home radio frequency (Home RF), infrared communication, ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, AD-HOC, and/or Zigbee. Communication technologies supported by the communication interface 170 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0270] The communication interface 630 may communicate with an external device through an AP. The AP may connect a LAN to which the heat pump is connected to a WAN to which a server is connected. The heat pump may be connected to the server through the WAN.

[0271] The communication interface 630 may attempt to establish a communication connection with a home appliance based on a control command from the controller 400.

[0272] The communication interface 630 may communicate with a home appliance through a hub (or a router) or communicate with a home appliance through a communication protocol.

[0273] The communication interface 630 may receive operation information of the heat pump from an external device and transmit the received operation information to the controller 400.

[0274] The operation information of the heat pump may include an operation mode, identification information for each zone, operation on/off information, and a target temperature.

[0275] The operation information of the heat pump may also include information about an operation start time or an operation end time.

[0276] The controller 400 may include at least one processor 410 that controls operations of the heat pump and at least one memory 420 that stores programs and data for controlling the operations of the heat pump.

[0277] The processor 410 may control overall operations of the heat pump.

[0278] The processor 410 may control at least one of the compressor 151, the four-way valve 152, the expansion valve 155, the circulation pump 320, the three-way valve 310, the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, or the mixing valve 370 based on a user input received through the user interface 600 and first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively.

[0279] The user input may include an operation mode, a first target temperature of the first zone, or a second target temperature of the second zone. For example, the first target temperature of the first zone where a radiating device is provided may be higher than the second target temperature of the second zone where a floor heating device is provided.

[0280] The user input may include a target temperature of water discharged through the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP.

[0281] The target temperature of water discharged through the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP may be set based on a higher one between the first target temperature of the first zone and the second target temperature of the second zone.

[0282] According to reception of a first target temperature of the first zone through the user interface 600, the processor 410 may set a target temperature of outflow water based on the first target temperature. Here, information about the target temperature of outflow water corresponding to the first target temperature may have been stored in the memory 420.

[0283] The processor 410 may control the four-way valve 152 based on an operation mode, and control the three-way valve 310 based on a hot water supply command and a heating operation command.

[0284] While a heating operation is performed, the processor 410 may turn on the compressor 151 and control operations of the circulation pump 320 and the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0285] During the heating operation, the processor 410 may control operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, even while the compressor 151 is turned off.

[0286] According to termination of the heating operation, the processor 410 may stop the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0287] The processor 410 may identify a higher target temperature between the first target temperature and the second target temperature based on first and second target temperature information, control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the recognized target temperature, and control opening, closing, and an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on a lower target temperature.

[0288] The processor 410 may control a frequency of the compressor 151 based on first temperature information detected by the first temperature sensor 159 and the first target temperature information.

[0289] The processor 410 may control the compressor 151 at a first frequency based on reception of an on command for a heating operation. The first frequency may be a reference frequency.

[0290] The first frequency may be 35 Hz or higher. Alternatively, the first frequency may be, but is not limited thereto, 50 Hz or higher.

[0291] The processor 410 may recognize a temperature of outflow water, a temperature of first inflow water, and a temperature of second inflow water based on first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively, during a heating operation.

[0292] During the heating operation, the processor 410 may recognize whether the heating operation has been stabilized, based on the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone, the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone, the target temperature of outflow water, the temperature of first inflow water, the temperature of second inflow water, and the temperature of outflow water.

[0293] An operation of the processor 410 for recognizing stabilization while both the radiating device of the first zone and the floor heating device of the second zone operate will be described.

[0294] The processor 410 may recognize an air temperature control device having a higher target temperature between a first target temperature and a second target temperature, and recognize a target temperature of inflow water flowing into the recognized air temperature control device and a temperature of inflow water detected by a temperature sensor provided in the recognized air temperature control device. Hereinafter, a case in which the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone is higher than the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone will be described.

[0295] The processor 410 may recognize the first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inlet water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, substrate the temperature of first inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, substrate the temperature of first inlet water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for a target temperature of outflow water. For example, the processor 410 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0296] The processor 410 may compare the compensated target temperature to the target temperature of outflow water, and based on recognition that the compensated target temperature is identical to the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0297] An operation of the processor 410 for recognizing stabilization while only the radiating device of the first zone operates will be described.

[0298] The processor 410 may subtract a temperature of first inlet water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 from a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for a target temperature of outflow water. For example, the processor 410 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0299] The processor 410 may compare the compensated target temperature of outflow water to the target temperature of outflow water, and based on recognition that the compensated target temperature of outflow water is identical to the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0300] An operation of the processor 410 for recognizing stabilization while only the floor heating device of the second zone operates will be described.

[0301] The processor 410 may subtract a temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362 from a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to compensate for a target temperature of outflow water. For example, the processor 410 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature.

[0302] The processor 410 may compare the compensated target temperature of outflow water to the target temperature of outflow water and based on recognition that the compensated target temperature of outflow water is identical to the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized. The compensated target temperature of outflow water may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 5 C.

[0303] Recognizing that a heating operation has been stabilized may include recognizing that an operation of the heat pump has been stabilized.

[0304] The processor 410 may count an on time of the compressor 151, and according to the counted on time of the compressor 151 reaching a first reference time, the processor 410 may recognize that an operation of the heat pump has been stabilized. The first reference time may range from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.

[0305] According to the counted on time of the compressor 151 being shorter than or equal to the first reference time, the processor 410 may maintain an on state of the compressor 151.

[0306] According to recognition that the compensated target temperature of outflow water is identical to the target temperature of outflow water and the counted on time of the compressor 151 has reached the first reference time, the processor 410 may compare, based on first temperature information detected by the first temperature sensor 159 and target temperature information of outflow water, the detected temperature of outflow water to the target temperature of outflow water.

[0307] Based on the target temperature information of outflow water and the detected temperature information of outflow water, the processor 410 may recognize whether the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the target temperature of outflow water.

[0308] According to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may maintain the on state of the compressor 151 to supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330 and also supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the hot-water supply device 501.

[0309] The processor 410 may turn off the compressor 151 based on the detected temperature of outflow water and the target temperature of outflow water.

[0310] For example, according to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may turn off the compressor 151 and maintain an operation of the first pump 351 while turning off the compressor 151, thereby causing water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the first air temperature control device 510.

[0311] As another example, according to a rise of a detected temperature of outflow water while the compressor 151 is controlled at a first frequency, the processor 410 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to a second frequency or less that is lower than the first frequency, and according to recognition that a detected temperature of the compressor 151 is higher than or equal to a compensated target temperature of outflow water while the compressor 151 is controlled at the second frequency or less, the processor 410 may turn off the compressor 151. Here, the second frequency may range from about 50 Hz to 35 Hz. The second frequency may be 35 Hz or lower.

[0312] As another example, the processor 410 may sum a target temperature of outflow water and a first compensation temperature to recognize a first target compensation temperature, and recognize whether a temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature. According to recognition that the temperature of outflow water is lower than the first target compensation temperature, the processor 410 may maintain an on state of the compressor 151, and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively. According to the temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature, the processor 410 may turn off the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0313] The first compensation temperature may range from about 0 C. to about 5 C., and may be information set in advance and stored.

[0314] The first compensation temperature may be information obtained by a difference between a temperature of outflow water and a temperature of first inflow water during on control of the compressor 151.

[0315] As another example, according to a temperature of outflow water reaching the target temperature of outflow water while the compressor 151 is controlled at the first frequency, the processor 410 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to the second frequency or lower, and according to a temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature while the compressor 151 is controlled to operate at the second frequency or lower, the processor 410 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0316] The processor 410 may operate the first pump 351 while turning off the compressor 151 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the first air temperature control device 510.

[0317] The processor 410 may operate the second pump 352 while turning off the compressor 151 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the second air temperature control device 520.

[0318] While the processor 410 turns off the compressor 151, the processor 410 may open or close the mixing valve 370 based on third temperature information about a temperature of second inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 and second target temperature information.

[0319] More specifically, according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is lower than the second target temperature, the processor 410 may open the mixing valve 370, and, according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the processor 410 may close the mixing valve 370.

[0320] The processor 410 may recognize a temperature difference value between a temperature of second inflow water and a second target temperature based on second temperature information and second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0321] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference value may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0322] The processor 410 may open the mixing valve 370 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0323] The processor 410 may recognize a temperature of outflow water based on first temperature information received from the first temperature sensor 159 during an off period of the compressor 151 while a heating operation is performed.

[0324] The processor 410 may control switching of the compressor 151 to an on state based on the recognized first temperature information and target temperature information of outflow water.

[0325] For example, the processor 410 may recognize whether a detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized first temperature information and the target temperature information of outflow water, and according to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may maintain control of turning off the compressor 151 and maintain on operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively. According to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature of outflow water, the processor 410 may turn on the compressor 151 and maintain the on operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0326] As another example, the processor 410 may subtract a second compensation temperature from the target temperature of outflow water to recognize a second target compensation temperature, and according to a detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the second target compensation temperature, the processor 410 may maintain control of turning off the compressor 151 and according to the detected temperature of outflow water being lower than the second target compensation temperature, the processor 410 may turn on the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0327] The second compensation temperature may range from about 0 C. to about 7 C., and may be information set in advance and stored.

[0328] The second compensation temperature may be information obtained by a difference between a temperature of outflow water and a temperature of first inflow water during off control of the compressor 151.

[0329] The processor 410 may control the compressor 151 to operate at the first frequency. Therefore, water may be heated in the second heat exchanger 156.

[0330] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating compressor efficiency with respect to temperatures of water heat-exchanged in a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0331] Referring to FIG. 6, as a temperature of water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 increases, efficiency of the compressor 151 may be reduced.

[0332] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating compressor efficiency with respect to frequencies of a compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0333] Referring to FIG. 7, efficiency of the compressor 151 may be highest within an efficient frequency range of 50 Hz to 60 Hz, and may be reduced as the frequency of the compressor 151 decreases below the efficient frequency range.

[0334] For example, it may be seen that when a frequency of the compressor 151 is adjusted to be lower than frequencies within the efficient frequency range to maintain a temperature of water (that is, hot water) to be supplied to the air temperature control devices 500 after the temperature of water supplied to the air temperature control devices 500 reaches a target temperature, consumption power with respect to generated energy increases. For example, the compressor 151 may operate inefficiently.

[0335] In an embodiment of the disclosure, to reduce an inefficient operation of the compressor 151 and consumption power, by, after a temperature of water supplied to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 reaches the target temperature, turning off the compressor 151 and operating only a pump connected to the plurality of air temperature control devices 500, consumption power may be reduced.

[0336] The processor 410 may include hardware, such as CPU or memory, and software, such as control programs. For example, the processor 410 may include at least one memory that stores data in the form of an algorithm or program for controlling operations of components in the heat pump, and one, two, or more processor chips or one, two, or more processing cores that perform the above-described operations by using the data stored in the at least one memory.

[0337] The processor 410 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 420 to perform operations of the heat pump 1 according to various embodiments. For example, the processor 410 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 420 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0338] The processor 410 may include one or more among central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), accelerated processing unit (APU), many integrated core (MIC), digital signal processor (DSP), neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine-learning accelerator.

[0339] The processor 410 may include a separate NPU that performs operations of an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and may include a GPU, or the like.

[0340] The memory 420 may store information about the first frequency, the second frequency, the reference value, the first reference time, the first compensation temperature, and the second compensation temperature.

[0341] The memory 420 may store identification information for each zone.

[0342] The memory 420 may store a target temperature for each zone.

[0343] The memory 420 may store information about an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 corresponding to a temperature difference value. The temperature difference value may be a difference value between a temperature of second outflow water and a second target temperature.

[0344] The memory 420 may store data required for various embodiments.

[0345] The memory 420 may be implemented in the form of memory embedded in the heat pump 1 or in the form of memory capable of being attached to or detached from the heat pump 1 depending on a purpose of data storage. For example, data for driving the heat pump 1 may be stored in memory embedded in the heat pump 1, and data for expanded functions of the heat pump 1 may be stored in memory capable of being attached to or detached from the heat pump 1.

[0346] Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the heat pump 1 may be implemented as at least one among volatile memory (for example, dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or the like) or non-volatile memory (for example, one time programmable ROM (OTPRAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (for example, NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)).

[0347] In addition, the memory capable of being attached to or detached from the heat pump 1 may be, but is not limited thereto, implemented in the form of a memory card (for example, compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (micro-SD), mini secure digital (mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), or the like) or external memory (for example, USB memory) connectable to a USB port.

[0348] The memory 420 may include one, two, or more memory chips or one, two, or more memory blocks.

[0349] At least one component may be added or omitted in correspondence to the performance of the components of the heat pump 1 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, it will be easily understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the relative positions of the components may change in correspondence to the performance or structure of the heat pump 1.

[0350] Meanwhile, the components shown in FIG. 5 may be software components and/or hardware components, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0351] FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0352] Hereinafter, a heat pump that performs a heating operation and is connected to a radiating device (for example, a radiator) of a first zone and a floor heating device of a second zone will be described as an example, wherein a target temperature of the floor heating device may be lower than a target temperature of the radiating device.

[0353] Referring to FIG. 8, in operation 701, according to reception of an on command of a heating operation from the user interface 600, the heat pump may control the four-way valve 152 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0354] The heat pump may cause a refrigerant to circulate in the order of the compressor 151, the second heat exchanger 156, the expansion valve 155, and the first heat exchanger 153 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0355] The heat pump may turn on the compressor 151 to compress the refrigerant, and supply the compressed refrigerant to the second heat exchanger 156 through the four-way valve 152.

[0356] In operation 702, the heat pump may control the compressor 151 at a reference frequency. The reference frequency may be a first frequency of 35 Hz or higher.

[0357] The first frequency may be, but is not limited thereto, 50 Hz or higher.

[0358] The heat pump may control the expansion valve 155 to decompress the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156, supply the decompressed refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 153, and cause the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger 153 to be sucked into the compressor 151 through the four-way valve 152.

[0359] The heat pump may transfer water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the hydro unit 300.

[0360] The water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 may be hot water, and as a time of a heating operation increases while the compressor 151 is turned on, a temperature of the hot water may rise. For example, the heat pump may generate hot water by heating water through the second heat exchanger 156 and transfer the generated hot water to the hydro unit 300.

[0361] The water transferred to the hydro unit 300 may be transferred to at least one of the plurality of air temperature control devices 500 or the hot-water supply device 501.

[0362] The water may circulate between the heat exchange pipe HEP provided in the second heat exchanger 156, the plurality of pipes WP of the hydro unit 300, the three-way valve 310, the circulation pump 320, the storage tank 330, the plurality of air temperature control devices 500, and the hot-water supply device 501.

[0363] The heat pump may receive first and second target temperature information about a first target temperature of the first zone and a second target temperature of the second zone from the user interface 600. The first target temperature may be higher than the second target temperature.

[0364] The first target temperature information of the first zone and the second target temperature information of the second zone may be temperature information set in advance and stored.

[0365] The heat pump may receive target temperature information about a target temperature of water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 from the user interface 600.

[0366] According to reception of the target temperature information of the first zone through the user interface 600, the heat pump may recognize target temperature information of outflow water based on the received first target temperature information of the first zone.

[0367] The heat pump may recognize target temperature information of outflow water received through the user interface 600.

[0368] During a heating operation, the heat pump may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, and a temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362, based on first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively.

[0369] During the heating operation, the heat pump may recognize whether the heating operation has been stabilized based on the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone, the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone, a target temperature of outflow water, the temperature of first inflow water, and the temperature of outflow water.

[0370] An operation of the heat pump for recognizing stabilization while both the radiating device of the first zone and the floor heating device of the second zone operate will be described.

[0371] The heat pump may recognize an air temperature control device having a higher target temperature between a first target temperature and a second target temperature, and recognize a target temperature of inflow water entered the recognized air temperature control device and a temperature of inflow water detected by a temperature sensor provided in the recognized air temperature control device. Hereinafter, a case in which the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone is higher than the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone will be described.

[0372] The heat pump may recognize the first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for a target temperature of outflow water. For example, the heat pump may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0373] The heat pump may compare the target temperature of outflow water to the compensated target temperature, and based on recognition that the target temperature of outflow water is identical to the compensated target temperature, the heat pump may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0374] An operation of the heat pump for recognizing stabilization while only the radiating device of the first zone operates will be described.

[0375] The heat pump may subtract a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 from a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for the target temperature of outflow water. For example, the heat pump may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0376] The heat pump may compare the target temperature of outflow water to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, and based on recognition that the target temperature of outflow water is identical to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, the heat pump may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0377] An operation of the heat pump for recognizing stabilization while only the floor heating device of the second zone operates will be described.

[0378] The heat pump may subtract a temperature of first inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362 from a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to compensate for the target temperature of outflow water. For example, the heat pump may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature.

[0379] The heat pump may compare the target temperature of outflow water to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, and based on recognition that the target temperature of outflow water is identical to the compensated target temperature of outflow water, the heat pump may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0380] The compensated target temperature of outflow water may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 5 C.

[0381] Recognizing that a heating operation has been stabilized may include recognizing that an operation of the heat pump has been stabilized.

[0382] The heat pump may count an on time of the compressor 151 and according to the counted on time of the compressor 151 being shorter than a first reference time, the heat pump may maintain an on state of the compressor 151. The first reference time may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.

[0383] According to the counted on time of the compressor 151 reaching the first reference time, the heat pump may recognize that an operation of the heat pump has been stabilized.

[0384] In operation 703, according to recognition that the recognized temperature difference value is less than a reference value and the counted on time of the compressor 151 has reached the first reference time, the heat pump may recognize a first target compensation temperature based on the target temperature information of outflow water and the first compensation temperature.

[0385] The heat pump may sum the target temperature information of outflow water and the first compensation temperature to recognize the first target compensation temperature.

[0386] The first compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 5 C.

[0387] The first compensation temperature may be information set in advance and stored.

[0388] In operation 704, the heat pump may recognize whether a temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature.

[0389] According to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the first target compensation temperature, the heat pump may maintain the on state of the compressor 151 to supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330 and supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the hot-water supply device 501.

[0390] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may be transferred to the first and second air temperature control devices 510 and 520, respectively, by pumping operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0391] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may flow into the second heat exchanger 156 by a pumping operation of the circulation pump 320.

[0392] According to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, while turning off the compressor 151 in operation 705.

[0393] The heat pump may maintain an operation of the first pump 351 while turning off the compressor 151 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the first air temperature control device 510 and maintain an operation of the second pump 352 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the second air temperature control device 520.

[0394] According to an on time of the compressor 151 the first reference time while the heat pump controls the compressor 151 at a first frequency, the heat pump may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to a second frequency or less that is lower than the reference frequency.

[0395] According to recognition that a temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the first target compensation temperature while the heat pump controls the compressor 151 at the second frequency or less, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151. Here, the second frequency may range from 50 Hz to 35 Hz. The second frequency may be 35 Hz or lower.

[0396] According to a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 reaching the target temperature of outflow water while the heat pump controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the heat pump may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to the second frequency or lower. In this case, according to the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to a target compensation temperature of outflow water, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151.

[0397] The heat pump may open or close the mixing valve 370 based on second target temperature information and third temperature information about a temperature of second inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 while turning off the compressor 151.

[0398] More specifically, according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is lower than the second target temperature, the heat pump may open the mixing valve 370, and according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the heat pump may close the mixing valve 370.

[0399] The heat pump may recognize a temperature difference value between the temperature of second inflow water and the second target temperature based on second temperature information and the second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0400] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference value may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0401] The heat pump may open the mixing valve 370 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, and may control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0402] The water mixed by the mixing valve 370 may be adjusted in temperature and then transferred to the second air temperature control device 520 through the second pump 352.

[0403] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may be used to heat an air-conditioned space and supply hot water, and a temperature of the water may be lowered as an off time of the compressor 151 increases during an off period of the compressor 151 while a heating operation is performed.

[0404] The heat pump may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 during the off period of the compressor 151 while the heating operation is performed in operation 706.

[0405] The heat pump may recognize the detected temperature of outflow water, the target temperature of outflow water, and a second compensation temperature.

[0406] The heat pump may substrate the second compensation temperature from the target temperature of outflow water to recognize a second target compensation temperature, and recognize whether the temperature of outflow water is lower than the second target compensation temperature in operation 707.

[0407] According to the detected temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the second target compensation temperature, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151.

[0408] According to the detected temperature of outflow water being lower than the second target compensation temperature, the heat pump may turn on the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, in operation 708.

[0409] The second compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 7 C.

[0410] The second compensation temperature may be information set in advance and stored.

[0411] The heat pump may again supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330 and the hot-water supply device 501.

[0412] FIG. 9 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0413] Referring to FIG. 9, the heat pump according to another embodiment may include the compressor 151, the first temperature sensor 159, the circulation pump 320, the first pump 351, the second pump 352, the second temperature sensor 361, the third temperature sensor 362, the mixing valve 370, the controller 401, the user interface 600, and the communication interface 630.

[0414] Among components of the heat pump according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the remaining components except for the controller 401 may be the same as the corresponding ones of the heat pump according to an embodiment. Descriptions about the same components will be omitted.

[0415] The controller 401 may include at least one processor 430 that controls operations of the heat pump 1 and at least one memory 440 that stores programs and data for controlling operations of the heat pump.

[0416] The processor 430 may control overall operations of the heat pump.

[0417] The processor 430 may control at least one of the compressor 151, the four-way valve 152, the expansion valve 155, the circulation pump 320, the three-way valve 310, the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, or the mixing valve 370, based on a user input received through the user interface 600 and first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively.

[0418] The user input may include an operation mode, a first target temperature of a first zone, or a second target temperature of a second zone. For example, the first target temperature may be higher than the second target temperature.

[0419] The user input may further include a target temperature of outflow water.

[0420] A higher target temperature between the first target temperature of the first zone and the second target temperature of the second zone may be set to a target temperature of water discharged through the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP.

[0421] The higher target temperature between the first target temperature of the first zone and the second target temperature of the second zone may be set to a target temperature for on/off control of the compressor 151.

[0422] According to reception of the first target temperature of the first zone through the user interface 600, the processor 430 may recognize a target temperature of outflow water corresponding to the first target temperature. Here, a target temperature of outflow water corresponding to the first target temperature may have been stored in the memory 440.

[0423] The processor 430 may control the four-way valve 152 based on an operation mode and control the three-way valve 310 based on a hot-water supply command and a heating operation command.

[0424] While the processor 430 performs a heating operation, the processor 430 may turn on the compressor 151 and control operations of the circulation pump 320 and the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0425] The processor 430 may control operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, during an off period of the compressor 151 while performing the heating operation.

[0426] The processor 430 may stop the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, based on termination of the heating operation.

[0427] The processor 430 may recognize a higher target temperature between the first target temperature and the second target temperature based on first and second target temperature information, control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the recognized target temperature, and control opening, closing, and an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on a lower target temperature.

[0428] The processor 430 may recognize a temperature of outflow water, a temperature of first inflow water, and a temperature of second inflow water based on first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively, during the heating operation.

[0429] While the processor 430 turns on the compressor 151, the processor 430 may control a frequency of the compressor 151 based on first temperature information detected by the first temperature sensor 159 and first target temperature information.

[0430] The processor 430 may control the frequency of the compressor 151 based on an on time of the compressor 151.

[0431] The processor 430 may control the compressor 151 at a first frequency based on reception of an on command of a heating operation. The first frequency may be a reference frequency of 35 Hz or higher. The first frequency may be, but is not limited thereto, 50 Hz or higher.

[0432] According to a detected temperature of outflow water reaching the target temperature of outflow water while the processor 430 controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the processor 430 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to a second frequency or lower that is lower than the reference frequency.

[0433] According to the detected temperature of outflow water reaching the first target temperature while the processor 430 controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the processor 430 may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to the second frequency or lower that is lower than the reference frequency.

[0434] According to an on time of the compressor 151 reaching a second reference time while the processor 430 controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the processor 430 may recognize that the heating operation has been stabilized.

[0435] The processor 430 may compensate for the target temperature of outflow water while the compressor 151 is in a turned-on state, and turn off the compressor 151 based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and a detected temperature of outflow water. An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water will be described below.

[0436] During a heating operation, the processor 430 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on a first target temperature of a radiating device of a first zone, a second target temperature of a floor heating device of a second zone, a target temperature of outflow water, a temperature of first inflow water, a temperature of second inflow water, and a temperature of outflow water.

[0437] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while both the radiating device of the first zone and the floor heating device of the second zone operate will be described.

[0438] The processor 430 may recognize an air temperature control device having a higher target temperature between the first target temperature and the second target temperature, and recognize a target temperature of inflow water flowing into the recognized air temperature control device and a temperature of inflow water detected by a temperature sensor provided in the recognized air temperature control device.

[0439] Hereinafter, an operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water in the case in which the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone is higher than the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone will be described.

[0440] The processor 410 may recognize the first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inlet water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, substrate the temperature of first inlet water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, substrate the temperature of first inlet water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for the target temperature of outflow water. For example, the processor 410 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0441] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while only the radiating device of the first zone operates will be described.

[0442] For example, the processor 430 may recognize the first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0443] As another example, the processor 430 may subtract the temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 from the temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0444] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while only the floor heating device of the second zone operates will be described.

[0445] For example, the processor 430 may recognize the second target temperature of the second zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362, subtract the temperature of second inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, subtract the temperature of second inflow water from the second target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0446] As another example, the processor 430 may subtract the temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 361 from the temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0447] A minimum value of the compensated target temperature of outflow water may be 0 C., and may not include a negative number.

[0448] The processor 430 may recognize a third target compensation temperature based on the recognized, compensated target temperature of outflow water and a third compensation temperature.

[0449] The heat pump may subtract the third compensation temperature from the compensated target temperature of outflow water to recognize a third target compensation temperature.

[0450] The third compensation temperature may be information set in advance and stored.

[0451] The third compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 5 C. The processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151 based on a temperature of outflow water and the third target compensation temperature.

[0452] For example, the processor 430 may recognize whether a detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature. According to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the third target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may maintain an on state of the compressor 151, and according to recognition that the detected temperature of the outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0453] As another example, the processor 430 may count an on time of the compressor 151, and according to the counted on time of the compressor 151 reaching a second reference time, the processor 430 may recognize that a detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature. At this time, according to recognition that the detected temperature of outflow water is lower than the third target compensation temperature although the counted on time of the compressor 151 has reached the second reference time, the processor 430 may maintain the on state of the compressor 151, and according to recognition that the counted on time of the compressor 151 has reached the second reference time and the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0454] Here, the second reference time may be, but is not limited thereto, about 20 minutes.

[0455] As another example, according to recognition that the counted on time of the compressor 151 has reached the second reference time and the detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may count a time for which the detected temperature of outflow water is maintained at the third target compensation temperature or higher, and according to the counted maintenance time being shorter than a first preset time, the processor 430 may maintain the on state of the compressor 151. According to the counted maintenance time being longer than or equal to the first preset time, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151. The first preset time may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.

[0456] As another example, the processor 430 may count a control time for which a frequency of the compressor 151 is controlled at the second frequency or lower. According to the counted control time being shorter than the first preset time, the processor 430 may maintain the on state of the compressor 151, and according to the counted control signal being longer than or equal to the first preset time and the temperature of outflow water being higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0457] As another example, according to the on time of the compressor 151 reaching the second reference time, the counted control time being longer than or equal to the second preset time, and the time for which the temperature of outflow water is maintained at the third target compensation temperature or higher being longer than or equal to the first preset time, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0458] According to a temperature of outflow water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP of the second heat exchanger 156 reaching the third target compensation temperature although a temperature of water entered the first air temperature control device 510 is lower than the first target temperature, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151, thereby reducing consumption power.

[0459] By maintaining an operation of the first pump 351 while the processor 430 turns off the compressor 151, the processor 430 may cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the first air temperature control device 510, and, by maintaining an operation of the second pump 352, the processor 430 may cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the second air temperature control device 520.

[0460] While the processor 430 turns off the compressor 151, the processor 430 may open or close the mixing valve 370 based on the second target temperature information and third temperature information about a temperature of second inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361.

[0461] More specifically, according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is lower than the second target temperature, the processor 430 may open the mixing valve 370, and according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the processor 430 may close the mixing valve 370.

[0462] The processor 430 may recognize a temperature difference value between the temperature of second inflow water and the second target temperature based on the second temperature information and the second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0463] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference value may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0464] The processor 430 may open the mixing valve 370 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0465] The processor 430 may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 at a time at which the compressor 151 is turned off while a heating operation is performed, and store the recognized temperature of outflow water.

[0466] The temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off may be an off temperature of outflow water.

[0467] The processor 430 may recognize a fourth target compensation temperature based on a fourth compensation temperature and the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off.

[0468] The fourth compensation temperature may be information set in advance and stored.

[0469] The fourth compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 7 C.

[0470] More specifically, the processor 430 may subtract the fourth compensation temperature from the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off to recognize a fourth target compensation temperature, and store the recognized fourth target compensation temperature. The processor 430 may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 and a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 during an off period of the compressor 151 while the heating operation is performed.

[0471] The temperature of outflow water may be a temperature of outflow water during the off period of the compressor 151.

[0472] A temperature of outflow water and a temperature of inflow water may be recognized periodically or in real time.

[0473] A temperature of outflow water recognized periodically or in real time during an off period of the compressor 151 may be a current temperature of outflow water.

[0474] The processor 430 may control an on operation of the compressor 151 based on the recognized current temperature of outflow water, a target temperature, and the fourth target compensation temperature.

[0475] More specifically, according to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the target temperature, the processor 430 may turn off the compressor 151.

[0476] According to the recognized current temperature of outflow water being lower than the target temperature, the processor 430 may recognize whether the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the fourth target compensation temperature.

[0477] According to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature and the current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the fourth target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may maintain the off state of the compressor 151.

[0478] According to recognition that the current temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature and the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the fourth target compensation temperature, the processor 430 may turn on the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0479] The processor 430 may again supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330.

[0480] The memory 440 may store information about the first and second frequencies, the second reference time, the first and second preset times, and the third and fourth compensation temperatures.

[0481] The memory 440 may store identification information for each zone.

[0482] The memory 440 may store a target temperature for each zone.

[0483] The memory 440 may store opening degree information of the mixing valve 370 corresponding to a temperature difference value. The temperature difference value may be a difference value between a temperature of second outflow water and the second target temperature.

[0484] FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0485] Hereinafter, a heat pump that performs a heating operation and is connected to a radiating device (for example, a radiator) of a first zone and a floor heating device of a second zone will be described as an example. A target temperature of the floor heating device may be lower than a target temperature of the radiating device.

[0486] Referring to FIG. 10, in operation 711, according to reception of an on command of a heating operation from the user interface 600, the heat pump may control the four-way valve 152 and the compressor 151 of the refrigeration cycle device 150.

[0487] In operation 712, the heat pump may control the compressor 151 at a first frequency. The first frequency may be a reference frequency of about 35 Hz or higher. The first frequency may be, but is not limited thereto, about 50 Hz or higher.

[0488] The heat pump may cause a refrigerant to circulate in the order of the compressor 151, the second heat exchanger 156, the expansion valve 155, and the first heat exchanger 153 of the refrigeration cycle device 150. The heat pump may transfer water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the hydro unit 300. The heat pump may receive first and second target temperature information about a first target temperature of the first zone and a second target temperature of the second zone from the user interface 600. The first target temperature may be higher than the second target temperature.

[0489] The first target temperature information of the first zone and the second target temperature information of the second zone may be temperature information set in advance and stored.

[0490] According to reception of the first target temperature information of the first zone and the second target temperature information of the second zone from the user interface 600, the heat pump may recognize a target temperature of water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP corresponding to the first target temperature and recognize a target temperature of water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP corresponding to the second target temperature.

[0491] The heat pump may receive a target temperature of outflow water from the user interface 600.

[0492] The heat pump may receive target temperature information about a target temperature of water discharged through the heat exchange pipe HEP of the refrigeration cycle device 150 from the user interface 600.

[0493] While both the radiating device of the first zone and the floor heating device of the second zone operate, the heat pump may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the first target temperature of the first zone.

[0494] While the radiating device of the first zone or the floor heating device of the second zone operates, the heat pump may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on a target temperature of the air temperature control device operating.

[0495] The heat pump may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, a temperature of first outflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, and a temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362, based on first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively, while a heating operation is performed.

[0496] The heat pump may compensate for the target temperature of outflow water while the compressor 151 is in a turned-on state, and turn off the compressor 151 based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and the detected temperature of outflow water. An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water will be described below.

[0497] The heat pump may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the first target temperature of the radiating device of the first zone, the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone, the target temperature of outflow water, the temperature of first inflow water, the temperature of second inflow water, and the temperature of outflow water during a heating operation.

[0498] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while both the radiating device of the first zone and the floor heating device of the second zone operate will be described.

[0499] The heat pump may recognize an air temperature control device having a higher target temperature between the first and second target temperatures, and recognize a target temperature of inflow water flowing into the recognized air temperature control device and a temperature of inflow water detected by a temperature sensor provided in the recognized air temperature control device. Hereinafter, a case in which the first target temperature of the heating device of the first zone is higher than the second target temperature of the floor heating device of the second zone will be described.

[0500] The heat pump may recognize the first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inlet water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, substrate the temperature of first inlet water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, substrate the temperature of first inlet water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to compensate for the target temperature of outflow water. For example, the processor 410 may recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water based on the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature.

[0501] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while only the radiating device of the first zone operates will be described.

[0502] For example, the heat pump may recognize a first target temperature of the first zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, subtract the temperature of first inflow water from the first target temperature to recognize a second difference value, sum the first difference value and the second difference value to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0503] As another example, the heat pump may subtract the temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 from the temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the first target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0504] An operation of recognizing a compensated target temperature of outflow water while only the floor heating device of the second zone operates will be described.

[0505] For example, the heat pump may recognize a second target temperature of the second zone, a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159, and a temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362, subtract the temperature of second inflow water from the recognized temperature of outflow water to recognize a first difference value, subtract the temperature of second inflow water from the second target temperature to recognize a second difference value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0506] As another example, the heat pump may subtract the temperature of second inflow water detected by the third temperature sensor 362 from the temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 to recognize a compensation value, and sum the recognized compensation value and the second target temperature to recognize a compensated target temperature of outflow water.

[0507] The heat pump may compare the compensated target temperature of outflow water to the target temperature of outflow water, and according to recognition that the compensated target temperature of outflow water is identical to the target temperature of outflow water, the heat pump may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0508] A minimum value of the compensated target temperature of outflow water may be 0 C., and may not include a negative number.

[0509] The heat pump may recognize a third target compensation temperature based on the compensated target temperature of outflow water and a third compensation temperature.

[0510] The heat pump may subtract the third compensation temperature from the compensated target temperature of outflow water to recognize the third target compensation temperature.

[0511] The third compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 5 C.

[0512] In addition, the heat pump may count an on time of the compressor 151, and according to recognition that the counted on time of the compressor 151 reaches a second reference time in operation 713, the heat pump may recognize that a temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature in operation 714.

[0513] The second reference time may be, but is not limited thereto, about 20 minutes.

[0514] According to recognition that the temperature of outflow water is lower than the third target compensation temperature, the heat pump may maintain the on state of the compressor 151 to supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330 and also supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the hot-water supply device 501.

[0515] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may be transferred to the first and second air temperature control devices 510 and 520, respectively, by pumping operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively.

[0516] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may flow into the second heat exchanger 156 by a pumping operation of the circulation pump 320.

[0517] According to recognition that the temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the heat pump may count a time for which the temperature of outflow water is maintained at the third target compensation temperature or higher, and according to the counted time being shorter than a first preset time, the heat pump may maintain the on state of the compressor 151.

[0518] According to the temperature of outflow water being higher than the third target compensation temperature and the counted time being longer than or equal to the first preset time, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, in operation 715.

[0519] The first preset time may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.

[0520] According to the temperature of outflow water reaching the first target temperature while the heat pump controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the heat pump may adjust the frequency of the compressor 151 to a second frequency or lower that is lower than the first frequency.

[0521] According to recognition that the on time of the compressor 151 reaches the second reference time while the heat pump controls the compressor 151 at the first frequency, the heat pump may recognize that a heating operation has been stabilized.

[0522] The heat pump may count a control time for which the frequency of the compressor 151 is controlled at the second frequency or lower, and according to the counted control time being shorter than the first preset time, the heat pump may maintain the on state of the compressor 151.

[0523] Herein, the second frequency may range, but is not limited thereto, from 50 Hz to 35 Hz. The second frequency may be 35 Hz or lower.

[0524] According to recognition that the counted control signal is longer than or equal to the second preset time and a detected temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the third target compensation temperature, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151.

[0525] According to a temperature of outflow water discharged through a heat exchange pipe of the first heat exchanger 153 reaching the third target compensation temperature although a temperature (that is, a temperature of first inflow water) of water flowing into the first air temperature control device 510 is lower than the first target temperature, the heat pump may turn off the compressor 151, thereby reducing consumption power.

[0526] While the heat pump turns off the compressor 151, the heat pump may maintain an operation of the first pump 351 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the first air temperature control device 510 and maintain an operation of the second pump 352 to cause water stored in the storage tank 330 to circulate in the second air temperature control device 520.

[0527] The heat pump may open or close the mixing valve 370 based on the second target temperature information and third temperature information about a temperature of second inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 while the heat pump turns off the compressor 151.

[0528] More specifically, according to recognition that a temperature of second inflow water is lower than the second target temperature, the heat pump may open the mixing valve 370, and according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the heat pump may close the mixing valve 370.

[0529] The heat pump may recognize a temperature difference value between the temperature of second inflow water and the second target temperature based on the second temperature information and the second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0530] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0531] The heat pump may open the mixing valve 370 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, and control an opening degree of the mixing valve 370 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0532] The water mixed by the mixing valve 370 may be adjusted in temperature and then transferred to the second air temperature control device 520 through the second pump 352.

[0533] Water stored in the storage tank 330 may be used to heat an air-conditioned space and supply hot water, and a temperature of the water may be lowered as an off time of the compressor 151 increases during an off period of the compressor 151 while a heating operation is performed.

[0534] The heat pump may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 at a time at which the compressor 151 is turned off while a heating operation is performed, and store the recognized temperature of outflow water.

[0535] The temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off may be an off temperature of outflow water.

[0536] The heat pump may recognize a fourth target compensation temperature based on the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off and a fourth compensation temperature.

[0537] The fourth compensation temperature may be information set in advance and stored.

[0538] The fourth compensation temperature may be information obtained by a difference between a temperature of outflow water and a temperature of first inflow water during off control of the compressor 151, and may be information obtained by an experiment.

[0539] The fourth compensation temperature may range, but is not limited thereto, from about 0 C. to about 7 C.

[0540] More specifically, the heat pump may subtract the fourth compensation temperature from the temperature of outflow water recognized at the time at which the compressor 151 is turned off to recognize the fourth target compensation temperature, and store the fourth target compensation temperature.

[0541] The heat pump may recognize a temperature of outflow water detected by the first temperature sensor 159 and a temperature of first inflow water detected by the second temperature sensor 361 during an off period of the compressor 151 while a heating operation is performed in operation 716.

[0542] The temperature of outflow water and the temperature of inflow water may be recognized periodically or in real time.

[0543] The temperature of outflow water recognized periodically or in real time while the compressor 151 is turned off may be a current temperature of outflow water.

[0544] The heat pump may recognize whether the recognized current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to a target temperature in operation 717.

[0545] According to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the target temperature, the heat pump may maintain the off state of the compressor 151.

[0546] According to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature, the heat pump may recognize whether the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the fourth target compensation temperature in operation 718.

[0547] According to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature and the current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the fourth target compensation temperature, the heat pump may maintain the off state of the compressor 151.

[0548] According to recognition that the recognized current temperature of outflow water is lower than the target temperature and the recognized current temperature of outflow water is higher than or equal to the fourth target compensation temperature, the heat pump may turn on the compressor 151 and maintain operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, in operation 719.

[0549] The heat pump may again supply water heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 156 to the storage tank 330 and the hot-water supply device 501.

[0550] FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration view of a hydro unit of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0551] Referring to FIG. 11, the heat pump according to another embodiment may include a refrigeration cycle device and a hydro unit. The refrigeration cycle device of the heat pump according to another embodiment may be the same as the refrigeration cycle device of the heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0552] The hydro unit of the heat pump may include a plurality of mixing valves respectively connected to a plurality of air temperature control devices. Among components of the hydro unit of the heat pump according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the remaining components except for the plurality of mixing valves are the same as corresponding ones of the hydro unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0553] Referring to FIG. 11, the hydro unit of the heat pump may include a first mixing valve 371 connected to a first air temperature control device and a second mixing valve 372 connected to a second air temperature control device.

[0554] The first mixing valve 371 may be provided between the first outlet pipe 331 and the first inlet pipe 341.

[0555] The first mixing valve 371 may be a valve for mixing water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the first air temperature control device 510.

[0556] The first mixing valve 371 may adjust a temperature of water flowing into the first air temperature control device 510 by mixing water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the first air temperature control device 510.

[0557] The first mixing valve 371 may be opened or closed based on a control command from the controller 401, and adjust an opening degree based on a control command from the controller 401.

[0558] The second mixing valve 372 may be provided between the second outlet pipe 332 and the second inlet pipe 342.

[0559] The second mixing valve 372 may be a valve for mixing water flowing into the second air temperature control device 520 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0560] The second mixing valve 372 may adjust a temperature of water flowing into the second air temperature control device 520 by mixing water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0561] The second mixing valve 372 may be opened or closed based on a control command from a controller 402 and adjust an opening degree based on a control command from the controller 402.

[0562] FIG. 12 is a control configuration view of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0563] Referring to FIG. 12, the heat pump may include the compressor 151, the first temperature sensor 159, the circulation pump 320, the first pump 351, the second pump 352, the second temperature sensor 361, the third temperature sensor 362, the first mixing valve 371, the second mixing valve 372, the controller 402, the user interface 600, and the communication interface 630.

[0564] Among components of the hydro unit of the heat pump according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the remaining components except for the controller 402, the first mixing valve 371, and the second mixing valve 372 may be the same as corresponding ones of the heat pump according to an embodiment. Descriptions about the same components will be omitted.

[0565] The first mixing valve 371 and the second mixing valve 372 have been described with reference to FIG. 11, and therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0566] The controller 402 may include at least one processor 450 that controls operations of the heat pump 1 and at least one memory 460 that stores programs and data for controlling the operations of the heat pump 1.

[0567] The processor 450 may control overall operations of the heat pump 1.

[0568] The processor 450 may control at least one of the compressor 151, the four-way valve 152, the expansion valve 155, the circulation pump 320, the three-way valve 310, the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, the first mixing valve 371, or the second mixing valve 372 based on a user input received through the user interface 600 and first, second, and third temperature information received from the first, second, and third temperature sensors 159, 361, and 362, respectively.

[0569] The user input may include an operation mode, a first target temperature of a first zone, or a second target temperature of a second zone. In the first zone, the first air temperature control device 510 may be provided, and in the second zone, the second air temperature control device 520 may be provided.

[0570] The first target temperature may be a target temperature of the first air temperature control device 510, and the second target temperature may be a target temperature of the second air temperature control device 520.

[0571] The processor 450 may recognize a relatively higher target temperature by comparing the first target temperature to the second target temperature.

[0572] The processor 450 may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the relatively higher target temperature and control opening, closing, and an opening degree of the first and second mixing valves 371 and 372, respectively, based on a relatively lower target temperature.

[0573] For example, according to the second target temperature being higher than the first target temperature, the processor 410 may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the second target temperature, and control opening, closing, and an opening degree of the first mixing valve 371 based on the first target temperature.

[0574] For example, the processor 450 may adjust a temperature of water of the second air temperature control device 520 by controlling on/off of the compressor 151, and adjust a temperature of water of the first air temperature control device 510 by controlling opening, closing, and an opening degree of the first mixing valve 371.

[0575] According to recognition that a temperature of first inflow water is lower than the first target temperature while the processor 450 controls the first mixing valve 371, the processor 450 may open the first mixing valve 371 and, according to recognition that the temperature of first inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the processor 450 may close the first mixing valve 371.

[0576] The processor 450 may recognize a temperature difference value between a temperature of first inflow water and the first target temperature based on second temperature information and second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the first mixing valve 371 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0577] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference value may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0578] The processor 450 may open the first mixing valve 371 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the first air temperature control device 510, and control an opening degree of the first mixing valve 371 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0579] As another example, in the case in which the first target temperature is higher than the second target temperature, the processor 450 may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the first target temperature, and control opening, closing, and an opening degree of the second mixing valve 372 based on the second target temperature.

[0580] For example, the processor 450 may adjust a temperature of water of the first air temperature control device 510 by controlling on/off of the compressor 151, and adjust a temperature of water of the second air temperature control device 520 by controlling opening, closing, and an opening degree of the second mixing valve 372.

[0581] According to recognition that a temperature of second inflow water is lower than the second target temperature while the processor 450 controls the second mixing valve 372, the processor 450 may open the second mixing valve 372, and, according to recognition that the temperature of second inflow water is higher than or equal to the second target temperature, the processor 450 may close the second mixing valve 372.

[0582] The processor 450 may recognize a temperature difference value between the temperature of second inflow water and the second target temperature based on third temperature information and second target temperature information, and control an opening degree of the second mixing valve 372 based on the recognized temperature difference value.

[0583] The opening degree corresponding to the temperature difference value may be information obtained by an experiment and stored.

[0584] The processor 450 may open the second mixing valve 372 to mix water discharged from the storage tank 330 with water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520, and control an opening degree of the second mixing valve 372 to adjust an amount by which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520 or a speed at which the water discharged from the storage tank 330 is mixed with the water discharged from the second air temperature control device 520.

[0585] A higher target temperature between the first target temperature and the second target temperature may be a target temperature of water discharged through the outlet H1 of the heat exchange pipe HEP.

[0586] During a heating operation, the processor 450 may control on/off of the compressor 151 based on the higher target temperature between the first target temperature and the second target temperature, a temperature of inflow water flowing into an air temperature control device having the higher target temperature, and a temperature of outflow water discharged from the second heat exchanger 156.

[0587] An operation of the processor 450 of controlling on/off of the compressor 151 based on a higher target temperature between a first target temperature and a second target temperature during a heating operation may be the same as the control operation of the processor 410 according to an embodiment or the control operation of the processor 430 according to another embodiment.

[0588] The processor 450 may control operations of the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, during an off period of the compressor 151 while a heating operation is performed.

[0589] The processor 450 may stop the compressor 151, the first and second pumps 351 and 352, respectively, and the first and second mixing valves 371 and 372, respectively, based on termination of the heating operation.

[0590] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments.

[0591] A machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the term non-transitory storage medium simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0592] A method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloadable or uploadable) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store) or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. When distributed online, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

[0593] It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0594] Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

[0595] Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage, such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium, such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

[0596] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.