Patent Description:
A conventional centralized control, i.e., a control device for a heat pump system, is to control the quantity of heat pumps to be turned on in the heat pump system, so as to control the total output capacity of a water heating system. The centralized control may set a corresponding target water supply temperature for each heat pump in the heat pump system, when each heat pump reaches its own target water supply temperature, it is turned off. For example, in a case that it requires the total water supply temperature to be <NUM> in the water heating system, the centralized control may set such different target water supply temperatures as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for the heat pumps in the heat pump system respectively. When the total water supply temperature reaches <NUM>, the centralized control controls one part of the heat pumps to be turned off. When the total water supply temperature reaches <NUM>, the centralized control controls another part of the heat pumps to be turned off, so that the closer the water temperature is to the total water supply temperature, the less the quantity of heat pumps that are turned on in the heat pump system, thereby to control the total output capacity of the water heating system to some extent.

It has been realized that the issue that the total water supply temperature cannot be reached due to that when a water temperature is close to the total water supply temperature and most of the heat pumps have been turned off occurs easily in the existing water heating system. Due to the frequent occurrence of the issue that the total water supply temperature cannot be reached, the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively low. <CIT> discloses a control method and device of a multi-unit parallel type heat pump system. <CIT> discloses a control method and a control terminal for a heat pump unit and a storage medium. <CIT> discloses a control method and device of a heat pump unit. <CIT> discloses a method for controlling the on-off quantity of a heat pump unit. <CIT> discloses an air conditioning system.

The present application provides a control method, control apparatus and control device for a heat pump system and a storage medium, so as to improve the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a control method for a heat pump system with a plurality of heat pumps, including:.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a control apparatus for a heat pump system with a plurality of heat pumps, including:.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a control device for a heat pump system, including a memory and at least one processor, where instructions are stored in the memory, the at least one processor calls the instructions in the memory, to cause the control device for the heat pump system to implement the above-mentioned control method for the heat pump system.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, where the instructions are executed by a processor to implement the above-mentioned control method for the heat pump system.

In the technical solutions of the present application, a system requirement value of a current period and a historical level of a previous period are obtained and level prediction is performed for the current period based on the system requirement value to obtain a candidate level, the candidate level is compared with the historical level to obtain a target level; and one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system are controlled to be turned on or off based on the target level. In the embodiments of the present application, level prediction is performed based on the system requirement value of the current period to obtain the candidate level, the candidate level is compared with the historical level of the previous period to obtain the target level, and one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system are controlled to be turned on or off based on the target level, so as to address the issue that a total water supply temperature cannot be reached due to that when a water temperature is close to the total water supply temperature and most of the heat pumps have been turned off, improve a success rate of reaching the total water supply temperature, thereby improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system, and achieving the purpose of the heat pump system to work in the optimal energy efficiency range.

Terms such as "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" in the description and claims of the present application are used to differentiate similar objects, and not necessarily used to describe a specific sequence or order. It should be appreciated that the data used in this way may be interchanged under an appropriate circumstance, so that the embodiment of the present application described herein, for example, may be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein. Moreover, terms "include", "have" and any other variation thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units includes not only those steps or elements, but also other steps or units not explicitly listed, or steps or units inherent in the process, method, system, product or device.

To facilitate understanding, a specific process of the embodiments of the present application is described below. Please refer to <FIG>, an embodiment of the control method for the heat pump system according to the embodiments of the present application includes following steps.

<NUM>, obtaining a system requirement value of a current period and a historical level of a previous period, and performing level prediction for the current period based on the system requirement value to obtain a candidate level.

It should be appreciated that the present application may be implemented by a control apparatus for the heat pump system, or a control device for the heat pump system, which is not particularly defined herein. The embodiments of the present application are illustrated by taking the control device for the heat pump system as an example.

It should be appreciated that the heat pump system is a large device system composed of multiple heat pumps. For example, in large shopping malls, hospitals, schools and other engineering places with centralized water supply or heating needs, the heat pump system is composed of multiple heat pump.

It is to be noted that the historical level is used to represent the quantity of heat pumps that were in operation in the previous period of the current period, and the candidate level is used to represent the quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the current period.

The control device for the heat pump system performs a calculation based on the obtained water temperature parameter set and a preset system requirement formula to obtain the system requirement value of the current period, calls a preset level model to perform level prediction based on the system requirement value to obtain the candidate level, and obtains the historical level of the previous period.

<NUM>, comparing the candidate level with the historical level to obtain a target level.

The control device for the heat pump system compares the candidate level with the historical level to determine that a trend of increasing levels or a trend of decreasing levels occurs in the current period. For example, in a case that the candidate level is greater than the historical level, it is determined that a trend of increasing levels occurs in the current period. In a case that the candidate level is less than the historical level, it is determined that a trend of decreasing levels occurs in the current period.

It is to be noted that the target level is used to represent the total quantity of heat pumps to be in operation in the heat pump system.

<NUM>, controlling one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned on or off based on the target level.

The control device for the heat pump system compares the obtained quantity of candidate heat pumps with the target level to determine the corresponding quantity of heat pumps that need to be turned on or off in the heat pump system of the current period, and controls the corresponding heat pumps to be turned on or off.

In the embodiments of the present application, level prediction is performed based on the system requirement value of the current period to obtain the candidate level, the candidate level is compared with the historical level of the previous period to obtain the target level, and one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system are controlled to be turned on or off based on the target level, so as to address the issue that a total water supply temperature cannot be reached due to that when a water temperature is close to the total water supply temperature and most of the heat pumps have been turned off, improve a success rate of reaching the total water supply temperature, thereby improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system, and achieving the purpose of the heat pump system to work in the optimal energy efficiency range.

Please refer to <FIG>, another embodiment of the control method for the heat pump system according to the embodiments of the present application includes following steps.

<NUM>, obtaining a water temperature parameter set, and performing a calculation based on the water temperature parameter set and a preset system requirement formula to obtain the system requirement value of the current period, and obtaining the historical level of the previous period.

The water temperature parameter set includes a current water temperature of the current period, a target water temperature of the current period, and a temperature difference of the previous period.

The preset system requirement formula is PIDsum=kp*Erro+I+kd*(Erro-Erro'), where PIDsum is used to represent the system requirement value, I is used to represent a periodic accumulated integral value of the temperature difference, I=I'+ki*Erro, kp, kd and ki are each a constant, an initial value of I' is <NUM>, I' is used to represent the I obtained in the previous period. A specific value of the period may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the period may be <NUM> minute or <NUM> minutes. Erro' represents Erro of the previous period. A specific value of kp may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, a value of kp may be <NUM>, i.e., kp=<NUM>, or it may be <NUM>, i.e., kp=<NUM>. A specific value of ki may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, a value of ki may be <NUM>, i.e., ki=<NUM>, or it may be <NUM>, i.e., ki=<NUM>. A specific value of kd may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, a value of kd may be <NUM>, i.e., kd=<NUM>, or it may be <NUM>, i.e., kd=<NUM>.

Erro is used to represent a temperature difference between a current water temperature and a target water temperature. It is to be noted that when the heat pump system uses an average inlet water temperature for control, that is, when the heat pump system uses the average inlet water temperature for calculation, the current water temperature is used to represent a current average inlet water temperature of the heat pump system, and the target water temperature is used to represent a target inlet water temperature of the heat pump system, i.e., the total water supply temperature, where the average inlet water temperature is an average value of inlet water temperatures of all heat pumps in the heat pump system. When the heat pump system uses the average outlet water temperature for control, that is, when the average outlet water temperature is used for calculation, the current water temperature is used to represent an current average outlet water temperature of the heat pump system, and the target water temperature is used to represent a target outlet water temperature of the heat pump system, i.e., the total water supply temperature, where the average outlet water temperature is an average value of outlet water temperatures of all heat pumps in the heat pump system. When the heat pump system uses an inlet water temperature of a water tank for control, i.e., when the heat pump system uses the inlet water temperature of the water tank for calculation, the current water temperature is used to represent an inlet water temperature of the water tank, and the target water temperature is used to represent a target inlet water temperature of the water tank. When the heat pump system uses an outlet water temperature of the water tank for control, i.e., when the heat pump system uses the outlet water temperature of the water tank for calculation, the current water temperature is used to represent the outlet water temperature of the water tank, and the target water temperature is used to represent a target outlet water temperature of the water tank. The inlet water temperature and the outlet water temperature of the water tank may be an inlet water temperature and outlet water temperature of a bushing in the water tank, or an inlet water temperature and outlet water temperature of a main pipe, the main pipe is a converging bushing of all bushings, that is, the water in all bushings is converged into the main pipe. The present application is not limited thereto.

For example, the control device for the heat pump system obtains the water temperature parameter set, which includes the current water temperature and target water temperature of the current period and the temperature difference of the previous period, performs the calculation based on the water temperature parameter set and the preset system requirement formula PIDsum=kp*Erro+I+kd* (Erro-Erro') to obtain that the system requirement value of the current period is <NUM>, and obtains the historical level of the previous period.

<NUM>, calling a preset level model to perform level prediction based on the system requirement value to obtain the candidate level.

A specific preset level model may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the preset level model may be a decision tree model or a random forest model.

For example, the preset level model is the decision tree model. Based on the system requirement value, the control device for the heat pump system calls the decision tree model to perform classification prediction, that is, level prediction. The decision tree model includes multiple preset numerical ranges, i.e.: a first preset numerical range, a second preset numerical range,. , an Nth preset numerical range, each preset numerical range corresponds to a preset level, that is, the first preset numerical range corresponds to a first preset level, the quantity of heat pumps corresponding to the first preset level is <NUM>, the second preset numerical range corresponds to the second preset level, the quantity of heat pumps corresponding to the second preset level is <NUM>, and so on, which will not be reiterated herein. It should be appreciated that the quantity of heat pumps corresponding to the Nth preset numerical range is the quantity of all heat pumps in the heat pump system. The multiple preset numerical ranges may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the first preset numerical range is <NUM><PIDsum<<NUM>, the second preset numerical interval is <NUM>≤PIDsum<<NUM>, the third preset numerical interval is <NUM>≤PIDsum<<NUM>, and so on, which will not be reiterated herein. In a case that the system requirement value of the current period is: PIDsum=<NUM>, the control device of the heat pump system matches the system requirement value with multiple preset numerical ranges of the decision tree model to obtain the first preset numerical range corresponding to the system requirement value. Next, the first preset level corresponding to the first preset numerical range is determined as the candidate level, where the quantity of heat pumps corresponding to the first preset level is <NUM>, that is, the corresponding quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the current cycle is <NUM>.

<NUM>, determining whether the candidate level is greater than the historical level, and obtaining an average load ratio and a heat pump type of the heat pump system, where the heat pump type is a fixed frequency type or a variable frequency type.

The control device for the heat pump system determines whether the candidate level is greater than the historical level, to determine that a trend of increasing levels or a trend of decreasing levels occurs in the current period, and obtains the average load ratio and the heat pump type of the heat pump system.

The control device for the heat pump system obtains operation load ratios transmitted from all heat pumps that can communicate normally, are turned on and have an operation load ratio that is not <NUM>%, and performs average processing to obtain the average load ratio of the heat pump system. It should be appreciated that, in a case that the quantity of heat pumps that are in operation in the heat pump system is <NUM>, the average load ratio of the heat pump system is <NUM>%.

For a variable frequency heat pump of the variable frequency type, the operation load ratio of the variable frequency heat pump is a ratio of a current operation frequency to a current maximum operation frequency, or a ratio of a current operation PID level to a current maximum PID level, where the current operation PID level is used to represent the quantity of variable frequency heat pumps that are in operation, and the current maximum PID level is used to represent the total quantity of all current variable frequency heat pumps in the heat pump system. For example, the current operation frequency is <NUM> and the current maximum operation frequency is <NUM>, the operation load ratio is <NUM>%. In a case that the current maximum operation frequency of the variable frequency heat pump is <NUM>, the operation load ratio is <NUM>%.

For a fixed-frequency heat pump of the fixed-frequency type, the operation load ratio of the fixed-frequency heat pump is a ratio of the quantity of compressors that are currently in operation in the fixed-frequency heat pump to the total quantity of compressors. For example, in a case that there are <NUM> compressors in the fixed frequency heat pump, when one compressor is turned on, the operation load ratio of the fixed frequency heat pump is <NUM>%.

<NUM>, performing determination based on the average load ratio and the heat pump type to obtain the target level in response to that the candidate level is greater than the historical level.

It should be appreciated that when the candidate level is greater than the historical level, it means that a trend of increasing levels occurs in the current period. In response to that the trend of increasing levels occurs in the current period, the control device for the heat pump system performs further determination based on the average load ratio and heat pump type, so as to determine the target level.

<NUM>, performing determination based on the average load ratio and the heat pump type to obtain the target level in response to that the candidate level is less than the historical level.

It should be appreciated that when the candidate level is less than the historical level, it means that a trend of decreasing levels occurs in the current period. In response to that the trend of decreasing levels occurs in the current period, the control device for the heat pump system performs further determination based on the average load ratio and heat pump type, so as to determine the target level.

<NUM>, determining the target level based on the heat pump type in response to that the candidate level is equal to the historical level.

It should be appreciated that when the candidate level is equal to the historical level, it means that the level in the current period is not changed. In response to that the level in the current period is not changed, the control device for the heat pump system performs further determination based on heat pump type, so as to determine the target level.

<NUM>, obtaining the quantity of candidate heat pumps, where the quantity of candidate heat pumps is used to represent the quantity of heat pumps which are currently in operation in the heat pump system.

For example, the control device for the heat pump system obtains the quantity of candidate heat pumps, and the quantity of candidate heat pumps is <NUM>, it means that there are <NUM> heat pumps are in operation in the heat pump system.

<NUM>, in response to that the target level is greater than the quantity of candidate heat pumps, calculating a difference between the target level and the quantity of candidate heat pumps to obtain the first quantity of heat pumps, and controlling heat pumps in the first quantity in the heat pump system to be turned on based on a first preset rule, where the target level is used to represent the total quantity of heat pumps to be in operation in the heat pump system.

The first preset rule is used to indicate that all heat pumps that are not currently in operation in the heat pump system are sorted according to an order from short usage time to long usage time to obtain the first quantity of heat pumps.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the quantity of candidate heat pumps is <NUM>, in a case that the total quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the heat pump system is <NUM>, that is, the target level is greater than the quantity of candidate heat pumps, the control device for the heat pump system calculates the difference between the target level and the quantity of candidate heat pumps to obtain that the first quantity of heat pumps is <NUM>, and controls a first heat pump corresponding to the first quantity of heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned on based on the first preset rule. In a case that the total quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the heat pump system is <NUM>, the control device for the heat pump system calculates the difference between the target level and the quantity of candidate heat pumps to obtain that the first quantity of heat pumps is <NUM>, and controls a first heat pump and a second heat pump corresponding to the first quantity of heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned on based on the first preset rule.

<NUM>, in response to that the target level is less than the quantity of candidate heat pumps, calculating a difference between the quantity of candidate heat pumps and the target level to obtain the second quantity of heat pumps, and controlling heat pumps in the second quantity in the heat pump system to be turned off based on a second preset rule.

The second preset rule is used to indicate that all heat pumps that are not currently in operation in the heat pump system are sorted according to an order from long usage time to short usage time to obtain the second quantity of heat pumps.

For example, the quantity of candidate heat pumps is <NUM>, in a case that the total quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the heat pump system is <NUM>, that is, the target level is less than the quantity of candidate heat pumps, the control device for the heat pump system calculates the difference between the quantity of candidate heat pumps and the target level to obtain that the first quantity of heat pumps is <NUM>, and controls a first heat pump corresponding to the second quantity of heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned off based on the second preset rule. In a case that the total quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the heat pump system is <NUM>, the control device for the heat pump system calculates the difference between the quantity of candidate heat pumps and the target level to obtain that the first quantity of heat pumps is <NUM>, and controls a first heat pump and a second heat pump corresponding to the second quantity of heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned off based on the second preset rule.

<NUM>, continuing to control heat pumps corresponding to the quantity of candidate heat pumps to be in operation in response to that the target level is equal to the quantity of candidate heat pumps.

For example, in a case that the total quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the heat pump system is the same as the quantity of heat pumps that are currently in operation in the heat pump system, the control device for the heat pump system continues to control the heat pumps corresponding to the quantity of candidate heat pumps to be in operation. That is, the target level of the current period is equal to the historical level of the previous period, where I=I', I is used to represent I of the current period, I' is used to represent I obtained in the previous period. When I=I', it is able to prevent I=I'+ki*Erro from accumulating in the current period in a case that the level of the current period is not changed, thereby to prevent the calculation of the system requirement value in the next period from being adversely affected.

Please refer to <FIG>, yet another embodiment of the control method for the heat pump system according to the embodiments of the present application includes following steps.

The process executed at step <NUM> is the same as step <NUM>, which will not be reiterated herein.

<NUM>, determining whether the average load ratio is greater than a first preset threshold when the candidate level is greater than the historical level.

A value of the first preset threshold may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the first preset threshold may be <NUM>% or <NUM>%. For example, the first preset threshold is <NUM>%, the control device for the heat pump system determines whether the average load ratio is greater than <NUM>%.

<NUM>, determining the candidate level as the target level in response to that the average load ratio is greater than the first preset threshold.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the first preset threshold is <NUM>%. As can be appreciated, the average load ratio is greater than the first preset threshold, it indicates that the average load of the heat pump system is relatively large and it needs to add the heat pump for operation, i.e., the candidate level is determined as the target level. On the one hand, it is able to reduce the overall energy consumption of the heat pump system. On the other hand, it is able to address the issue that the service life of the heat pump in the heat pump system is significantly shortened due to a long-term operation under high load.

<NUM>, determining the historical level as the target level when the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type in response to that the average load ratio is greater than a second preset threshold and less than or equal to the first preset threshold.

A specific value of the second preset threshold may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the second preset threshold may be <NUM>% or <NUM>%.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the first preset threshold is <NUM>%, the second preset threshold is <NUM>%, in a case that the average load ratio is greater than <NUM>% and less than or equal to <NUM>%, and the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, where I=I'. An average load ratio of a heat pump system composed of fixed-frequency heat pumps is close to <NUM>%, i.e., the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is not high, in a case that the candidate level is determined as the target level, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system may be reduced. When the average load ratio is <NUM>%, the candidate level can be determined as the target level. The reason is that a fan speed and a flow capacity of a water pump of the fixed-frequency heat pump correspond to the evaporation capability and condensation capability respectively. The fan speed or the flow capacity of the water pump matches a capability determined after all fixed-frequency heat pumps are started. When all the fixed-frequency heat pumps are not started, redundant capabilities occurs for the fan or water pump, which causes a waste of electrical energy.

<NUM>, obtaining a first average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, and obtaining the target level based on the first average operation frequency.

To be specific, (<NUM>) when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a first average operation frequency of the heat pump system, (<NUM>) in response to that the first average operation frequency is greater than or equal to a first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level, (<NUM>) in response to that the first average operation frequency is less than the first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level.

The first average operation frequency is an average operation frequency obtained by averaging operation frequencies of all variable frequency heat pumps currently in operation in the heat pump system.

A specific value of the first preset frequency value may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the first preset frequency value may be <NUM> or <NUM>. For example, the first preset frequency value is the maximum frequency value in the target operation frequency range, where the variable frequency heat pump has a relatively high Coefficient Of Performance (COP) in the target operation frequency range. The COP is not only used to represent single cooling COP or single heating COP, but also used to represent cooling and heating COP.

For example, when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a first average operation frequency of the heat pump system. In response to that the first average operation frequency is greater than or equal to the first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. That is, when the first average operation frequency is greater than or equal to the first preset frequency value, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively low, it needs to add more heat pumps for operation, so as to enable the first average operation frequency to be close to the maximum frequency value, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system and improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system. In the case that the first average operation frequency is less than the first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, where I=I'. That is, the first average operation frequency is still within a target operation frequency range, and the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively high, it does not need to add a heat pump for operation.

<NUM>, determining the historical level as the target level in response to that the average load ratio is greater than zero and less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the second preset threshold is <NUM>%. In a case that the average load ratio is greater than zero and less than or equal to <NUM>%, the historical level is determined as the target level, where I=I'. That is, the average load of the heat pump system is relatively small, and it does not need to add a heat pump for operation. Since it takes a process from startup of the heat pump to an increasing load ratio of the heat pump, the relatively small average load ratio may be because the heat pump system is still in an early stage of startup. Therefore, the historical level is determined as the target level, it is able to avoid that the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is reduced due to prematurely increasing the heat pumps.

<NUM>, determining the candidate level as the target level in response to the average load ratio is equal to zero.

As can be appreciated, when the average load ratio is equal to zero, it indicates that the heat pumps in the heat pump system are turned off due to failure and thereby it needs to increase heat pumps for operation, that is, the candidate level is determined as the target level.

In the embodiments of the present application, level prediction is performed based on the system requirement value of the current period to obtain the candidate level, the candidate level is compared with the historical level of the previous period to obtain the target level, and one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system are controlled to be turned on or off based on the target level, so as to address the issue that the total water supply temperature cannot be reached due to that when a water temperature is close to the total water supply temperature and most of the heat pumps have been turned off, improve a success rate of reaching the total water supply temperature, thereby improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system, and achieving the purpose of the heat pump system to work in the optimal energy efficiency range.

Please refer to <FIG>, still yet another embodiment of the control method for the heat pump system according to the embodiments of the present application includes following steps.

<NUM>, determining whether the average load ratio is less than or equal to a second preset threshold when the candidate level is less than the historical level.

<NUM>, determining the candidate level as the target level in response to that the average load ratio is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

For example, the second preset threshold is <NUM>%. In a case that the average load ratio is less than or equal to <NUM>%, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. That is, the average load of the heat pump system is relatively small, and heat pumps that are currently in operation need to be turned off. On the one hand, it is able to reduce the energy consumption of the heat pump system. On the other hand, it is able to address the issue that the service life of the heat pump in the heat pump system is significantly shortened due to maintaining a low load status.

<NUM>, determining the candidate level as the target level when the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type in response to that the average load ratio is greater than the second preset threshold and less than or equal to the first preset threshold.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the first preset threshold is <NUM>%, the second preset threshold is <NUM>%, in a case that the average load ratio is greater than <NUM>% and less than or equal to <NUM>%, and the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. An average load ratio of a heat pump system composed of fixed-frequency heat pumps is close to <NUM>%, i.e., the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is not high, it needs to turn off heat pumps that are currently in operation, so as to improve the energy efficiency of the heat pump system.

<NUM>, obtaining a second average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, and obtaining the target level based on the second average operation frequency.

The second average operation frequency is an average operation frequency obtained by averaging operating frequencies of all variable frequency heat pumps currently in operation in the heat pump system.

When the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a second average operation frequency of the heat pump system, and performs further determination based on the second average operation frequency, so as to determine the target level.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the first preset threshold is <NUM>%, in a case that the average load ratio is greater than <NUM>%, and the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. That is, the quantity of fixed-frequency heat pumps is reduced, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system.

For another example, in a case that the heat pump system is a fixed frequency heat pump with a single compressor, that is, when the fixed-frequency heat pump is turned on, the average load ratio of the heat pump system is <NUM>%. The average load ratio is greater than <NUM>%, so it needs to turn off the single fixed-frequency heat pump, thereby to prevent the single fixed-frequency heat pump from being in operation all the time.

<NUM>, obtaining a third average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, and obtaining the target level based on the third average operation frequency.

The third average operation frequency is an average operation frequency obtained by averaging operating frequencies of all variable frequency heat pumps currently in operation in the heat pump system.

When the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a third average operation frequency of the heat pump system, and performs further determination based on the third average operation frequency, so as to determine the target level.

The process executed at step <NUM> is the same as step <NUM>, which will not be described again herein.

It should be appreciated that when the candidate level is equal to the historical level, it means that the level in the current period is not changed, the control device for the heat pump system performs further determination based on heat pump type, so as to determine the target level.

<NUM>, determining the historical level as the target level in response to that the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type.

When the heat pump type is the fixed frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, i.e., maintaining the quantity of heat pumps that are currently in operation in the heat pump system.

<NUM>, obtaining a fourth average operation frequency of the heat pump project when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, and obtaining the target level based on the fourth average operation frequency.

To be specific, (<NUM>) when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a fourth average operation frequency of the heat pump system, (<NUM>) in response to that the fourth average operation frequency is less than or equal to a first preset frequency value and greater than a second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, (<NUM>) in response to that the fourth average operation frequency is less than the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system reduces the candidate level by one level to obtain the target level, (<NUM>) in response to that the fourth average operating frequency is greater than the first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system increases the candidate level by one level to obtain the target level.

The fourth average operation frequency is an average operation frequency obtained by averaging operating frequencies of all variable frequency heat pumps currently in operation in the heat pump system.

A specific value of the second preset frequency value may be set according to actual application scenarios. By way of non-limiting examples, the second preset frequency value may be <NUM> or <NUM>. For example, the second preset frequency value is the minimum frequency value in the target operation frequency range, where the variable frequency heat pump has a relatively high Coefficient Of Performance (COP) in the target operation frequency range. The COP is not only used to represent single cooling COP or single heating COP, but also used to represent cooling and heating COP.

For example, when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains a fourth average operation frequency of the heat pump system. In response to that the fourth average operation frequency is less than or equal to the first preset frequency value and greater than the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level. That is, the fourth average operation frequency is still within a target operation frequency range, and the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively high, it does not need to add a heat pump for operation. In a case that the fourth average operation frequency is less than the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system reduces the candidate level by one level to obtain the target level, and subtracts a preset value from I of the current period. On the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the preset value is a difference between the maximum values in the preset numerical ranges. By way of non-limiting examples, as shown in the PID level matching table in <FIG>, the first preset numerical range is <NUM><PIDsum<<NUM>, and the second preset numerical range is <NUM>≤PIDsum<<NUM>, so the preset value is <NUM>. That is, the fourth average operation frequency is less than the minimum frequency value, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is low, it needs to reduce the candidate level by one level, so as to enable the fourth average operation frequency to be close to the minimum frequency value, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system and improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system.

In a case that the fourth average operating frequency is greater than the first preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system increases the candidate level by one level to obtain the target level, and add the preset value to I of the current period. On the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the preset value is a difference between the maximum values in the preset numerical ranges. For example, the first preset numerical range is <NUM><PIDsum<<NUM>, and the second preset numerical range is <NUM>≤PIDsum<<NUM>, so the preset value is <NUM>. On the basis of the example at step <NUM>, the fourth average operation frequency is greater than the maximum frequency value, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is low, it needs to increase the candidate level by one level, so as to enable the fourth average operation frequency to be close to the maximum frequency value, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system and improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system.

In a possible implementation, obtaining the second average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type and obtaining the target level based on the second average operation frequency specifically includes that: (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system obtains the second average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level in response to that the second average operation frequency is less than or equal to a second preset frequency value, (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level in response to that the second average operation frequency is greater than the second preset frequency value.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains the second average operation frequency of the heat pump system. In response to that the second average operation frequency is less than or equal to the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. That is, when the second average operation frequency is less than the minimum frequency value, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is low, it needs to turn off heat pumps that are currently in operation, so as to enable the second average operation frequency to be close to the minimum frequency value, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system and improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system. In the case that the second average operation frequency is greater than the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, where I=I'. That is, the second average operation frequency is still within a target operation frequency range, and the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively high, so it does not need to add a heat pump for operation.

In a possible implementation, obtaining the third average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type and obtaining the target level based on the third average operation frequency specifically includes that: (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system obtains the third average operation frequency of the heat pump system when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level in response to that the third average operation frequency is less than or equal to a second preset frequency value, (<NUM>) the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level in response to that the third average operation frequency is greater than the second preset frequency value.

For example, on the basis of the example at step <NUM>, when the heat pump type is the variable frequency type, the control device for the heat pump system obtains the third average operation frequency of the heat pump system. In response to that the third average operation frequency is less than or equal to the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the candidate level as the target level. That is, when the third average operation frequency is less than the minimum frequency value, the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is low, it needs to turn off heat pumps that are currently in operation, so as to enable the third average operation frequency to be close to the minimum frequency value, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the heat pump system and improving the water heating efficiency of the heat pump system. In the case that the third average operation frequency is greater than the second preset frequency value, the control device for the heat pump system determines the historical level as the target level, where I=I'. That is, the third average operation frequency is still within a target operation frequency range, and the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is relatively high, so it does not need to add a heat pump for operation.

The control method for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application is described above, and a control apparatus for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application is described below. Please refer to <FIG>, an embodiment of the control apparatus for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application includes:.

Please refer to <FIG>, another embodiment of the control apparatus for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application includes:.

Optionally, the comparison module <NUM> includes:.

Optionally, the first determination unit <NUM> includes:.

Optionally, the first obtaining sub-unit <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the second determination unit <NUM> includes:.

Optionally, the second obtaining sub-unit <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the second determination unit <NUM> further includes:.

Optionally, the third obtaining sub-unit <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the determination unit <NUM> includes:.

Optionally, the fourth obtaining sub-unit <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the control module <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

Optionally, the obtaining and determination module <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

The control apparatus for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application is described above in detail with reference to <FIG> from the perspective of modular functional entities. A control device for the heat pump system in the embodiments of the present application will be described hereinafter from the perspective of hardware processing.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control device for a heat pump system according to the embodiments of the present application. The control device <NUM> for the heat pump system may vary greatly due to different configurations or performance, and may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) <NUM> (for example, one or more processors) and a memory <NUM>, one or more storage media <NUM> (e.g., one or more mass storage devices) storing applications <NUM> or data <NUM>. The memory <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM> may be transitory storage or persistent storage. The program stored in the storage medium <NUM> may include one or more modules (not shown), and each module may include a series of instruction operations on the control device <NUM> for the heat pump system. Furthermore, the processor <NUM> may be configured to communicate with the storage medium <NUM> and execute a series of instruction operations in the storage medium <NUM> on the control device <NUM> for the heat pump system.

The control device <NUM> for the heat pump system may further include one or more power sources <NUM>, one or more wired or wireless network interfaces <NUM>, one or more input/output interfaces <NUM>, and/or one or more operation systems <NUM>, such as Windows Serve, Mac OS X, Unix, Linux, FreeBSD. As can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the structure of the control device for the heat pump system in <FIG> shall not be construed as limiting the control device for the heat pump, and it may include more or less members than those shown in <FIG>, or a combination of some members, or a different arrangement of members.

The present application further provides a control device for a heat pump system, including a memory and a processor, where computer readable instructions are stored in the memory, the computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, to cause the processor to implement the control method for the heat pump system in the above-mentioned embodiments.

The present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, and the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or a transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon instructions, and the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the control method for the heat pump system.

As can be clearly appreciated by a person skilled in the art, for the sake of convenience and conciseness, the specific operation processes of the systems, devices and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be reiterated herein.

In the case that the integrated units are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as an independent product, they may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based upon such understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the part thereof contributing to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a computer program product which may be stored in a storage medium and which includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or some steps of the method according to the respective embodiments of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes various media that may store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Claim 1:
A control method for a heat pump system with a plurality of heat pumps, characterized by comprising:
obtaining (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) a system requirement value of a current period and a historical level of a previous period, and performing level prediction for the current period based on the system requirement value to obtain a candidate level; wherein the historical level is used to represent the quantity of heat pumps that were in operation in the previous period of the current period, and the candidate level is used to represent the quantity of heat pumps that are to be in operation in the current period;
comparing (<NUM>) the candidate level with the historical level to obtain a target level; wherein the target level is used to represent the total quantity of heat pumps to be in operation in the heat pump system; and
controlling (<NUM>) one or more heat pumps in the heat pump system to be turned on or off based on the target level.