JP2000292002A - Controller for hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the possibility that normal operation can not be carried out because switching to normal operation mode is missed after ending test operation by automatically resetting to normal operation mode after ending test operation mode. SOLUTION: Test operation is started (transition is made to test operation mode) through operation of a remote controller, or the like (S 21). Completion of test operation is then checked (S 22) and if test operation has completed, an indication 'completion of test operation' is presented at the display section of the remote controller (S23). Subsequently, a decision is made whether 10 min has elapsed after completion of test operation (S 24a), and if 10 min has elapsed, test operation is completed and a transition is made to normal mode (S 25). The indication 'completion of test operation' may be displayed until an operation switch is turned off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of the water heater and a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heating operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional water heater control device having a test operation mode is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-288345. In this apparatus, the switching from the normal operation mode to the test operation mode is performed by a manual test operation changeover switch or the like on a control board of the water heater main body. When the test operation is completed, the test operation changeover switch is set to the normal operation mode. To enable normal operation. In this test operation mode, initial setting of the water heater sensors (for example, water level sensor) (for water level sensor, setting of reference water level, etc.) is performed, and initial abnormality detection of water heater sensors and motors is performed. I was going.

[0003]

However, in the conventional water heater control device having the test operation mode, if the user forgets to switch the test operation changeover switch to the normal operation mode after the completion of the test operation, the normal operation is started. There was a problem that it could not. Further, when the test operation changeover switch is turned on during the normal operation, the operation may be switched to the test operation mode, and the normal operation cannot be performed. Further, in order to further perform the test operation, it is necessary to switch the test operation changeover switch on the control board, and there is a problem that the test operation cannot be easily performed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a water heater capable of performing normal operation even after forgetting to switch to normal operation after completion of test operation. It is to provide a control device. Also, a second object of the present invention is that the test run changeover switch is turned on.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a water heater that can perform a normal operation even if it breaks down. A third object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a water heater that can easily perform a trial run.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects thereof To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater and a normal operation for performing a normal hot water supply operation. In the control device of the water heater provided with the operation mode, the normal operation mode is automatically returned after the end of the test operation mode. Therefore, when the trial operation is completed, the mode is automatically switched to the normal operation mode. Therefore, there is no fear that the normal operation mode cannot be performed after the trial operation is completed because the user does not forget to switch to the normal operation mode.

According to the second aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Or in a control device of a water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection and a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, when the hot water supply is used after the end of the test operation mode, the operation is returned to the normal operation mode. . Therefore, if the user uses hot water after opening the hot water tap after the trial run is completed, the mode automatically switches to the normal run mode. There is no.

In the third aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in a water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing the operation of the water heater, the operation instruction switch is provided after the end of the test operation mode. It will return to the normal operation mode when operated. Therefore, when the user operates the operation instruction switch to use the water heater after the test operation is completed, the operation mode is automatically switched to the normal operation mode. For this reason, the normal operation mode cannot be performed after forgetting to switch to the normal operation mode after the test operation is completed. Don't worry.

According to a fourth aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing the operation of the water heater, after operating the operation instruction switch Then, when the operation instruction switch is operated again, the mode shifts to the test operation mode. Therefore, when the operation instruction switch is turned ON twice, the mode shifts to the test operation mode, and the switch (eg, the operation instruction switch) for shifting to the test operation mode is turned ON.
Even if it breaks down, it does not switch to the test run mode.

According to the fifth aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater, the plurality of operation instruction switches When one of the plurality of operation instruction switches is operated again after the operation of any one of the above, the mode is shifted to the test operation mode. Therefore, when the operation instruction switch is turned ON twice, the mode shifts to the test operation mode. Therefore, even if the switch for shifting to the test operation mode (for example, the operation instruction switch) fails to be turned on, the operation mode is not switched to the test operation mode. Further, since the mode shifts to the test operation mode even when any of the plurality of operation instruction switches is operated, the user does not need to memorize a switch for shifting to the test operation mode, and the mode can easily be shifted to the test operation mode. be able to.

According to a sixth aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing the operation of the water heater, after operating the operation instruction switch Thus, the operation instruction switch which needs to be operated again to start the test operation is turned on or off. Therefore, once the operation instruction switch is turned ON once, the operation instruction switch which needs to be turned ON next time to start the test operation blinks or lights up, and the user memorizes the method of shifting to the test operation mode. There is no need, and the transition to the test operation mode can be easily performed. Further, even if the operation instruction switch is turned on and fails, the operation instruction switch is only blinked or lit, and the operation mode is not switched to the test operation mode.

According to a seventh aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing the operation of the water heater, after operating the operation instruction switch A test run guidance function that provides guidance on how to operate the test run was provided.
Therefore, when the operation instruction switch is turned ON once, the operation method of the test operation is notified, so that the user does not need to memorize the method of shifting to the test operation mode, and the operation can easily be shifted to the test operation mode. it can. Further, even if the operation instruction switch is turned on and failed, the operation mode of the test operation is notified only, and the operation mode is not switched to the test operation mode.

According to the present invention, an initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater, the plurality of operation instruction switches A test run guidance function is provided to guide the operation method of test run after operating either of the above. Therefore, the operation method of the test operation is notified only by turning on any one of the plurality of operation instruction switches once. Therefore, the switch for the operation need not be memorized by the user, and the transition to the test operation mode can be easily performed. Can be done. Further, even if the operation instruction switch is turned on and failed, the operation mode of the test operation is notified only, and the operation mode is not switched to the test operation mode.

In the ninth aspect, the initial setting of the water heater and / or
Alternatively, in the water heater control device including a test operation mode for performing initial abnormality detection, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater, the plurality of operation instruction switches After the operation of any one of the above, the operation instruction switch, which needs to be operated again to start the test operation, is turned on or off. Therefore, the operation method of the test operation is notified only by turning on any one of the plurality of operation instruction switches once. Therefore, the switch for the operation need not be memorized by the user, and the transition to the test operation mode can be easily performed. Can be done. Further, even if the operation instruction switch is turned on and fails, the operation instruction switch is only blinked or lit, and the operation mode is not switched to the test operation mode.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. The above gas water heater,
As shown in the figure, the water heater main body 1 and the water heater main body 1
And a hot water supply pipe 5 for supplying water heated in the water heater main body 1 to a hot water tap 11 through a heat exchanger 7. Further, a heat exchange pipe is provided at a junction of the bypass pipe 43 and the hot water supply pipe 5 which is branched from the water supply pipe 3 in the water heater main body 1 and connected to the hot water supply pipe 5 without passing through the heat exchanger 7. Hot water heated in the vessel 7,
A mixing valve 41 is provided for controlling the mixing of water sent from the bypass pipe 43 by a stepping motor M driven based on a command pulse.

The water supply pipe 3 has an incoming water temperature sensor 25 for detecting the temperature Tc of water from the hot water supply source, a water amount sensor 27 for detecting the amount of water Q, and an upstream side of the mixing valve 41 of the hot water supply pipe 5. A heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature Th at the heat exchanger 7 outlet, and a mixed hot water temperature detection sensor 29 for detecting the mixed hot water temperature Tm after the mixing, downstream of the mixing valve 41. The hot water supply pipe in the heat exchanger is provided with a boiling prevention sensor 47 for detecting the temperature of water in the hot water supply pipe during additional heating.

The water heater main body 1 also includes a fan 9 for supplying air required for combustion. Further, an igniter 15 necessary for igniting and a frame rod 17 for detecting the presence or absence of a flame are provided above the burner 13. Further, a gas supply pipe 23 for supplying gas to the burner 13 is provided, and the gas supply pipe 23 has a proportional valve 19 for varying the amount of gas to be supplied and an electromagnetic valve for starting / stopping gas supply. 21 are provided.

Further, the gas water heater includes a hot-water pipe 4 connected from the hot-water pipe 5 in the hot-water heater body 1 to the additional heating pipe 2 downstream of the mixing valve 41. A bath water sensor 8 for detecting a flow rate flowing through the hot water pipe 4 and a hot water solenoid valve 6 for starting / stopping the supply of hot water are provided.

On the other hand, an end of the reheating pipe 2 is connected to the bathtub 11, a pump P for circulating hot water in the bathtub 11, a water level sensor 10 for detecting a water level in the bathtub 11, and a bathtub 1 in the middle.
1 is provided with a bath temperature sensor 49 for detecting the temperature of the hot water in 1, and a water flow switch 50 for detecting the circulation of the hot water.

The remote controller 33 has an operation switch 35 for making the water heater operable, a set temperature Ts of the hot water supplied from the hot water tap 11, and a bath setting of the hot water to be filled in the bathtub 11. A temperature setting switch 39 for setting the temperature Tfs, a hot water filling operation switch 36 for turning on the hot water in the bathtub, and a reheating operation switch 38 for turning on the hot water in the bathtub 11 as the operation instruction switches. The remote controller 33 further includes a set temperature Ts,
A display unit 37 for displaying the bath set temperature Tfs and the like is provided.

The gas water heater further includes an incoming water temperature sensor 2
5, based on detection signals (Tc, Q, Th, Tm, Ts, Tfs) from the water amount sensor 27, the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 45, the mixed hot water temperature detection sensor 29, and the temperature setting switch 39, the proportional valve 19, the electromagnetic valve, Valve 21, fan 9, mixing valve 4
Also provided is a control unit 31 for performing control such as 1.

FIG. 2 is a control flow of a test run according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, it is confirmed whether or not a test run command is issued by operating the remote controller 33 or the like (Step S
1) If the trial operation start command is issued, the remote controller 33
Is displayed on the display section 37 (step S).
2). Next, abnormality detection of a sensor such as a temperature sensor (step S3) and abnormality detection of a motor such as a stepping motor M are performed (step S4). Even if an abnormality is detected in steps S3 and S4, the test operation is continued without interruption.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the test operation is performed with the gas supply (step S5). In the case of the test operation with the gas supply, the hot water operation to the bathtub 11 is performed (step S5).
6). Next, the reference value of the water level sensor 10 is set in a state where the predetermined amount of hot water has been completed (step S7). Next, the pump P is operated (step S8), and when the water flow switch 50 detects circulation of hot water, a reheating operation is performed (step S8).
9), boil to bath set temperature Tfs, step S
Proceed to 13.

In step S5, in the case of a test operation without gas supply, a water beam operation to the bathtub 11 is performed without burning (step S10). Next, a reference value of the water level sensor 10 is set after a predetermined amount of water beam has been completed (step 1).
1). Next, the pump P is operated (step S12), and when the water flow switch 50 detects the circulation of water, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, "test run completed" is displayed on the display section 37 of the remote controller 33. Step S3
If an abnormality is detected in step 4, the content of the abnormality is also notified. The reason why it is checked in step S5 whether or not the test operation is performed with gas supply is as follows. Typically,
The water supply / hot water supply system piping and gas piping are constructed by separate workers. Therefore, when only the piping of the water supply / hot water supply system is completed, the hot water supply operation involving combustion cannot be performed. Therefore, when the water heater was installed, the piping for the water supply / hot water supply system was completed, but when the gas piping was not installed, a trial run without gas supply was performed, and a trial run was performed using the water beam operation. can do. When the gas pipe is being constructed, the test operation with the hot water beam operation can be performed by performing the test operation with gas supply. Here, whether or not gas is supplied is automatically detected (if the flame is detected by the flame rod 17 when the burner 13 is ignited by the igniter 15, the gas is supplied and the flame cannot be detected). For example, it may be automatically determined that there is no gas supply), or the operation method for performing the test operation may be different depending on whether or not gas is supplied.

FIG. 3 is a control flow from the start to the end of the test operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, a trial operation is started by operating the remote controller 33 (transition to a trial operation mode) (step S21). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the trial run has been completed (step S22). If the trial run has been completed, a message "test run completed" is displayed on the display unit 37 of the remote controller 33 (step S23). Thereafter, it is checked whether 10 minutes have passed since the completion of the test run (step S).
24a) If 10 minutes have elapsed, the test run is completed, and the mode shifts to the normal mode (step S25). At this time, the "test run completed" display may be displayed until the operation switch 35 is turned off.

FIG. 4 is a control flow from the start to the end of the test operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The only difference from FIG. 3 is that step S24a is replaced with step S24b. In step S24b, it is checked whether or not the hot water supply has been used, that is, whether or not the water amount sensor 27 has detected the water flow. If the hot water supply has been used, the test operation is completed, and the mode shifts to the normal mode (step S2).
5). At this time, the "test run completed" is displayed on the operation switch 35.
It may be displayed until it is turned off.

FIG. 5 is a control flow from the start to the end of the test operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The only difference from FIG. 3 is that step S24a is replaced with step S24c. In step S24c, the operation instruction switch of the remote controller 33 (the operation switch 35, the temperature setting switch 39, the hot water operation switch 36, and whether or not the additional heating operation switch 38 is operated, and any of the operation instruction switches) is operated. If so, the test operation is completed, and the mode shifts to the normal mode (step S25). At this time, the "test run completed" display may be displayed until the operation switch 35 is turned off.

FIG. 6 is a control flow relating to the transition to the test operation mode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. First,
It is confirmed whether or not the operation instruction switch has been pressed for 5 consecutive seconds (step S31). If the operation instruction switch has been pressed for 5 consecutive seconds, the operation switch is turned on and the operation mode shifts to the trial operation standby mode (step S32). Although not described in the control flow, when hot water supply is used during the test operation standby mode, the test operation standby mode may be canceled to return to the normal operation mode, or the test operation standby mode may be continued as it is.
Next, it is confirmed whether or not the operation instruction switch has been pressed (step S35). If the operation instruction switch has been pressed, the operation mode is shifted to the test operation mode, and the test operation is performed (step S36). If 10 minutes have elapsed without the operation instruction switch being pressed (step S37), the test operation standby mode is canceled and the operation returns to the normal operation mode (step S3).
8). Therefore, in step S35, it is possible to automatically return to the normal operation mode without operating the operation instruction switch. The operation instruction switch operated in steps S31 and S35 may be a predetermined switch such as a hot water operation switch 36, or the operation switch 3
5. Any one of the hot water operation switch 36 and the additional heating operation switch 38 may be used. In the latter case, any of the operation instruction switches may be turned ON, so that the user can shift to the test operation standby mode or the test operation mode without remembering the operation instruction switch to be operated.

FIG. 7 is a control flow relating to a transition to a test operation mode according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. First,
It is confirmed whether or not the operation instruction switch has been pressed for 5 consecutive seconds (step S31). If the operation instruction switch has been pressed for 5 consecutive seconds, the operation switch is turned on and the operation mode shifts to the trial operation standby mode (step S32). The operation instruction switch operated in step S31 may be a predetermined switch such as a hot water operation switch 36, or the operation switch 35,
Any one of the hot water operation switch 36 and the additional heating operation switch 38 may be used. In the latter case, any driving instruction switch can be turned ON, so that the user can shift to the test operation standby mode without remembering the driving instruction switch to be operated. When the mode shifts to the test operation standby mode, the operation method of the test operation is displayed on the display unit 33 of the remote controller 33, or the sound is generated by the sound generation unit 51 (not shown) (step S41).
a) and / or blink the LEDs of the operation switch 35, the hot water operation switch 36, and the additional heating operation switch 38 (step S41b). Step S41
The content to be notified by a is as follows: "In case of test operation with gas, press the hot water operation switch. In case of test operation without gas, press the reheating operation switch. To cancel the test operation, press the operation switch. . " Next, whether the operation switch 35 has been pressed (step S42), whether the hot water operation switch 36 has been pressed (step S44), and the reheating switch 38
Is checked (step S46), and if the operation switch 35 is pressed, the L of the operation switch 35
The ED is turned off, the test run standby mode is canceled, and the process returns to the normal operation mode (step S43). If the hot water operation switch 36 is pressed, the operation mode shifts to the test operation mode with gas, and the test operation with gas is performed (step S4).
5). When the additional heating operation switch 38 is pressed, the mode shifts to the gas-free test operation mode, and the gas-less test operation is performed (step S47). If none of the operation instruction switches has been pressed, after 10 minutes have passed (step S
48), the test operation standby mode is canceled, and the operation returns to the normal operation mode (step S49).

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the normal operation is automatically switched to the normal operation after the test operation is completed. Therefore, the normal operation can be reliably returned to the normal operation after the test operation is completed. Also, set the operation instruction switch to O
Since the test operation is performed by performing the N operation, the test operation is not erroneously performed even if the operation instruction switch is turned ON and the normal operation can be continued. Further, since the operation method of the test run is provided with guidance, the test run can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control flow of a trial operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control flow from the start to the end of test operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flow from the start to the end of test operation according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control flow from the start to the end of test operation according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control flow relating to a transition to a test operation mode according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control flow relating to a transition to a test operation mode according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water heater main body 25 ... Incoming water temperature sensor 27 ... Water amount sensor 29 ... Mixed hot water temperature detection sensor 41 ... Mixing valve 45 ... Heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 33 ... Remote control 35 ... Operation switch 37 ... Display part 36 ... Hot water operation switch 38: additional heating operation switch 39: temperature setting switch

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A water heater control device comprising: a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater and a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heater operation.
A control device for a water heater characterized by automatically returning to a normal operation mode after the end of the test operation mode. 2. A control device for a water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of the water heater and a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation,
A control device for a water heater characterized by returning to a normal operation mode when hot water is used after the end of a test operation mode. 3. A water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of the water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heater operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing operation of the water heater. A control device for a water heater, wherein the control device returns to a normal operation mode when an operation instruction switch is operated after the end of a test operation mode. 4. A water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heater operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing operation of the water heater. A control device for a water heater, wherein the control device shifts to a test operation mode when the operation instruction switch is operated again after the operation instruction switch is operated. 5. A hot water supply comprising a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater. In the control device for the water heater, the control device switches to the test operation mode when any one of the plurality of operation instruction switches is operated after operating any one of the plurality of operation instruction switches. . 6. A water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heater operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing operation of the water heater. In the control device, after operating the operation instruction switch, the operation instruction switch that needs to be operated again to start the test operation is turned on or off, and the control device of the water heater is characterized in that. 7. A water heater having a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of the water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal water heater operation, and an operation instruction switch for instructing operation of the water heater. A control device for a water heater, characterized in that the control device has a test run guidance function for guiding a test run operation method after operating the drive instruction switch. 8. A hot water supply comprising a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater. A control device for a water heater, comprising: a control device for a water heater, the test device having a test run guidance function for guiding a test run operation method after operating any of the plurality of operation instruction switches. 9. A hot water supply comprising a test operation mode for performing initial setting and / or initial abnormality detection of a water heater, a normal operation mode for performing a normal hot water supply operation, and a plurality of operation instruction switches for instructing operation of the water heater. A controller for a water heater, comprising: turning on or off an operation instruction switch that needs to be operated again to start a test operation after operating any of the plurality of operation instruction switches. .