JP2012088024A - Apparatus for supplying hot water - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot water supply apparatus capable of completing hot water injection into a bathtub even when abnormality occurs in parts for hot water operation.
A circulation pump for circulating hot water in a bathtub through a bath heat exchanger, a flow detection means for detecting a flow of hot water circulated by the circulation pump, a water level detection means for detecting a water level in the bathtub, and a circulation The first hot water operation control means for storing hot water in the bathtub and the hot water supply means only for the operation of the pump, the detection of the flow detection means, the operation of the hot water supply means, and the detection of the water level detection means. Control means for second hot water beam operation.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The embodiment of the present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus that supplies hot water to a bathtub.

  There is known a hot water supply device that stores a hot water storage tank for storing high temperature water and supplies high temperature water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank to a bathtub (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the case of a fully-automatic water heater, hot water operation that uses the hot water in the hot water storage tank to store the appropriate temperature and amount of hot water in the bathtub, heat insulation operation that keeps the hot water in the bathtub, and additional hot water operation that adds hot water to the bathtub It has a function.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-100409

  As parts used for hot water operation, a circulation pump that circulates hot water in the bathtub through the bath heat exchanger, a flow switch that detects the flow of hot water circulated by this circulation pump, and detects the water level (pressure) of the bathtub There is a water level sensor. If any of these parts become abnormal, hot water is impossible.

  An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that can complete hot water feeding to a bathtub even when an abnormality occurs in parts for hot water operation.

  A hot water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a heating means for heating water to warm water, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means, and a bottom portion of the hot water storage tank. A water supply pipe for supplying water to the tank, a hot water discharge pipe for discharging hot water from the upper part of the hot water storage tank, a mixing valve for generating hot water of a set temperature by mixing the high temperature water and water guided from the hot water discharge pipe, and Hot water supply means for supplying hot water generated by the mixing valve to the bathtub, a circulation pump for circulating the hot water in the bathtub through the bath heat exchanger, and a flow detection means for detecting the flow of hot water circulated by the circulation pump And a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, the operation of the circulation pump, the detection of the flow detection means, the operation of the hot water supply means, and the detection of the water level detection means, the first to store hot water in the bathtub Hot water Ri and a control unit operating a control unit of the second hot beam operation for storing hot water operation to the bath only the hot water supply means.

The figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control circuit of one Embodiment. The figure which shows the remote controller in one Embodiment. The figure which shows the state by which the hot water storage amount was displayed numerically with the remote controller in one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows control of the hot water operation of one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an inlet of a heat source unit 3 as a heating means is connected to the bottom of a hot water storage tank 1 via a pipe 2, and an upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 is connected to an outlet of the heat source unit 3 via a pipe 4. Is connected. The heat source device 3 includes a heat pump refrigeration cycle, and heats water flowing from the pipe 2 with heat pumped up from outside air to warm the water. The hot water is guided to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 by the pipe 4, whereby the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 1. The bottom of the hot water storage tank 1 is also connected to a water supply source such as a water supply via a water supply pipe 5 and receives replenishment of water from the water supply source.

  A plurality of temperature sensors T6, T5, T4, T3, T2, and T1 are sequentially attached to the hot water storage tank 1 along the depth direction. The temperature distribution and amount of hot water in the depth direction of the hot water storage tank 1 can be captured from the detected temperatures of these temperature sensors, and the amount of heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 can be detected.

  A hot water discharge pipe 6 for discharging hot water is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1, and a hot water supply pipe 6 a is connected from the hot water discharge pipe 6 to the circulation port 8 of the bathtub 7. The hot water supply pipe 6 a is provided with a mixing valve 21, a temperature sensor 22, a hopper 23 that is a hot water supply means, a temperature sensor 24, a flow switch 25 that is a flow detection means, and a water level sensor 26 that detects the water level of the bathtub 7.

  The mixing valve 21 generates hot water having a set temperature by mixing the water led from the bypass pipe 5 b branched from the water supply pipe 5 with the high-temperature water led from the tap water pipe 6. The set temperature is a hot water set temperature Ths set by a remote controller 40 described later. The temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature Th1 of hot water flowing out from the mixing valve 21. The mixing ratio of water in the mixing valve 21 is adjusted by the control unit 30 described later so that the detected temperature Th1 becomes the hot water set temperature Ths.

  The hopper 23 has an open / close valve that conducts / cuts off the flow path of the hot water supply pipe 6a, and a sensor that detects the flow rate of hot water passing through the open / close valve. By opening and closing the on-off valve while being calculated in step S1, a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 7 in consideration of the shape and size of the bathtub 7. The set amount is automatically detected and set by the initial operation when the hot water supply apparatus is installed.

  Then, the circulation pipe 9 is connected from the circulation port 8 of the bathtub 7 to the downstream side position from the arrangement position of the hopper 23 in the hot water supply pipe 6a. Then, the circulation pipe 9 is provided with a bath-side flow path 27 a of the bath heat exchanger 27 and a circulation pump 10. When the circulation pump 10 operates, the hot water in the bathtub 7 circulates through the circulation port 8, a part of the hot water supply pipe 6 a, the circulation pipe 9, and the bath-side flow path 27 a of the bath heat exchanger 27. The hot water in the bathtub 7 is kept warm (also referred to as additional cooking) by the circulation port 8, a part of the hot water supply pipe 6 a, the circulation pipe 9, the circulation pump 10, and the bath side flow path 27 a of the bath heat exchanger 27. A heat retaining channel is formed. The temperature Th2 of hot water flowing through the heat retaining channel is detected by the temperature sensor 24, and the flow of the hot water is detected by the flow switch 25.

  On the other hand, the circulation pipe 6 b branched from the hot water discharge pipe 6 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the heat source side flow path 27 b and the circulation pump 28 of the bath heat exchanger 27. When the circulation pump 28 operates, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 circulates through the heat source side flow path 27b of the bath heat exchanger 27, and the hot water passing through the heat retaining flow path is heated.

  A hot water supply pipe 6c is provided from the hot water supply pipe 6 to a kitchen, a washroom, a bathroom shower, etc., where hot water is used, and a mixing valve 29 is provided in the hot water supply pipe 6c. The mixing valve 29 mixes water guided from the bypass pipe 5a branched from the water supply pipe 5 with high temperature water guided from the tap water pipe 6, thereby generating hot water having a set temperature. The set temperature here is a hot water supply set temperature set by a remote controller 40 described later.

FIG. 2 shows a control circuit of the water heater having such a configuration.
Control unit 30 includes temperature sensors T6, T5, T4, T3, T2, T1, heat source device 3, mixing valve 21, temperature sensor 22, hopper 23, temperature sensor 24, flow switch 25, water level sensor 26, mixing valve 29, Inverters 31 and 32 and remote controller 40 are connected.

  The inverter 31 converts the alternating voltage of the alternating current power supply 33 into direct current, converts it into alternating current voltage of a predetermined frequency by switching according to a command from the control unit 30, and uses it as driving power for the motor 10 </ b> M of the circulation pump 10. Output. The inverter 32 converts the alternating voltage of the alternating current power source 33 into direct current, converts it into alternating current voltage of a predetermined frequency by switching according to a command from the control unit 30, and uses it as driving power for the motor 28 </ b> M of the circulation pump 28. Output. In these inverters 31 and 32, the current flowing through the windings of the motors 10 </ b> M and 28 </ b> M is detected, and information on the rotor rotational position corresponding to the detected current is supplied to the control unit 30.

  The remote controller 40 is installed in the vicinity of the bathtub 7 and is used for setting operation conditions such as an operation mode, a hot water beam set temperature, a heat insulation temperature, and a hot water supply set temperature, and displays various types of information as shown in FIG. A liquid crystal display unit 41, an operation button 42 for instructing start and stop of operation, temperature adjustment buttons 43 and 44 for adjusting the set temperature, a hot water supply amount display button 45 for instructing display of a hot water supply amount, and an operation An open / close cover 46 that closes an operation unit including a mode selection button and the like so as to be freely opened and closed is provided. As operation modes that can be selected with the selection button, there are a hot water operation in which an appropriate amount of hot water is stored in the bathtub 7, an insulation operation in which the hot water in the bathtub 7 is kept warm, an additional hot water operation in which the hot water is added to the bathtub 7, and the like.

  The liquid crystal display unit 41 has a numerical display area 41a for numerically displaying the current time, timer time, hot water supply amount, etc., and a temperature display area for numerically displaying a set temperature (hot water set temperature, hot water set temperature, shower set temperature, etc.). 41b, a remaining hot water amount display area 41c for displaying the remaining hot water level by a plurality of bars. In the numerical value display area 41a, the current time and timer time are normally displayed. When the hot water supply amount display button 45 is pressed, the hot water supply amount is displayed numerically as shown in FIG.

The control unit 30 has the following means (1) to (8) as main functions.
(1) Control means for executing a first hot water operation for accumulating hot water in the bathtub 7 by the operation of the circulation pump 10, the detection of the flow switch 25, the operation of the hopper 23, and the detection of the water level sensor 26. Specifically, the presence or absence of residual water in the bathtub 7 is determined from the operation of the circulation pump 10 and the detection result of the flow switch 25, and when there is no residual water, a set amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 7 by the hopper 23, The amount of hot water in the bathtub 7 after this supply is determined from the operation of the circulation pump 10 and the detection result of the flow switch 25. If the amount of hot water is appropriate, the hot water in the bathtub 7 is passed through the bath heat exchanger 27 by the operation of the circulation pump 10. A warming operation to circulate and perform an addition hot water operation to add a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub 7 by the operation of the hopper 23 when the detected water level of the water level sensor 26 is less than the set value.
(2) Second hot water operation control means for storing hot water in the bathtub 7 only by the operation of the hopper 23. That is, a set amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 7 only by the operation of the hopper 23.

  (3) Abnormality detection means for detecting abnormalities in the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, and the water level sensor 26, respectively. For the circulation pump 10, the actual speed of the motor 10M is obtained based on the information on the rotor rotational position supplied from the inverter 31, and the difference between the obtained speed and the speed designated for the motor 10M is a predetermined value or more. Then, it is determined as abnormal. The flow switch 25 is determined to be abnormal when the flow switch 25 is on even though hot water or hot water does not flow through the flow switch 25. The water level sensor 26 detects the water level from the detected pressure, and when the pressure as the detection result of the water level sensor 26 is out of the predetermined pressure range including the atmospheric pressure, it is determined as abnormal.

  (4) Selection means for selecting execution of the first hot water beam operation when no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, and selecting execution of the second hot water beam operation when an abnormality is detected.

  (5) Calculation means for calculating the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 1 from the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors T6, T5, T4, T3, T2, T1.

  (6) The amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is calculated from the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors T6, T5, T4, T3, T2, and T1, and the calculated amount of heat and the set temperature (in the temperature display area 41b) by operating the remote controller 40. Calculating means for calculating a hot water supply possible amount from the hot water storage tank 1 based on the displayed set temperature). The calculation of the hot water supply possible amount is performed every certain time and every time the set temperature is changed.

  (7) Control means for displaying the calculated remaining hot water amount in the level display area 41 in the liquid crystal display section 41 of the remote controller 40.

  (8) Normally, the current time and timer time are displayed in the numerical value display area 41a of the liquid crystal display unit 41 of the remote controller 40, and when the hot water storage amount display button 45 of the remote controller 40 is pressed, the calculated hot water can be supplied. Control means for displaying the amount on the level display area 41 of the liquid crystal display section 41 for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the hot water operation mode is set by the remote controller 40 (YES in step 101), the abnormal stop flag f is confirmed (step 102). If the abnormal stop flag f is “0” (YES in step 102), the first hot water operation is executed based on the determination that there is no abnormal stop.

  In the first hot water beam operation, first, the remaining hot water confirmation for determining the presence or absence of the remaining water in the bathtub 7 so-called remaining hot water is performed (step 103). That is, the circulating pump 10 operates and the state change of the flow switch 25 associated therewith is monitored. If hot water in the bathtub 7 remains at the circulation port 8 or more, the hot water is part of the circulation port 8, a part of the hot water supply pipe 6 a, the circulation pipe 9, the circulation pump 10, and the bath side flow path 27 a of the bath heat exchanger 27. Circulate through. When this circulation starts, the state of the flow switch 25 changes from off to on. Based on the state change of the flow switch 25, it is determined that there is remaining hot water. If the hot water in the bathtub 7 does not remain at the circulation port 8 or more, the hot water does not circulate even when the circulation pump 10 is operated, so that the flow switch 25 is maintained in the OFF state. In this case, it is determined that there is no remaining hot water.

  Along with the remaining hot water confirmation, abnormality detection is performed to determine whether or not the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, and the water level sensor 26 are abnormal (step 104).

  If there is no abnormality in any of the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, and the water level sensor 26 (YES in Step 105) and there is no remaining hot water (YES in Step 106), the mixing valve 21 is opened and the hot water storage tank 1 is heated. The amount of water mixed in the mixing valve 21 is adjusted so that the water flows into the hot water supply pipe 6a and the detected temperature Th of the temperature sensor 22 becomes the hot water beam setting temperature Ths (step 107). Then, the open / close valve of the hopper 23 is opened, and hot water is supplied to the bathtub 7. At this time, the amount of hot water supplied from the hopper 23 is detected through the sensor of the hopper 23, and the detected amount of hot water supplied is compared with the set amount corresponding to the shape and size of the bathtub 7 (step 108).

  When the amount of hot water supply exceeds the set amount (YES in step 108), the open / close valve of the hopper 23 is closed, the supply of hot water to the bathtub 7 is terminated, and the amount of hot water in the bathtub 7 is controlled by the operation of the circulation pump 10 and the flow switch 25. The amount of hot water determined from the detection result is checked (step 109). If the amount of hot water is sufficient, hot water circulates through the circulation port 8, a part of the hot water supply pipe 6 a, the circulation pump 10, the circulation pipe 9, and the bath-side flow path 27 a of the bath heat exchanger 27. By this circulation, the flow switch 25 is turned on. Based on the ON of the flow switch 25, it is determined that the amount of hot water is appropriate. However, when the stopper of the bathtub 7 is removed or not securely fitted, the hot water supplied from the hopper 23 leaks and a sufficient amount of hot water does not accumulate in the bathtub 7. In this case, hot water does not circulate even when the circulation pump 10 is operated, and the flow switch 25 is maintained in the OFF state. In this case, it is determined that the amount of hot water is not appropriate.

  With this hot water amount confirmation, abnormality detection is performed to determine whether or not the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, and the water level sensor 26 are abnormal (step 110).

  If there is no abnormality in any of circulation pump 10, flow switch 25, and water level sensor 26 (YES in step 111) and the amount of hot water is appropriate (YES in step 112), the buzzer of remote controller 40 indicates that hot water is completed. This is notified by ringing or lamp lighting (step 113).

  Following this notification, the hot water in the bathtub 7 is circulated through the bath-side flow path of the bath heat exchanger 27 by the operation of the circulation pump 10, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is circulated by the operation of the circulation pump 28. In addition, a heat-retaining operation for circulating through the heat source side flow path 27 is performed, and when the detected water level of the water level sensor 26 becomes less than a set value, the open / close valve of the hopper 23 is opened to add a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub 7. An additional hot water operation is performed (step 114).

  By the way, if any abnormality of the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, or the water level sensor 26 is determined in the abnormality detection accompanying the remaining hot water check (step 104) (NO in step 105), the hot water operation is immediately stopped. The remote controller 40 notifies that the abnormal stop has occurred (step 115). Even when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the circulation pump 10, the flow switch 25, or the water level sensor 26 in the abnormality detection (step 110) associated with the hot water amount confirmation (NO in step 111), the hot water operation is immediately stopped. The remote controller 40 notifies that the abnormal stop has occurred (step 115). When it is determined that the amount of hot water is not appropriate in the hot water amount confirmation (NO in step 112), the hot water operation is immediately stopped, and the remote controller 40 notifies that the abnormal stop has occurred (step 115). At the time of the abnormal stop, the abnormal stop flag f is set to “1” (step 116).

  When a user who knows that an abnormal stop has occurred sets the hot water operation mode again with the remote controller 40 (YES in step 101), the abnormal stop flag f is confirmed (step 102). At this time, since the abnormal stop flag f is “1” (NO in step 102), the second hot water beam operation is executed based on the determination that an abnormal stop has occurred in the first hot water beam operation.

  In this second hot water operation, the mixing valve 21 is opened so that the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 1 flows into the hot water supply pipe 6a, and the detected temperature Th of the temperature sensor 22 becomes the hot water setting temperature Ths. The amount of water mixed is adjusted (step 117). Then, the open / close valve of the hopper 23 is opened, and the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 6 a is supplied to the bathtub 7. At this time, the amount of hot water supplied to the hopper 23 is detected through the sensor of the hopper 23, and the detected amount of hot water supplied is compared with the set amount corresponding to the shape and size of the bathtub 7 (step 118).

  When the amount of hot water supply exceeds the set amount (YES in step 118), the open / close valve of the hopper 23 is closed, the supply of high-temperature water to the bathtub 7 is terminated, and the buzzer sounding or lamp of the remote controller 40 indicates that hot water is completed. Notification is made by lighting (step 119).

  In the second hot water operation, although the remaining hot water confirmation and the hot water amount confirmation are omitted, at least the minimum target of supplying and storing a set amount of hot water to the bathtub 7 is achieved. Therefore, the user can enter the bathtub 7 in which hot water has been poured out without waiting for inspection or replacement of the part in which an abnormality has occurred.

  When the inspection or replacement of the parts is completed and the abnormality is released, the abnormal stop flag f is reset to “0” based on the reset operation by the operator at the remote controller 40. Thereby, execution of the 1st hot water operation becomes possible.

  The first hot water operation and the second hot water operation may be arbitrarily selected manually by the user by providing a button or the like that can be selected and operated on the remote controller 40.

  On the other hand, when the hot water storage amount display button 45 of the remote controller 40 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4, the hot water supply possible amount, for example, 180L is displayed numerically in the numerical display area 41a of the liquid crystal display unit 41 for 10 seconds. This amount of hot water supply is calculated every certain time and every time the set temperature is changed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately notify the user of the latest hot water supply amount that changes in accordance with the use of hot water, changes in the outside air temperature, changes in the set temperature, and the like.

  The above embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, rewrites, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is included in the gist of the embodiments and modifications, and is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water storage tank, 3 ... Heat source machine, 5 ... Hot water supply pipe, 5a, 5b ... Bypass pipe, 6 ... Outlet hot water pipe, 6a ... Hot water supply pipe, 6b ... Circulation pipe, 6c ... Hot water supply pipe, 7 ... Bathtub, 8 ... Circulation Mouth, 9 ... circulation piping, 10 ... circulation pump, 10M ... motor, 21 ... mixing valve, 22 ... temperature sensor, 23 ... hopper, 24 ... temperature sensor, 25 ... float switch (flow detection means), 26 ... water level sensor (Water level detection means), 27 ... bath heat exchanger, 28 ... circulating pump, 28M ... motor, 30 ... control unit, T6 to T1 ... temperature sensor, 31, 32 ... inverter, 40 ... remote controller, 41 ... liquid crystal display unit , 41a ... Numerical value display area, 41b ... Temperature display area, 41c ... Remaining hot water amount display area

Claims (3)

Heating means for heating water to warm it;
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means;
A water supply pipe connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank for supplying water from a water supply source to the hot water storage tank;
A tapping pipe for tapping hot water from the upper part of the hot water storage tank;
A mixing valve that mixes high-temperature water and water led from the outlet pipe to generate hot water at a set temperature;
Hot water supply means for supplying hot water generated by the mixing valve to the bathtub;
A bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the hot water in the hot water storage tank and the hot water in the bathtub;
A circulation pump for circulating hot water in the bathtub through the bath heat exchanger;
Flow detection means for detecting the flow of hot water circulated by the circulation pump;
Water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the bathtub;
Control means for executing a first hot water operation for storing hot water in the bathtub by the operation of the circulation pump, the detection of the flow detection means, the operation of the hot water supply means, and the detection of the water level detection means;
Control means for executing a second hot water operation for storing hot water in the bathtub only by the operation of the hot water supply means;
A hot water supply apparatus comprising: An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in each of the circulation pump, the flow detection means, and the water level detection means;
Selecting means for selecting execution of the first hot water beam operation when no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, and selecting execution of the second hot water beam operation when an abnormality is detected;
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: In the first hot water beam operation, the presence or absence of residual water in the bathtub is determined from the operation of the circulation pump and the detection result of the flow detection means, and when there is no residual water, a set amount of hot water is supplied by the hot water supply means. The amount of hot water in the bathtub that is supplied to the bathtub is determined from the operation of the circulation pump and the detection result of the flow detection means. If the amount of hot water is appropriate, the hot water in the bathtub is A warming operation that circulates through a bath heat exchanger, and a hot water operation that adds a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub by the operation of the hot water supply means when the detected water level of the water level detection means becomes less than a set value And
In the second hot water beam operation, a set amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub only by the operation of the hot water supply means.
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein

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