JP2009210231A - Storage type water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage type water heater with high service performance capable of detecting an abnormality of a hot water filling circuit to a bathtub whether or not the filling of hot water has been carried out to the bathtub. <P>SOLUTION: The storage type water heater is equipped with a hot water storage tank 1, a tapping pipe 3 of an upper part of the hot water storage tank 1, a first water supply pipe 4 supplying water to a lower part of the hot water storage tank 1, a second water supply pipe 6 branched from the first water supply pipe 4, a bath mixing device 5 connecting the tapping pipe 3 and the second water supply pipe 6 and mixing hot water and water, bath hot water supply piping 30 connecting the bath mixing device 5 and the bathtub 7, a bath temperature detecting means 16 in the bath hot water supply piping 30 for detecting a temperature of the hot water, a bath flow rate detecting means 17 for detecting whether the hot water flows into the bathtub 7, and a hot water pouring means 18 for carrying out the start and stop of the filling of the hot water to the bathtub 7. On the basis of a temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means 16 and a flow of the hot water detected by the bath flow rate detecting means 17, a failure of the bath flow rate detecting means 17 or a failure of the hot water pouring means 18 is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage type water heater.

  The conventional hot water storage type hot water heater has a solenoid valve in the piping between the bathtub and the hot water storage type hot water heater, and opens the solenoid valve to start filling the bathtub and close the solenoid valve. By doing so, the hot water filling to the bathtub is stopped.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional hot water storage type hot water heater. As shown in FIG. 2, a remote controller 116 for setting a hot water temperature and a hot water level, an electric mixing valve 108 for mixing hot water and water boiled in the tank 101 to generate hot water, and hot water supply A solenoid valve 110 for starting and stopping and a water level sensor 111 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 107 are provided. The hot water temperature and the water level are set by the remote controller 116, and the electric mixing valve 108 is driven so as to reach the set temperature. Then, the opening is set, and the hot water filling to the bathtub 107 is started by opening the solenoid valve 110.

And hot water supply and a stop are repeated and a hot water supply is continued until it becomes a predetermined | prescribed water level in the bathtub 107 by measuring a water level at the time of a stop.
JP 7-248155 A

  However, if the user is filling the tub, it will be recognized that the tub is currently being filled, and the tub will be filled with water despite the fact that the tub is being filled. If the tensioning does not start, it can be inferred that there is some abnormality, but when the user is not filling the water, if something abnormal occurs in the filling circuit to the bathtub and the filling is not done. If hot water is supplied to the bathtub, the hot water will flow down until the user notices, and if the user does not notice that hot water is supplied to the bathtub, There was a problem of consuming a large amount of water from the water source.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and detects abnormalities in the hot water filling circuit for the bathtub regardless of whether or not the hot water is filled in the bathtub. The purpose is to provide a machine.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a hot water pipe provided at an upper portion of the hot water storage tank, and water from a water supply source to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank. A first water supply pipe to be supplied; a second water supply pipe branched from the first water supply pipe; and a bath mixing device for connecting hot water and water by connecting the hot water pipe and the second water supply pipe. A bath hot water supply pipe connecting the bath mixing device and the bathtub, a bath temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bath hot water supply pipe, and a bath flow rate detecting means for detecting whether hot water is flowing into the bathtub. A bath pouring means for starting and stopping filling of the bath, and based on the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means and the flow of hot water detected by the bath flow detecting means. Or because of the pouring means By detecting this, it is possible to accurately detect a failure regardless of the presence or absence of hot water filling, and the failure can be detected using two parameters: the flow of hot water in the bath flow rate detection means and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means. By determining, a faulty part of the hot water filling circuit can be specified.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can detect an abnormality in a hot water filling circuit for a bathtub regardless of whether or not the hot water is filled in the bathtub, and provide a hot water storage type hot water heater with high serviceability.

  A hot water storage type water heater of the first invention includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a hot water pipe provided at an upper part of the hot water storage tank, a first water supply pipe for supplying water from a water supply source to the lower part of the hot water storage tank, A second water supply pipe branched from the first water supply pipe, a bath mixing apparatus for connecting the hot water pipe and the second water supply pipe to mix hot water and water, the bath mixing apparatus and the bathtub A bath hot water supply pipe for connecting, a bath temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bath hot water supply pipe, a bath flow rate detecting means for detecting whether hot water is flowing into the bathtub, and a hot water filling to the bathtub. A hot water pouring means for starting and stopping, based on the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means and the flow of hot water detected by the bath flow rate detecting means, or failure of the bath flow rate detecting means or By detecting faults, hot water It is possible to accurately detect a failure regardless of the presence or absence of a hot water filling circuit by judging the failure using two parameters, the flow of hot water of the bath flow rate detection means and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means. The faulty part can be identified.

  In the hot water storage type water heater of the second invention, particularly in the first invention, when the bath flow rate detecting means does not detect the flow rate when the hot water filling to the bathtub is started, the bath mixing device is opened. If the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means changes more than a predetermined temperature difference before and after the bath mixing device is driven to a predetermined opening degree, the hot water pouring means breaks down. By determining that there is a failure, it is possible to determine whether the hot water pouring means has failed or whether the bath flow rate detection means has failed, and serviceability can be improved.

  The hot water storage type water heater of the third invention is the hot water storage type water heater of the first or second invention, particularly when the bath flow rate detecting means does not detect the flow rate when the hot water filling to the bathtub is started. When the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means is driven to a predetermined opening and does not change more than a predetermined temperature difference before and after the bath mixing device is driven to the predetermined opening, the bath flow rate detecting means Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the hot water pouring means is malfunctioning or the bath flow rate detecting means is malfunctioning, and the serviceability can be improved.

  The hot water storage type water heater according to a fourth aspect of the invention is particularly characterized in that, in the first to third aspects of the invention, when the flow rate is detected by the bath flow rate detecting means when the hot water filling to the bathtub is stopped, the bath mixing If the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means is changed by a predetermined temperature difference before and after the bath mixing device is driven to the predetermined opening, the hot water pouring is performed. By determining that the means is out of order, it is possible to determine whether the pouring means is out of order or whether the bath flow rate detecting means is out of order, and the serviceability can be improved.

  The hot water storage type water heater according to a fifth aspect of the invention is particularly characterized in that in the first to fourth aspects of the invention, when the flow rate is detected by the bath flow rate detecting means when the hot water filling to the bathtub is stopped, the bath mixing When the apparatus is driven to a predetermined opening and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means does not change more than a predetermined temperature difference before and after the bath mixing apparatus is driven to a predetermined opening, the bath flow rate By determining that the detection means is out of order, it is possible to determine whether the pouring means is out of order or the bath flow rate detection means is out of order, and the serviceability can be improved.

The hot water storage type water heater of the sixth invention is a remote control device for operating the hot water storage type water heater of the first to fifth inventions, and a display unit for displaying the status of the hot water storage type water heater in the remote control device. Prepared,
If it is determined that the bath flow rate detecting means or the pouring means is out of order, the error message is displayed on the display unit regardless of whether or not the filling of the bath is started. Since the user can be notified regardless of the presence or absence of tension, the user can respond before consuming hot water or water in the hot water storage tank.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water storage type hot water heater in the present embodiment. In addition, the practice arrow shown in FIG. 1 has shown the direction through which hot water flows. In FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment has a hot water storage tank 1 for storing high temperature hot water, and a hot water discharge pipe 3 for discharging high temperature hot water is provided above the hot water storage tank 1. On the other hand, a lower portion of the hot water storage tank 1 is provided with a first water supply pipe 4 for supplying water from a water supply source, and a second water supply pipe 6 is branched from the first water supply pipe 4.

  And the hot water pipe 3 and the 2nd water supply pipe 6 are connected, and the bath mixing apparatus 5 which mixes with hot water of suitable temperature is provided. The bath mixing device 5 and the bathtub 7 are connected by a bath hot water pipe 30. The bath hot water pipe 30 includes a flow rate sensor 17 that is a bath flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of hot water flowing in the pipe, and a pipe. A thermistor 16 that is a bath temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing in the interior, and an electromagnetic valve 18 that is a pouring means for starting / stopping hot water filling to the bathtub 7 are provided.

  In addition, a circuit for supplying hot water to a hot water supply terminal 9 by connecting a pipe branched from the hot water discharge pipe 3 at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 and a pipe branched from the second water supply pipe 6 by a mixing device 8 is also provided. The thermistor 19 and the flow sensor 20 are provided in the same manner as the bath hot water circuit.

  Moreover, the heat pump apparatus 2 is used as a heat source of the hot water storage type water heater of the present embodiment, and the heat pump apparatus 2 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant 12 and water and the refrigerant by compressing the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. Water refrigerant heat exchanger 11 that generates high-temperature water, a decompression device 14 that depressurizes the refrigerant, and an evaporator 13 that absorbs heat from the atmosphere, so that high-temperature water can be generated as the refrigerant. Although CO2 is used, not only CO2 but also, for example, R407C or R410A may be used as the refrigerant.

  Moreover, the inlet of the water flow path of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 11 and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 are connected by a pipe, and the outlet of the water flow path of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 11 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 are connected by a pipe. An annular pump 15 is provided in the pipe between the water refrigerant heat exchanger 11 and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1. When boiling the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1, the circulating pump 1 is driven to send the low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 to the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 11 to generate hot water. Hot water is fed to the hot water storage tank 1 so that a temperature distribution is formed in a laminated manner.

  Also, a remote controller 21 is installed in the bathroom, and a desired amount of hot water filling and hot water temperature for the bathtub are set, and the respective control values are controlled by the control means 10 for controlling the hot water filling from the remote controller 21 to the bathtub. Therefore, automatic hot water filling to the bathtub is possible. The control means 10 uses a microcomputer, and the remote controller 21 includes a display unit for displaying information such as the state of the hot water storage water heater and a notification unit for generating sound. The remote control is easy for users to understand. A remote controller (not shown) is also installed in the kitchen, living room, etc., and it is possible to operate the hot water storage type water heater such as setting the hot water temperature.

  Next, the hot water filling to the bathtub will be described in the hot water storage type water heater configured as described above.

  First, when starting the hot water filling automatic operation, the user presses a bath automatic button (not shown) provided on the remote controller 21 to start the automatic bath operation. When the bath automatic operation starts, the control means 10 drives the bath mixing device 5 to a predetermined position, and then opens the electromagnetic valve 18 to start pouring.

  Further, the temperature of the bath mixing device 5 is adjusted so that the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 becomes the hot water temperature set by the remote controller 21, and hot water of an appropriate temperature is supplied to the bathtub 7. And the control means 10 judges whether the hot water supply to the bathtub 7 is normally performed based on the information from the flow sensor 17 and the thermistor 16.

  Next, the abnormality detection of the hot water filling circuit to the bathtub will be described.

  First, abnormality detection during filling is described. At the time of hot water filling, supply of hot water to the bathtub 7 is started by opening the solenoid valve 18. However, if any abnormality occurs in the hot water filling circuit, a situation occurs in which hot water is not supplied to the bathtub 7 even though the user has started hot water filling.

  Therefore, when the user starts the bath hot water operation, the flow sensor 17 first detects whether hot water is flowing. If the flow sensor 17 can confirm that the hot water is flowing, it is determined that the hot water circuit is operating normally. "Are hot water flowing?" Or "While hot water is flowing through the hot water circuit, it is determined that the hot water is not flowing because the flow sensor 17 is broken." The cause is predicted.

  Therefore, when the hot water filling operation is started, it is detected whether or not hot water is flowing by the flow rate sensor 17, and the flow rate of the hot water is detected by the flow rate sensor 17 for a predetermined time (for example, 16 seconds in the present embodiment). If not detected, it is determined that hot water is not flowing, and the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is then driven to fully open on the water side.

  Next, after the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is fully opened on the water side, the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 is a predetermined temperature difference (for example, before and after the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is fully opened on the water side). In this embodiment, it is determined that the flow rate sensor 17 is faulty if a temperature higher than 10K is detected, and if a temperature less than the predetermined temperature difference is detected, it is determined that the solenoid valve 18 is faulty. Yes.

  For example, when the filling temperature before driving the opening of the bath mixing device 5 is 40 ° C., the opening of the bath mixing device 5 is driven so that the thermistor 16 becomes 40 ° C. However, if the flow rate sensor 17 cannot detect the flow of hot water for 16 seconds, it is determined that no hot water is flowing, and then the opening of the bath mixing device 5 is fully opened on the water side.

  As a result, if the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 is between approximately 40 ° C. and 30 ° C., a sudden temperature change has not occurred, and the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 has not been affected. Therefore, it can be seen that the hot water is not really flowing, but when the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 is less than about 30 ° C., the hot water is actually flowing, so the bath mixing device 5 It turns out that it is influenced by changing the opening.

That is, if the solenoid valve 18 is out of order, the hot water itself does not flow at all, and even if the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is changed, the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 should hardly change. However, if the solenoid valve 18 is normal, the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 rapidly decreases (detects a predetermined temperature difference or more) by changing the opening of the bath mixing device 5, and the flow sensor 17. It is determined that this is a malfunction. In this embodiment, even if the flow sensor 17 determines that hot water is not flowing, it is assumed that the flow sensor 17 itself is in failure and not in the solenoid valve 18. The opening degree of 5 is driven to the water side on the safe side.

  When the cause of the failure is specified, an error code indicating a failure of the flow sensor or a failure of the solenoid valve 18 is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 21 installed in the bathroom or the remote controller (not shown) installed in the kitchen or the like. Is displayed, and at the same time, a warning sound or sound is played from the remote control to indicate that an abnormality has occurred to the user.

  Next, detection of an abnormality in the hot water filling circuit when the hot water filling to the bathtub is not performed will be described. When hot water filling is not performed, the solenoid valve 18 is always closed, and the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is in a state where the water side is fully opened. If the flow sensor 17 detects whether hot water is flowing, and if the flow sensor 17 can detect that hot water is flowing for a predetermined time (for example, 16 seconds in the present embodiment), the hot water is Next, the bath mixing device 5 is driven to adjust the opening so that the hot water filling temperature is 40 ° C.

  Next, after the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is driven at a filling temperature of 40 ° C., the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 is different from a predetermined temperature difference (for example, before and after driving the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5). In this embodiment, it is determined that the solenoid valve 18 is malfunctioning if a temperature higher than 10K is detected. If a temperature less than the predetermined temperature difference is detected, it is determined that the flow sensor 17 is malfunctioning. Yes.

  That is, if the solenoid valve 18 is malfunctioning, hot water is flowing, and when the opening degree of the bath mixing device 5 is changed, the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 should also change greatly (greater than a predetermined temperature difference). ). However, if the solenoid valve 18 is normal, the temperature detected by the thermistor 16 is hardly changed by changing the opening of the bath mixing device 5, and it is determined that the flow sensor 17 is in failure.

  When the cause of the failure is specified, an error code indicating a failure of the flow sensor or a failure of the solenoid valve 18 is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 21 installed in the bathroom or the remote controller (not shown) installed in the kitchen or the like. Is displayed, and at the same time, a warning sound or sound is played from the remote control to indicate that an abnormality has occurred to the user.

  As described above, by determining the cause of the failure based on the values detected by the flow sensor 17 and the thermistor 16, it is possible to accurately determine whether the flow sensor 17 is a failure or the solenoid valve 18 is a failure. It is possible to provide a hot water storage type hot water heater with high serviceability. Further, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the hot water filling circuit regardless of whether or not the hot water filling is being performed on the bath, and therefore, unnecessary consumption of hot water can be prevented.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the heat pump has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a hot water storage type hot water heater using an electric heater as a heat source.

The block diagram of the hot water storage type hot water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention Configuration diagram of a conventional hot water storage water heater

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water storage tank 2 Heat pump apparatus 3 Hot water pipe 4 1st water supply pipe 5 Bath mixing apparatus 6 2nd water supply pipe 16 Bath temperature detection means 17 Bath flow rate detection means 18 Hot water supply means 30 Hot water supply piping

Claims (6)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a hot water discharge pipe provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank, a first water supply pipe for supplying water from a water supply source to the lower part of the hot water storage tank, and a first branch branched from the first water supply pipe 2 water supply pipes, a bath mixing apparatus that connects the hot water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe to mix hot water and water, a bath hot water supply pipe that connects the bath mixing apparatus and the bathtub, and the bath hot water supply The pipe includes a bath temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water, a bath flow rate detecting means for detecting whether hot water is flowing into the bathtub, and a pouring means for starting and stopping the filling of the hot water to the bathtub. The hot water storage system detects a failure of the bath flow rate detecting means or a failure of the pouring means based on a temperature detected by the bath temperature detecting means and a flow of hot water detected by the bath flow rate detecting means. Water heater. If the flow rate is not detected by the bath flow rate detection means when the filling of the bath is started, the bath mixing device is driven to a predetermined opening, and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means is the bath temperature. 2. The hot water storage type hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein when the mixing device changes by a predetermined temperature difference before and after driving to a predetermined opening degree, it is determined that the hot water pouring means is out of order. Machine. If the flow rate is not detected by the bath flow rate detection means when the filling of the bath is started, the bath mixing device is driven to a predetermined opening, and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means is the bath temperature. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the mixing device does not change more than a predetermined temperature difference before and after driving to a predetermined opening, it is determined that the bath flow rate detecting means has failed. Hot water storage water heater. When the bath flow is detected by the bath flow rate detection means when the hot water filling to the bathtub is stopped, the bath mixing device is driven to a predetermined opening, and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means is 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the bath mixing device changes by a predetermined temperature difference before and after being driven to a predetermined opening degree, it is determined that the pouring means is out of order. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1. When the bath flow is detected by the bath flow rate detection means when the hot water filling to the bathtub is stopped, the bath mixing device is driven to a predetermined opening, and the temperature detected by the bath temperature detection means is 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the bath mixing device does not change more than a predetermined temperature difference before and after driving the bath mixing device to a predetermined opening degree, it is determined that the bath flow rate detecting means has failed. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of the above. 6. A remote control device for operating the hot water storage type hot water heater according to claim 1 and a display unit for displaying a state of the hot water storage type hot water heater in the remote control device, wherein the bath flow rate detecting means or the hot water pouring means is provided. If it is determined that a hot water is out of order, an error message is displayed on the display unit regardless of whether hot water filling in the bathtub is started or not.

Images