JP2000186830A - Instant hot water supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress an energy loss by controlling a heating means in such a manner that the hot waster in a hot water storage tank may become different temperatures depending on time in an instant hot water supplying device wherein the heating means is provided in the vicinity of the hot water supply terminal of a hot water supplying pipe which connects a hot water supplying machine and the hot water supply terminal. SOLUTION: In a power applying circuit to a heater 5, of a control means C, an automatic temperature regulator 8 for a first set hot water temperature, an automatic temperature regulator 9 for a second set hot water temperature, and an automatic temperature regulator 10 for a third set hot water temperature are provided in parallel. By a switching switch 11 on the upstream side of the automatic temperature regulators 8, 9 and 10, the power applying circuit to the heater 5 is switched to either one of respective contact points 111, 112 and 113 to the automatic temperature regulators 8, 9 and 10, or switched to a contact point 114 to place the power applying circuit to the heater 5 under an open state. A controller 13 which controls the switching switch 11 controls the switching to the contact points 111, 112, 113 and 114, or a connecting time to the contact points 111, 112, 113 and 114 by a timer which is built in the controller 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an instant hot water supply apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case where the distance between a water heater and a hot water terminal is large, or when the frequency of use of the water heater is low and the heat exchanger in the water heater is completely cold, open the hot water terminal and then open the hot water terminal. It takes a long time before the hot and cold water actually comes out, and the usability deteriorates. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, a hot water storage tank 4 having a heater 5 as a heating means is provided near a hot water supply terminal 2 of a hot water supply pipe 3 connecting the hot water supply device 1 and the hot water supply terminal 2. Conventionally, there is a configuration in which hot water kept in the hot water storage tank 4 is discharged from the hot water supply terminal 2 until hot water from the machine 1 is supplied to the hot water supply terminal 2 via the hot water supply pipe 3 (for example, No. 5-50655). In FIG. 7, reference numeral 6 denotes a bypass pipe provided in parallel with the hot water storage tank 4, and reference numeral 7 denotes a water pipe through which water passes.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the configuration around the hot water storage tank 4 in FIG. A hot water supply pipe 3 for connecting the hot water supply device 1 and the hot water supply terminal 2 is provided with a bypass pipe 6 in communication with the hot water supply pipe 3. A water inlet pipe 4a is branched from the hot water supply pipe 3 in parallel with the bypass pipe 6, and passes through the water inlet pipe 4a. The hot water from the hot water supply pipe 3 flows into the hot water tank 4. Further, a tapping pipe 4b is connected to the hot water supply pipe 3 downstream of the bypass pipe 6 from the upper end of the hot water tank 4, and hot water in the hot water tank 4 flows into the hot water supply pipe 3 through the tapping pipe 4b. . The heater 5 provided in the hot water storage tank 4 is energized so that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by the heater 5. Therefore, when the hot water supply terminal 2 is opened, hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 comes out of the hot water supply pipe 4b, and hot water can be supplied to the hot water supply terminal 2 immediately.

[0004]

However, in the conventional instant hot water supply apparatus, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is kept at a high temperature even when the hot water supply terminal 2 is not used in one day. However, there is a problem that extra energy is consumed. In addition, the instant hot water supply from the hot water storage tank 4 is required particularly in winter when the water supply temperature is low. However, when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is set so as to ensure sufficient performance in winter, the hot water supply temperature In summer, when the temperature is high, the heat retention temperature becomes higher than necessary, and there is a problem that energy loss due to heat radiation becomes large. Furthermore, when the temperature of the instant hot water supply apparatus is shipped from a factory assuming that the distance between the hot water supply terminal 2 and the water heater 1 is the longest, when the instant hot water supply apparatus is actually installed in a home or the like, If the distance is shorter than the assumed distance, the heat retention temperature becomes higher than necessary, resulting in a problem that extra energy is consumed. The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its main object to provide an instant hot water supply apparatus that suppresses energy loss.

[0005]

A first gist of the present invention is as follows.
In an immediate hot water supply apparatus provided with a hot water storage tank having a heating means and a control means for controlling the heating means in the vicinity of the hot water supply terminal of the hot water supply pipe connecting the hot water supply device and the hot water supply terminal, The heating means is controlled so that hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank has different temperatures.
According to this means, the hot water in the hot water tank is not always kept at a high temperature, so that energy loss can be reduced. A second gist is that the control means can change the operation time and / or the temperature of the heating means. According to this means, in summer, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is lowered, and the hot water in the hot water supply pipe from the hot water heater to the hot water supply terminal is used, such as during the daytime when the hot water heater is frequently operated or during the daytime. Since the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank during the time when the temperature is hardly lowered can be lowered, the energy loss can be further reduced. A third gist is that the control means raises the temperature of the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank to an arbitrary temperature based on an external input and controls the heating means to maintain the temperature at the temperature for an arbitrary time. That is. According to this means, when the user determines that high-temperature hot water supply is necessary, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank is boiled to a high temperature, so that less energy loss is required as compared to a hot water tank that is always kept at a high temperature. Further, even when it is difficult to make a reservation for time, it is easy to use because it is quickly heated to a predetermined set temperature in accordance with the use situation. A fourth gist is that the control means controls the heating means based on a signal sent from an external device. According to this means, in addition to reducing the energy loss, even if the user does not consciously change the setting of the instant hot water supply device, when the hot water supply becomes necessary, the hot water supply can be dealt with. It becomes possible, and when it becomes unnecessary, the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank can be lowered. Alternatively, the heating of the hot water storage tank can be stopped. A fifth gist is that a notification device that can notify a state of hot water that can be discharged from the hot water supply terminal is provided. According to this means, the user can confirm whether or not hot water can be supplied before use, and the user will not be confused whether to use the hot water.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Also in this embodiment, the instant hot water supply device
Except for a control means C to be described later, it has the configuration shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit C that controls a heater 5 provided in the hot water storage tank 4. The control means C includes an automatic temperature controller 8 for the first set hot water temperature, an automatic temperature controller 9 for the second set hot water temperature, and an automatic temperature control for the third set hot water temperature in the circuit for supplying electricity to the heater 5. The vessels 10 are provided in parallel. A changeover switch 11 is provided upstream of the automatic temperature controllers 8, 9, and 10. The changeover switch 11 switches the current supply circuit to the heater 5 to the respective contacts 111, 112, 11 to the automatic temperature controllers 8, 9, 10.
3 and switch to the contact 114 that opens the current supply circuit to the heater 5. Reference numeral 13 in FIG.
1 is a controller for controlling the contact points 111 and 11
2, 113, 114, and the contacts 111, 112, 113,
It is configured such that the connection time to the connection 114 can be controlled. Reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1 denotes an operation unit for manipulating the controller 13 by a person. By operating the operation unit 14, the contact 11
1, 112, 113, and 114, and the setting temperature of the automatic temperature controllers 8, 9, and 10 can be changed. The operation unit 14 includes a change switch 141, a rapid temperature raising switch 142, and an external device interlocking switch 143, which will be described later. An over-temperature prevention device 12 is provided upstream of the heater 5 so that the circuit can be automatically shut off when the heater 5 is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. Also, 1 in FIG.
6 is an external device, 15 is an external device 16 and a controller 13
And a connection unit for connecting Reference numeral 17 denotes a notification device for notifying that hot water can be supplied immediately.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control flowchart of the controller 13. As shown in FIG. 2, if the power is ON, the controller 13 determines whether there is an input of the first to third set hot water temperatures and their time zones, and thereafter, the first to third set hot water temperatures and those thereof are determined. Control is performed so that the changeover switch 11 is switched on time. When a change switch 141 for changing the first to third set hot water temperatures and their time zones, which is present in the operation unit 14, is pressed, a change signal is sent from the operation unit 14 to the controller 13. When the change signal is sent to the controller 13, the controller 13 is controlled so that the set hot water temperature and the time zone are input again. Operation unit 1
When the rapid temperature raising switch 142 existing in 4 is pressed, a rapid temperature raising signal is sent from the operation unit 14 to the controller 13. The rapid temperature raising switch 142 is a switch for raising the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 in a state where the temperature is maintained by the heater 5. When a rapid temperature rise signal is input to the controller 13, the controller 13 is controlled so as to be maintained at the highest set temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures for 4 hours. Here, holding for 4 hours is merely an example, and is not limited to this. Also, the external device interlocking switch 143 in the operation unit 14 is pressed, and the controller 13 sends a signal (power supply of the power source) from the external device 16 (room lighting or the like) having a similar usage scene with the hot water supply terminal 2. Control based on ON / OFF switch signals, etc.)
A signal from the external device 16 is input to the controller 13 via the external device connection unit 15, and is controlled so as to be maintained at the highest set temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures for 4 hours. . Here, holding for 4 hours is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

A specific control method in the controller 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, assuming the use of water heater 1 in a general household, the frequency of use of water heater 1 is from around 6:00 am to around 8:00 am (first peak) and from around 5:00 pm to 10 pm It was set to be high until around the hour (second peak). Unless otherwise stated, the first, second, and third set hot water temperatures are 80 ° C., respectively.
60 ° C, 40 ° C.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 3 is a state diagram of the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank 4 in which the first set hot water temperature and the third set hot water temperature make one cycle per day. In order to make this state, the controller 13 was input to the controller 13 from the operation unit 14 so that the first set hot water temperature from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm and the third set hot water temperature at other times. In the example of FIG. 3, high-temperature water of 80 ° C. is stored in the hot-water storage tank 4 from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, so that high-temperature water can always be discharged from rising in the morning to going to bed at night. The rest of the bedtime is low-temperature water of 40 ° C., which can significantly reduce the required energy compared to the conventional type that stores hot water at 80 ° C. all day.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the change switch 141 is depressed, and the operation unit 14 inputs to the controller 13 to lower both the first set hot water temperature and the third set hot water temperature by 5 ° C. . In this example, in the summer or hot water heater 1 and hot water terminal 2
Energy loss can be suppressed even when the distance to the distance is short.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 shows a state in the hot water storage tank 4 in which the first set hot water temperature, the second set hot water temperature, and the first set hot water temperature are cycled once a day after the third set hot water temperature. It is a state diagram of hot water temperature. The first to third set hot water temperatures and their time zones as shown in FIG. 4 is different from the state diagram of the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank 4 shown in FIG. 3 in that the time zone of the second hot water temperature lower than the first hot water temperature is set between the first hot water temperatures. That is the provision. In this way, by setting a part of the first set hot water temperature in FIG. 3 as the second set hot water temperature lower than the first set hot water temperature, from the end of the first peak of the use frequency of the water heater 1. Until the second peak starts, the required energy can be reduced by the second set hot water temperature of 60 ° C. lower than the first set hot water temperature of 80 ° C. In addition, since the time zone of the second set hot water temperature in this embodiment is a time zone in which the temperature of tap water is rising even in one day, hot water is actually supplied from the hot water heater 1 after the hot water supply terminal 2 is opened. The time to get out is short. Therefore, during the period from the end of the first peak of the use frequency of the water heater 1 to the start of the second peak as in the present embodiment, the second set hot water temperature 60 ° C. lower than the first set hot water temperature of 80 ° C. There is no problem in actual use.

(Embodiment 4) In Embodiment 3, the time
From time till 4:00 am, the temperature of the hot water tank 4 was set to the third set hot water temperature. During this time, the changeover switch 11 was switched to the contact 114 and the heater 5 of the hot water tank 4 was turned off. did.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 shows a third set hot water temperature followed by a first set hot water temperature, a second set hot water temperature, a first set hot water temperature, a second set hot water temperature, and a first set hot water temperature. FIG. 4 is a state diagram of the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank 4 for one cycle per day. The first to third set hot water temperatures and their time zones as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is different from the state diagram of the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank 4 shown in FIG. 4 in that the time of the second hot water temperature is set between the first hot water temperature at the second peak of the usage frequency of the water heater 1. That is, According to this, in a state where the frequency of use of the water heater 1 is high, the temperature of the heat exchanger of the water heater 1 is high, and the time when the hot water is actually discharged after the hot water terminal 2 is opened is short. In view of the fact that it is not necessary to keep the hot water temperature at a high temperature, the amount of energy required can be reduced by providing the time for the second hot water temperature between the first hot water temperature at the second peak.

(Embodiment 6) In Embodiment 5, the rapid temperature rise switch 142 was pressed at 2:00 am, and a rapid temperature rise signal was input to the controller 13 from the operation unit 14. FIG. 6 shows a state diagram of the hot water temperature in hot water storage tank 4 at this time. According to this example, when the user determines that high-temperature hot water supply is necessary, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is brought to the highest temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures,
Energy loss is smaller than in the hot water storage tank 4 which is always kept at a high temperature. Further, even when it is difficult to make a reservation for time, it is easy to use because it is quickly heated to a predetermined set temperature in accordance with the use situation.

(Embodiment 7) In Embodiment 5, the controller 13 is set so that the controller 13 is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the external device 16 by pressing the external interlocking switch 143 from the operation unit 14. did. In this example, the external device 1
As 6, a lighting device for the room where the hot water supply terminal 2 is installed was used. When the power of the lighting device (external device 16) is turned on, the controller 13 receives the ON signal, and the hot water tank 4
The hot water in the inside was maintained at the first set hot water temperature having the highest set temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures for 4 hours. According to this example, since the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is heated to the highest set temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures in response to the ON operation of the lighting device, the change signal for the user is provided. Also, it is not necessary to send the rapid temperature rise signal from the operation unit 14 to the controller 13, which is easy. In addition, as the external device 16, the water heater 1 or the air conditioner or the like can be applied other than the lighting device in the room.

Although omitted in the control flowchart of FIG. 3, after the lighting device is turned on, the power supply of the lighting device is turned off and the first to third set hot water temperatures are selected. The temperature may be switched to a lower set temperature. Alternatively, the changeover switch 11 may be switched to the contact 114.

(Eighth Embodiment) In the first to seventh embodiments, a sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank 4 is provided in the hot water tank 4. If the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is higher than the highest set hot water temperature among the first to third hot water temperatures by the sensor, a notification device 17 for notifying that hot water can be supplied immediately is provided.
Was attached to the hot water supply terminal 2. The notification device 17 can use sound, light, and video. In this example, light is used. In addition,
If the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is higher than the lowest set hot water temperature among the first to third hot water temperatures, one light is turned on, and the intermediate hot water temperature among the first to third hot water temperatures is set. If it is higher, two lights are turned on, and if it is higher than the highest set hot water temperature among the first to third set hot water temperatures, three lights may be turned on.
That is, the notification device 17 may be provided with a function indicating which of the set hot water temperatures the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is in.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a wiring diagram for energizing a heater in a hot water storage tank in an instant hot water supply apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of a controller in the instant hot water supply apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of hot water temperature in a hot water storage tank which performs one cycle per day in Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of hot water temperature in a hot water tank that is cycled once a day in a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of hot water temperature in a hot water tank that is cycled once a day in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of hot water temperature in a hot water tank that is cycled once a day in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional instant hot water supply apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a piping configuration around a conventional hot water storage tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water heater 2 Hot-water supply terminal 3 Hot-water supply pipe 4 Hot-water storage tank 5 Heating means (heater) 6 Bypass pipe 11 Changeover switch 13 Controller 14 Operation part 16 External device C Control means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An instant hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water storage tank having a heating means and a control means for controlling the heating means, near a hot water supply terminal of a hot water supply pipe connecting a hot water supply device and a hot water supply terminal. The means controls the heating means so that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank becomes different depending on the time. 2. The instant hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is capable of changing an operation time and / or temperature of said heating means. 3. The control means controls the heating means so as to raise the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank to an arbitrary temperature based on an external input and to maintain the temperature at the temperature for an arbitrary time. The instant hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The instant hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heating unit based on a signal sent from an external device. 5. The instant hot water supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification device for notifying a state of hot water that can be discharged from the hot water supply terminal.