JP2001221503A - Hot-water supplier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a hot-water supplier by making the temperature setting state of the supplier understandable from an operating sound produced when the hot water supply temperature of the supplier is set at a specific value. SOLUTION: When a temperature control switch (SW) is pressed (S2), the hot water supply temperature T of this hot-water supplier is increased or decreased by one level (S4 and S6) and, when the temperature T is set at >=60 deg.C at which a user may get scalded, the supplier calls the user's attention by producing the operating sound three times (S9). On the other hand, when the user sets the temperature T at a frequently used standard temperature 42 deg.C, the supplier informs the user that the temperature T is set at the standard temperature by producing the operating sound two times (S10). When the temperature T is set at a temperature other that the standard temperature, the supplier informs the user that the supplier accepts hot water supply temperature adjusting operation by producing the operating sound by one time only (S11).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater that discharges water at a set hot water temperature, and more particularly to a water heater that emits a sound in accordance with the operation when the hot water temperature is set.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, a bath kettle with a water heater is provided with a hot water supply circuit for supplying hot water to a kitchen or a shower and for filling a bathtub with hot water.
A bath kettle for forcibly circulating and heating the bath water for reheating is provided, and a hot water supply circuit and a main controller for controlling the bath kettle are provided. A plurality of remote controllers for remotely instructing the user are provided in a bathroom or a kitchen. The hot water supply remote control installed in the kitchen includes a bath automatic switch for filling the bathtub and keeping the temperature warm, a hot water supply switch for turning on a faucet and a shower, and a hot water temperature setting switch for setting the hot water temperature. Each time an operation switch and a hot water temperature setting switch are pressed to set and operate the hot water temperature, a speaker that beeps once and a display unit for displaying information such as hot water temperature are provided. On the other hand, in addition to these switches, the bath remote controller installed in the bathroom is also provided with an "atsume" switch and a "slimy" switch for adjusting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub. Each remote controller remotely controls the main controller from the bathroom or kitchen by pressing such a switch, and displays the hot water supply temperature on the display unit.

[0003]

However, in such an appliance, an operation sound beeps at the time of the hot water supply temperature setting operation, and it can be seen that the hot water supply temperature setting operation has been accepted without looking at the display unit. Since the temperature is the same regardless of the set temperature, the current set temperature could not be grasped from the operation sound. For this reason, when confirming the set temperature, it is necessary to always look at the display unit. For example, when washing hair, it is difficult to see the display unit and set the hot water supply temperature to a desired temperature (a standard hot water supply temperature that is frequently used). (42 ° C., etc.) and it was difficult to use. Furthermore, when increasing the set temperature, there is a danger of not being aware that the setting operation is being performed at a high temperature (for example, 60 ° C. or higher) and causing a burn. Also,
It was similarly inconvenient for the blind. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems and improve the usability by making it possible to recognize the temperature setting status from an operation sound emitted when a hot water supply temperature is set to a specific temperature.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water heater, comprising: a temperature setting unit for setting a hot water temperature; a display unit for displaying the set hot water temperature; A hot water supply device comprising: a hot water supply control means for controlling hot water supply at the set hot water supply temperature; and a sound generating means for generating a sound in accordance with the operation for setting the hot water supply temperature when the operation is performed. The means emits an operation sound different from the time when the hot water supply temperature is set to another temperature when the hot water supply temperature is set to a predetermined specific temperature, thereby changing the specific temperature to another temperature. The gist is to notify the user separately.

[0005] A water heater according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
In the water heater according to claim 1, the specific temperature is:
The point is that the temperature is set to a high temperature that may cause burns.

[0006] The water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that:
In the water heater according to claim 1, the specific temperature is:
The point is that the temperature is set to the standard temperature that is frequently used.

[0007] Further, the water heater according to claim 4 of the present invention,
The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is preset to a high temperature that may cause a burn and a standard temperature that is frequently used, and an operation sound when the hot water temperature is set to the high temperature, An operation sound when the standard temperature is set and operated;
The gist is that the operation sound when the setting operation is performed at another temperature is different from each other.

[0008] According to the water heater of the first aspect of the present invention having the above configuration, the hot water temperature is set by the temperature setting means, and the set hot water temperature is displayed on the display unit. The sounding means emits an operation sound at the time of setting operation of the hot water supply temperature, and emits an operation sound different from that at the time of setting operation at another temperature only when the setting operation is performed at the specific temperature, so that the set temperature is reduced. Notify the user of the specific temperature.

Further, according to the water heater of the second aspect of the present invention, when the hot water supply temperature is set to a high temperature at which there is a risk of burns, the operation sound is different from that at the time of setting operation to another temperature. Sounds to alert the user to burns.

Further, according to the water heater of the third aspect of the present invention, when the standard temperature which is frequently used is set and operated,
The user is notified that the hot water supply temperature has been set to the standard temperature by sounding an operation sound different from that at the time of setting operation to another temperature.

According to the water heater of the fourth aspect of the present invention, an operation sound when the hot water supply temperature is set to a high temperature at which there is a risk of burns, and an operation sound when the standard temperature is set and operated. And the operating sound when the setting operation is performed at other temperatures, respectively, so that the user only hears each operating sound, and whether the set temperature is a high temperature that may cause a burn,
Or, it can be grasped whether the temperature is the standard temperature or other temperature.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, a preferred embodiment of a water heater of the present invention will be described below.

A water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a remote control system of the bath kettle 60 with a water heater. Bath kettle 60 with water heater
Is a hot water supply circuit 62 for supplying hot water to a hot water tap or a shower and filling the bathtub 64, a reheating circuit 63 for forcibly circulating and heating water in the bathtub 64 and reheating, a hot water supply circuit 62 and a A main controller 61 that controls the firing circuit 63 by a microcomputer (not shown) is provided.

In order to remotely control the bath kettle 60 with a water heater, a bathroom remote controller 1a is provided in the bathroom, and a water heater remote controller 1b is provided in the kitchen. Each remote control 1 has a two-wire cable 2
Connected to the main controller 61 to supply power from the main controller 61 and perform data communication related to hot water supply control, remote control display, buzzer sound, and the like.

Next, the functional units of each remote controller 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawing, the same remote controller 1a, 1b having the same function is denoted by the same reference numeral, the bathroom side is denoted by reference numeral a, and the kitchen side is denoted by reference numeral b. Above, when referring to these, the symbols a and b are abbreviated and only numbers are used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bath remote controller 1a installed in the bathroom is provided with an automatic bath switch 41a for filling the bathtub 64 and keeping the temperature on the upper surface of the case 21a.
Hot water supply switch 4 for turning on faucets, showers, etc.
2a, "Atsume" switch 4 for increasing the bath temperature
3. A display unit 44a for displaying the temperature of the hot tub and the temperature of the hot water, a buzzer sound or a melody of the hot water remote control 1b, a call switch 9a for calling a person near the hot water remote 1b, a ringing sound and an operation sound of each switch. Speaker 14
a are provided respectively, and the temperature control SW (up switch 46) of the hot water supply temperature is provided in the depression 32a of the case 21a.
a, down switch 45a), hot water up / down switches 48, 47 for increasing / decreasing the hot water temperature and hot water volume, hot water volume switch 49 for setting hot water volume, adding hot water switch 50 for adding a predetermined amount of hot water to the hot tub 64, A "slim" switch 51 for adding a fixed amount of water is provided. This temperature control SW is formed so as to rise from the surroundings.

The case cover 33a of the bath remote controller 1a usually covers the depression 32a to hide switches that are not frequently used, thereby improving usability and preventing accidental pressing. Each of the switches 9a, 41a,
Lamps are provided at 42a, 43, 50, and 51, and indicate that they are operating by lighting. When setting the amount of hot water, press the hot water switch 49 to switch the hot water up / down switch 4.
Pressing 8, 47 can increase or decrease the set hot water volume, and when setting the bath water temperature, press the hot water volume up / down switches 48, 47 without pressing the hot water volume switch 49.

On the other hand, a hot water supply remote control 1b installed in the kitchen
As shown in FIG. 4, a bath automatic switch 41b, a hot water supply switch 42b, and a display unit 4 are provided on the upper surface of the case 21b.
4b, a speaker 14b, a call switch 9b for sounding the bath remote controller 1a, a temperature control SW (up / down switches 46b, 45b) for the hot water supply temperature, and a time for setting the time in the depression 32b of the case 21b. Hour switch 52, minute switch 53, time setting switch 54 for adjusting the clock of the remote controller, reservation time switch 55 for setting a reservation time for filling the bathtub 64, reservation switch 56 for reservation, reservation lamp for indicating that the reservation has been made. 57 are provided.

Each remote controller 1 has, as shown in Table 1,
Hot water temperature can be set to 14 levels from 38 ° C to 65 ° C. Note that the value of the level n increases as the set temperature T increases, and corresponds to each set temperature T.

[0020]

[Table 1]

Next, the temperature setting control process performed by the main controller 61 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the hot water supply switch 42 of the remote controller 1 is turned on, a hot water supply control described later is started, and at the same time, a temperature setting control routine is started, and the currently set temperature T is displayed on the display unit 44 (S1). Key SW (Up / Down switch 4
6, 45) is determined (S2). still,
The hot water supply control is a standby state in a hot water supply possible state while constantly detecting whether or not the faucet is opened by a water flow switch (not shown), and when the water flow switch is detected to be ON, burns the burner and reduces the gas amount by the proportional control valve. That is, it is controlled so that the hot water is discharged at the set temperature T.

When the down switch 45 is pressed,
The set temperature T is lowered by one level (S4), while if the up switch 46 is pressed, the set temperature T is raised by one level (S6). In this case, when an operation that further exceeds the set temperature range is performed from the situation where the set temperature T is set to the lowest temperature of 38 ° C. or the highest temperature of 65 ° C., the set temperature T is maintained as it is (S3, S5). Returning to step 1, the set temperature T is displayed.

If the set temperature T thus changed by the switch operation is a high temperature (60 ° C. or more) at which there is a risk of burn (S7), the operation sound is emitted three times (beep) continuously (S9), and the standard operating temperature is used. If the temperature is 42 ° C. (S8), the operation sound is sounded twice (beep) continuously (S10). If the temperature is other than this (38 ° C. to 41 ° C., 43 ° C. to 55 ° C.), the operation sound is emitted (S8). Sound only once (beep) (S1
1). Then, the process returns to step 1 to display the changed set temperature T, and thereafter the same processing is repeated.

According to the bath kettle 60 with hot water supply described above,
Since the temperature control SW is formed so as to rise from the surroundings, the hot water supply temperature can be adjusted without looking at the temperature control SW. Further, since an operation sound is generated every time the hot water supply temperature is set, the display section 44 is operated.
It is easy to use because it is understood that the hot water supply temperature setting operation has been accepted without looking at the screen. Moreover, there is a risk of burns at 60 ° C.
When the setting operation is performed at the high temperature as described above, it is safe to sound three times in a row to draw the user's attention. For example, even if the user intends to press the down switch 45 and erroneously presses the up switch 46 to set the hot water supply temperature to a high temperature side,
The operation sound alerts the user to a wrong push, thereby preventing burns.

Further, a standard temperature 4 frequently used by the user.
When the setting operation is performed at 2 ° C., the beep is sounded twice in succession to notify the user. As a result, even if the previously set hot water supply temperature is a temperature other than the standard temperature, the hot water supply temperature can be easily set to the standard temperature that is desired by many users. Also, the user's favorite hot water temperature is not the standard temperature of 42 ° C. but, for example, 43 ° C.
In the case of ° C., the sound can be set to 43 ° C. by pressing the up switch 46 once after two consecutive sounds. That is, after the standard temperature is set to 42 ° C. and the operation sound is heard,
By counting the number of times the temperature control SW is operated on the basis of the above, the temperature before and after the temperature control SW can be grasped, and the temperature adjustment can be favorably performed without looking at the display unit 44. Therefore, it is easy for any user to adjust the temperature regardless of the desired hot water temperature.

Thus, when a person who is closing his eyes and washing his hair or a blind person adjusts the hot water supply temperature by groping, he or she can find out from the set operation sound what temperature the currently set temperature is. The temperature can be easily adjusted. Moreover, it is easy to avoid the danger of burns. In addition, even if the user mistakenly adjusts the temperature while viewing the display unit 44, such as during a shower, the user can hear the operation sound and notice a mistake in reading or a mistake in pushing. The temperature can be easily adjusted. In addition, since it is only necessary to increase the types of operation sounds that have been sounding conventionally, there is no need to provide a special device such as a voice guide circuit for notifying the set temperature every time the temperature is set, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the remote control can be used. Does not increase in size. Also, unlike the voice guide, only when a specific temperature to be informed is set, the operation sound is different from the normal temperature setting operation, so that the operation sound of the specific temperature is prominent and the notification effect is increased. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. is there. When notifying the specific hot water supply temperature, instead of distinguishing the hot water supply temperature by the number of times of sounding in one operation, the hot water supply temperature may be distinguished by a pitch, a tone, a sound length, or a combination thereof. Further, the sound may be generated with an operation sound different from that at the time of operation at only the standard temperature or only at the high temperature, or at another normal temperature.

[0028]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
According to the water heater described, only when the hot water temperature is set to the specific temperature, the operation sound is performed with a different operation sound than when the temperature is set to another temperature, so that the set temperature displayed on the display unit is not seen. However, the user can be notified that the set temperature is the specific temperature, the hot water supply temperature can be easily adjusted without looking at the display unit, and the usability is improved. In addition, it is easy to grasp the current set temperature based on the number of times the specific temperature has been set and operated, and desired temperature adjustment can be easily performed. Moreover, there is no need to provide a special device such as a voice synthesizing circuit for reading out the set temperature every time the hot water supply temperature is set, and the simple configuration reduces the manufacturing cost and does not increase the size of the remote controller.

Further, according to the water heater according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the hot water temperature which is likely to be burned is set, an operation sound different from that when the other hot water temperature is set is used. This helps prevent burns and increases safety.

Further, according to the water heater according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the set temperature is set to the standard temperature, the user hears an operation sound different from that when the set temperature is set to another temperature. Regardless of the hot water supply temperature set last time, it is possible to easily set the standard temperature, which is the temperature desired by many users. Also,
By counting the number of operations of the temperature adjusting means based on the standard temperature after the operation sound of the standard temperature sounds, the temperature before and after the operation can be grasped, and the temperature can be adjusted well without looking at the display unit. For this reason, even if the hot water supply temperature is set between users having different hot water preferences, the temperature can be easily adjusted.

Further, according to the water heater of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user can only hear the operation sound, and the set temperature is a high temperature that may cause a burn, or the standard temperature. Or other temperature. As a result, not only is it possible to know the set temperature and it is easy to adjust the temperature, but also it is possible to prevent burns and enhance safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature setting control process.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a bath kettle with a water heater.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the bath remote controller as viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the hot water supply remote controller viewed from above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a ... bath remote controller, 1b ... bath remote controller, 42 ... hot water supply switch, 14 ... speaker, 44 ... display unit, 45 ... down switch, 46 ... up switch, 60 ... bath pot with water heater, 61 ... main controller.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water heater comprising a temperature setting means for setting a hot water supply temperature, a display for displaying the set hot water supply temperature, and a hot water supply control means for controlling hot water supply at the set hot water supply temperature. In the above, when the operation of setting the hot water supply temperature is performed, sounding means that emits a sound in accordance with the operation is provided, the sounding means, when the hot water supply temperature is set to a predetermined specific temperature, other, A water heater that emits an operation sound different from the time when the hot water temperature is set and operated at the predetermined temperature, thereby notifying the specific temperature from the other temperatures. 2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is set to a high temperature that may cause a burn. 3. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is set to a standard temperature that is frequently used. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is predetermined as a high temperature that may cause a burn and a standard temperature that is frequently used, and an operation sound when the hot water supply temperature is set to the high temperature and the standard temperature are set. 2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the operation sound at the time of operation and the operation sound at the time of setting operation at another temperature are different from each other.