JP2001289505A - Hot-water heater and hot-water supplier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot-water supplier which is reduced in running cost by making the heating time until the hot water in a bathtub 25 is heated to a prescribed temperature shorter even when the efficiency of heat collecting operation is low. SOLUTION: The hot-water supplier 11 is provided with a refrigerant circulating circuit 41 which circulates a refrigerant and a bathtub water circulating circuit 37 which circulates the hot water in the bathtub 25. The circuit 41 is provided with a heat collection operating circuit 48 constituted by successively connecting a compressor 42, a heat exchanger 39, and a heat collector 44 to each other and a refrigerant heating operating circuit 50 constituted by successively connecting the compressor 42, heat exchanger 39, and a heater 45 to each other. The bathtub hot water circulating circuit 37 is constituted by successively connecting the circulating port 36 of the bathtub 25, a circulating pump 38, and the heat exchanger 39 to each other and circulates the hot water. The supplier 11 discriminates the efficiency of heat collecting operation in accordance with the outside air temperature and the temperature of the hot water and, when the efficiency is high, switches the operation circuit to the circuit 48. When the efficiency is low, the supplier 11 switches the operation circuit to the circuit 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater for raising the temperature of hot water in a bathtub, and to raise the temperature of hot water in a hot water storage tank by exchanging heat between the refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit and the hot water in the hot water storage tank. The present invention relates to a water heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
As described in the publication, a refrigerant circulation circuit (heat pump circuit) in which a compressor, a heat exchanger, and a heat collector are sequentially connected to circulate a refrigerant, and a hot water storage tank, a circulation pump, and a heat exchanger are sequentially arranged. A hot-water storage circuit that is connected and circulates the hot-water, so that the temperature of the hot-water in the hot-water storage tank is raised by heat exchange between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit in the heat exchanger and the hot-water in the hot water storage tank. There is a heat pump type hot water supply device.

[0003] In the heat collecting operation by the heat pump system, the water in the hot water storage tank is circulated between the heat exchanger and the heat exchanger by driving the circulation pump, and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit is heat exchanged by driving the compressor. Circulating between the heat collector and the heat exchanger, the refrigerant is sent to the heat exchanger and liquefied, and the liquefied refrigerant is vaporized in the heat collector and then sent to the heat exchanger again to repeat the heat exchange. Heat exchange between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit and the hot water in the hot water storage tank is performed through the heat exchanger, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is raised.

In the hot water supply apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-72269, a circulation port installed in a bathtub, a circulation pump for the bathtub, and a heat exchanger are sequentially connected in addition to a hot water circulation circuit. A bath water circulation circuit for circulating water in the bath is provided, and the temperature of the water in the bath is raised by heat exchange between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit and the water in the bath in the heat exchanger.

[0005]

By the way, in the heat pump type hot water supply apparatus, the higher the outside air temperature and the lower the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank, the higher the heat collection operation efficiency (heat collection heat amount / use heat amount = COP). Although there is a tendency, the outside air temperature drops below the freezing point, for example, or the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank becomes 50
When the temperature rises above ℃, the heat collecting operation efficiency tends to decrease.

Therefore, in the conventional heat pump type hot water supply apparatus, in order to boil the hot water in the bathtub or the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a predetermined temperature, the outside air temperature decreases, the hot water temperature in the bathtub or the hot water storage tank increases. The heat collecting operation must be performed even in a situation where the temperature of the hot water rises and the heat collecting operation efficiency is reduced, so that it takes a long time to heat up to a predetermined temperature and the running cost increases.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is possible to shorten the boiling time for boiling water in a bath tub to a predetermined temperature and reduce running costs even in a situation where the heat collecting operation efficiency is low. An object of the present invention is to provide a boiling device and a hot water supply device capable of shortening a boiling time for boiling hot water in a bathtub or hot water in a hot water storage tank to a predetermined temperature even under low heat collecting operation efficiency and reducing running costs. And

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water heater having a compressor, a heat exchanger, a heat collector, and a heater, and the compressor, the heat exchanger, and the heat collector are sequentially connected. And a switching means for switching between a heat collection operation circuit configured and a refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a heat exchanger, and a heater. It has a refrigerant circulation circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant heating operation circuit, a circulation port and a circulation pump installed in the bathtub, and these circulation ports, the circulation pump and the heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and hot water in the bathtub is And a circulating bath water circulation circuit.

[0009] A compressor, a heat exchanger and a heat collector are sequentially connected to a refrigerant circuit for exchanging heat with the bathtub hot and cold water circuit. And a refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting a heater and a heater, and the heat collection operation circuit and the refrigerant heating operation circuit are configured to be switched by the switching unit. If the efficiency is high, the heat collection operation is performed by the heat collection operation circuit.If the efficiency of the heat collection operation is low, the heating operation is performed by the refrigerant heating operation circuit. The boiling time for boiling the hot water inside to a predetermined temperature is shortened and the running cost is reduced.

[0010] The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2 is a compressor,
A first heat collecting operation comprising a heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a heat collector and a heater, and the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the heat collector being sequentially connected. A circuit, a second heat collecting operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the second heat exchanger and the heat collector, and a compressor, the first heat exchanger and the heater sequentially connected to each other. First composed
And a second refrigerant heating operation circuit configured to sequentially connect a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and a heater. An operation circuit and a refrigerant circulation circuit in which refrigerant is circulated through each refrigerant heating operation circuit, a hot water storage tank and a first circulation pump, and the hot water storage tank, the first circulation pump and the first heat exchanger are sequentially arranged. A hot water circulation circuit for connecting and circulating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, a circulation port and a second circulation pump installed in the bathtub, the circulation port, the second circulation pump, and the second heat pump; A bathtub hot water circulation circuit in which exchangers are sequentially connected to circulate hot water in the bathtub.

[0011] A first circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger and a heat collector to the refrigerant circuit is provided.
A second heat collecting operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the second heat exchanger and the heat collector,
A first refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the heater, and a first refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the second heat exchanger and the heater. 2
And a refrigerant heating operation circuit. The operation circuit is configured to be switched by a switching means, and heat is exchanged with the hot and cold water circulation circuit via the first heat exchanger.
By exchanging heat with the bathtub hot water circulation circuit through the heat exchanger, for example, when the heat collection operation efficiency is high, the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuit is performed, and the heat collection operation efficiency is low. In this case, by performing the heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit, even when the heat collection operation efficiency is low, the boiling time for boiling the hot water in the bathtub or the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a predetermined temperature is shortened and the running cost is reduced. Is reduced.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a compressor,
, A second heat exchanger, a heat collector, and a heater, and the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat collector are sequentially connected. Switching means for switching between a common heat collecting operation circuit and a common refrigerant heating operation circuit in which a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a heater are sequentially connected. A refrigerant circulation circuit in which refrigerant is circulated through the common heat collecting operation circuit and the common refrigerant heating operation circuit; a hot water storage tank and a first circulation pump; and the hot water storage tank, the first circulation pump and the first circulation pump. Hot water circulation circuit in which the heat exchangers are sequentially connected to circulate the hot water in the hot water storage tank;
A bathtub circulation system in which a circulation port and a second circulation pump installed in the bathtub are connected, and the circulation port, the second circulation pump, and the second heat exchanger are sequentially connected to circulate the water in the bathtub. And a circuit.

The compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat collector are sequentially connected to the refrigerant circuit. And a common refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the heater, and switching between the common heat collection operation circuit and the common refrigerant heating operation circuit by switching means. By exchanging heat with the hot water circulation circuit via the first heat exchanger and heat exchange with the bath water circulation circuit via the second heat exchanger,
For example, when the heat collection operation efficiency is high, the heat collection operation is performed by the heat collection operation circuit, and when the heat collection operation efficiency is low, the heat collection operation is performed by the refrigerant heating operation circuit. Even in a low condition, the boiling time for boiling the hot water in the bathtub or the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a predetermined temperature is shortened, and the running cost is reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the heat collector has an evaporator and a solar heat collector connected in parallel to the heat exchanger. Is what it is.

[0015] By using a solar heat collector as the heat collector, the running cost is reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the heat collection operation efficiency determining means determines whether the heat collection operation efficiency of the heat collection operation circuit is higher or lower than a predetermined condition. When the heat collection operation efficiency determining means determines that the heat collection operation efficiency is higher than the predetermined condition, the heat collection operation is performed by the heat collection operation circuit, and when the heat collection operation efficiency is determined to be lower than the predetermined condition, the refrigerant heating operation is performed. And control means for executing a refrigerant heating operation by a circuit.

Then, the heat collecting operation efficiency judging means judges whether the heat collecting operation efficiency by the heat collecting operation circuit is higher or lower than a predetermined condition, and the control means judges that the heat collecting operation efficiency is higher than the predetermined condition. In this case, it is possible to automatically execute the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuit, and to automatically execute the refrigerant heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit when it is determined that the temperature is lower than the predetermined condition.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the hot water supply apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising an outside air temperature detecting means for detecting an outside air temperature, and a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of boiling hot water. The operating efficiency determining means determines both the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means as predetermined conditions.

Then, the heat collecting operation efficiency determining means determines both the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means as predetermined conditions.
It is possible to accurately determine the state of the heat collecting operation efficiency.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hot water supply apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the heat collection operation efficiency determining means has a determination reference line set based on a relationship between a change in outside air temperature and a change in hot water temperature. Then, if the outside air temperature is higher and the hot water temperature is lower than this determination reference line, it is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is high,
If the outside air temperature is lower and the hot water temperature is higher than the determination reference line, it is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is low.

The heat collecting operation efficiency judging means increases the heat collecting operation efficiency when the outside air temperature is higher and the hot water temperature is lower than a judgment reference line set based on the relationship between the outside air temperature change and the hot water temperature change. It is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is low when the outside air temperature is lower and the hot water temperature is higher than the determination reference line, thereby accurately determining the heat collection operation efficiency according to the outside air temperature change and the hot water temperature change. It becomes possible.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water heater and a water heater of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a water heater 11 having the function of a water heater includes a heat storage tank unit 12 and a heat pump unit 13.

The heat storage tank unit 12 is provided with a hot water storage tank 21, which employs a first-stop push-up type hot water supply system, in which water is supplied to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank 21 through a pressure reducing valve 22. A pipe 23 is connected, and a hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to the upper part. For the hot water supply pipe 24, for example,
It is installed in a bathroom or the like and is connected to a hot water supply tap such as a hot water supply tap 26 for mixing hot water and water and supplying hot water to the bathtub 25. A mixing valve 27 that mixes water and hot water and supplies hot water at a set temperature is connected between the water supply pipe 23 and the hot water supply pipe 24. The mixing valve 27 is supplied with hot and cold water adjusted by the mixing valve 27 in the bathtub 25. Is connected to a bathtub supply pipe 28 for supplying water to the bathtub. The bathtub supply pipe 28 has an electromagnetic valve 29 for opening and closing the pipe, a negative pressure operating valve 30 for introducing the atmosphere into the pipe when the pressure of the water supply source drops, a flow sensor 31 for detecting the flow rate, and opening and closing the pipe. Are connected in order.

The hot water tank 21 is connected to a hot water circulation circuit 33 which exits from a lower position of the hot water tank 21 and returns to an intermediate height position of the hot water tank 21. This hot water circulation circuit 33
A first circulation pump 34 for forcibly drawing and circulating the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 into the hot water hot water circulation circuit 33, and a first circulation pump having a hot water passage through which hot water passes and a refrigerant passage through which refrigerant passes. A heat exchanger 35 is provided.

The bathtub 25 has a circulation port 36 installed in the bathtub 25.
Bath water circulation circuit in which the water in bath 25 is circulated through
37 is connected. The bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37 includes a second circulation pump 38 for forcibly drawing and circulating the hot water in the bathtub 25 into the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37, a hot water passage through which the hot water passes, and a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant passes. Is provided.

The heat pump unit 13 has a refrigerant circulation circuit 41 filled with a refrigerant.
Then, the compressor 42, the first heat exchanger functioning as a condenser
35, a second heat exchanger 39, an expansion valve 43, an evaporator 44 as a heat collector, a heater (refrigerant heater) 45, and a four-way valve 46. Then, a first heat collecting operation circuit 47 configured by sequentially connecting the compressor 42, the first heat exchanger 35, the expansion valve 43, the evaporator 44, and the four-way valve 46, and the compressor 42, the second A second heat collection operation circuit 48 configured by sequentially connecting the heat exchanger 39, the expansion valve 43, the evaporator 44, and the four-way valve 46;
A first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 configured by sequentially connecting a first heat exchanger 35, a heater 45, and a four-way valve 46;
A second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 is formed by sequentially connecting the second heat exchanger 39, the heater 45, and the four-way valve 46.

Each heat exchanger 35, 39 of each heat collecting operation circuit 47, 48
Solenoid valves 51 and 52 as switching means are disposed between the heater 45 and the heat exchangers 35 and 39 of the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50, respectively. , Each heat collection operation circuit 4
Open the solenoid valves 51 on the 7 and 48 sides and set the refrigerant heating operation circuit 4
By closing the solenoid valves 52 on the sides 9 and 50, each heat collecting operation circuit 47 and 4
8 is opened, the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are closed, and the solenoid valves 51 of the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 are closed, and the solenoid valves 52 of the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are opened. The heat collecting operation circuits 47 and 48 are closed and the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are opened.

Electromagnetic valves 53 and 54 as switching means are provided between the compressor 42 and the first heat exchanger 35 and between the compressor 42 and the second heat exchanger 39. And the first heat exchanger
By opening the solenoid valve 53 on the side of the 35 and closing the solenoid valve 54 on the side of the second heat exchanger 39, the first heat collecting operation circuit 47 or the first
The refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 is opened and the second heat collection operation circuit 48 or the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 is closed,
By closing the solenoid valve 53 on the first heat exchanger 35 side and opening the solenoid valve 54 on the second heat exchanger 39 side, the first heat collection operation circuit 47 or the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 is closed. Then, the second heat collecting operation circuit 48 or the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 is opened.

The compressor 42 includes, for example, a motor that can be controlled by an inverter.

The evaporator 44 includes a blower fan 55 for sending outside air to the evaporator 44 and a blower motor for rotating the blower fan 55.
Has 56.

The heater 45 has a burner 57 for burning fuel such as kerosene. The burner 57 heats the refrigerant in each of the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50. A fuel tank 58 that supplies fuel to the burner 57 is installed outside the heat pump unit 13.

A hot water temperature detecting sensor 61 as a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is provided on the outer wall of the body of the hot water storage tank 21. A hot water temperature detection sensor 62 is provided as hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the inside. The evaporator 44 is provided with an outside air temperature detection sensor 63 as outside air temperature detection means for detecting the outside air temperature.

The heat storage tank unit 12 and the heat pump unit 13 have control units 71 and 72, respectively. The control units 71 and 72 communicate with each other to control the operation of the hot water supply device 11.

The control unit 71 of the heat storage tank unit 12 receives signals from an operation unit (not shown) provided in the heat storage tank unit 12 and a remote controller 73 installed indoors, a flow rate sensor 31, and a hot water temperature detection sensor 61, 62. A signal and a signal from the control unit 72 of the heat pump unit 13 are input, and a command is output to the control unit 72 of the heat pump unit 13 so that the mixing valve 27, the solenoid valves 29, 32, 53, 54, and the circulation pumps 35, 39 Control and so on.

The control unit 72 of the heat pump unit 13 receives the signal from the outside air temperature sensor 63 and the signal from the control unit 71 of the heat storage tank unit 12 and
Outputs signal to 71, compressor 42, heater 45, solenoid valve
51, 52, the blower motor 56, etc. are controlled.

The control unit 71 (or the control unit 72)
Heat collection operation efficiency by each heat collection operation circuit 47, 48 (heat collection heat /
(The amount of used heat = COP) has a function of a heat collecting operation efficiency judging means for judging whether it is higher or lower than a predetermined condition. When the heat collecting operation efficiency judging means judges that the heat collecting operation efficiency is higher than the predetermined condition, The function of the control means for executing the heat collection operation (heat pump operation) by each heat collection operation circuit 47, 48 and executing the refrigerant heating operation by each refrigerant heating operation circuit 49, 50 when it is determined that the temperature is lower than the predetermined condition is determined. Have.

The function of the heat collection operation efficiency determining means is as follows: the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 63 and the hot water temperature detection sensor.
Both the hot water temperature detected in 61 and 62 are determined as predetermined conditions. Table 1 shows an example of predetermined conditions for determining an operation mode according to the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature.

[0039]

[Table 1] Next, the operation of hot water supply apparatus 11 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the boiling of hot water in hot water storage tank 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG.

On the side of the hot water storage water circulation circuit 33, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is circulated between the hot water storage tank 21 and the first heat exchanger 35 by driving the first circulation pump 34.

On the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 side, as shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic valves 51 on the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 are opened, and the electromagnetic valves 52 on the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are closed. The solenoid valve 53 of the first heat collection operation circuit 47 is opened and the solenoid valve 54 of the second heat collection operation circuit 48 is closed,
As a result, the first heat collection operation circuit 47 is opened, and the second heat collection operation circuit 48 and each of the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are opened.
Is closed. In the heat collection operation by the first heat collection operation circuit 47, the refrigerant in the vaporized state is sent to the first heat exchanger 35 by the drive of the compressor 42, and the heat of the refrigerant is transmitted to the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 side. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 43 and the evaporator 44 to collect atmospheric heat and is vaporized, and the vaporized refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 and sent to the first heat exchanger 35 again. Cycle is repeated.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The solenoid valve 51 on the refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 and 50 side is opened while the solenoid valve 51 on the side of 7 and 48 is closed, and the electromagnetic valve 53 on the side of the first heat collection operation circuit 47 is opened and the second valve is opened. The solenoid valve 54 on the heat collection operation circuit 48 side is closed, thereby the first
The refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 is opened, and the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 and the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 are closed. In the refrigerant heating operation by the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49, the burner 57 of the heater 45 is burned, and the refrigerant in the vaporized state is sent to the first heat exchanger 35 by the driving of the compressor 42, and the heat of the refrigerant is reduced. It is transmitted to hot water on the hot water storage tank 21 side and liquefied,
The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the heater 45 and is heated and vaporized by the burner 57. The cycle in which the vaporized refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 and sent to the first heat exchanger 35 again is repeated.

The first heat collection operation circuit 47 or the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 detects both the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 63 and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 61. By switching to the above condition (Table 1), it is automatically switched to the more efficient one.

Then, the hot and cold water in the hot and cold water circulation circuit 33 and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 (the first heat collection operation circuit 47 or the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49) are connected via the first heat exchanger 35. After the heat exchange, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is heated and boiled.

Next, the switching operation between the heat collecting operation and the refrigerant heating operation according to predetermined conditions (Table 1) by the control unit 71 (or the control unit 72) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

At a predetermined boiling start time (step 1), the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 63 and the hot water storage tank detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 61
Check the hot water inside 21.

For example, when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than 21 ° C. (step 2), when the hot water temperature is lower than 40 ° C. (step 3), it is determined that the heat collecting operation efficiency is high, and the heat collecting operation is executed (step 3). Step 4). If the hot water temperature is equal to or higher than 40 ° C., it is determined that the heat collecting operation efficiency is low, and the refrigerant heating operation is performed (step 5).

When the outside air temperature is 7 ° C. or more and less than 21 ° C. (step 6), if the hot water temperature is less than 35 ° C. (step 7), it is determined that the heat collecting operation efficiency is high, and the heat collecting operation is executed. (Step 8). If the hot water temperature is 35 ° C. or higher, it is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is low, and the refrigerant heating operation is executed (step 9).

If the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or more and less than 7 ° C. (step 10), if the hot water temperature is less than 30 ° C. (step 11),
It is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is high, and the heat collection operation is executed (step 12). If the hot water temperature is 30 ° C. or higher, it is determined that the heat collecting operation efficiency is low, and the refrigerant heating operation is performed (step 13).

When the outside air temperature is lower than 0 ° C., it is determined that the heat collecting operation efficiency is low, and the refrigerant heating operation is executed.

Until the heating is completed (step 14), the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature are constantly monitored, and the heat collecting operation is performed according to the change in the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature, that is, the conversion of the heat collecting operation efficiency. The operation and the refrigerant heating operation are switched. When the heating is completed, the operation is stopped (step 15).

Next, filling the bathtub 25 with water and keeping the temperature warm will be described with reference to FIG.

When filling the bathtub 25, automatic filling is set by the remote controller 73, and when the preset automatic filling time is reached, the solenoid valves 29 and 32 are opened, and the mixing valve 27 opens the hot water storage tank 21. Hot water adjusted to a set temperature of, for example, 42 ° C. by mixing hot water from the hot water and water from the water supply pipe 23 is supplied into the bathtub 25 from the circulation port 36 through the bathtub supply pipe 28 and the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37. . The amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub 25 is detected by the flow rate sensor 31, and when a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied, the electromagnetic valves 29 and 32 are closed, and the filling is completed.

After filling the bathtub 25, the temperature of the hot water is checked, for example, at predetermined time intervals, and the warming operation is executed. That is, by driving the second circulation pump 38, the hot water in the bathtub 25 is drawn into the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37 and
Is circulated to the circulation port 36 through the heat exchanger 39, and the hot water temperature sensor 62 detects the hot water temperature. When the hot water temperature is lower than the set temperature, the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 is operated and the heat retention is started while the circulation of the hot water in the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37 is continued.

In the refrigerant circulation circuit 41, the heat collecting operation circuits 47 and 48
Side solenoid valve 51 is closed and the refrigerant heating operation circuit 4
The solenoid valve 52 on the side of the ninth and fifty is opened, the solenoid valve 53 on the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 is closed, and the solenoid valve 54 on the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 is opened. ,
The second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 is opened, and the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 and the first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 are closed. In the refrigerant heating operation by the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50, the burner 57 of the heater 45 is burned, and the refrigerant in the vaporized state is sent to the second heat exchanger 39 by the operation of the compressor 42, so that the heat of the refrigerant is reduced. It is transmitted to hot water on the hot water storage tank 21 side and liquefied,
The cycle in which the liquefied refrigerant is sent to the heater 45 and heated and vaporized by the burner 57, and the vaporized refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 and sent again to the second heat exchanger 39 is repeated.

Then, heat exchange between the hot water of the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37 and the refrigerant of the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 (second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50) is performed via the second heat exchanger 39, and Hot water is heated and boiled. If the hot water temperature sensor 62 detects that the hot water has been heated to the set temperature, the warming operation is stopped.

In addition, when filling the bathtub 25 with hot water,
It is also possible to set the water to 25 and then boil it to a predetermined temperature. By specifying the bath boiling with the remote controller 73, the solenoid valves 29 and 32 are opened, and only water from the water supply pipe 23 is mixed with the mixing valve 27, and the bathtub is circulated from the circulation port 36 through the bathtub supply pipe 28 and the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37. Water is supplied within 25. The amount of water supplied to the bathtub 25 is detected by the flow sensor 31,
When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the solenoid valves 29 and 32 are closed, and the water filling is completed.

Thereafter, by driving the second circulation pump 38, the water in the bathtub 25 is circulated in the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37,
As described above, the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 (the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50) is operated to start bath heating. If the hot water temperature sensor 62 detects that the hot water has been heated to the set temperature, the heating operation is stopped. Further, the above-described warming operation is performed.

In addition, the heat retention of the hot water filled in the bathtub 25,
Alternatively, when heating the overfilled water, it is also possible to perform the heat collection operation. That is, the solenoid valves 51 of the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 are opened, the solenoid valves 52 of the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are opened, and the solenoid valve 53 of the first heat collection operation circuit 47 is opened. The solenoid valve 54 on the side of the second heat collection operation circuit 48 is closed and the second heat collection operation circuit 48 is opened.
Is opened, and the first heat collecting operation circuit 47 and the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 are closed. Second heat collecting operation circuit
In the heat collecting operation by the compressor 48, the refrigerant in the vaporized state is sent to the second heat exchanger 39 by the operation of the compressor 42, and the refrigerant heat is transferred to the bathtub 25.
The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the expansion and contraction valve 43 and the evaporator 44 to collect atmospheric heat and is vaporized, and the vaporized refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 to be liquefied. The cycle sent to the heat exchanger 39 again is repeated.

Heat exchange between the hot water of the bathtub hot water circulation circuit 37 and the refrigerant of the second heat collecting operation circuit 48 through the second heat exchanger 39 to keep the hot water filled in the bathtub 25 warm, or Warm water is heated.

The second heat collecting operation circuit 48 or the second refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 includes an outside air temperature detecting sensor 63.
By applying both the outside air temperature detected by (1) and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 61 to the above-mentioned predetermined condition (Table 1), it is automatically switched to the more efficient one.

As described above, the refrigerant circulation circuit 41 has the compressor
42, a first heat collecting operation circuit 47 configured by sequentially connecting the first heat exchanger 35 and the evaporator 44, and a compressor 42, the second heat exchanger 39, and the evaporator 44 are sequentially connected. A second heat collection operation circuit 48 configured by the compressor 42 and the first heat exchanger 35
And a first refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 configured by sequentially connecting the heater 45 and a second refrigerant heating circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor 42, the second heat exchanger 39, and the heater 45. An operation circuit 50 is provided, and each of these operation circuits is provided with a solenoid valve 51, 52,
The first heat exchanger is constructed so that it can be switched between 53 and 54.
The heat exchange with the hot water circulation circuit 33 via 35 and the heat exchange with the bath water circulation circuit 37 via the second heat exchanger 39, the heat collection operation efficiency is high. Performs the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48, and can execute the heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 when the heat collection operation efficiency is low. However, the boiling time for boiling the hot water in the bathtub 25 or the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 to a predetermined temperature can be shortened, and the running cost can be reduced.

Further, the function of the heat collection operation efficiency determining means of the control unit 71 determines whether the heat collection operation efficiency of the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 is higher or lower than a predetermined condition. When the operation efficiency is determined to be higher than the predetermined condition, the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 is automatically performed. When the operation efficiency is determined to be lower than the predetermined condition, the refrigerant heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuits 49 and 50 is automatically performed. The boiling time can be shortened and the running cost can be reduced even in a situation where the heat collecting operation efficiency is low.

In addition, the function of the heat collecting operation efficiency determining means of the control unit 71 is such that both the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 63 and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensors 61 and 62 are determined by a predetermined condition. Therefore, the state of the heat collection operation efficiency can be accurately determined.

In the hot water supply apparatus 11 using the heat pump operation method, the temperature of the hot water that can be heated is lower than that of the case of heating with a heater or the like. Although the capacity needs to be increased, the water filled in the bathtub 25 can be boiled, so that the capacity of the hot water storage tank 21 can be reduced.

When frost adheres to the evaporator 44 during the winter operation, the heat collecting operation circuits 47 and 48 and the refrigerant heating operation circuit 49 and
By opening both 50 and heating the refrigerant with the heater 45, the high-temperature refrigerant can be sent to the evaporator 44 and defrosted.

Next, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the hot water supply apparatus.

In this embodiment, as a heat collector, FIG.
Both the evaporator 44 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and a solar heat collector (solar heat collector) 81 that is installed on a roof or the like and mainly collects solar heat, for example, are used. in this case,
The solar collector 81 is connected in parallel with the heat exchangers 35 and 39, and is also connected in parallel with the expansion valve 43, the evaporator 44, and the compressor 42. An electromagnetic valve 82 as switching means is provided between the compressor 42 and the solar collector 81, and a refrigerant is supplied to the solar collector 81 between the solar collector 81 and the expansion valve 43. A check valve 83 for blocking the flow is provided.

Then, the first heat collecting operation circuit 47 or the second
During the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuit 48, the solenoid valve 82 is simultaneously opened, and the refrigerant in the vaporized state is sent to the first heat exchanger 35 or the second heat exchanger 39 by the operation of the compressor 42. The refrigerant heat is transferred to the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 or the bath 25 to be liquefied, and the liquefied refrigerant is transferred to the solar heat collector 81 and the evaporator 44.
And flows in parallel to A cycle in which the refrigerant flowing to the solar collector 81 is vaporized by heat collection mainly by solar heat and the vaporized refrigerant is sent to the first heat exchanger 35 or the second heat exchanger 39 again is repeated. The refrigerant flowing to the expansion valve 43 and the evaporator 44 collects atmospheric heat and is vaporized, and the vaporized refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 to be either the first heat exchanger 35 or the second heat exchanger. The cycle sent again to 39 is repeated.

When the efficiency of heat collection by the solar heat collector 81 is low, the electromagnetic valve 82 is closed to operate the evaporator 44 as a heat collector.
It is assumed that only the heat collection operation is performed.

By using the solar heat collector 81, the boiling time for boiling the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the hot water in the bathtub 25 to a predetermined temperature can be shortened, and the running cost can be reduced.

Next, still another embodiment of the hot water supply apparatus is shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 35 and the second heat exchanger 39 are connected in series, and the compressor 42, the second heat exchanger 39, and the first heat exchanger 35 are connected. , An expansion valve 43, an evaporator 44, and a four-way valve 46, which are sequentially connected, a common heat collecting operation circuit 91, a compressor 42, a second heat exchanger 39, a first heat exchanger 35, and a heater. 45 and a four-way valve 46 are sequentially connected to form a common refrigerant heating operation circuit 92, and the common heat collection operation circuit 91 and the common refrigerant heating operation circuit 92 are switched by electromagnetic valves 51 and 52 as switching means. Switch.

With such a configuration, when the common heat collecting operation circuit 91 or the common refrigerant heating operation circuit 92 operates, the hot water circulation circuit 33 and the bath water circulation circuit 37 are selectively operated. Hot water and bathtub in hot water storage tank 21
The 25 hot water can be boiled individually, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the hot water in the bathtub 25 can be heated in parallel. Then, the first heat exchanger 35
And the second heat exchanger 39 are connected in series.
The structure can be simplified by omitting 53, 54 and a part of the piping, and the switching control of the solenoid valves 53, 54 is not required, so that the control can be simplified.

The first refrigerant output side from the compressor 42 is
The heat exchanger 35 and the second heat exchanger 39 may be connected in this order.

The heat collection operation efficiency determining means for judging whether the heat collection operation efficiency (heat collection heat amount / use heat amount = COP) by each of the heat collection operation circuits 47 and 48 is higher or lower than a predetermined condition is as follows.
In addition to the predetermined conditions set in stages to determine the operation mode according to the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature shown in Table 1 described above,
The heat collecting operation is performed when the outside air temperature is 2 ° C. or higher, and the refrigerant heating operation is performed when the hot water temperature rises. As shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the operation mode is continuously set to determine the operation mode according to the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature. Heat collection operation, heat collection operation efficiency (heat collection amount / heat use amount) COP = 4> hot water temperature−water temperature / hot water storage tank capacity / compressor output · 3612 kJ The amount of heat / the amount of heat used) COP = 4 ≦ hot water temperature−water temperature / hot water storage tank capacity / compressor output. The operation mode can be switched according to the predetermined condition of the refrigerant heating operation when 3612 kJ.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the heat collecting operation efficiency determining means has a criterion line A set based on the relationship between the outside air temperature change and the hot water temperature change. When the outside air temperature is high and the hot water temperature is low, it is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is high. When the outside air temperature is low and the hot water temperature is higher than the judgment reference line A, the heat collection operation efficiency is low (the refrigerant overheating operation efficiency is high). ), It is possible to accurately determine the operation efficiency according to the change in the outside air temperature and the change in the hot water temperature. The judgment reference line A is set based on the heat collection operation efficiency (heat collection heat amount / use heat amount) COP.

By changing the predetermined condition arbitrarily, the rate of the refrigerant heating operation can be reduced, so that the amount of carbon dioxide generated from the heater 45 can be reduced and the running cost can be reduced.

Further, when the equipment is moved, the four-way valve 46 is cycled in a reverse cycle, and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 41 can be recovered to the compressor 42 and the evaporator 44 by driving the compressor 42.

The heater 45 may use a burner for burning fuel such as gas in addition to the burner 57 for burning fuel such as kerosene.

[0082]

According to the water heater of the first aspect, the compressor, the heat exchanger, and the heat collector are sequentially connected to the refrigerant circulation circuit that exchanges heat with the bathtub water circulation circuit. And a refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a heat exchanger, and a heater, and switching between the heat collection operation circuit and the refrigerant heating operation circuit by switching means. Since it is configured, for example, when the heat collection operation efficiency is high, the heat collection operation is performed by the heat collection operation circuit,
When the heat collection operation efficiency is low, the heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit can be executed, and even under the condition where the heat collection operation efficiency is low, the boiling time for boiling the water in the bathtub to a predetermined temperature can be reduced and the running can be performed. Cost can be reduced.

According to the hot water supply apparatus of the second aspect, the first heat collecting operation circuit configured by connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, and the heat collector to the refrigerant circulation circuit sequentially; Machine,
A second heat collecting operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the second heat exchanger and the heat collector; and a first heat configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, and the heater. A refrigerant heating operation circuit; and a second refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the heater, and each of the operation circuits is switched by switching means. Since heat is exchanged with the hot water circulation circuit via the first heat exchanger and with the hot water circulation circuit via the second heat exchanger, for example, heat collection operation When the efficiency is high, the heat collecting operation by the heat collecting operation circuit can be executed, and when the heat collecting operation efficiency is low, the heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit can be executed. Boiling the water in the bathtub or hot water tank to a predetermined temperature Time the running cost can be reduced with a can be shortened.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a common heat collector is formed by sequentially connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat collector to the refrigerant circuit. An operation circuit, and a common refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heater. The operation circuit is switched by the switching means to exchange heat with the hot water circulation circuit via the first heat exchanger and to exchange with the bathtub hot water circulation circuit via the second heat exchanger. Since heat is exchanged between, for example, when the heat collection operation efficiency is high, the heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuit is performed, and when the heat collection operation efficiency is low, the heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit is performed. Hot water and hot water in the bathtub even under low heat collection operation efficiency The hot water in the tank the running cost can be reduced with a shorter heating-up time increasing boiling to a predetermined temperature.

According to the hot water supply device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the hot water supply device of the second or third aspect, the running cost can be reduced by using a solar heat collector as a heat collector.

According to the water heater of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the water heater of any of the second to fourth aspects, the heat collecting operation efficiency of the heat collecting operation circuit is determined by the heat collecting operation efficiency judging means under a predetermined condition. By judging whether the operation is higher or lower, the control means determines that the heat collection operation efficiency is higher than a predetermined condition. The refrigerant heating operation by the heating operation circuit can be automatically executed.

According to the hot water supply apparatus of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the hot water supply apparatus of the fifth aspect, the heat collecting operation efficiency determining means includes an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means and a hot water temperature detecting means. And the hot water temperature detected in step (1) is determined as the predetermined condition, so that the heat collecting operation efficiency can be accurately determined.

According to the water heater of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the water heater of the sixth aspect, the heat collecting operation efficiency determining means is set based on the relationship between the outside air temperature change and the hot water temperature change. When the outside air temperature is higher and the hot water temperature is lower than the judgment reference line, it is determined that the heat collection operation efficiency is high. When the outside air temperature is lower and the hot water temperature is higher than the judgment reference line, the heat collection operation efficiency is determined to be low. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the heat collection operation efficiency according to the change in the outside air temperature and the change in the hot water temperature.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the hot water supply apparatus by a first heat collection operation circuit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the water heating apparatus by a first refrigerant heating operation circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a switching operation between a heat collecting operation and a refrigerant heating operation in the water heater according to predetermined conditions.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the hot water supply apparatus by a second refrigerant heating operation circuit.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing predetermined conditions for determining an operation mode according to the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature of the hot water supply apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Hot water supply device 21 Hot water storage tank 25 Bath tub 33 Hot water storage water circulation circuit 34 First circulation pump 35 First heat exchanger 36 Circulation port 37 Bathtub hot water circulation circuit 38 Second circulation pump (circulation pump) 39 Second heat exchange (Heat exchanger) 41 refrigerant circulation circuit 42 compressor 44 evaporator as a heat collector 45 heater 47 first heat collection operation circuit 48 second heat collection operation circuit (heat collection operation circuit) 49 first Refrigerant heating operation circuit 50 Second refrigerant heating operation circuit (refrigerant heating operation circuit) 51, 52, 53, 54 Electromagnetic valves 61, 62 as switching means Hot water temperature detection sensor as hot water temperature detecting means 63 As outside air temperature detecting means Outside air temperature detection sensor 71 Control unit having functions of control means and heat collection operation efficiency judgment means 81 Solar heat collector as heat collector 82 Solenoid valve as switching means 91 Common heat collection operation circuit 92 Common refrigerant heating operation circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hatsune Yajima 180 Furuichi-cho, Maebashi-shi, Gunma Toshiba Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidemitsu Imai 180 Furuichi-cho, Maebashi-shi, Gunma Pref. 72) Inventor Kenshi Irino 180 Furuichi-cho, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture Inside Toshiba Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heat collecting operation circuit comprising a compressor, a heat exchanger, a heat collector and a heater, wherein the compressor, the heat exchanger and the heat collector are sequentially connected, and a compressor; A refrigerant circulation circuit in which a refrigerant is circulated through the heat collection operation circuit and the refrigerant heating operation circuit, the switching device having a switching unit for switching to any one of a refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting a heat exchanger and a heater; A circulating port and a circulating pump installed in the bathtub, and a bathtub hot water circulation circuit in which the circulating port, the circulating pump and the heat exchanger are sequentially connected to circulate the hot water in the bathtub; A water heater characterized by the above. 2. It has a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a heat collector, and a heater, and the compressor, the first heat exchanger, and the heat collector are sequentially connected. A first heat collection operation circuit configured by connecting a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and a heat collector in this order; a compressor; and a first heat collection operation circuit. A first refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting an exchanger and a heater; a second refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a second heat exchanger and a heater; A refrigerant circulation circuit in which refrigerant is circulated through each of the heat collection operation circuit and each of the refrigerant heating operation circuits; a hot water storage tank and a first circulation pump; A first circulation pump and the first heat exchanger are sequentially connected to each other to A hot and cold water circulation circuit for circulating hot and cold water in the bath, a circulation port and a second circulation pump installed in the bathtub, and these circulation ports, the second circulation pump and the second heat exchanger are sequentially arranged. A hot water supply device, comprising: a bathtub hot water circulation circuit that is connected to circulate hot water in the bathtub. 3. A compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a collector and a heater, and the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and A common heat collecting operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the heat collectors, a compressor,
Switching means for switching to one of a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a common refrigerant heating operation circuit configured by sequentially connecting the heaters, the common heat collection operation circuit and the common refrigerant; A refrigerant circulation circuit for circulating refrigerant in a heating operation circuit, a hot water storage tank and a first circulation pump, wherein the hot water storage tank, the first circulation pump and the first heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and A hot water circulation circuit for circulating hot water in the bath, a circulation port and a second circulation pump installed in the bathtub, and these circulation ports, the second circulation pump and the second heat exchanger are sequentially connected. A hot tub circulation circuit for circulating hot and cold water in the bath tub. 4. The water heater according to claim 2, wherein the heat collector has an evaporator and a solar heat collector connected in parallel to the heat exchanger. 5. A heat collecting operation efficiency judging means for judging whether the heat collecting operation efficiency by the heat collecting operation circuit is higher or lower than a predetermined condition, and if the heat collecting operation efficiency is higher than the predetermined condition. Control means for executing a heat collection operation by the heat collection operation circuit when judged, and executing a refrigerant heating operation by the refrigerant heating operation circuit when judged to be lower than a predetermined condition. The hot water supply device according to claim 2. 6. An outside air temperature detecting means for detecting an outside air temperature, and a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of boiling hot water, the heat collecting operation efficiency judging means includes an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means. 6. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein both of the predetermined condition and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means are determined. 7. The heat collecting operation efficiency determining means has a criterion line set based on a relationship between a change in outside air temperature and a change in hot water temperature, wherein the outside air temperature is higher and the hot water temperature is lower than the criterion line. 7. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the heat collection operation efficiency is determined to be high in the case, and the heat collection operation efficiency is determined to be low when the outside air temperature is lower than the determination reference line and the hot water temperature is higher.