JP2002071221A - Automatic water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, since an automatic mixing valve having a temperature sensing type expansion body where all of mixing means to supplying hot water to a plurality of hot water supply passages are all excellent in intermediate action performance, the number of parts of the internal part of a mixing valve body is large and a cost of the mixing valve itself is high. SOLUTION: The mixing means for supply of hot water to a bath of a plurality of mixing means consists of a proportional type automatic mixing valve B to regulate a hot water flow passage W2 and a hot water flow passage W1 to a mixture ratio corresponding to the positions of valve bodies 16 and 17 driven by a motor A. A mixing means for supply of hot water to a general faucet for a shower and a kitchen, etc., is provided with a temperature sensing type expansion body 11. The position of the expansion body 22 is driven by a motor 20, and a valve body 21 consists of automatic mixing valve A capable of varying a mixture ratio between hot water and cold water through regulation corresponding to operation of the expansion body 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic hot water supply apparatus for mixing hot water from a hot water flow path and water from a water flow path to supply hot water to a plurality of hot water paths such as baths, showers, and kitchens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional automatic hot water supply apparatus, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram thereof, and FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an automatic mixing valve provided with a temperature-sensitive expandable body. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic hot water supply device, which includes a water supply path W1, a hot water supply path W2, a hot water supply path 2 for hot water supply, a tap water supply path 7 for general tap water supply, and a control unit 10. An automatic mixing valve 3 as a mixing means for mixing water from the water supply channel W1 and hot water from the hot water channel W2 is provided in the hot water supply passage 2 for bath water supply, a flow sensor 4 for detecting a bath water supply amount, a pouring solenoid valve 5, A temperature sensor 6 for detecting the temperature of bath water is provided. The tap water supply path 7 for general tap water supply is provided with an automatic mixing valve 8 as a mixing means for mixing water from the water supply path W1 and hot water from the hot water supply path W2, and a temperature sensor 9 for detecting the temperature of hot water supplied to the general tap 14. ing.

A bathtub adapter 13 is provided in the bathtub 12, and a bathtub adapter 13 is connected to the hot water supply passage 2 for bath water supply, while a general faucet 14 such as a kitchen is connected to the tap water supply passage 7 for general tap water supply. Is connected. The control unit 10 is electrically connected to an operation unit 11 including a remote controller. The operation unit 11 can set a bath filling temperature and a general faucet supply temperature at respective temperatures. Can be operated. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 10 controls the automatic mixing valve 3 for bath water supply and the automatic mixing valve for general faucet water supply based on the input values from the operation unit 11 and the detection values of the temperature sensors 6 and 9. 8 is controlled.

In the conventional automatic hot water supply apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6, an automatic mixing valve 3 for bath water supply and an automatic mixing valve 8 for a general faucet are both provided with a temperature-sensitive elastic body 2 as shown in FIG.
1 is provided with an automatic mixing valve A. The automatic mixing valve A including the temperature-sensitive type elastic body 21 has a built-in valve body 21, a temperature-sensitive type elastic body 22, a spring 24, and a spring retainer 25. The valve body 21 and the temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 are connected, and the valve body 21 and the temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 are vertically moved by the valve driving motor 20 so that the hot water temperature set by the operation unit 11 is attained. Adjust. The elastic body 22 automatically shrinks and shrinks according to the hot water temperature, the hot water temperature, the hot water amount and the water amount from the adjusted position, and moves the valve body 21 to change the mixing ratio of the hot water from the hot water passage W2 and the water from the water flow passage W1. By changing, hot water is supplied at the set hot water temperature.

After adjusting the valve body 21 and the temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 to predetermined positions, if the hot water temperature is higher than the set temperature,
The telescopic body 22 automatically extends instantaneously and the valve body 21 is lowered,
The opening area of the hot water flow path W2 decreases and the amount of hot water decreases, and conversely, the opening area of the water flow path W1 increases and the water amount increases,
The temperature of the hot water is adjusted lower. On the other hand, when the temperature of the hot water is lower than the set temperature, the elastic body 22 automatically and instantaneously shrinks,
, The opening area of the hot water flow path increases and the amount of hot water increases, and conversely, the opening area of the water flow path decreases and the amount of water decreases, and the hot water temperature is adjusted to be high.

Next, the operation of the automatic hot water supply apparatus will be described. When the bathing of the bath is started by operating the operation unit 11,
The pouring solenoid valve 5 is opened, the hot water and the water are mixed by the automatic mixing valve 3 for hot water supply, and the hot water is supplied to the bathtub 12 from the bathtub adapter 13 through the hot water supply passage 2 for hot water supply. When the set amount of hot water is detected by the flow sensor 4, the pouring solenoid valve 5 is closed, and the filling is completed.

At the start of hot water filling, the temperature sensor 6 detects the hot water temperature so as to reach the bath hot water temperature set in the operation section 11, and the automatic mixing valve 3 for hot water supply is controlled by the control section 10. The valve body 21 and the temperature-sensitive expandable body 22 are adjusted up and down by the valve drive motor 20, and the expandable body 22 automatically shrinks and shrinks from the adjusted position according to the hot and cold water temperatures and the amount of hot water and the amount of water. By moving the valve body 21, the mixing ratio of the hot water from the hot water flow path W2 and the water from the water flow path W1 is changed, and hot water is supplied from the hot water path 2 at the set hot water temperature.

On the other hand, the temperature control of the automatic mixing valve 8 for supplying hot water to the general faucet 14 in a kitchen or the like is exactly the same as that of the automatic mixing valve 3 for supplying hot water to the bath, and the general faucet 14 is opened to supply hot water. When started, the temperature sensor 9 detects the hot water temperature, and the automatic mixing valve 8 for general faucet hot water supply is controlled by the control unit 10 so that the temperature of the general faucet hot water supply temperature set by the operation unit 11 is reached. At 20, the valve body 21 and the temperature-sensitive type elastic body 22 are adjusted up and down, and the elastic body 22 automatically shrinks and moves the valve body 21 from the adjusted position according to the hot water temperature, the water temperature, the hot water amount and the water amount, By changing the mixing ratio of the hot water from the hot water flow path W2 and the water from the water flow path W1, hot water is supplied from the hot water path 7 at the set hot water temperature.

As described above, conventionally, both the automatic mixing valve 3 for bath water supply and the automatic mixing valve 8 for general faucet water supply are constituted by the automatic mixing valve A having a built-in temperature-sensitive elastic body 22. ing. This is because, even when the hot water temperature and the water temperature fluctuate, or when the hot water supply and the general faucet hot water supply start or stop at the same time, the amount of water and the amount of water fluctuate, the elastic body 22 automatically shrinks and closes the valve. By moving the body 21, it is possible to instantaneously change the mixing ratio of the hot water from the hot water flow path W2 and the water from the water flow path W1 and supply hot water at the set temperature, which is excellent in responsiveness.

[0010]

However, in the conventional automatic hot water supply apparatus 1, the automatic mixing valve 3 for tapping into the tap water supply path for bath water supply and the automatic mixing valve 8 for tapping into the tap water supply path for general faucet supply. Both are composed of an automatic mixing valve A with a built-in temperature-sensitive elastic body 22, so that hot water can be supplied at the set temperature and the responsiveness is excellent, but the temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 is built-in. The automatic mixing valve A has a large number of components inside the mixing valve body, and has a problem that the cost of the mixing valve itself is high, so that the cost of the entire apparatus also increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic hot water supply apparatus capable of reducing costs while responding to hot water supply requiring responsiveness.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is an automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising a plurality of mixing means for mixing hot water from a hot water flow path and hot water from a water flow path to output hot water to a plurality of hot water paths. Proportional expression for adjusting, among the plurality of mixing means, the mixing means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply path for bath water supply to adjust the mixing ratio of hot and cold water from the hot water flow path and the water flow path to a position of a valve body driven by a motor. Consisting of an automatic mixing valve,
Equipped with a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction body for mixing means for tapping into a tap water supply passage for general faucet water supply such as showers and kitchens, the position of the expansion / contraction body is driven by a motor, and the valve element is adjusted according to the operation of the expansion / contraction body. It is composed of an automatic mixing valve that can change the mixing ratio of hot and cold water.

The automatic hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the automatic hot water supply apparatus includes a plurality of mixing means for mixing hot water from the hot water flow path and the hot water from the water flow path to supply hot water to a plurality of hot water supply paths. Among the mixing means, the mixing means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply path for bath water supply is constituted by a flow path opening / closing valve or a flow rate regulating valve provided in each of a hot water flow path and a water flow path, and a tap for a general faucet such as a shower or a kitchen. The mixing means for tapping into the road is equipped with a thermo-sensitive telescopic body, the position of the telescopic body is driven by a motor, and the valve body is an automatic mixing valve that can change the mixing ratio of hot and cold water by adjusting according to the operation of the telescopic body. It is composed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram thereof, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a proportional automatic mixing valve used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic mixing valve for supplying hot water to a bath, and as shown in FIG. 3, a valve body driven by a motor 15 to supply hot water from a hot water flow path W2 and water from a water flow path W1. It comprises a proportional automatic mixing valve B which adjusts the mixing ratio according to the positions of 16 and 17. Except for the above, since the configuration is exactly the same as the conventional configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

Next, the structure of the proportional automatic mixing valve B will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The proportional automatic mixing valve B is
A valve shaft 17, a water valve element 16, and a hot water valve element 17 are incorporated. The water valve element 16 and the hot water valve element 17 are integrally attached to a valve shaft 17.
17 and the valve shaft 17 are moved up and down to change the mixing ratio of the hot water from the hot water supply passage W2 and the water from the hot water supply passage W1, thereby supplying hot water at the set hot water temperature. This proportional automatic mixing valve B
Although the responsiveness is slower than that of the automatic mixing valve A having the temperature-sensitive type expansion and contraction member 22, the price is low because of the simple structure with few internal parts, and the pressure loss is small because there are few internal parts.

The automatic mixing valve 8 for general faucet hot water supply includes:
Automatic mixing valve A provided with temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 as before
It consists of. This means that the bath is mainly supplied with a predetermined amount (for example, 200 L) to the bathtub 12.
Bathtub 1 when bathing is completed, even if there is some temperature variation
As long as the temperature of the hot water in 2 is at the set temperature, the proportional type automatic mixing valve B, which has a slow response, can sufficiently cope with it. This is because quick hot water temperature control is indispensable, and sufficient response cannot be achieved unless the automatic mixing valve A is provided with the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction body 22 having excellent responsiveness.

Further, when the bath hot water and the general faucet hot water are supplied at the same time, in particular, when starting or stopping the high-temperature hot water supply to the bathtub 12 or when starting or stopping the hot water supply in the bath hot water supply, the hot water flow path of the general faucet hot water supply. Although the phenomenon that the amount of hot water and the amount of water in the water passage W1 and the amount of water in the water flow path W1 greatly increase and decrease occurs, since the general faucet hot water supply uses the automatic mixing valve A having the temperature-sensitive expansion and contraction body 22, the amount of hot water and the amount of water expand and contract. The body 22 reacts quickly and expands and contracts, and the valve body 21 moves up and down instantaneously, and the water flow path W
1. The set temperature can be instantaneously corrected by changing the opening of the hot water flow path W2, and the variation of the hot water supply temperature can be reduced.

As described above, according to the automatic hot water supply apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, the proportional automatic mixing valve B having a simple structure is used as the mixing means for bath hot water supply that does not require much responsiveness. While the cost can be reduced, the pressure loss of the mixing valve itself is small, so that the amount of hot water can be increased. On the other hand, since the automatic mixing valve A provided with the temperature-sensitive expandable body 21 is used as the mixing means for the general faucet hot water supply in which responsiveness is emphasized, the hot water flow and the water flow in the hot water flow path W2 and the water flow path W1 fluctuate. Even when the hot water supply occurs, hot water can be supplied at the set temperature instantaneously, and variations in the hot water supply temperature can be reduced.

Embodiment 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a control block diagram thereof. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the bath hot water mixing means. Hereinafter, only the different configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4a denotes a hot water supply passage 2 for bath water supply.
The flow rate sensor for water provided in the water flow path W1 of the hot water supply, 4b is a flow rate sensor for hot water provided in the hot water flow path W2 of the hot water supply path 2 for hot water supply, 5b
a is a water injection opening / closing valve provided in the water flow path W1 of the bath hot water supply passage 2; 5b is a water injection opening / closing valve provided in the hot water supply passage W2 of the bath hot water supply passage 2; A water temperature sensor 6b provided in the path W1 is a hot water temperature sensor provided in the hot water path W2 of the hot water supply tapping path 2.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the mixing means for tapping the hot water into the hot water supply path 2 is a water flow path W.
1 and a hot water flow path W2 are provided with a water pouring open / close valve 5a and a hot water pouring open / close valve 5b, respectively. In the case of the second embodiment, the bath water filling operation is performed by detecting the water supply temperature with the water temperature sensor 6a so as to complete the water filling with the set amount and the set temperature set by the operation unit 11, and detecting the water supply temperature. Hot water temperature sensor 6
b, and is calculated by the control unit 10, and a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined amount of hot water are supplied from the hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply temperature.
Feed through. Then, the flow rates of water and hot water are detected by the flow rate sensor 4a for water and the flow rate sensor 4b for hot water, and when the flow rates reach the respective predetermined amounts, the water pouring on / off valves 5a and 5b are individually closed to complete filling. .

On the other hand, since the automatic mixing valve A provided with the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction body 22 is used for general faucet water supply in which responsiveness is emphasized, similar to the first embodiment, bath water filling and simultaneous hot water supply are performed. During this operation, the water injection opening / closing valve 5a and the water injection opening / closing valve 5b, which are mixing means for bath water supply, are opened and closed separately, so that the amount of water and the amount of water in the water flow path W1 and the water flow path W2 of the general faucet water supply are greatly increased. Even if it increases or decreases, hot water can be supplied at the set temperature instantly,
In addition, variation in hot water supply temperature can be reduced.

As described above, according to the automatic hot water supply apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, of the plurality of mixing means, the mixing means for bath water supply which does not require much responsiveness has the water flow path W1 and the hot water flow path W2. Pouring on / off valve 5 for each
By using a and the water injection on-off valve 5b, the cost can be reduced, the automatic mixing valve is eliminated, and the pressure loss in the flow path is small, so that the amount of hot water can be further increased. On the other hand, since the automatic mixing valve A having the temperature-sensitive elastic body 22 is used as the mixing means for general faucet hot water supply in which responsiveness is emphasized, the hot water flow path W
2 and the amount of hot water in the water flow path W1 fluctuates, the hot water can be supplied at the set temperature instantaneously and the variation in the hot water temperature can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, the water flow path W
1. Although the description has been given of the case where the water injection opening / closing valve 5a and the water injection opening / closing valve 5b, which can only open and close the flow path, are provided in each of the hot water flow paths W2, the flow path adjusting valve capable of adjusting the flow rate may be used.

[0026]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the mixing means for tapping into the tap water supply passage for bath water supply, which does not require much responsiveness, has a simple structure of the proportional automatic mixing valve. By using, while the cost can be reduced, the pressure loss of the mixing valve itself is also small, so the amount of hot water can be increased,
On the other hand, by using an automatic mixing valve equipped with a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction body for the mixing means that taps into the tap water supply passage for general faucet hot water supply that emphasizes responsiveness, hot water can be supplied at the set temperature instantaneously, and It is possible to provide an automatic hot water supply apparatus with less temperature variation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
Mixing means for tapping into a tap water supply for bath water supply, for which responsiveness is not so required, is provided with an open / close valve or a flow control valve in each of the hot water flow path and the water flow path, thereby reducing the number of high-cost automatic mixing valves. While the cost can be reduced, the pressure loss of the flow path is also small, so the amount of hot water can be further increased.
The mixing means for tapping into the tap water supply passage for general faucet hot water supply, which emphasizes responsiveness, is equipped with an automatic mixing valve with a temperature-sensitive expandable body, so that hot water can be supplied at the set temperature instantly, and
An automatic hot water supply apparatus with less variation in hot water supply temperature can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a proportional automatic mixing valve.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional automatic hot water supply apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a conventional automatic hot water supply apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an automatic mixing valve provided with a temperature-sensitive elastic body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 automatic hot water supply device, 2 hot water supply path for bath water supply, 3 automatic mixing valve for hot water supply for bath, 5 pouring solenoid valve, 5a water supply opening / closing valve, 5b water supply opening / closing valve, 7 tap water path for general faucet hot water supply,
8 General faucet Automatic mixing valve for hot water supply, 14 General faucet, 1
5 valve drive motor, 16 valve body for water, 17 valve body for hot water,
20 valve drive motor, 21 valve body, 22 telescopic body, A automatic mixing valve with thermo-sensitive type telescopic body, B proportional automatic mixing valve, W1 water supply path, W2 water supply path, W3 tapping path.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kensuke Matsuo 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (reference) 3L036 AC25 AC29

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a plurality of mixing means for mixing hot water from a hot water flow path and water from a water flow path to supply hot water to a plurality of hot water supply paths; Mixing means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply path is constituted by a proportional automatic mixing valve for adjusting the mixing ratio of hot water from the hot water flow path and water from the water flow path to a mixing ratio corresponding to a position of a valve element driven by a motor, shower,
A mixing means for tapping into a tap water supply passage for general faucet water supply in a kitchen or the like is provided with a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction body, and the position of the expansion / contraction body is driven by a motor. An automatic hot water supply device comprising an automatic mixing valve capable of changing a mixing ratio. 2. An automatic hot water supply apparatus comprising: a plurality of mixing means for mixing hot water from a hot water flow path and water from a water flow path to supply hot water to a plurality of hot water supply paths; Mixing means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply path is constituted by a flow path opening / closing valve or a flow rate control valve provided in each of the hot water flow path and the water flow path, and mixing is performed to supply water to a general faucet hot water supply path such as a shower or a kitchen. The means is provided with a temperature-sensitive elastic body, the position of the elastic body is driven by a motor, and the valve body is constituted by an automatic mixing valve that can change the mixing ratio of hot and cold water by adjusting according to the operation of the elastic body. Automatic water heater.