JP2002115913A - Heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heater capable of preventing frost without requiring excessive cost and the labor of a user. SOLUTION: When the detected temperature of any one of a first tank temperature sensor 37, a second tank temperature sensor 38, a third tank temperature sensor 39 and a fourth tank temperature sensor 40 provided in a hot water storage tank 32 reaches first prescribed temperature (for example, 4 deg.C) or lower (Step S1), a heater control unit 104 starts the supply of current to a lower heater 33 (step S2), so that the frost can be prevented without requiring the excessive cost and the labor of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a heating device for heating water in a hot water storage tank.

[Prior art]

There is an electric water heater as a heating device of this kind, and in order to cope with an electricity bill set by an electric power company for the purpose of equalizing the electric power demand, the electric water heater is used for one day by using cheap electric power at midnight. There is a type that stores hot water in a hot water storage tank. In this type of electric water heater, the current time is set with a remote controller, and based on the set current time, when the electricity rate is low at midnight, the heater is energized to heat the water in the hot water storage tank and used every day. I try to store hot water.

Further, this type of electric water heater is provided with a hot water mixing function for mixing water and hot water stored in a hot water storage tank and supplying hot water to a faucet or a shower, and a hot water mixing function for flowing water to a bathtub. In addition, if these functional parts freeze, not only will the hot water supply and hot water beam become unusable but also cause damage, so those with special anti-freezing heaters to prevent freezing and functional parts In order to facilitate the drainage of air, a device having an air intake port in a functional section has been invented.

[0004]

However, conventional electric water heaters, for example, those having the above-mentioned anti-freezing heater have a problem that the cost is too high, and those having an air intake port have a problem. The drainage of the part is easy, but when there is a risk of freezing, the drainage operation must be performed, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a temperature sensor and a heater used for normal operation to heat water in a hot water storage tank, thereby making it unnecessary. An object of the present invention is to provide a heating device which can prevent freezing without incurring cost and incurring troublesome work by eliminating drainage work.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a heater provided in a hot water storage tank for heating water, a main body control unit for controlling energization to the heater, In the heating device including one or a plurality of tank temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, when the detected temperature of at least one of the tank temperature sensors is lower than a predetermined temperature, the temperature is low. A low-temperature detecting unit for detecting the low-temperature state, and when the low-temperature detecting unit detects that the low-temperature detecting unit is in a low-temperature state, it instructs the heater to be energized. Therefore, a low-temperature condition is usually detected using a temperature sensor used for boiling temperature detection and remaining hot water temperature detection, and a hot water storage tank is usually used using a heater used to make hot water for use during the day. By heating the water inside, freezing can be prevented without adding extra cost and eliminating the need for drainage work without bothering the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a heater provided in the hot water storage tank for heating water, a main body control unit for controlling power supply to the heater, and a water supply pipe for guiding water from a water supply source to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank are provided. A bypass pipe branched from the water supply pipe to bypass the hot water storage tank, a high-temperature hot water supply pipe connected to an upper portion of the hot water storage tank, and a high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe mixed with water from the bypass pipe to supply hot water. A hot water supply mixing unit that supplies a hot water via a pipe and has a hot water temperature sensor provided in the hot water pipe and detecting a mixed hot water temperature; a hot water temperature sensor provided in the bypass pipe and detecting a hot water temperature; A hot water temperature sensor provided in the hot water supply pipe and detecting a high temperature water temperature, and mixing high temperature water from the high temperature water supply pipe with water from the bypass pipe and supplying the mixed water to the bathtub through the hot water pipe. In a heating device provided with a hot-water mixing section having a hot-water temperature sensor for detecting a mixed hot-water temperature provided in a hot water pipe, the feed water temperature sensor, the high-temperature water temperature sensor, the hot water temperature sensor, and the A low-temperature detection unit that detects that the temperature is low when the temperature detected by at least one of the hot-water temperature sensors is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature; and the main body control unit determines that the low-temperature detection unit is in a low temperature state. Is detected, the energization of the heater is instructed. Therefore, a low-temperature condition is detected by using a temperature sensor that is normally used for water supply temperature detection or hot water supply temperature detection, and a heater that is usually used to make hot water for daytime use is used to detect the temperature inside the hot water storage tank. By heating the water, freezing can be prevented without adding extra cost and eliminating the need for drainage work without bothering the user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a lower heater provided in the lower portion of the hot water storage tank for heating water, an upper heater provided in the upper portion of the hot water storage tank for heating water, and a main body control section for controlling power supply to the lower heater or the upper heater. And a water supply pipe for guiding water from a water supply source to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank,
A bypass pipe that branches off from the water supply pipe and bypasses the hot water storage tank; a high-temperature water supply pipe connected to an upper portion of the hot water storage tank; and a hot-water supply pipe that mixes high-temperature water from the high-temperature water supply pipe and water from the bypass pipe. A hot water mixing unit having a hot water temperature sensor provided on the hot water pipe and detecting a mixed hot water temperature, a hot water temperature sensor provided on the bypass pipe and detecting the hot water temperature, and A high-temperature water temperature sensor provided in the pipe to detect a high-temperature water temperature; mixing high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe with water from the bypass pipe; supplying the mixed water to the bathtub through the hot water pipe; In a heating device having a hot water mixing unit having a hot water temperature sensor for detecting the hot water temperature, the hot water supply mixing unit and the hot water mixing unit are provided at an upper portion of a heating device main body. A low temperature for detecting a low temperature state when a temperature detected by at least one of the feed water temperature sensor, the high temperature water temperature sensor, the hot water temperature sensor, and the hot water temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. A detection unit is provided, and when the low temperature detection unit detects that the low temperature detection unit is in a low temperature state, the main unit control unit instructs the upper heater to be energized. Therefore, the low temperature condition is usually detected using the temperature sensor used for water supply temperature detection and hot water supply temperature detection, and the heater used to make hot water above the hot water storage tank used during daytime is used to detect the upper part of the hot water storage tank. Heating the water does not add extra costs, and eliminates the need for drainage work, thereby reducing the electricity bill without bothering the user and unnecessary boiling. To prevent freezing.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram thereof.

First, water from a water supply source is reduced in pressure by a pressure reducing valve 1, and is branched into a water supply pipe 2 and a bypass pipe 3 downstream of the pressure reducing valve 1. The bypass pipe 3 is a downstream hot water supply mixing ratio adjusting valve 46A.
Feed water temperature sensor 4 that detects the feed water temperature
1 is provided. The water supply pipe 2 communicates with the heating unit 31,
The heating unit 31 includes a hot water storage tank 32, a lower heater 33, and an upper heater 34. The water in the hot water storage tank 32 is heated by the lower heater 33 and the upper heater 34 so that the lower heater 33 has a high temperature detected by the tank first temperature sensor 37 and the upper heater 34 has a high temperature detected by the third tank temperature sensor 39. Further, a drain valve 36 is provided below the hot water storage tank 32. In addition, hot water storage tank 32
A safety valve 35 for releasing expansion water generated when the water in the hot water storage tank 32 is heated is provided at an upper part of the storage tank.

The hot water supply pipe 4 is provided with a high temperature water temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the high temperature water from the hot water storage tank 32,
The high temperature hot water supply pipe 4 and the bypass pipe 3 communicate with a hot water supply mixing section 94. The hot water mixing unit 94 includes a hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46.
A, a hot water supply temperature sensor 43A is provided. In the hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46A, water from the bypass pipe 3 and high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water pipe 4 downstream of the high-temperature hot water pipe 4 are mixed, and hot water at an appropriate temperature is supplied to the hot-water pipe 8. A hot water supply temperature sensor 43A for detecting the temperature is provided. The hot water supply pipe 8 is connected to a faucet (not shown) or the like.

The hot water supply pipe 4 communicates with the hot water mixing section 95 via the downstream hot water supply hot water supply pipe 5, and the bypass pipe 3 branches to the hot water bypass pipe 7 and communicates with the hot water mixing section 95. . The hot water mixing section 95 includes a hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46B, a hot water temperature sensor 43B, the first solenoid valve 22,
It has a second solenoid valve 23 and check valves 52 and 53. In the hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46B, the water from the hot water bypass pipe 7 and the high-temperature water from the hot-water hot water supply pipe 5 are mixed, and
Either water or hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 9
The hot water supply pipe 9 is provided with a hot water temperature sensor 43B for detecting its temperature. The start / stop of the hot water into the bathtub 62 is performed by the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23. The hot water supply pipe 9 communicates with an adapter 61 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 62.

Here, the hot water supply mixing section 94 and the hot water mixing section 9
5, the feed water temperature sensor 41, the hot water temperature sensor 42, and a part of the piping connected thereto are collectively referred to as a hot water supply beam unit 96. This hot water supply beam unit 96
Is horizontally arranged above the electric water heater 100 as shown in FIG.

The electric water heater 100 is provided with a main controller 70.
It has. The main body control unit 70 detects the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 32 based on the detection temperatures of the tank first temperature sensor 37, the tank second temperature sensor 38, the tank third temperature sensor 39, and the tank fourth temperature sensor 40. Based on detection signals from the hot water amount detection unit 101, the feed water temperature sensor 41, the hot water temperature sensor 42, the hot water temperature sensor 43 A, the hot water flow sensor 44, the hot water temperature sensor 43 B, the hot water flow sensor 45, and the like, and an operation instruction from the remote controller 71. Hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46A and hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46
B, a hot water / water supply control unit 102 for controlling the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23, a hot water supply detection unit 93 for detecting hot water use based on a detection signal from the hot water flow sensor 44, a tank first temperature sensor 37 and tank third temperature sensor 39
Detection signal, operation instruction from remote controller 71 and remote controller 7
A heater controller 104 for controlling the lower heater 33 and the upper heater 34 based on the current time set in Step 1; a tank first temperature sensor 37; a tank second temperature sensor 38; a tank third temperature sensor 39; And feed water temperature sensor 41 and hot water temperature sensor 42
And hot water supply temperature sensor 43A and hot water temperature sensor 43B
And a main body communication unit 106 for mutually communicating with the remote controller 71 through the communication line 73 based on the temperature detected by any one of the temperature sensors.

The remote controller 71 sets a current time and measures the time. The clock function unit 201 sets the current time, and the current time measured by the clock function unit 201 is during daytime (normally from 7:00 to 23:00).
, A daytime heating operation unit 202 including a full-boiler switch for turning on when instructing the lower heater 33 to be energized and a small-bottle switch for turning on when instructing the upper heater 34 to be energized; A display unit 204 for displaying set values such as a hot water temperature set at 71 and operating information such as a remaining hot water amount detected by a remaining hot water amount detection unit 91;
A hot water supply temperature setting switch for setting the set temperature of hot water supplied from the water heater, a hot water temperature setting switch for setting the set temperature of hot water to be poured into the bathtub 62, and a boiling temperature setting for setting the boiling temperature in the hot water storage tank 32. A temperature setting unit 205 having a switch, a hot-water operation unit 206 including a hot-water switch to be turned on when hot water is supplied to the bathtub 62 and a hot-water amount setting switch for setting the hot water amount to be supplied to the bathtub 62; A communication unit 208 is provided for mutually communicating the set temperature information set by the temperature setting unit 205 and the operation information of the electric water heater 100 with the main body control unit 70 via the communication line 73.

With the above configuration, when it is recognized that the current time measured by the clock function unit 201 of the remote controller 71 is in the night time zone (usually from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day), the main body control unit 70 The heater control unit 94 instructs the lower heater 33 to be energized, and supplies the water in the hot water storage tank 32 to the remote controller 71 using the late-night electric power.
Boil until the boiling set temperature set by the temperature setting unit 205 is detected. When the hot water tap connected from the electric water heater 100 via the external pipe is opened, the hot water in the boiling hot water storage tank 32 is discharged. The temperature of the spouted water can be set by the temperature setting unit 205 according to the application and preference. When the hot water in the hot water storage tank 32 is used for hot water to the bathtub 62, the hot water operating section 20 is used.
6. Turn on the hot water switch. The hot water temperature at this time can be set as desired by the temperature setting unit 205.

When hot water is used in the hot water storage tank 32, water is supplied from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 32 and the amount of remaining hot water decreases. Therefore, the user needs to use the hot water while checking the remaining hot water amount. Therefore, for example, the remaining hot water amount detected by the remaining hot water detecting unit 91 is 300 liters or more, the remaining hot water amount is 150 liters or more and less than 300 liters, and the remaining hot water amount is 100 liters or more and 150 liters.
The remaining hot water amount information, such as less than 1 liter, remaining hot water amount of 50 liters or more and less than 100 liters, and remaining hot water amount of less than 50 liters, is displayed on the display unit 204 of the remote controller 71 as a numerical value or picture display so that the remaining hot water amount can be confirmed. If the amount of hot water used by a visitor or the like becomes large and the amount of hot water is likely to be short, the water in the hot water storage tank 32 can be heated even in the daytime by turning on the full boiling switch or the small boiling switch. It is like that.

When there is a possibility that the water path in the electric water heater 100 may be frozen in winter or the like, the main body control unit 70 detects this by means of each temperature sensor, and according to the place where there is a possibility of freezing, a lower heater. 33 or the upper heater 34 is instructed to be energized, and the upper or lower water in the hot water storage tank is heated to perform an antifreeze operation for preventing freezing.

Here, an embodiment of the anti-freezing operation of the main body control unit 70 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, the detected temperature of any one of the tank first temperature sensor 37, the tank second temperature sensor 38, the tank third temperature sensor 39, and the tank fourth temperature sensor 40 provided in the hot water storage tank 32 is a first predetermined temperature (for example, When the temperature falls below 4 ° C.) (step S1), the low temperature detecting unit 105 detects that the lower portion of the electric water heater 100 is in a low temperature state, and the heater control unit 104 starts energizing the lower heater 33 (step S2). . When the detected temperature of any one of the tank first temperature sensor 37, the tank second temperature sensor 38, the tank third temperature sensor 39, and the tank fourth temperature sensor 40 becomes equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature (for example, 7 ° C.). (Step S3), the low-temperature detecting unit 105 detects that the lower portion of the electric water heater 100 has escaped from the low-temperature state, and the heater control unit 104 ends the energization of the lower heater 33 (Step S4). Next, in step S1, the tank first temperature sensor 37, the tank second temperature sensor 38, the tank third temperature sensor 39, and the tank fourth temperature sensor 4
Any detected temperature of 0 is a first predetermined temperature (for example, 4 ° C.)
If not, the detected temperature of any one of the hot water temperature sensor 41, the hot water temperature sensor 42, the hot water temperature sensor 43A, and the hot water temperature sensor 43B provided in the hot water beam unit 96 is equal to the third predetermined temperature (for example, 5 (° C.) or less (step S11), the low-temperature detecting unit 105 detects that the upper part of the electric water heater 100, that is, the hot water beam unit 96 and its vicinity is in a low-temperature state. (Step S12). Then, when the detected temperature of any one of the feed water temperature sensor 41, the hot water temperature sensor 42, the hot water temperature sensor 43A, and the hot water temperature sensor 43B becomes lower than a fourth predetermined temperature (for example, 8 ° C.) (step S).
13), the low temperature detecting unit 105 detects that the upper part of the electric water heater 100 has come out of the low temperature state, and
4 ends the energization of the upper heater 34 (step S
14). Note that the first predetermined temperature in step S1 may be equal to the third predetermined temperature in step S11 (for example, 4 ° C.), or the second predetermined temperature in step S2 may be equal to step S2.
Twelve fourth predetermined temperatures may be equal (e.g., 7
° C). Further, the determination of "YES" may be omitted unless the detected temperature of the temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature in steps S1, S3, S11, and S13 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). The arrangement and quantity of the temperature sensors provided in the hot water storage tank 32 and the temperature sensors provided in the hot water supply beam unit 96 are not limited.

Incidentally, the main body control unit 70 includes the upper heater 3
During the energization of the tank 4 (steps S12 to S14), in step S1, the tank first temperature sensor 37, tank second temperature sensor 38, tank third temperature sensor 39, and tank fourth temperature sensor 40 provided in the hot water storage tank 32 are used. If any one of the detected temperatures is equal to or lower than the first predetermined temperature (for example, 4 ° C.), the power supply to the upper heater 34 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S2 to switch to the power supply to the lower heater 33. Alternatively, control may be performed such that the lower heater 33 and the upper heater 34 are simultaneously used at a rated output or less, and the steps S2 to S4 and S12 to S14 are simultaneously performed.

As described above, the low temperature state is detected by using the temperature sensor normally used for detecting the boiling temperature and the remaining hot water temperature, and is usually used to make hot water in the entire hot water storage tank for use during the day. Heating all the water in the hot water storage tank by using the heater used for the water heater does not add extra cost, and eliminates the need for drainage work, preventing freezing without bothering the user. it can. In addition, it usually detects the low temperature state of the upper part of the heating device using the temperature sensor used for water supply temperature detection and hot water supply temperature detection, and is usually used to make hot water above the hot water storage tank for use during the day. Heating the water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank using a heater does not add extra cost, and eliminates the need for drainage work, so that it does not bother the user and further unnecessary boiling. Freezing can be prevented by suppressing electricity bills without raising.

In this embodiment, the electric water heater is used. However, the present invention can be applied to a gas or oil water heater, or a combination of a heat pump and a solar water heater.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric water heater 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Configuration diagram of 0

FIG. 2 is an electric water heater 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Schematic diagram of 0

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of an antifreezing operation of the main body control unit 70;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pressure reducing valve 2 ... Water supply pipe 3 ... Bypass pipe 4 ... Hot water supply pipe 5 ... Hot water hot water supply pipe 7 ... Hot water bypass pipe 8 ... Hot water supply pipe 9 ... Hot water supply water supply pipe 22 ... First solenoid valve 23 ... Second Solenoid valve 31 ... Heating part 32 ... Hot water storage tank 33 ... Lower heater 34 ... Upper heater 35 ... Safety valve 36 ... Drain valve 37 ... Tank first temperature sensor 38 ... Tank second temperature sensor 39 ... Tank third temperature sensor 40 ... Tank Four temperature sensors 41: Feed water temperature sensor 42: Hot water temperature sensor 43A: Hot water temperature sensor 43B: Hot water temperature sensor 44: Hot water flow rate sensor 45: Hot water flow rate sensor 46A: Hot water mixing ratio adjusting valve 46B: Hot water mixing ratio adjustment Valve 52 check valve 53 check valve 61 adapter 62 bathtub 70 control unit 71 remote control 73 communication line 94 supply Mixing section 95 hot water mixing section 96 hot water hot water beam unit 100 electric water heater 101 remaining hot water quantity detection section 102 hot water supply / hot water control section 104 heater control section 105 low temperature detection section 106 main body communication means 201 Clock function unit 202: Daytime boiling operation unit 203 ... Operation stop setting unit 204 ... Display unit 205 ... Temperature setting unit 206 ... Hot water operation unit 208 ... Communication means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Imoto 43-1 Uozakihama, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Japan Inside Upro Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroki Kuwahara 43-1 Uozakihama, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Japan Nippon Yupro Inside (72) Inventor Yoshinori Shichi 431-1 Uozakihama, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Japan Inside Upro Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoichi Nakamura 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Totoki Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heater for heating water provided in a hot water storage tank, a main body control unit for controlling power supply to the heater, and one or more tank temperature sensors for detecting a temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank. The heating device further includes a low-temperature detection unit that detects a low temperature state when a detection temperature of at least one of the tank temperature sensors is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and the main body control unit determines that the low-temperature detection unit has a low temperature. A heating device characterized by instructing energization of the heater when the state is detected. 2. A heater for heating water provided in a hot water storage tank, a main body control unit for controlling power supply to the heater, a water supply pipe for guiding water from a water supply source to a lower part of the hot water storage tank, and a water supply pipe. A bypass pipe that branches off from the pipe and bypasses the hot water storage tank, a high-temperature hot water supply pipe connected to an upper part of the hot water storage tank, and a mixture of high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe and water from the bypass pipe and via the hot-water supply pipe A hot water mixing unit having a hot water temperature sensor provided in the hot water pipe and detecting a mixed hot water temperature, a hot water temperature sensor provided in the bypass pipe and detecting a hot water temperature, and A high-temperature water temperature sensor for detecting a high-temperature water temperature, a high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe and water from the bypass pipe mixed and supplied to a bathtub through a hot-water pipe; In a heating device provided with a hot-water mixing unit having a hot-water temperature sensor for detecting a mixed hot-water temperature, the hot water temperature sensor, the hot water temperature sensor, the hot water temperature sensor, and the hot water temperature sensor are included. A low-temperature detection unit that detects that the temperature is low when the detection temperature of at least one of the sensors is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and the main body control unit sends a signal to the heater when the low-temperature detection unit detects that the temperature is low. A heating device characterized by instructing energization of. 3. A lower heater for heating water provided in a lower portion of the hot water storage tank, an upper heater for heating water provided in an upper portion of the hot water storage tank, a main body control section for controlling power supply to the lower heater or the upper heater, A water supply pipe for guiding water from a water source to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank, a bypass pipe branched from the water supply pipe and bypassing the hot water storage tank,
A high-temperature hot water supply pipe connected to an upper portion of the hot water storage tank, and high-temperature water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe and water from the bypass pipe are mixed and supplied to the hot-water tap via the hot-water supply pipe, and provided and mixed in the hot water supply pipe. A hot water mixing section having a hot water temperature sensor for detecting hot water temperature, a hot water temperature sensor provided on the bypass pipe for detecting hot water temperature, a high temperature water temperature sensor provided on the high temperature hot water pipe for detecting hot water temperature, A high-temperature water from a high-temperature hot-water supply pipe and water from the bypass pipe are mixed and supplied to a bathtub through a hot-water pipe, and a hot-water beam having a hot-water temperature sensor provided in the hot-water pipe and detecting the mixed hot-water temperature. In a heating device provided with a mixing section, the hot water supply mixing section and the hot water mixing section are disposed on an upper portion of a heating apparatus main body, and the feed water temperature sensor, the high temperature water temperature sensor, and the hot water temperature are provided. A low-temperature detection unit that detects that the temperature is low when the temperature detected by at least one of the sensor and the hot-water temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The heating device instructs to energize the upper heater when detecting that