JP2002147857A - Water heating equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric water heating equipment which is constituted to hardly increase the quantity of hot water in a day time zone in which the set electric charge contracted with an electric power company is high. SOLUTION: In a midnight time zone in which the set electric charge is the lowest, this water heating equipment increases the quantity of hot water by actuating an electric hot water producing means when the equipment detects in a standby state that the quantity of hot water to be supplied stored in a hot water storage tank becomes smaller than the larger one of the minimum hot water storing quantity for preventing the occurrence of out of hot water and a set minimum hot water storing quantity plus a first prescribed quantity β1 and, when heating starting time comes, a controller actuates the electric hot water producing means. In a morning or night time zone in which the set electric charge is relatively low, the equipment increases the quantity of hot water by actuating the hot water producing means when the equipment detects that the quantity of the hot water to be supplied becomes smaller than the larger one of the minimum hot water storing quantity and the set minimum hot water storing quantity plus second and fourth prescribed quantities β2 and β4. In a day time zone in which the electric charge is high, the equipment increases the quantity of hot water by actuating the hot water producing means when the equipment detects that the quantity of the hot water to be supplied becomes smaller than the larger one of the minimum hot water storing quantity and the set minimum storing quantity plus a third prescribed quantity β3. The first and third prescribed quantities β1 and β3 are set at small values and the second and fourth prescribed quantities β2 and β4 are set at values larger than the values β1 and β3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting a power rate,
The present invention relates to an electric hot water supply apparatus that heats up economically in accordance with an electric contract according to a time zone in which late night time zone <morning and night time zone <daytime time zone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of all-electric homes and electric cooking utensils, an electric contract called "seasonal time-based light contract" can be concluded between a householder and a power company. In this electricity contract, one day is in the late night time zone (23:00 to 7: 0).
0), morning and evening hours (7:00 to 10:00, 17:00)
~ 23: 00), and daytime (10: 00-1)
7:00), and the fee setting for each time zone is determined as daytime zone <morning and night time zone <midnight time zone. The charge setting in the late night time zone is about 1/3 of the normal contract, but the charge setting in the daytime time zone is higher than the normal contract.

With the use of an electric water heater that stores hot water for hot water supply from the top of the hot water storage tank, if the above-mentioned “seasonal time-based light-based contract” is concluded, the late night time when the fee is low Hot water is produced, and control is performed to increase the amount of hot water only when the amount of hot water is insufficient in other time zones. Specifically, control is performed to increase the hot water so as not to fall below an amount obtained by adding a fixed amount (for example, 50 liters) to the manually set minimum hot water storage amount (0 to 150 liters).

[0004]

However, when the amount of hot water is insufficient, the control for increasing the amount of hot water is automatically performed. Therefore, depending on the life pattern of the user, the amount of hot water increases during the daytime. Hot water can be done frequently.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electric hot water supply apparatus in which hot water is hardly added during daytime hours when the price of an electric contract concluded with an electric power company is high.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems [1] A hot water supply apparatus is provided with a hot water storage tank in which water is supplied from a water supply source to a lower portion of a tank, and hot water for hot water supply is stored in an upper portion of the tank. Electric hot water producing means for heating the cold water and storing the produced hot water from the upper part of the tank, a minimum hot water storage amount setting means for setting a minimum hot water storage amount for storing the hot water at the upper part of the tank, and an electric hot water producing means. And a controller for controlling.

[0007] In the late night time period when the fee setting is the lowest, the controller sets the target heat storage amount immediately before the end of the midnight time period based on the current hot water storage amount, the target heat storage amount, and the capacity of the electric hot water producing means. The heating start time that reaches the amount is obtained, and when the heating start time comes, the electric hot water producing means is operated until the boiling is completed or the midnight time zone ends. Also, when the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank becomes less than the minimum set value of the hot water storage plus the first predetermined amount α1 during standby, the controller detects the state and detects the state. The hot water producing means is operated to add hot water.

In the morning and evening hours when the charge setting is relatively low, if the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank becomes equal to or less than the minimum set amount of hot water storage plus the second predetermined amount α2,
The controller detects the state and activates the electric hot water producing means to add hot water.

In the daytime period when the charge is high, when the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank becomes equal to or less than the minimum set amount of hot water storage plus the third predetermined amount α3, the controller is activated. The state is detected and the hot water making means is operated to add hot water.

[0010] The hot water supply device has a first predetermined amount α1 in the late night time zone.
In addition, the third predetermined amount α3 in the daytime is set to a small value, and the second predetermined amount α2 in the morning and night time is set to be larger than the third predetermined amount α3 in the daytime.

When the hot water supply apparatus needs to increase the hot water during a time period other than the late night time zone, the hot water supply apparatus is configured to increase the hot water as much as possible during the morning and evening hours when the charge setting is relatively low. The operating rate of the hot water in the time zone can be reduced. As a result, the electricity bill can be reduced. In addition, unless care is taken about running out of hot water in the midnight hours before the start of heating or during the daytime, the first predetermined amount α1 and the third predetermined amount α3 are set to near 0 (including 0), and the second predetermined amount α2 is set to If the value is set to a value larger than the third predetermined amount α3 and is appropriately large, it is possible to further reduce the electricity bill.

In the hot water supply device, water is supplied from a water supply source to a lower portion of the tank, and a hot water storage tank for storing hot water for hot water supply in an upper portion of the tank, and cold water is taken in from a lower portion of the tank of the hot water storage tank. An electric hot water producing means for feeding the produced hot water to the upper part of the tank, a minimum hot water storage amount setting means for setting a minimum hot water storage amount for storing the hot water in the upper part of the tank, and a controller for controlling the electric hot water producing means.

[0013] In the late night time period when the charge setting is the lowest, the controller sets the target heat storage amount immediately before the end of the late night time period based on the current hot water storage amount, the target heat storage amount, and the capacity of the electric hot water producing means. The heating start time that reaches the amount is determined, and when the heating start time arrives, the controller operates the electric hot water producing means until the boiling is completed or the midnight time period ends. In addition, when the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water for hot water storage in the hot water storage tank is less than the minimum of the hot water prevention minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage set amount + the first predetermined amount β1 or less during standby. Then, the controller detects the state and activates the electric hot water producing means to add hot water.

[0014] In the morning time period when the charge setting is relatively low, the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank for hot water supply is the larger of the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage set amount. When it becomes equal to or less than the second predetermined amount β2, the controller detects the state and activates the electric hot water producing means to increase the amount of hot water.

[0015] In the evening hours when the charge setting is relatively low, the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank for hot water supply is the larger of the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage set amount. When it becomes equal to or less than the fourth predetermined amount β4, the controller detects the state and activates the electric hot water producing means to increase the amount of hot water.

In the daytime period when the charge is set high, the user uses hot water and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank for hot water supply is the larger of the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage amount + the minimum hot water storage amount. When the amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount β3, the controller detects the state and activates the electric hot water producing means to increase the amount of hot water.

The first predetermined amount β1 in the late night time zone and the third predetermined amount β3 in the daytime time period are set to small values, and the second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time zone and the fourth predetermined amount β4 in the night time zone are set. In both cases, the first predetermined amount β1 in the late night time zone and the third predetermined amount β1 in the daytime zone
It is set larger than the predetermined amount β3.

When the hot water supply device needs to increase the hot water during a time period other than the late night time zone, the hot water supply device is configured to increase the hot water as much as possible in the morning time period and the evening time period where the charge is set relatively low. It is possible to reduce the operating rate of the hot water in the daytime hours when the setting is high. As a result, the electricity bill can be reduced.

In addition, if the user does not care about running out of hot water at midnight before the start of heating or during the daytime, the first predetermined amount β
The first and third predetermined amounts β3 are set to near 0 (including 0), and both the second and fourth predetermined amounts β2 and β4 are larger than the first predetermined amount β1 and the third predetermined amount β3 and are appropriately larger. By setting the value, it is possible to further reduce the electricity bill.

[Claim 3] If the user uses a large amount of hot water in the morning time zone, there is a high possibility that hot water is added during the day time zone. Therefore, a hot water determination means is provided for determining whether the hot water was added during the daytime of the previous day at the end of the late night time zone. The second predetermined amount β2 of the zone is increased, and hot water is stored so that hot water is not increased as much as possible during the daytime hours. Further, when the hot water is not increased in the daytime period of the previous day, the second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time period is reduced to save wasteful hot water storage and reduce the electricity bill. Note that the second predetermined amount β2
Is preferably changed between an upper limit (for example, 120 liters) and a lower limit (for example, 0 liters).

[0021]

Next, a first embodiment (corresponding to claim 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The hot water supply device A includes a hot water storage tank 1 for storing hot water for hot water supply,
2, an electric hot water producing means 3 for producing hot water, a minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 for setting a minimum hot water storage quantity, and a controller 5 for controlling the electric hot water producing means 3.

Each of the hot water storage tanks 1 and 2 has a capacity of 150 liters, and connects the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 via a communication pipe 10. Water 12 is supplied to the hot water storage tank 1 from a water supply source 13 via a water supply pipe 11 connected to a lower portion of the tank and provided with a pressure reducing valve 111. The pressure reducing valve 111 has a function of lowering the supply pressure of the water 12 supplied from the water supply source 13 and maintaining the supply pressure at a predetermined pressure or less.

The hot water storage tank 2 has a hot water supply pipe 21 connected to an upper portion of the tank. Further, the hot water supply pipe 31 of the electric hot water producing means 3 is connected to the tank upper side. The hot water storage tanks 1 and 2 increase in internal pressure due to expansion of the volume of water due to hot water, but are kept at a certain pressure or lower by the relief valve 22.

The electric hot water producing means 3 is supplied with water 12 from a water inlet pipe 32 connected to a lower part of the tank, and sends hot water produced through a hot water pipe 31 connected to an upper part of the tank to an upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. The hot water sent to the upper part of the tank faces the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 due to a specific gravity difference between the hot water and the cold water, and is stored sequentially from the upper part.

The hot water in the hot water storage tanks 2 and 1 is arranged at each volume position of 15 liters, 20 liters, 50 liters, 100 liters, 165 liters, 200 liters, 250 liters and 275 liters in the hot water storage tanks 2 and 1. The thermistors 101 to 104 and 201 to 204 detect the approximate (minimum 50 liter) hot water storage amount.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a cold / hot water mixing valve.
1 and the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature thermistor 62, the controller 5 determines the mixing ratio of the hot water supplied from the hot water pipe 21 and the cold water supplied from the water supply pipe 11. By controlling the temperature, the temperature of hot water discharged from a hot-water tap (not shown) is adjusted to a set temperature.

Next, the operation of the water heater A in each time zone will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step s1, the minimum hot water storage amount Lset is set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4, and the process proceeds to step s2. In this embodiment, since the resolution of the hot water detection by the thermistors 101 to 104 and 201 to 204 is approximately every 50 liters, the settable value of the minimum hot water storage amount Lset is 0, 50, 100, 1
50 liters. In step s2, the current time zone is determined. If the time zone is midnight, the process proceeds to step s3, and if it is another time zone, the process proceeds to step s11.

[Operation of Midnight Time Zone (23:00 to 7:00)] In step s3, the thermistors 101 to 104, 2
Based on the detected data of 01 to 204, the current tank hot water storage amount Qt is calculated, and the process proceeds to step s4.

At step s4, the current tank hot water storage heat quantity Q
The target heat storage amount Qw is calculated based on t, and the process proceeds to step s5. In step s5, based on the current tank hot water storage heat amount Qt, the target heat storage amount Qw, and the hot water production capacity of the electric hot water production means 3, a boiling start time such as to boil immediately before 7:00 the next morning (immediately before the end of the late night time zone). Calculate t-start and proceed to step s6.

In step s6, the thermistors 101 to 10
4, the current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lm for preventing running out of hot water.
In (for example, 50 liters), it is determined whether or not the amount exceeds a value obtained by adding a first predetermined amount α1 (0 liter in the present embodiment) to the larger one of the first predetermined amount α1 (0 in this embodiment).
Liters) or less (NO), the process proceeds to step s7.
Proceed to 8. In addition, the value of the minimum hot water storage amount Lmin for preventing running out of water is set to a value exceeding 0 liter, for example, 30 liters, from the viewpoint of preventing running out of hot water.

In step s7, the electric hot water producing means 3 is activated, and the amount of hot water is increased by an additional boiling amount Ladd (50 liters in the present embodiment), and the flow proceeds to step s8. In this embodiment, the thermistors 101 to 104,
Since the resolution of hot water detection by 201 to 204 is approximately every 50 liters, the additional boiling amount Ladd is set to 50 liters.

At step s8, the boiling start time t-s
It is determined whether or not the start has arrived. If it has not arrived (NO), the process returns to step s3, and if it has arrived (NO), the process proceeds to step s9.

At step s9, the current tank hot water storage heat quantity Q
It is determined whether or not t exceeds the target heat storage amount Qw. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step s10, and if it does (YES), the process proceeds to step s12.

At step s10, the electric hot water producing means 3
Until the boiling is completed or until 7:00 in the morning (end time at midnight), and the process returns to step s2. In step s11, the current time zone is determined. If the time zone is morning and evening, the process proceeds to step s12. If the time zone is daytime, the process proceeds to step s14.

[Morning and evening hours (7:00 to 10:00, 1
7:00 to 23:00)] In step s12, the current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of the thermistors 101 to 104 and 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4. Lset and minimum amount of hot water Lmin to prevent running out of hot water (50 liters in this embodiment)
It is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the amount obtained by adding the second predetermined amount α2 (50 liters in this embodiment) to the larger one of the two.
If the amount is equal to or less than the amount obtained by adding the predetermined amount α2 (50 liters in the present embodiment) (NO), the process proceeds to step s13, and if it exceeds (YES), the process returns to step s2.

In step s13, the electric hot water producing means 3
Is operated, the hot water is increased by the additional boiling amount Ladd (50 liters in this embodiment), and the process returns to step s2.

[Daytime (10:00 to 17:00)
Operation] In step s14, the thermistors 101 to 10
4, the current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lmi for preventing running out of hot water.
n (for example, 50 liters), it is determined whether or not the amount exceeds a third predetermined amount α3 (0 liter in this embodiment) added to the larger one of the n (for example, 50 liters). Liter) or less (NO), step s
Proceed to step 15; if it exceeds (YES), step s
Return to 2.

In step s15, the electric hot water producing means 3
Is operated, and the additional boiling amount Ladd (for example, 5
(0 liter), and the process returns to step s2.

Next, advantages of the water heater A will be described. [A] The hot water supply apparatus A determines the first predetermined amount α1 to be 0 liter, and sets the minimum hot water storage amount Lset and the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 until normal nighttime boiling is started in the late night time zone. Minimum amount of hot water Lmin (50
An operation of maintaining an amount obtained by adding (0 liter) to the first predetermined amount α1 is performed on the larger one of the liters.

Since the second predetermined amount α2 is determined to be 50 liters and the third predetermined amount α3 is determined to be 0 liters, it is necessary to increase the amount of hot water during a time period other than the midnight time period as the user uses hot water. In the case of occurrence of hot water, more hot water is added by the second predetermined amount α2 minutes (50 liters) in the morning and evening hours when the charge is relatively low, so that the boiling rate in the daytime when the charge is high can be lowered. In addition, the electricity bill can be reduced.

The value of the minimum hot water storage Lmin is preferably more than 0 liter from the viewpoint of hot water prevention. However, by setting the minimum hot water storage Lmin to 0 liter, the hot water supply device can be set. A can be operated with priority given to saving on electricity bills.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (Claim 2,
3) will be described with reference to FIGS. The hot water supply apparatus B of the present embodiment has the same mechanical configuration as the hot water supply apparatus A, but operates differently. The operation of the water heater B in each time zone will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1, the minimum hot water storage amount Lset is set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4, and the process proceeds to step S2. The values that can be set for the minimum hot water storage amount Lset are 0, 50,
100 and 150 liters. In step S2, the current time zone is determined.
The process proceeds to step S3, and if it is another time zone, the process proceeds to step S15.

[Operation of Midnight Time Zone (23:00 to 7:00)] In step S3, the thermistors 101 to 104, 2
Based on the detection data of 01 to 204, the current tank hot water storage heat amount Qt is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the current tank hot water storage heat quantity Q
The target heat storage amount Qw is calculated based on t, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, from the current tank hot water storage heat amount Qt, the target heat storage amount Qw, and the hot water production capacity of the electric hot water producing means 3, a boiling start time such as to boil immediately before 7:00 the next morning (immediately before the end of the late night time zone). t-start is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the thermistors 101 to 10
4, the current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lm for preventing running out of hot water.
In (for example, 50 liters), it is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the amount obtained by adding the first predetermined amount β1 (0 liter in the present embodiment) to the larger one of the first predetermined amount β1 (0 liter in the present embodiment).
Liters) or less (NO), the process proceeds to step S7, and if it exceeds (YES), the process proceeds to step S7.
Proceed to 8. In addition, the value of the minimum hot water storage amount Lmin for preventing running out of water is set to a value exceeding 0 liter, for example, 30 liters, from the viewpoint of preventing running out of hot water.

In step S7, the electric hot water producing means 3 is activated, and the amount of hot water is increased by an additional boiling amount Ladd (50 liters in the present embodiment), and the flow proceeds to step S8. In this embodiment, the thermistors 101 to 104,
Since the resolution of hot water detection by 201 to 204 is approximately every 50 liters, the additional boiling amount Ladd is set to 50 liters.

In step S8, the boiling start time t-s
It is determined whether or not start has arrived. If it has not arrived (NO), the process returns to step S3, and if it has arrived (NO), the process proceeds to step S9.

At step S9, the current tank hot water storage heat quantity Q
It is determined whether or not t exceeds the target heat storage amount Qw. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S10, and if it exceeds (YES), the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S10, the electric hot water producing means 3
Until the boiling is completed or until 7:00 in the morning (end time at midnight), and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the hot water was added during the daytime of the previous day. If the hot water was added (YES), the process proceeds to step S13. If the hot water was not added (NO), the process proceeds to step S13. Proceed to S12.

In step S12, the second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time zone (the initial value is 50 liters in this embodiment) is reduced by 10 liters, and the process returns to step S2. However, the second predetermined amount β
2 shall maintain 0 liter or more.

In step S13, the current second predetermined amount β2
Is less than or equal to 100 liters. If it is less than 100 liters (YES), the process proceeds to step S14. If it exceeds 100 liters (NO), the process returns to step S2. In step S14, the second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time zone (in this embodiment, the initial value is 50 liters) is increased by 20 liters, and the process returns to step S2.

In step S15, the current time zone is determined.
If it is a morning time zone, the process proceeds to step S16. If it is a night time zone, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is a daytime time zone, the process proceeds to step S20.

[Operation in Morning Time Zone (7:00 to 10:00)] In step S16, the thermistors 101 to 104, 2
The current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data 01 to 204 is larger than the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lmin (50 liters in the present embodiment). On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the amount obtained by adding the second predetermined amount β2 (50 liters in the present embodiment), and the second predetermined amount β2 (5 in this embodiment) is determined.
If the amount is equal to or less than (0 liter) (NO), the process proceeds to step S17, and if it exceeds (YES), the process returns to step S2.

In step S17, the electric hot water producing means 3
Is operated, the hot water is increased by the additional boiling amount Ladd (50 liters in this embodiment), and the process returns to step S2.

[Operation of Night Time Zone (17:00 to 23:00)] In step S18, the thermistors 101 to 104
The current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lmin for preventing running out of hot water.
It is determined whether or not the amount exceeds the sum of the fourth predetermined amount β4 (50 liters in this embodiment) and the fourth predetermined amount β4 (50 liters in this embodiment). If it is less than the amount obtained by adding 50 liters (NO), the process proceeds to step S19, and if it exceeds the value (YES), the process returns to step S2.

In step S19, the electric hot water producing means 3
Is operated, the hot water is increased by the additional boiling amount Ladd (50 liters in this embodiment), and the process returns to step S2.

[Daytime (10:00 to 17:00)
Operation] In step S20, the thermistors 101 to 10
4, the current tank hot water storage amount Lt determined from the detection data of 201 to 204 is the minimum hot water storage amount Lset set by the minimum hot water storage amount setting means 4 and the minimum hot water storage amount Lmi for preventing running out of hot water.
n (for example, 50 liters), it is determined whether or not the amount exceeds a third predetermined amount β3 (0 liter in this embodiment) added to the larger one, and the third predetermined amount β3 (0 in this embodiment) is determined. Liter) or less (NO), step S
Proceed to step S21, and if it exceeds (YES), step S
Return to 2.

In step S21, the electric hot water producing means 3
Is operated, and the additional boiling amount Ladd (for example, 5
0 liter), and the process returns to step S2.

Next, advantages of the water heater B will be described. [B] In the hot water supply apparatus A, if the user takes a life pattern of using a large amount of hot water between 7:00 and 10:00 or between 10:00 and 17:00, the hot water is increased during the daytime. The frequency at which the operation is performed increases.

However, at the time of 7:00 in the morning (step S11), hot water supply apparatus B determines whether or not the hot water supply operation has been performed during the daytime of the previous day, and the hot water supply operation has been performed. When the second predetermined amount β2 is 100 liters or less,
The predetermined amount (20 liters) is added to the second predetermined amount β2, and if the hot water adding operation is not performed, the second predetermined amount β
In this configuration, the predetermined amount (10 liters) is reduced from the second predetermined amount β2 within a range where 2 does not fall below 0 liter.

For this reason, the user frequently operates at 7:00 to 1
If a hot water supply operation is performed during the daytime by taking a lifestyle pattern of using a large amount of hot water during 0:00, the control for storing hot water during the morning time period is performed. It is possible to make it difficult for the hot water operation to occur. Also, if you take a life pattern in which no hot water operation is performed during the daytime,
Since the second predetermined amount β2 converges to a small value, the stored hot water is not wasted, and the electricity cost can be reduced. Since the second predetermined amount β2 is updated every day, it is possible to make the hot water supply operation follow the usage pattern of the user.

The present invention includes the following embodiments in addition to the above embodiment. a. The number of hot water storage tanks may be one. A plurality of tanks may be connected in series to form a hot water storage tank.
When connecting multiple tanks in series,
The lower part of the tank to which the water supply pipe is connected. The upper part of the tank is the upper part of the tank to which the hot water supply pipe of the electric hot water producing means is connected.

B. As a method of determining the amount of hot water to be secured in each time zone, a method of changing the minimum hot water storage amount or the minimum hot water storage amount for preventing running out of hot water in each time zone is also considered, but it is not appropriate because the user is puzzled, so in the present invention, First predetermined amount α
1, β1, second predetermined amounts α2, β2, third predetermined amounts α3, β
Third, the fourth predetermined amount β4 is changed.

C. In the above embodiment, the first predetermined amounts α1, β1, the second predetermined amounts α2, β2, and the third predetermined amounts α
3, β3, and the fourth predetermined amount β4 maintain a constant value in the same time period, but if the following configuration is satisfied, at least one of the late night time period, the morning time period, or the night time period before the heating start time. In the time zone, the amount may be increased steplessly or in multiple steps toward the end time of the time zone. If a configuration is used in which the hot water is added during a time period other than the midnight time zone before the heating start time, the hot water operation is performed, so that the electricity bill increases.

The maximum value of the first predetermined amount α1 in the late night time zone and the maximum value of the third predetermined amount α3 in the daytime time zone take small values. In addition, the minimum value of the second predetermined amount α2 in the morning and evening hours is set to be larger than the maximum value of the third predetermined amount α3 in the daytime hours.

D. If the heating capacity of the electric hot water production means is fixed, once hot water is used after the fixed heating start time, it will not boil by the end of the late night time zone,
A configuration in which the heating capacity can be increased or decreased in multiple stages or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 hot water storage tank 3 electric hot water preparation means 4 minimum hot water storage amount setting means 5 controller 12 water 13 water supply source α1, β1 first predetermined amount α2, β2 second predetermined amount α3, β3 third predetermined amount β4 fourth place Fixed amount A, B Hot water supply device

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Seiji Miwa 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi, Japan Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Hisasuke Sakakibara 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi prefecture, Denso Corporation ( 72) Inventor Tomoaki Kobayakawa 1-3-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (72) Inventor Kazutoshi Kusakari 1-3-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (72) Inventor Michiyuki Saikawa 2-6-1 Nagasaka, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture Electric Power Research Institute Yokosuka Research Laboratory F-term (reference) 3L025 AA06 AD09

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Water is supplied from a water supply source to a lower portion of a tank,
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water for hot water supply at the upper part of the tank; an electric hot water producing means for heating cold water at the lower part of the tank of the hot water storage tank and storing the produced hot water from the upper part of the tank; It comprises a minimum hot water storage amount setting means for setting the hot water storage amount, and a controller for controlling the electric hot water producing means, and in the late night time when the charge setting is the lowest, the hot water storage heat amount at the present time, the target heat storage amount, And the controller determines a heating start time such that the hot water storage amount reaches the target heat storage amount immediately before the end of the midnight time zone based on the capability of the electric hot water producing means, and the amount of hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank. Is the minimum amount of hot water storage +
The controller activates the electric hot water producing means to add hot water when detecting a state of being equal to or less than the first predetermined amount α1 during standby, and when the heating start time comes, the controller causes the electric hot water producing means to rise. In the morning and evening hours when the charge setting is relatively low, when it is detected that the amount of hot water for hot water supply stored in the hot water storage tank becomes equal to or less than the minimum hot water storage amount + the second predetermined amount α2, the electric hot water Activate the production means to add hot water, and during the daytime when charging is high, set the minimum hot water storage amount + the third
A hot water supply apparatus for increasing the amount of hot water by operating the electric hot water producing means when detecting a state where the amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount α3, wherein the first predetermined amount α1 in the late night time zone and the third in the daytime time zone. The hot water supply apparatus, wherein the predetermined amount α3 is set to a small value, and the second predetermined amount α2 in the morning and evening hours is set to be larger than the third predetermined amount α3 in the daytime hours. 2. Water is supplied from a water supply source to a lower portion of the tank,
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water for hot water supply at an upper portion of the tank; an electric hot water preparation means for taking in cold water from a lower portion of the tank of the hot water storage tank and feeding the produced hot water to an upper portion of the tank; and a minimum hot water storage amount for storing the hot water at the upper portion of the tank. A minimum hot water storage amount setting means for setting, and a controller for controlling the electric hot water producing means, and in the late night hours when the charge setting is lowest, the current hot water storage heat amount, the target heat storage amount, and the electric power The controller determines a heating start time such that the hot water storage amount reaches the target heat storage amount immediately before the end of the midnight time zone based on the capacity of the hot water producing means, and the hot water supply hot water stored in the hot water storage tank runs out of hot water. Prevention minimum hot water storage amount and minimum hot water storage set amount, whichever is greater + first predetermined amount β
When a state of 1 or less is detected during standby, the electric hot water producing means is operated to add hot water, and when the heating start time comes, the controller activates the electric hot water producing means, and the fee setting is performed. In a relatively low morning time zone, a state is detected in which the amount of hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is less than the larger of the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage amount + the second predetermined amount β2. Then, the electric hot water producing means is operated to add hot water, and in the daytime hours when the charge setting is high, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank for the hot water supply is set to the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage setting. When a state where the amount is larger + the third predetermined amount β3 or less is detected, the electric hot water producing means is operated to increase the amount of hot water. The amount of hot water supplied is A hot water supply device for increasing the amount of hot water by operating the electric hot water producing means when detecting a state in which the minimum hot water storage amount and the minimum hot water storage set amount are larger than a fourth predetermined amount β4 or less; The first predetermined amount β1 in the time zone and the third predetermined amount β3 in the daytime zone are set to small values, and the second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time zone and the fourth location in the night time zone are set. Both the fixed amount β4 and the first
The hot water supply device is set to be larger than the predetermined amount β1 or the third predetermined amount β3 in the daytime period. 3. A method of determining whether or not hot water has been added in the daytime period of the previous day at the time when the late night time period has ended, wherein the hot water has been added in the daytime period of the previous day. The second predetermined amount β2 in the morning time zone is increased, and when the hot water is not added in the daytime time zone of the previous day, the second predetermined amount β2 is increased in the morning time zone.
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined amount (beta) 2 is reduced.