JP2002168514A - Hot water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a hot water heater safe and comfortable in response to conditions of each home. SOLUTION: When an up switch 17 is depressed (S5) in the state where an operation pattern select switch 16 is depressed (S1, S4), a pattern number n is increased by 1 step, and when a down switch 18 is depressed (S8), the pattern number n is decreased by 1 step (S9), and the set pattern number n is displayed on a display section 12 (S13). Then, the operation is returned to step 4, and when an operation pattern select switch 16 is released, operation pattern select is assumed to be finished, and hence the pattern number n is defined and is stored in a non-volatile memory (S10), and further the display of the pattern number n is eliminated (S11), and the operation is returned to step 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater provided with an input switch for inputting commands for starting and stopping a hot water supply operation and setting a target temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bath kettle with a water heater is provided with a bath remote controller and a hot water remote controller for remotely commanding a main controller provided in an appliance body from a remote place such as a bathroom or a kitchen. These remote controllers are very convenient because they can remotely control commands such as starting and stopping various operations and setting hot water temperature from a place where hot water is actually used.

[0003]

However, there is a danger that a small child may play with these remote controllers, the settings may be suddenly changed, and hot water may flow out. In addition, there was also a disadvantage that the hot water was suddenly automatically supplied and wasted water wasted. Therefore, installing a function such as a child lock that completely disables the input operation can solve such problems, but this time, it is necessary to unlock it each time it is used and re-lock it after use. New problems arise. A remote control for a water heater according to the present invention solves the above-described problems, and has an object to be able to be used safely according to the situation of each household and not to be difficult for a user to use.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water heater, comprising: a heating unit for heating water flowing through a heat exchanger; and a hot water supply control unit for controlling heating of the heating unit. And an input operation means having a plurality of input switches for inputting commands such as start and stop of a hot water supply operation and setting of a target temperature to the hot water supply control means. A plurality of patterns combining valid / invalid setting means for switching and setting for each input switch whether the operation command is effectively received or invalid and not received, and a setting of valid / invalid of an input operation for each input switch. The gist of the present invention is to provide a storage means for storing the patterns in the same manner and a selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of stored patterns.

[0005] A water heater according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
In the water heater according to claim 1, a plurality of settable temperature ranges in which a target hot water temperature can be set are provided,
The storage means stores a plurality of patterns obtained by combining any one of the settable temperature ranges with the combination of the valid / invalid setting of the input operation.

[0006] The water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that:
3. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation command is effectively received for the normal operation of the input switch, or the operation command is effectively received for the special operation and the normal operation is performed. Is characterized by comprising operation type setting means for switching and setting whether to invalidate or not to accept, and wherein the storage means stores the plurality of patterns including the pattern for switching the operation type.

According to the water heater of the first aspect of the present invention having the above configuration, the storage means has a plurality of patterns in which the setting of validity / invalidity of input operation for each input switch provided in the input operation means is combined. The pattern is stored in advance, the selection means selects one of the patterns, and the valid / invalid setting means switches the validity / invalidity of the input operation to each input switch according to the selected pattern.

According to the water heater according to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage means is provided with a combination of the setting of the validity / invalidity of the input operation to the input switch, and a plurality of optional settable temperature ranges. A plurality of patterns obtained by combining one is stored.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the pattern stored in the storage means, the operation command for the normal operation to the input switch is effectively received or the special operation is performed. The operation type setting means stores the pattern for switching between invalid and non-acceptable for normal operation, and stores it for normal operation or special operation according to the selected pattern. Set whether to accept operation commands effectively.

[0010]

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

A water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a remote control system for the bath 3 with a water heater. Bath kettle 3 with water heater
A hot water supply circuit 4 for supplying hot water to a hot water tap or a shower and filling a bathtub 6, a reheating circuit 5 for forcibly circulating and heating water in the bathtub 6 and reheating, a hot water supply circuit 4 and a reheating circuit 5 is provided with a main controller 7 which is controlled by a microcomputer (not shown).

In order to remotely control the bathtub 3 with a water heater, a bathroom-mounted bath remote controller 1a is provided in the bathroom, and a wall-mounted water heater remote controller 1b is provided in the kitchen. Each of the remote controllers 1a and 1b is connected to the main controller 7 by the two-wire cable 2, is supplied with power from the main controller 7, and performs data communication related to hot water supply control, remote control display, and the like.

Next, the function of each of the remote controllers 1a and 1b will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, the same reference numerals are used for the remote controllers 1a and 1b having the same function, and the reference numeral a is attached to the bathroom side and the reference number b is attached to the kitchen side at the end. Above, when referring to these, the symbols a and b are omitted, and only the numerals are used.

As shown in FIG. 3, a bath remote controller 1a installed in the bathroom is provided with an automatic bath switch 9a for holding hot water in the bathtub 6 and keeping the temperature warm, a faucet, a shower, and the like on the upper surface of the case 8a. A hot water supply switch 10a for enabling the hot water supply switch,
"Atsume" switch 11 for increasing the bath water temperature, a display unit 12a for displaying an input operation pattern to the bath remote controller 1a, a bath water temperature, a hot water supply temperature, and the like, and a buzzer sound or a melody to sound the hot water remote controller 1b. A call switch 13a for calling a person near 1b, a speaker 14a for generating a ringing sound and an operation sound for each switch are provided, respectively, and an input operation pattern to the bath remote controller 1a is selected in a depression 15a of the case 8a. Switch 16a, a hot water supply temperature control switch (up switch 17a, down switch 18a), and a hot water up / down switch 1 for increasing / decreasing a bath water temperature or hot water volume.
9, 20, a hot water switch 21 for setting the hot water amount, a hot water switch 22 for adding a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub 6, and a "slimming" switch 23 for adding a predetermined amount of water to the bathtub 6 are provided. The temperature control switches 17a and 18a are also used to select an operation pattern.

The case cover 24a of the bath remote controller 1a usually covers the depression 15a to hide switches that are not frequently used, thereby improving usability and preventing accidental pressing. Each of the switches 9a, 10a,
Lamps are provided on 11, 13a, 22, and 23, and indicate that they are operating by lighting. When setting the amount of hot water, push the hot water switch 21 to switch the hot water up / down switch 1.
By pressing the buttons 9 and 20, the set hot water amount can be increased / decreased. When setting the bath water temperature, the hot water volume up / down switches 19 and 20 are pressed without pressing the hot water volume switch 21.

On the other hand, a hot water supply remote control 1b installed in the kitchen
As shown in FIG. 4, a bath automatic switch 9b, a hot water supply switch 10b, and a display 12
b, a speaker 14b, a call switch 13b for sounding the bath remote controller 1a, a hot water supply temperature control switch (up switch 17b, down switch 18b), and a time for setting the time in the recessed portion 15b of the case 8b. Hour switch 25 and minute switch 26, time setting switch 27 for setting the clock of the remote control, reservation time switch 28 for setting the reservation time for filling the bathtub 6, reservation switch 29 for reservation, reservation lamp for displaying the reservation. 30, and an operation pattern selection switch 16b are provided.

The data input to these switches is read and output to the microcomputer of the main controller 7 by a microcomputer (not shown) provided inside each remote controller 1.

Next, a control method for selecting an operation pattern will be described. Table 1 shows patterns of combinations of restrictions on input operations to the hot water supply switch 10 and the bath automatic switch 9 of each remote controller 1 and the hot water supply temperature range. n is a number representing the combined pattern.

[Table 1]

The pattern 1 is an ON operation of the hot water supply switch 10.
The microcomputer of the remote controller 1 effectively receives the operation and the OFF operation, and the input operation (ON and OFF operations) to the bath automatic switch 9 is also effectively received. This is a so-called general mode limited to a wide temperature range. In pattern 2, the microcomputer of the remote controller 1 invalidates and does not accept the ON operation of the hot water supply switch 10, but accepts the OFF operation effectively, and invalidates and does not accept the input operation of the bath automatic switch 9, and the hot water supply temperature range. Is limited to 38-43 ° C. Pattern 3 is ON to hot water supply switch 10
-The OFF operation and the input operation to the bath automatic switch are effective, and the hot water supply temperature range is 38 to 43 ° C. Further, in pattern 4, the hot water supply switch 10 is turned ON / OFF.
In order to perform this operation, it is effectively received when a special operation such as operating the call switch 13 while pressing the hot water supply switch 10 is disabled. The bath automatic switch and the hot water supply temperature range are the same as those in Pattern 3.

In the pattern 2, since the microcomputer of the remote controller 1 does not accept the ON operation of the hot water supply switch 10 and the bath automatic switch 9, the faucet or the shower cannot be set to the hot water supply enabled state, and the bath cannot be automatically operated. Therefore, hot water does not flow out, and in a home with an infant or the like, the infant cannot operate the water heater without permission, which is safe and does not waste the hot water. Further, the switch operation is not completely invalidated as in the case of a child lock, and the OFF operation to the hot water supply switch 10 is effective. If it is used, the power can be turned off after using the bathtub 3 with the water heater, and thereafter, it is possible to prevent the infant from mischievously supplying hot water when there is no parent, and the usability is good. Further, since the hot water supply temperature range is limited to a narrow safe temperature range of 38 to 43 ° C., even if the temperature is changed by mistake, it can be used safely. In Pattern 3, the hot water supply operation can be performed in the same manner as in the normal mode, but since the hot water supply temperature range is limited to the safe temperature range of 38 to 43 ° C., in a home where a lower grade child of an elementary school has children, a shower is required. It is safe to prevent children from mischieving while using the water and so on so that the hot water temperature becomes high. In addition, since high-temperature hot water cannot be used, there is no inconvenience as long as normal usage is used, and the usability is good. Further, in the pattern 4, in addition to the restriction of the pattern 3, the hot water supply switch 10
Since the hot water supply operation cannot be performed unless the two switches of the call switch 13 are turned on at the same time, and the operation is difficult for a small child, it is convenient when it is not desired that the small child perform the hot water supply operation and stop. These patterns are stored in the non-volatile memory of the main controller 7.

Control for selecting such a pattern will be described with reference to FIG. This control is performed by a microcomputer provided in the main controller 7. First, an operation pattern selection control routine is started in a state where the plug of the bath 3 with a water heater is inserted into an outlet and power is supplied.

First, it is determined whether or not the operation pattern selection switch 16 has been pressed (S1). When the operation pattern selection switch 16 is pressed, the currently stored pattern is read from the nonvolatile memory (S2). The pattern number n is displayed on the temperature display section of the display section 12 (S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature control switches 17 and 18 are pressed and released (clicked) while the operation pattern selection switch 16 is kept pressed (S5). When the click operation of the up switch 17 is detected, the currently set pattern number n is raised by one step (S8), and when the click operation of the down switch 18 is detected, the pattern number n is lowered by one step (S9). The number n of the pattern is displayed on the display unit 12.
(S3). Since there are four types of operation patterns 1 to 4, if the up switch 17 is pressed while the pattern number n is set to 4, the pattern number n remains at 4. Also, when the down switch 18 is pressed in a state where it is set to 1, the pattern number n remains 1.

This pattern n is changed each time the temperature control switches 17 and 18 are clicked while the operation pattern selection switch 16 is pressed, and when the operation pattern selection switch 16 is released (S4). Assuming that the operation pattern selection has been completed, the pattern number n is determined and stored in the nonvolatile memory (S10), the display of the pattern number n is erased (S11), and the process returns to step 1. The pattern number n is set to, for example, "1" as an initial value when the operation mode selection mode is first entered after the power of the bathtub 3 with the water heater is turned on.

After these patterns are actually stored, the microcomputer of the remote controller 1 limits the input operation commands according to the stored patterns. For example, when the pattern is set to the pattern 2, the hot water supply switch 10
ON operation and input operation to bath automatic switch 9 are invalidated and not accepted, and the hot water supply temperature range is 38 to 4
Limited to 3 ° C.

According to the remote control 1 of the water heater described above, there are four settings for enabling / disabling the input operation to the hot water switch 10 and the automatic bath switch 9, the hot water supply temperature range, and the input operation method of the hot water switch 10. The hot water heater can be operated safely and comfortably by selecting the operation pattern suitable for the situation of each household from the patterns registered in advance. Further, in order to switch the operation pattern, a special operation such as operating the two switches at the same time, such as clicking the temperature control switches 17 and 18 while pressing the operation pattern selection switch 16, must be performed. The danger of the child switching patterns by prank is reduced. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, instead of displaying the pattern number n, the name of the switch, switching between valid / invalid, and the hot water supply temperature range may be directly displayed in characters as shown in Table 1 for easy understanding.

[0026]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
According to the water heater described above, by selecting an optimal pattern in accordance with the situation of each home from a pattern in which the valid / invalid setting of the input operation for each input switch is stored in advance, the hot water supply operation is performed. Restrictions can be set for instructing start and stop, and the hot water heater can be used safely, for example, by setting the pattern so that hot water supply operation cannot be performed in a home with small children. In addition, the input operation to the necessary input switch can be made effective, as compared with a case where the input operation is completely invalidated like a child lock, so that the usability is very good.

Further, according to the water heater according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of settable temperature ranges are set in the combination of valid / invalid setting for each input switch according to the situation of each household. Since a settable temperature range can also be combined, for example, in a home with a small child, if a setting is made such that hot water is not so hot as to burn, the water heater can be used safely. Turn on hot water supply operation in addition to the setting where hot water does not run
It is possible to make detailed settings in combination with the valid / invalid settings, such as disabling, so that the water heater can be used more safely and easily.

Further, according to the water heater of the third aspect of the present invention, whether the operation command is effectively received for a normal operation to the input switch or the operation command is effectively received for a special operation. Can be set to a special operation in which it is difficult to perform an input operation on an input switch that is not desired to be operated by a small child, for example, to activate a hot water supply operation, so that hot water supply can be safely performed. Vessel can be used. In addition, since an adult can also perform such a special operation, it is very convenient to use, as compared with a child lock that completely disables an input operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation pattern selection control process.

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

1a ... bath remote controller, 1b ... hot water remote controller, 3 ... bath pot with water heater, 4 ... hot water supply circuit, 5 ... additional heating circuit, 7 ... main controller, 9 ... automatic bath switch, 10 ... hot water supply switch, 12 ... display unit, 16 Operation pattern selection switch
17 ... Up switch, 18 ... Down switch.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heating means for heating water flowing through a heat exchanger, a hot water supply control means for controlling the heating of the heating means, and a command to the hot water supply control means for starting and stopping a hot water supply operation and setting a target temperature. A water heater having an input operation means having a plurality of input switches for inputting the input switch, wherein for each input switch to the input operation to the input switch, it is determined whether the operation command is valid or invalid and not received. Valid / invalid setting means for switching and setting, a storage means for storing a plurality of patterns obtained by combining valid / invalid settings of input operations for each input switch, and selecting one pattern from the plurality of stored patterns A water heater comprising: 2. A plurality of settable temperature ranges in which a target hot water supply temperature can be set, wherein the storage means stores a combination of the validity / invalidity of the input operation and an arbitrary value in the settable temperature range. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of combinations of one pattern are stored. 3. A switch is made between whether the operation command is effectively received for a normal operation to the input switch or whether the operation command is effectively received for a special operation and invalidated for a normal operation. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an operation type setting means for setting, wherein the storage means stores the plurality of patterns including a pattern for switching the operation type.