JP2003219964A - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide desired hot water to a user by automatically correcting a basic service pattern even when a service pattern of the user is suddenly changed. <P>SOLUTION: The electric water heater comprises a heating means 2 for heating a liquid in a container 1, a living learning means 7 that stores service conditions for a prescribed period of time to set a basic service pattern according to the service conditions, and a correction learning means 9 for correcting the service pattern. A service pattern in every home is learned by the constitution of being operated by the basic service pattern and the pattern learned by the correction learning means 9 to automatically change over setting of a heat insulation temperature during use/unuse, thereby saving consumed power. Further, even when the service pattern of the user is suddenly changed, the basic service pattern can be automatically corrected to provide desired hot water to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric water heater that learns a usage pattern for each home and operates according to this usage pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of electric water heater uses a thrifty heat retention timer function to switch to a low heat retention temperature setting for a certain period of time by the user setting the timer when the use condition is low such as midnight. It was trying to reduce power consumption.

Further, for example, a time setting means for setting a plurality of times and a hot water temperature setting means for setting a plurality of hot water temperatures are provided, and the user sets a use pattern in advance by these means, thereby making it possible to set a plurality of time intervals. There is a device that switches the heat retention temperature setting to reduce power consumption.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional electric water heater, the user must set a timer or the user must set a use pattern in advance, which is very troublesome. Furthermore, when changing the usage pattern, it is necessary to redo the settings one by one, which is very troublesome.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems by learning the usage pattern for each home and automatically switching the heat insulation temperature setting based on this basic usage pattern during use / non-use to save power consumption. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric water heater capable of providing a desired hot water to a user by automatically correcting the basic usage pattern even if the usage pattern of the user suddenly changes. .

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electric water heater of the present invention stores a usage state for a predetermined period, and life learning means for setting a basic usage pattern according to the usage state, An auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic usage pattern is provided, and the basic usage pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means are operated.

With this configuration, the usage pattern for each home is learned, and the heat retention temperature setting is automatically switched based on this basic usage pattern when the device is used or not used to reduce power consumption. Even if the usage pattern suddenly changes, the basic usage pattern can be automatically corrected to provide the user with desired hot water.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 stores a container for containing a liquid, a heating means for heating the liquid in the container, and a use state for a predetermined period, and stores the use state according to the use state. A life learning means for setting a basic use pattern and an auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic use pattern are provided, and by using the electric water heater operated by the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, each home Learns the usage pattern, and automatically switches the heat insulation temperature setting based on this basic usage pattern when it is used or not used to reduce power consumption. In addition, even if the usage pattern of the user changes suddenly The basic usage pattern can be corrected to provide the user with desired hot water.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater that raises the heat retention temperature in the time period in which it was used and the time periods before and after the use, so that the high temperature before starting the use operation is increased. Since the temperature is changed to the heat retention setting, it is possible to reliably raise the temperature of the hot water when there is a use operation or when there is a high possibility of being used, and it is possible to provide the user with desired hot water.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater that raises the heat retention temperature for a predetermined time from the time when the hot water is used. It is possible to reliably raise the temperature of the hot water even when it is likely to be used, and it is possible to provide the user with the desired hot water.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater that stores the time zone during which the hot water is discharged. It is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water in different hours.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater for storing the time zone during which the reheating switch has heated the water, so that the reheating switch can operate in a manner other than the basic use pattern. Even if there is, it is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water during the time when there was a boiling water operation.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater that stores the time period when water is supplied, so that even if there is an operation in which water is supplied in a pattern other than the basic usage pattern, It is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water during the time period when the water was supplied.

According to the invention described in claim 7, a predetermined number of days is stored in the time zone used by the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and when the predetermined number of days elapses, the memory of this time zone is erased. By using the electric water heater, the desired hot water can be reliably provided even when the usage suddenly changes.

According to the invention described in claim 8, a predetermined number of days is stored as a time zone in which the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means is used, and the pattern is used in this time zone before the predetermined number of days elapses. In this case, by using an electric water heater that returns the count of the number of days in this time period to a predetermined number of days, it is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water even when the usage pattern of the user changes significantly.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary learning means is an electric water heater having a clock function and changing the pattern every predetermined period, so that the usage pattern of the user greatly changes every day of the week. However, it is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by providing an electric water heater that changes the heat retention temperature setting when not in use, the desired temperature control can be performed even when the heat retention temperature is low when the hot water is likely to be used. Hot water can be provided.

[0018]

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

In FIG. 1, 1 is a container for containing a liquid,
Reference numeral 2 is a heating means for heating the liquid in the container 1, which has a first heating means and a second heating means having a smaller watt output than the first heating means. Reference numeral 3 denotes a temperature detecting means that is in contact with the container 1 and detects the temperature of the liquid in the container 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a boiling detecting means. The temperature rising gradient obtained from the temperature detecting means 3 is a predetermined temperature rising gradient (in the present embodiment, a predetermined temperature rising gradient). The boiling of the liquid in the container 1 is detected when the gradient becomes gentler than 30 seconds / 0.5 ° C.).

Reference numeral 6 denotes a control means, which drives the heating means 2 when the temperature detection means 3 detects a temperature lower than the heat retention boundary temperature (about 90 ° C. in this embodiment), and then the boiling detection means 5 detects boiling. However, the heating means 2 is stopped. Reference numeral 7 denotes a life learning means, which stores a usage state such as a hot water discharge operation, a boiling water operation, and water supply for a predetermined period (14 days in this embodiment), and sets a basic usage pattern. Reference numeral 8 denotes a reheating means for forcibly reheating the liquid being kept warm, and by this operation, the control means 6 and the heating means 2 are driven to reheat. Reference numeral 9 denotes auxiliary learning means, which indicates the usage state for one day at every unit time (10 in this embodiment).
In this embodiment, 144 days are stored for one day.
Data).

The control means 6 corrects the basic use pattern set by the life learning means 7 with the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means 9 to maintain the temperature of the temperature control pattern created so as to maintain the temperature. Is automatically controlled.

Reference numeral 10 is a hot water outlet means, which is a hot water outlet switch 10b.
And the water conduit 1 for sending the liquid from the bottom of the container 1 to the outside.
0h, and a pump 10i configured in this water conduit to send the liquid to the outside. Reference numeral 14 is an informing means for displaying and informing an operation such as during boiling water or keeping warm.

In FIG. 2, the heating means 2 comprises a first heating element 2a for heating the liquid in the container 1 and a first heating element 2a.
The second heating element 2b, which has a smaller heating power than the above and heats and keeps the temperature of the liquid in the container, the relay contacts 2c and 2d connected in series with the AC power source 11, and the relay contacts 2c and 2
It is composed of relay coils 2e and 2f for controlling d, and a current is passed through the relay coils 2e and 2f to close the relay contacts 2c and 2d.

The temperature detecting means 3 creates a divided voltage value by the temperature sensitive element 3a for converting the temperature into a resistance value and the temperature sensitive element 3a and the resistor 3b, and converts it into a binary code A / D. It is input to the converter 3c. A / D converter 3c is about 30-120
The range of ° C is made into temperature increments of a unit temperature range (about 0.5 ° C in this embodiment), and a signal is output every time the unit temperature rises.

The reheating means 8 is an input means for forcibly reheating the liquid being kept warm, and comprises a switch 8a and resistors 8b, 8c. The notification means 14 is a buzzer 14
The end of boiling is notified by a, and the LEDs 14b, 14c
It is designed to display whether the water is hot or warm.

The hot water discharge means 10 is a motor 10a for driving an electric pump 10i by operating a hot water discharge switch 10b.
And a hot water discharge switch 10b connected in series with the motor 10a, a transistor 10c, and an unlock switch 10e for outputting a signal for turning on the transistor 10c.

The hot water is released by the lock release switch 10
This can be done when the hot water outlet switch 10b is on in the unlocked state in which e is on and the transistor 10c is on. Therefore, in the locked state where the unlock switch 10e is off and the transistor 10c is off, even if the hot water switch 10b is turned on, hot water cannot be discharged. Furthermore, if the next hot spring is not performed within a fixed time (10 seconds in this embodiment) from the end of the hot spring,
The transistor 10c is turned off again, and hot water cannot be tapped simply by turning on the hot water tap switch 10b.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer"), which executes the programs to learn the life learning means 7, the boiling detection means 5, and the auxiliary learning means 9.
And the operation of the control means 6 is realized. 1
2 is a DC power supply.

FIG. 3 shows a microcomputer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the life learning means 7 and the auxiliary learning means 9 of the program stored in FIG.

First, in S100, the usage state is for a predetermined period (1
If four days have not been completed, the usage state is stored by the life learning means 7 in S101 to create a basic usage pattern. Then, when the predetermined period ends in S100, the basic usage pattern is completed. Next, in S102, the basic use pattern and the pattern (1
The control means 6 controls the heating means 2 at 144 data / day every 0 minutes. Then, in S103, it is determined whether or not one day has ended as the usage status of the device, and if it is determined that it has ended, the learning pattern of the auxiliary learning unit 9 is determined in S104 by the pattern stored in the auxiliary learning unit 9 in this one day. Is updated, the process returns to the original S100, and the following steps are repeated. Also, S10
If one day has not ended in 3, the process returns to S102 and the heating means 2 is controlled as before.

The operation will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 (a) shows the actual condition of use during a predetermined period (14 days). Based on this, FIG.
The basic usage pattern shown in is set. When the basic usage pattern is not set, the life learning means 7 uses the usage state for each unit time (10 minutes in the present embodiment) such as the hot water discharge operation, the boiling water operation, and the water supply. A band is set to 1 and a non-use time band is set to 0, and a predetermined period (14 days in this embodiment) is integrated and stored.

The respective usage states for setting the basic usage pattern will be described below.

When the use state is the hot water discharge operation, the hot water discharge switch 10b is pressed, so that the hot water discharge switch 10b is in the ON state when the hot water discharge switch 10b is on, and when the hot water discharge switch 10b is not pressed is in the OFF state. 0 as the time of use
Memorize

In the case of the boiling water operation, the reheating switch 8a
Is stored, "1" is stored when the reheating switch 8a is on, and "0" is stored when the reheating switch 8a is not pressed and is not pressed.

When water is supplied, the temperature of the liquid in the container 1 decreases, so that when the temperature detecting means 3 detects the temperature decrease, "1 is the operating time period", and otherwise, "the operating time period is not operating". "0" is stored.

Next, when the predetermined period ends, data for 14 days accumulated for each time period is used / not used is determined for each predetermined time. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the integrated value is a predetermined number of days (two days in this embodiment).
The basic usage pattern of FIG. 4B is set such that the time zone in which the user has been used is “1 as the usage time zone” and the others are “0 as the non-use time zone” (in this embodiment, every 10 minutes. 144 data / day) is set.

As a method of setting the basic usage pattern, the life learning means 7 uses the usage time period of 1 other than the above.
The unused time period is -1 and 14 for each time period.
The daily data is stored in an integrated manner, and the time zone in which the integrated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (1 in this embodiment) in the use / non-use determination for each predetermined time is “1 as a use time zone”, Various other basic use pattern setting methods are conceivable, such as "0 as the non-use time zone" in other cases.

Next, the operation of the auxiliary learning means 9 will be described. The auxiliary learning means 9 stores the usage state for one day at every unit time (10 minutes in this embodiment) (144 data / day every 10 minutes in this embodiment). The timer that measures the unit time is synchronized with the timer that measures the unit time of the basic usage pattern. Here, there are cases such as a hot water operation, a hot water operation, a case where water is supplied, etc.,
Any combination may be used. The contents of each learning will be described below. Of these, FIG. 4 (b) shows a case of tapping operation.

In the case of the hot water operation, the hot water switch 10b is pushed, so that the hot water switch 10b is in the ON state when the hot water switch 10b is ON, and the OFF state when the hot water switch 10b is not pushed is in the OFF time zone. 0 "is stored.

In the case of the boiling water operation, the reheating switch 8a
Is stored, "1" is stored when the reheating switch 8a is on, and "0" is stored when the reheating switch 8a is not pressed and is not pressed.

When water is supplied, the temperature of the liquid in the container 1 is lowered. Therefore, when the temperature detecting means 3 detects the temperature drop, "1 is the operating time zone", and otherwise, "the non-operating time zone". 0 "is stored.

In the above, only the use time zone is set to 1 (high temperature heat retention setting), but the time zone during which the use operation is performed and the time zones before and after the use operation (each 10 minutes in this embodiment) are also set to 1.
There is also a way to In this case, start using operation 10
Changing to the high temperature heat retention setting before a minute can surely raise the temperature of the hot water when there is a use operation. Further, extending the high temperature keeping setting for 10 minutes can surely raise the temperature of the hot water even when the hot water is likely to be used.

In addition, there is also a method in which a predetermined time (20 minutes in the present embodiment) is set to 1 from the time zone in which the operation is performed. In this case, extending the high temperature insulation setting for 20 minutes can surely raise the temperature of the hot water even when the hot water is likely to be used.

Next, a method of correcting the basic use pattern will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 4 above
When the basic usage pattern of (b) and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means 9 of FIG. 4 (c) are completed, the temperature is corrected as shown in FIG. 4 (d) by performing a logical sum in each time zone. The control pattern is completed.

Based on the temperature control pattern shown in FIG. 4 (d), the control means 6 keeps the temperature at a high temperature (98 ° C. in this embodiment) during the period of use of 1 and keeps it at a low temperature during the period of non-use of 0. The heating means 2 is automatically controlled so as to be (60 ° C. in this embodiment).

Here, when the predetermined period of 14 days has not ended, the basic use pattern of FIG. 4A has not been completed, so the prepared initial pattern is used as the basic use pattern. Alternatively, a basic usage pattern that has not been completed may be used. Further, on the first day of the auxiliary learning means 9, it is possible to use a pattern prepared in advance or to set all the patterns in the non-use time zone. Then, when one day has passed, the pattern in FIG. 4C is updated by the pattern stored in the auxiliary learning means 9 in this one day.

The auxiliary learning means 9 has stored the use state as "use time zone is 1" and "non-use time zone is 0" at predetermined time intervals. Number of days (3 days in the present embodiment) "," the unused time period is 0 "
There is also a way to remember. In this case, the usage time zone is stored for three consecutive days. Then, in the update of the pattern stored by the auxiliary learning unit 9 (S104 in FIG. 3), 1 is subtracted except 0 in each time zone. In other words, if used once, 3 is stored in that time zone, so 1 is subtracted at the time of updating after 1 day and repeated for 3 days until it becomes 0. That is, when a predetermined number of days (3 days) have passed, the memory of this time zone is erased and the time zone becomes zero. in this way,
If you use it once, you can learn that time period as a use time period for 3 consecutive days. When not in use, keep the same value. Here, if there is usage within this time period before the above-mentioned predetermined number of days has elapsed, the usage state is again set to “usage time period is 3”.
I am going to return it to and remember it.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the patterns stored in the auxiliary learning means 9 are sequentially updated, so that even if the usage pattern of the user changes significantly,
It is possible to correct the basic usage pattern and reliably provide the desired hot water.

Furthermore, in the case of making a large change for each day of the week,
The auxiliary learning means 9 is provided with a clock / calendar function so that the state of use can be set for each day of the week by unit time (10
(In this example, it is 7 days from Monday to Sunday). Then, the control means 6 corrects the basic use pattern by the pattern for each day of the week learned by the auxiliary learning means 9. As a result, even if the usage pattern of the user changes significantly depending on the day of the week, it is possible to reliably correct the basic usage pattern and reliably provide the desired hot water.

By the way, the low-temperature heat retention during the non-use time is set to a constant 60 ° C., but it is changed every hour and 60 ° C. when the hot water is not used much at night, and 85 when the hot water is used well in the daytime. It is also possible to set the heat retention temperature to ℃. This makes it possible to quickly provide the desired hot water when the hot water is likely to be used.

Although not shown in the figure in this embodiment, when a power failure occurs during learning, an internal timer is operated by a backup power source to continue learning. In addition, in the present embodiment, the boiling is controlled to be performed only by the first heating element 2a, but it is also possible to use the second heating element 2b in combination.

Further, in this embodiment, the hot water discharge operation is stored when the state of the hot water discharge switch 10b is ON, but it may be stored when the state of the lock release switch 10e is ON, It is also possible to store the operating state of the motor 10a.

Further, in the present embodiment, expressions such as a predetermined period, a predetermined time, and every predetermined time are used. However, these values depend on design factors such as the capacity of the container 1, the shape, the output of the heating means, and the like. This is because it is different and needs to be calculated for each model.

As described above, the modified examples of this embodiment can be freely combined and used according to the purpose, and do not necessarily exist independently.

[0055]

As described above, according to the invention described in claims 1 to 10, the usage pattern for each home is learned, and based on this basic usage pattern, the warming temperature is automatically set when the device is used / not used. By changing the setting, power consumption can be reduced, and even if the user's usage pattern suddenly changes, the basic usage pattern can be automatically corrected to provide the user with desired hot water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the electric water heater.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric water heater.

4A is a diagram showing a usage state of the electric water heater, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a basic usage pattern of the electric water heater, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a pattern learned by a correction learning means of the electric water heater. The figure which shows the temperature control pattern of an electric water heater (e) The figure which shows the temperature control state of the same electric water heater

[Explanation of symbols]

1 container 2 heating means 3 Temperature detection means 5 Boiling detection means 6 Control means 7 life learning means 8 Reheating means 9 Auxiliary learning means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Shimada             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4B055 AA34 BA08 BA27 BA31 BA44                       CC18 CD22 CD35 GB03 GB05                       GB11 GB12 GD01 GD02 GD03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A life learning means for storing a liquid container, a heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container, and a usage state for a predetermined period, and setting a basic usage pattern in accordance with the usage state. And an electric water heater equipped with auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic usage pattern, and operating with the basic usage pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means. 2. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary learning means raises the heat retention temperature in a time period in which it is used and in time periods before and after the time period. 3. The electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary learning means raises the heat retention temperature for a predetermined time from the time of use. 4. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the auxiliary learning means stores a time period during which the hot water is discharged. 5. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the auxiliary learning means stores a time period during which the water heating operation by the reheating switch was performed. 6. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary learning means stores a time period when water is supplied. 7. The time zone used in the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means stores a predetermined number of days, and when the predetermined number of days elapses, the memory of this time zone is erased.
The electric water heater according to any one of 6 above. 8. The time zone in which the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means has been used stores a predetermined number of days, and if the time zone is used before the predetermined number of days elapses, the The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of days is returned to a predetermined number of days. 9. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary learning means has a clock function and changes the pattern every predetermined period. 10. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the heat retention temperature setting when not in use is changed with time.