JP2004232914A

JP2004232914A - Water heater

Info

Publication number: JP2004232914A
Application number: JP2003020020A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Keijiro Kunimoto; 啓次郎國本; Takeji Watanabe; 竹司渡辺; Masahiro Ohama; 昌宏尾浜; Yoshitsugu Nishiyama; 吉継西山; Koji Oka; 浩二岡; Tetsuei Kuramoto; 哲英倉本
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-01-29
Filing date: 2003-01-29
Publication date: 2004-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-29
Also published as: JP3741103B2

Abstract

【課題】給湯装置の放熱手段への安定した熱量供給と、放熱手段の利便性をよくすることを目的とする。
【解決手段】貯湯槽１６の温水を熱源とする放熱手段２１と、放熱手段２１への熱媒の流量を可変する流量調節手段２５と、この流量調節手段２５を調整し前記放熱手段２１の放熱量を制御する制御手段２６を備えたものである。上記発明によれば、安価な深夜電力を利用して貯湯した熱を放熱手段２１の目的に応じて放熱量を制御するおとによって、非常に安価な運転費で利便性の良い給湯装置となる。
【選択図】図１An object of the present invention is to stably supply heat to a heat radiating means of a water heater and to improve the convenience of the heat radiating means.
A heat dissipating means using hot water in a hot water storage tank as a heat source, a flow rate adjusting means for varying a flow rate of a heat medium to the heat dissipating means, and adjusting the flow rate adjusting means to release the heat dissipating means. It has a control means 26 for controlling the amount of heat. According to the above-mentioned invention, by controlling the amount of heat radiated from the hot water stored using inexpensive midnight power in accordance with the purpose of the heat radiating means 21, the water heater becomes very convenient at a very low operating cost. .
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、貯湯槽の温水を熱源とする放熱手段を有する給湯装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
貯湯式温水器の貯湯熱を利用して浴槽水の追焚きや保温を行うものとして特許文献１に記載されているような給湯装置があった。この給湯装置は図４に示すように、上部と下部にヒータ２，３を有する貯湯槽１を備え、貯湯槽１の上部に熱交換器４を設けると共に、熱交換器４と浴槽５の間に循環路６を設け、浴槽５の追焚きや保温をする給湯装置であって、熱交換器４により、循環路６内の浴槽水と貯湯槽１の湯を熱交換させるようにしている。これに対して貯湯槽１の熱を利用して浴槽水の追焚きを行えば充分に満足できる熱量が得られるものであった。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−８３１５６号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記従来の構成では、放熱手段としての風呂追焚きの場合、風呂追焚き運転時に貯湯槽１の湯温が低下するため、放熱手段へ流入する温水温度が不安定となり、その結果放熱手段への供給熱量が不安定になって、利便性が悪かった。例えば、風呂追焚き回数を重ねる度に貯湯槽の湯温が低下し、浴槽５からの循環水との温度差が小さくなるなってしまう。さらに、貯湯槽１の湯の利用温度に限界があって、有効に利用できていなかった。
【０００５】
本発明は、上記従来の課題を解決するもので、放熱手段への安定した熱量供給し、放熱手段の利便性をよくするとともに、貯湯槽の湯を高効率で貯湯運転する給湯装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するために、本発明の給湯装置は、加熱手段で加熱した温水を上部から貯湯する貯湯槽と、この貯湯槽の温水を熱源とする放熱手段と、放熱手段への熱媒の流量を可変する流量調節手段と、この流量調節手段を調整し前記放熱手段の放熱量を制御する制御手段を備えたものである。
【０００７】
上記発明によれば、安価な深夜電力を利用して貯湯した熱を放熱手段の目的に応じて放熱手段への放熱量を制御する。従って、非常に安価な運転費で利便性の良い給湯装置となる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
請求項１に記載の発明の給湯装置は、加熱手段と、前記加熱手段で加熱した温水を上部から貯湯する貯湯槽と、前記貯湯槽の温水を熱源とする放熱手段と、前記放熱手段への熱媒の流量を可変する流量調節手段と、前記流量調節手段を調整し前記放熱手段の放熱量を制御する制御手段を備えたものである。これは、負荷に対応した放熱量の制御ができるので、利便性のよい給湯装置が実現できる。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明の給湯装置は、加熱手段と、前記加熱手段で加熱した温水を上部から貯湯する貯湯槽と、前記貯湯槽の温水を熱源とする放熱手段と、前記貯湯槽内の熱を放熱手段に伝える熱交換器と、前記熱交換器と貯湯槽の間の温水を循環する第１の流量調節手段と、前記熱交換器と放熱手段の間の熱媒を循環する第２の流量調節手段と、前記第１の流量調節手段と第の流量調節手段を調整し前記放熱手段の放熱量を制御する制御手段を備えたものである。
【００１０】
この発明によれば、熱交換器により貯湯槽と放熱手段の循環流量が独立して調整できるので、放熱手段の放熱量と放熱手段への流入温度が調整でき、より利便性が増す。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項２に記載の制御手段が、第１の流量調節手段と第２の流量調節手段の一方を一定流量とし他方の流量を調整するようにしたことにより、制御構成が簡単になり低コストでかつ制御性が良くなる。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項２に記載の制御手段が、第１の流量調節手段と第２の流量調節手段の調整を同期させるようにしたことにより、熱交換器の貯湯槽側と放熱手段側の両者の熱伝達が可変するので、放熱量の制御幅を大きくでき、幅広い負荷変動に対応できる。
【００１３】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項２〜４のいずれか１項に記載の制御手段が、貯湯槽から熱交換器に流入する入口温度と、熱交換器から貯湯槽へ流出する出口温度の少なくともひとつに応じて流量調節手段を調整するようにしたものである。
【００１４】
たとえば入口温度が高い場合に第１の流量調節手段により熱交換器に流入する流量が少なくなるように調整すると、入口温度の高低に対して安定した放熱量が得られる。同様に入口温度が高い場合に第２の流量調節手段により放熱手段への流量が少なくなるように調整しても安定した放熱量が得られる。また、出口温度が高い場合に第２の流量調節手段により放熱手段に流入する流量が多くなるように調整すると、安定した放熱量が得られる。さらに、入口温度と出口温度との偏差に反比例的に放熱手段に流入する流量を調整すると、より安定した放熱量が得られる。また、出口温度が高い場合に第１の流量調節手段により熱交換器に流入する流量が少なくなるように調整すると、出口温度が低い温度でかつ少ない流量で貯湯槽に戻るので、貯湯槽の高温の湯の使用量が少なくてすみ、使用済みの湯温が低いので、加熱手段をヒートポンプとした場合に低温の湯を再沸き上げすることになり、沸き上げの効率を高くできる。
【００１５】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載の制御手段を、貯湯槽の温水温度に応じて流量調節手段を調整するようにしたものである。
【００１６】
上記請求項６の発明によれば、たとえば温水温度が高い場合に放熱手段への流量を少なくなるように調整すると、貯湯槽の湯温の高低に対して安定した放熱量が得られる。また、貯湯槽の残湯量を温水温度により判定する場合は、残湯量が少ない場合に流量調節手段を停止させて、給湯量を確保することができる。
【００１７】
請求項７に記載の発明の給湯装置は、請求項１〜６のいずれか１項に記載の制御手段が、放熱手段に流入する流入温度と、放熱手段から流出する流出温度と、放熱手段近傍の雰囲気温度の少なくともひとつに応じて流量調節手段を調整するようにしたものである。
【００１８】
たとえば流入温度が高い場合に第１の流量調節手段により熱交換器に流入する流量を少なくなるように調整すると、熱交換量が減少して、流入温度が低下して放熱量が減少する。すなわち、流入温度と放熱量を同時に調節することができる。また、流入温度と流出温度との偏差に反比例的に第１の流量調節手段により熱交換器に流入する流量を調整すると、より安定した放熱量が得られる。さらに、流入温度が高い場合に放熱手段に流入する流量が少なくなるように調整すると、流入温度の高低に対して放熱量を一定に調整することができる。さらに放熱手段近傍の雰囲気温度が低い場合に放熱手段に流入する流量が多くなるように調整すると、放熱手段の温度の立ち上がりが早くなり、雰囲気温度が自動的に調整できるので、使い勝手が良くなる。
【００１９】
請求項８に記載の発明の給湯装置は、請求項１〜７のいずれか１項に記載の制御手段が、流量調節手段を発停させて流量を調整するようにしたものである。これは流量調節手段をオンオフ制御することにより制御構成を簡素化して低コストが実現できる。
【００２０】
請求項９に記載の発明は、前述の構成に加え、加熱手段をヒートポンプサイクルとすることによって、高能力省エネルギー化を実現できる。
【００２１】
請求項１０に記載の発明は、請求項９に記載の構成に加え、冷媒の圧力が臨界圧力以上となる超臨界としたもので、超臨界ヒートポンプサイクルは、湯水循環手段の流水を高温（例えば９０℃）に加熱する場合、加熱前の流水温度が低いほど、高圧圧力が低くなることでサイクル効率（ＣＯＰ＝加熱能力／消費電力）が向上する。したがって、温水を上部から貯湯して貯湯槽に温度成層を形成し、低温部の水を超臨界ヒートポンプサイクルで加熱することにより、サイクル効率が向上し、省動力運転を行うことができる。
【００２２】
請求項９に記載の発明は、前述の構成に加え、加熱手段を燃料電池の廃熱を利用することによって、より省エネルギー化を実現できる。
【００２３】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、従来例および各実施例において、同じ構成、同じ動作をするものについては同一符号を付し、一部説明を省略する。
【００２４】
（実施例１）
図１は本発明の第１の実施例における多機能給湯装置の構成図を示す。図１において、１１は加熱手段であり、圧縮機１２、放熱器１３、減圧装置１４、大気熱を吸熱する大気熱交換器１５からなるヒ−トポンプサイクルを構成したヒートポンプ熱源である。そして、高圧側の冷媒圧力が臨界圧力以上となる二酸化炭素を冷媒とている。１６は貯湯槽であり、下部から給水管１６ａを通って給水し、上部の出湯管１６ｂから端末へ出湯する。１７は循環ポンプ、１８は給湯熱交換器であり、放熱器１３と熱交換関係を有して、放熱器１３を流れる冷媒と給湯熱交換器１８を流れる水を対向流で熱交換する構成である。そして、貯湯槽１６の下部から循環ポンプ１７、給湯熱交換器１８、貯湯槽１６の上部を順次接続する給湯回路を構成する。１９は温度検出手段であり、ヒートポンプ熱源１１で加熱する湯温を検出するため給湯熱交換器１８の出口に設けられている。２０は湯水制御手段であり、給湯熱交換器１８の出口湯水が所定温度となるように循環ポンプ１７の回転数を制御して給湯回路の循環流量を制御する。
【００２５】
２１は放熱手段となる、例えば床暖房機であり、貯湯槽１６上部の温水を熱源として暖房する。つまり、本発明は給湯機能と暖房機能の２つの機能を備えた多機能給湯装置である。２２は貯湯槽１６の上部に内臓した内部熱交換器で、放熱手段２１との間で熱媒を循環するように閉回路に構成されている。２３は貯湯槽１６上部の温水温度を検出する温水温度検出手段、２４は放熱手段２１近傍の雰囲気温度を検出する室内温度検出手段、２５は放熱手段２１への熱媒の流量を可変する流量調節手段であり、流量可変のポンプである。２６は制御手段であり、温水温度検出手段２３と室内温度検出手段２４の検出温度に応じて流量調節手段２５の回転数を制御する。
【００２６】
制御手段２６は、温水温度検出手段２３の検出する温度が高い場合に流量調節手段２５の最大回転数が小さくなるように設定する。すなわち、貯湯槽１６の温水温度が高い場合に熱媒の流量を低下するようにして、温水温度が低い場合は流量を増加するようにしている。これにより温水温度の高低に関わりなく内部熱交換器２２での熱交換量が所定の値になり、放熱手段２１の放熱量が所定の値になるので、放熱手段２１の放熱量が大きくなって床暖房の表面温度が上がり過ぎたり、逆に放熱量が少なく表面温度が下がり過ぎるような問題がない。
【００２７】
また、室内温度検出手段２４の検出温度と、予め設定した設定値との温度差が大きい場合は、流量調節手段２５を最大回転数で駆動して熱媒の流量を増加し、温度差が小さい場合は流量を低下するように制御する。この制御により室内温度が設定値に達した場合に放熱量が小さくなるので、床面温度と室内温度が自動的調整され快適で利便性の良い暖房ができる。
【００２８】
以上のように構成された多機能給湯装置について、以下その動作、作用を説明する。図１において、ヒートポンプ熱源で大気熱を利用して給湯運転する場合について説明する。圧縮機１２から吐出する臨界圧力以上の高温高圧の冷媒が放熱器１３に流入し、ここで貯湯槽１６下部から送られてきた水と給湯熱交換器１８を介して熱交換する。そして、放熱器１３に流入する高温冷媒と給湯熱交換器１８から流出する水を対向流にして熱交換し、給湯熱交換器１８の出口湯水が所定温度となるように循環ポンプ１７の回転数を制御する。そして、所定温度の湯が貯湯槽１６上部から流入し貯湯される。
【００２９】
一方、放熱器１３に流入した高温冷媒は放熱作用によって、温度を下げて放熱器１３から流出して減圧装置１４に流入し、減圧されて大気熱交換器１５に流入する。そして、大気熱を吸熱して蒸発ガス化して圧縮機１２へ戻る。このサイクルを繰り返しながら高温湯を貯湯槽１６上部から貯湯槽１下部まで貯湯する。
【００３０】
次に、貯湯槽１６に貯湯された高温水を給湯利用する場合について説明する。給湯に利用する場合は、端末のカランが開放されると給水圧によって貯湯槽１６下部から給水され、貯湯槽１６上部の高温水は上部の出湯管１６ｂから押し出されるように出湯する。そして、貯湯槽１６内の高温湯は、給水された冷水と温度成層を形成して、出湯される度に上部に移動する。
【００３１】
次に、貯湯槽１６に貯湯された高温水を放熱手段２１で利用する運転について説明する。放熱手段２１が運転開始されると流量調節手段２５が内部熱交換器２２で熱せられた熱媒を放熱手段２１側に流す。その際に、流量調節手段２５の回転数は温水温度検出手段２３の検出する温度に応じた値に設定される。そして、室内温度検出手段２４の検出温度が設定値が近づくと流量調節手段２５の回転数を低下させて室内温度を自動制御する。このように室内温度が低い場合は床暖房の温度を極力上昇させて暖房の立ち上がりを早めて、室内温度の上昇に伴って床暖房の表面温度を低下させることで、使用者は快適な暖房感が得られる。勿論、放熱手段２１の表面温度や室内温度の好みによって、温水温度検出手段２３の検出温度にじて設定する流量調節手段２５の最大回転数を変更したり、室内温度の設定値を変更することは容易である。
【００３２】
また、加熱手段としてヒートポンプ熱源を利用するため高能力あるいは低消費電力量を実現する。そして、この加熱手段の運転を深夜電力を利用して行えば更に低料金の運転が実現できる。
【００３３】
さらに、ヒートポンプ熱源に封入する冷媒を二酸化炭素とすることによって、貯湯槽に高温湯（およそ９０℃）を貯湯する。そのため、貯湯槽の蓄熱量が増加して、放熱手段の放熱量、運転時間が増大する。また、地球環境保全にも貢献する。さらに、高温湯から中温湯まで沸き上げ温度の巾が大きくなって放熱手段の利便性が向上する。
【００３４】
なお実施例１では、放熱手段近傍の雰囲気温度として室内温度を室内温度検出手段２４により検知して熱媒流量を制御したが、これを放熱手段２１の表面温度を検出してもよい。
【００３５】
また、実施例１では流量調節手段による熱媒の流量調整は、流量可変のポンプの回転数制御により行ったが、図２に示す如く、流量調節手段２５を循環回路に設けたオンオフ制御のポンプ２７と流量調整弁２７により構成し、流量調整弁２７の開度を調整して熱媒の流量調整を行っても同様の効果が得られる。
【００３６】
また、本実施例では放熱手段２１を床暖房に使用する場合について説明したが、放熱手段を風呂追い焚きに使用しても良い。この場合でも給湯機能と風呂追い焚き機能の２つの機能を備えた多機能給湯装置となる。給湯機能、暖房機能、風呂追い焚き機能の３つの機能が備わっていてもよい。この場合は放熱手段が複数個存在することになる。
【００３７】
（実施例２）
図３は本発明の実施例２の多機能給湯装置の構成図である。図３において、３０は熱交換器であり、貯湯槽１６上部から貯湯槽１６中間部あるいは下部に循環する貯湯槽１６内の温水と、放熱手段２１を循環する熱媒とを熱交換する。３１は第１の流量調節手段であり、流量可変のポンプで構成し、貯湯槽１６上部の温水を熱交換器３０に循環して貯湯槽１６中間部あるいは下部に戻す。３２は第２の流量調節手段であり、一定の流量でのオンオフ運転をするＡＣポンプで構成し、熱交換器３０と放熱手段２１の間の熱媒を循環する。３３は貯湯槽１６から熱交換３０に流入する温水の温度を検出する入口温度検出手段、３４は熱交換器３０から貯湯槽１６へ流出する温水の温度を検出する出口温度検出手段、３５は熱交換器３０から放熱手段２１に流入する熱媒の温度を検出する流入温度検出手段、３６は放熱手段２１から熱交換器３０に流出する熱媒の温度を検出する流出温度検出手段である。制御手段３７は、第２の流量調節手段３２を駆動させて、流入温度検出手段３５の検出温度が所定温度になるように第１の流量調節手段３１の回転数を制御する。この際の所定温度は入口温度検出手段３３の検出温度により定める。例えば所定温度を６０℃に設定し、入口温度検出手段３３の検出温度が７０℃以下の場合は所定温度を５０℃に設定する。
【００３８】
以上の構成において、その動作、作用について説明する。貯湯槽１６上部から流出する高温水を熱交換器３０に流して、放熱手段２１から流出する循環回路の熱媒を加熱する。その際、流入温度検出手段３５の温度検出信号が所定温度となるように流量調節手段３１が高温水の熱交換器３０への流入量を調整することで、熱交換量が変わり放熱手段２１への熱媒温度が調整される。したがって、所定温度の熱媒を放熱手段２１に流入さて放熱できる。これにより放熱手段２１での放熱量は、雰囲気温度や放熱手段２１の温度が低い場合は熱媒温度との温度差が大きいので多くなり、雰囲気温度や放熱手段２１の温度が高くなれば温度差が小さくなるので放熱量は少なくなる。このように、暖房の立ち上がりに応じた放熱量の調整が可能となる。また、放熱手段２１に流入する温度が所定値となるので、床暖房の場合に表面温度が上がり過ぎて不快にさせることがない。一方、熱交換器３０で温度低下した貯湯槽水を貯湯槽の中間部あるいは下部に戻す。
【００３９】
また、温度検出手段３６または出口温度検出手段３４の温度検出信号が所定温度となるように流量調節手段３１が高温水の熱交換器３０への流入量を調整するようにしても暖房の立ち上がりに応じた放熱量の調整が可能である。
【００４０】
上記説明では第２の流量調節手段３２を一定流量のオンオフ制御として、第１の流量調節手段３１により流量を調整して放熱量を制御する場合の説明をしたが、第１の流量調節手段３１を一定流量のオンオフ制御として、第２の流量調節手段３２により流量を調整して放熱量を制御してもよい。この場合は、温度検出手段３６または出口温度検出手段３４の温度検出信号が所定温度となるように流量調節手段３２により放熱手段２１への流入量を調整する。
【００４１】
また、第１の流量調節手段３１と第２の流量調節手段３２を同期して両者を同時に流量調整してもよい、この場合は、放熱手段２１の放熱量を多くしたい場合に流量を増加し、少なくしたい場合に流量を減少させる。
【００４２】
さらに、上記説明では流量調整を第１の流量調節手段３１または第２の流量調節手段３２の回転数を調整するようにしているが、オンオフ制御により平均的に流量を調整してもよい。このことにより流量調節手段に安価なＡＣポンプを用いるなど制御構成を簡素化して低コストが実現できる。例えば、第１の流量調節手段３１および第２の流量調節手段３２を一定回転数で運転して、流入温度検出手段３５の温度検出信号が所定温度を超えた場合に第１の流量調節手段３１を停止し、流入温度検出手段３５の温度検出信号が所定温度を下回ったら再び第１の流量調節手段３１を運転する。この動作を繰り返すことにより、放熱手段２１への熱媒温度が調整される。したがって、回転制御した場合と同様の効果が得られる。
【００４３】
また、実施例１および実施例２では、放熱手段２１として、床暖房で説明したが、当然、乾燥機、温風暖房機など、放熱機能を有するものは含む。さらに、温水を循環して風呂の追い炊き運転する場合にも適用できる。
【００４４】
また、実施例１および実施例２では加熱手段としてヒートポンプを用いたが、電気ヒータでもよいし、燃料電池における発電時の廃熱を用いても同様の効果が得られる。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、放熱手段への安定した熱量を供給し、放熱手段の利便性をよくするとともに、貯湯槽の湯を高効率で貯湯運転する給湯装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１の多機能ヒートポンプ給湯機の構成図
【図２】本発明の実施例１の他の多機能ヒートポンプ給湯機の構成図
【図３】本発明の実施例２の多機能ヒートポンプ給湯機の構成図
【図４】従来の多機能給湯装置の構成図
【符号の説明】
１１加熱手段
１６貯湯槽
２１放熱手段
２３温水温度検出手段
２４室内温度検出手段
２５流量調節手段
２６制御手段
３０熱交換器
３１第１の流量調節手段
３２第２の流量調節手段
３３入口温度検出手段
３４出口温度検出手段
３５流入温度検出手段
３６流出温度検出手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hot water supply device having a heat radiating means using hot water in a hot water storage tank as a heat source.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There has been a hot water supply device described in Patent Document 1 as a device for reheating and maintaining the temperature of bathtub water using the hot water stored in a hot water storage type water heater. As shown in FIG. 4, the hot water supply apparatus includes a hot water storage tank 1 having heaters 2 and 3 at an upper part and a lower part, and a heat exchanger 4 is provided at an upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 and a heat exchanger 4 and a bath tub 5 are provided. The hot water supply device is provided with a circulation path 6 for reheating and maintaining the temperature of the bathtub 5. The heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between bath water in the circulation path 6 and hot water in the hot water storage tank 1. On the other hand, if the additional heating of the bathtub water is performed using the heat of the hot water storage tank 1, a sufficiently satisfactory amount of heat can be obtained.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-83156
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, in the case of additional reheating of the bath as the heat radiating means, the temperature of the hot water flowing into the heat radiating means becomes unstable because the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 decreases during the additional heating of the bath. The amount of heat supplied to the furnace became unstable, and the convenience was poor. For example, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank decreases as the number of times of additional bath heating increases, and the temperature difference from the circulating water from the bathtub 5 decreases. Furthermore, there is a limit to the temperature at which the hot water in the hot water tank 1 can be used, and the hot water cannot be used effectively.
[0005]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a hot water supply device that supplies a stable amount of heat to a heat radiating unit, improves the convenience of the heat radiating unit, and performs a hot water storage operation of hot water in a hot water storage tank with high efficiency. The purpose is to:
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a hot water supply apparatus, comprising: a hot water storage tank that stores hot water heated by a heating means from above; a heat radiating unit that uses the hot water in the hot water tank as a heat source; The apparatus is provided with a flow rate adjusting means for varying the flow rate of the heat medium, and a control means for adjusting the flow rate adjusting means and controlling the heat radiation amount of the heat radiating means.
[0007]
According to the above invention, the amount of heat released to the heat radiating means is controlled according to the purpose of the heat radiating means by using inexpensive midnight power. Therefore, the water heater becomes very convenient with very low operating costs.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 includes a heating unit, a hot water storage tank configured to store the hot water heated by the heating unit from above, a heat radiating unit that uses the hot water in the hot water tank as a heat source, and a heat radiating unit. The apparatus is provided with a flow rate adjusting means for varying the flow rate of the heat medium, and a control means for adjusting the flow rate adjusting means and controlling the heat radiation amount of the heat radiating means. Since the heat radiation amount can be controlled according to the load, a convenient water heater can be realized.
[0009]
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2 includes a heating unit, a hot water storage tank that stores hot water heated by the heating unit from above, a heat radiation unit that uses the hot water in the hot water storage as a heat source, and A heat exchanger for transferring heat to the heat radiating means, a first flow rate adjusting means for circulating hot water between the heat exchanger and the hot water storage tank, and a second for circulating a heat medium between the heat exchanger and the heat radiating means. And a control means for adjusting the first flow rate adjusting means and the first flow rate adjusting means to control the heat radiation amount of the heat radiating means.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the circulating flow rate of the hot water storage tank and the heat radiating means can be independently adjusted by the heat exchanger, so that the heat radiating amount of the heat radiating means and the inflow temperature to the heat radiating means can be adjusted, and the convenience is further increased.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means according to the second aspect sets one of the first flow rate adjusting means and the second flow rate adjusting means to a constant flow rate and adjusts the other flow rate. The control configuration is simplified, the cost is reduced, and the controllability is improved.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means of the second aspect synchronizes the adjustment of the first flow rate adjusting means with the adjustment of the second flow rate adjusting means. Since the heat transfer between the heat sink and the heat radiating means is variable, the control range of the heat radiating amount can be increased, and a wide load variation can be coped with.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means according to any one of the second to fourth aspects has an inlet temperature flowing into the heat exchanger from the hot water tank and an outlet temperature flowing out of the heat exchanger into the hot water tank. The flow rate adjusting means is adjusted according to at least one of the above.
[0014]
For example, if the inlet temperature is high and the first flow rate adjusting means is adjusted to reduce the flow rate flowing into the heat exchanger, a stable heat release amount can be obtained with respect to the inlet temperature. Similarly, when the inlet temperature is high, even if the flow rate to the heat radiating means is adjusted to be small by the second flow rate adjusting means, a stable heat radiating amount can be obtained. In addition, when the outlet temperature is high, if the flow rate flowing into the heat radiating means is adjusted by the second flow rate adjusting means to be large, a stable heat radiating amount can be obtained. Further, if the flow rate flowing into the heat radiating means is adjusted in inverse proportion to the deviation between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature, a more stable heat radiating amount can be obtained. If the first flow rate adjusting means adjusts the flow rate flowing into the heat exchanger to be small when the outlet temperature is high, the outlet temperature returns to the hot water tank at a low temperature and at a small flow rate. Since only a small amount of hot water is used and the temperature of the used hot water is low, when the heating means is a heat pump, low-temperature hot water is re-boiled, and the efficiency of boiling can be increased.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means according to any one of the first to fifth aspects adjusts the flow rate adjusting means according to the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank.
[0016]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, for example, when the flow rate to the heat radiating means is adjusted to be small when the temperature of the hot water is high, a stable heat radiating amount can be obtained with respect to the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank. Further, when the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank is determined based on the hot water temperature, the flow control means is stopped when the remaining hot water amount is small, and the hot water supply amount can be secured.
[0017]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hot water supply apparatus, wherein the control means according to any one of the first to sixth aspects includes an inflow temperature flowing into the heat radiating means, an outflow temperature flowing out of the radiating means, and a vicinity of the radiating means. The flow rate adjusting means is adjusted in accordance with at least one of the ambient temperatures.
[0018]
For example, if the flow rate flowing into the heat exchanger is adjusted to be small by the first flow rate adjusting means when the inflow temperature is high, the heat exchange amount decreases, the inflow temperature decreases, and the heat release amount decreases. That is, the inflow temperature and the heat release amount can be adjusted simultaneously. Further, when the flow rate flowing into the heat exchanger is adjusted by the first flow rate adjusting means in inverse proportion to the difference between the inflow temperature and the outflow temperature, a more stable heat release amount can be obtained. Further, when the flow rate flowing into the heat radiating means is adjusted to be small when the inflow temperature is high, the amount of heat radiation can be adjusted to be constant with respect to the level of the inflow temperature. Further, if the flow rate flowing into the heat radiating means is adjusted to be large when the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the heat radiating means is low, the temperature of the heat radiating means rises quickly and the ambient temperature can be automatically adjusted, so that the usability is improved.
[0019]
In a hot water supply apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means according to any one of the first to seventh aspects starts and stops the flow rate adjusting means to adjust the flow rate. This realizes low cost by simplifying the control configuration by on / off control of the flow rate adjusting means.
[0020]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, high-capacity energy saving can be realized by using a heat pump cycle as the heating means.
[0021]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the ninth aspect, the refrigerant is supercritical in which the pressure of the refrigerant is equal to or higher than the critical pressure. When heating to 90 ° C.), the cycle efficiency (COP = heating capacity / power consumption) is improved by lowering the high pressure as the flowing water temperature before heating is lower. Therefore, by storing hot water from the top to form a temperature stratification in the hot water storage tank and heating the water in the low temperature part by the supercritical heat pump cycle, the cycle efficiency is improved and power saving operation can be performed.
[0022]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, more energy saving can be realized by using the waste heat of the fuel cell as the heating means.
[0023]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the conventional example and each embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same configuration and the same operation, and a part of the description will be omitted.
[0024]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a multifunctional hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a heating means, which is a heat pump heat source constituting a heat pump cycle including a compressor 12, a radiator 13, a pressure reducing device 14, and an atmospheric heat exchanger 15 for absorbing atmospheric heat. Then, carbon dioxide whose refrigerant pressure on the high pressure side is equal to or higher than the critical pressure is used as the refrigerant. Reference numeral 16 denotes a hot water storage tank that supplies water from a lower part through a water supply pipe 16a and taps water from an upper part of the hot water supply pipe 16b to a terminal. 17 is a circulation pump, 18 is a hot water supply heat exchanger, which has a heat exchange relationship with the radiator 13, and has a configuration in which the refrigerant flowing through the radiator 13 and the water flowing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 18 exchange heat in opposite flow. is there. And the hot water supply circuit which connects the circulation pump 17, the hot-water supply heat exchanger 18, and the upper part of the hot-water storage tank 16 sequentially from the lower part of the hot-water storage tank 16 is comprised. Reference numeral 19 denotes a temperature detecting means, which is provided at the outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 18 for detecting the temperature of hot water to be heated by the heat pump heat source 11. Reference numeral 20 denotes hot water control means, which controls the number of revolutions of the circulation pump 17 so that the outlet hot water of the hot water supply heat exchanger 18 has a predetermined temperature, thereby controlling the circulation flow rate of the hot water supply circuit.
[0025]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a floor heater, for example, which serves as a heat radiating unit, and heats the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16 using the heat as a heat source. That is, the present invention is a multifunctional hot water supply device having two functions of a hot water supply function and a heating function. Reference numeral 22 denotes an internal heat exchanger built in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16, and is configured in a closed circuit so as to circulate the heat medium between the hot water tank 16 and the heat radiating means 21. 23 is a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16, 24 is an indoor temperature detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature near the heat radiating means 21, and 25 is a flow rate control for varying the flow rate of the heat medium to the heat radiating means 21. It is a means and a variable flow rate pump. Reference numeral 26 denotes control means for controlling the number of revolutions of the flow rate adjusting means 25 in accordance with the temperatures detected by the hot water temperature detecting means 23 and the indoor temperature detecting means 24.
[0026]
The control means 26 sets the maximum rotation speed of the flow rate adjusting means 25 to be small when the temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means 23 is high. That is, when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 16 is high, the flow rate of the heat medium is decreased, and when the temperature of the hot water is low, the flow rate is increased. Accordingly, the heat exchange amount in the internal heat exchanger 22 becomes a predetermined value regardless of the level of the hot water temperature, and the heat radiation amount of the heat radiating means 21 becomes a predetermined value. There is no problem that the surface temperature of the floor heating is too high, or conversely, the amount of heat radiation is so small that the surface temperature is too low.
[0027]
If the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the room temperature detecting means 24 and the preset value is large, the flow rate adjusting means 25 is driven at the maximum rotation speed to increase the flow rate of the heat medium, and the temperature difference is small. In this case, control is performed so as to decrease the flow rate. This control reduces the amount of heat radiation when the room temperature reaches the set value, so that the floor surface temperature and the room temperature are automatically adjusted, and comfortable and convenient heating can be performed.
[0028]
The operation and operation of the multifunctional water heater configured as described above will be described below. Referring to FIG. 1, a case in which a hot water supply operation is performed using atmospheric heat with a heat pump heat source will be described. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant having a pressure equal to or higher than the critical pressure discharged from the compressor 12 flows into the radiator 13, and exchanges heat with water sent from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 16 through the hot water supply heat exchanger 18. Then, the high-temperature refrigerant flowing into the radiator 13 and the water flowing out of the hot water supply heat exchanger 18 are exchanged for heat exchange with each other, and the rotation speed of the circulation pump 17 is adjusted so that the hot water at the outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 18 has a predetermined temperature. Control. Then, hot water of a predetermined temperature flows in from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16 and is stored.
[0029]
On the other hand, the high-temperature refrigerant that has flowed into the radiator 13 lowers the temperature by the heat radiation action, flows out of the radiator 13, flows into the pressure reducing device 14, is depressurized, and flows into the atmospheric heat exchanger 15. Then, the heat of the atmosphere is absorbed to evaporate and gasify and return to the compressor 12. The hot water is stored from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16 to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 while repeating this cycle.
[0030]
Next, a case where hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 16 is used for hot water supply will be described. When the terminal is used for hot water supply, when the terminal is opened, water is supplied from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 16 by the water supply pressure, and the high-temperature water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 16 is discharged so as to be pushed out from the upper outlet pipe 16b. Then, the high-temperature hot water in the hot water storage tank 16 forms a temperature stratification with the supplied cold water, and moves upward when the hot water is discharged.
[0031]
Next, an operation in which the high-temperature water stored in the hot water storage tank 16 is used by the radiator 21 will be described. When the radiator 21 is started to operate, the flow controller 25 causes the heat medium heated by the internal heat exchanger 22 to flow toward the radiator 21. At that time, the rotation speed of the flow rate adjusting means 25 is set to a value corresponding to the temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means 23. Then, when the detected temperature of the indoor temperature detecting means 24 approaches the set value, the rotation speed of the flow rate adjusting means 25 is reduced to automatically control the indoor temperature. When the room temperature is low, the floor heating temperature is raised as much as possible to speed up the rise of the heating, and the surface temperature of the floor heating is reduced in accordance with the rise in the room temperature, so that the user can feel comfortable heating. Is obtained. Of course, depending on the surface temperature of the heat radiating means 21 and the preference of the room temperature, the maximum number of revolutions of the flow rate adjusting means 25 set based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means 23 or the set value of the room temperature may be changed. Is easy.
[0032]
Further, since a heat pump heat source is used as a heating means, high capacity or low power consumption is realized. Further, if the operation of the heating means is performed by using the power at midnight, a further low-cost operation can be realized.
[0033]
Furthermore, high-temperature hot water (about 90 ° C.) is stored in the hot water storage tank by using carbon dioxide as the refrigerant sealed in the heat pump heat source. Therefore, the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank increases, and the amount of heat radiation of the heat radiation means and the operation time increase. It also contributes to global environmental protection. Further, the range of the boiling temperature from high-temperature hot water to medium-temperature hot water is increased, and the convenience of the heat radiating means is improved.
[0034]
In the first embodiment, the flow rate of the heat medium is controlled by detecting the room temperature as the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the heat radiating means by the room temperature detecting means 24. However, the surface temperature of the heat radiating means 21 may be detected.
[0035]
Further, in the first embodiment, the flow rate adjustment of the heat medium by the flow rate adjusting means is performed by controlling the rotation speed of a variable flow rate pump. However, as shown in FIG. The same effect can be obtained by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium by adjusting the opening of the flow control valve 27 by adjusting the opening of the flow control valve 27.
[0036]
Further, in this embodiment, the case where the heat radiating means 21 is used for floor heating is described, but the heat radiating means 21 may be used for bath reheating. Even in this case, the multifunctional hot water supply device has two functions of a hot water supply function and a bath reheating function. Three functions of a hot water supply function, a heating function, and a bath reheating function may be provided. In this case, there are a plurality of heat radiating means.
[0037]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a multifunctional hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a heat exchanger 30 exchanges heat between hot water in the hot water tank 16 circulating from the upper part of the hot water tank 16 to the middle part or lower part of the hot water tank 16 and a heat medium circulating in the heat radiating means 21. Reference numeral 31 denotes a first flow rate adjusting means, which is constituted by a variable flow rate pump, and circulates the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 16 to the heat exchanger 30 and returns the hot water to the middle part or lower part of the hot water tank 16. Reference numeral 32 denotes a second flow rate adjusting means, which is constituted by an AC pump which performs on / off operation at a constant flow rate, and circulates a heat medium between the heat exchanger 30 and the heat radiating means 21. 33 is an inlet temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water flowing into the heat exchanger 30 from the hot water tank 16, 34 is an outlet temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water flowing out of the heat exchanger 30 to the hot water tank 16, and 35 is the heat Inflow temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the exchanger 30 into the heat radiating means 21, and outflow temperature detecting means 36 for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the heat radiating means 21 to the heat exchanger 30. The control means 37 drives the second flow rate adjusting means 32 and controls the rotation speed of the first flow rate adjusting means 31 so that the temperature detected by the inflow temperature detecting means 35 becomes a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature at this time is determined by the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detecting means 33. For example, the predetermined temperature is set to 60 ° C., and when the detected temperature of the inlet temperature detecting means 33 is 70 ° C. or less, the predetermined temperature is set to 50 ° C.
[0038]
The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. The high-temperature water flowing out of the upper part of the hot-water storage tank 16 flows into the heat exchanger 30 to heat the heat medium of the circulation circuit flowing out of the heat radiating means 21. At this time, the flow rate adjusting means 31 adjusts the flow rate of the high-temperature water into the heat exchanger 30 so that the temperature detection signal of the flow-in temperature detecting means 35 becomes a predetermined temperature. Is adjusted. Therefore, a heat medium of a predetermined temperature can flow into the heat radiating means 21 to radiate heat. Accordingly, the amount of heat radiated by the heat radiating means 21 increases when the ambient temperature or the temperature of the heat radiating means 21 is low because the temperature difference from the heat medium temperature is large. And the amount of heat radiation is reduced. Thus, the amount of heat radiation can be adjusted according to the rise of heating. In addition, since the temperature flowing into the heat radiating means 21 becomes a predetermined value, the surface temperature does not rise excessively in the case of floor heating, and it is not uncomfortable. On the other hand, the hot water tank water whose temperature has been lowered by the heat exchanger 30 is returned to the middle or lower part of the hot water tank.
[0039]
Also, even when the flow rate adjusting means 31 adjusts the amount of high-temperature water flowing into the heat exchanger 30 so that the temperature detection signal of the temperature detecting means 36 or the outlet temperature detecting means 34 becomes a predetermined temperature, the heating is started at the time of heating. The amount of heat radiation can be adjusted accordingly.
[0040]
In the above description, the case where the second flow rate adjusting means 32 is turned on and off at a constant flow rate and the flow rate is adjusted by the first flow rate adjusting means 31 to control the heat release amount has been described. May be used as on / off control of a constant flow rate to control the heat release amount by adjusting the flow rate by the second flow rate adjusting means 32. In this case, the amount of inflow to the heat radiating means 21 is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting means 32 so that the temperature detection signal of the temperature detecting means 36 or the outlet temperature detecting means 34 becomes a predetermined temperature.
[0041]
Further, the first flow rate adjusting means 31 and the second flow rate adjusting means 32 may be synchronized to adjust the flow rates of both at the same time. In this case, the flow rate is increased when the heat radiation amount of the heat radiation means 21 is to be increased. If you want to reduce, reduce the flow rate.
[0042]
Further, in the above description, the flow rate is adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the first flow rate adjusting means 31 or the second flow rate adjusting means 32. However, the flow rate may be averagely adjusted by on / off control. As a result, the control configuration can be simplified by using an inexpensive AC pump for the flow rate adjusting means, and low cost can be realized. For example, when the first flow rate adjusting means 31 and the second flow rate adjusting means 32 are operated at a constant speed and the temperature detection signal of the inflow temperature detecting means 35 exceeds a predetermined temperature, the first flow rate adjusting means 31 Is stopped, and when the temperature detection signal of the inflow temperature detecting means 35 falls below a predetermined temperature, the first flow rate adjusting means 31 is operated again. By repeating this operation, the temperature of the heat medium to the heat radiating means 21 is adjusted. Therefore, the same effect as in the case of controlling the rotation can be obtained.
[0043]
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the floor radiator 21 has been described as the radiator 21. However, a radiator having a heat radiating function, such as a dryer or a hot air heater, is naturally included. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a case where a hot water is circulated and a bath is additionally cooked.
[0044]
In the first and second embodiments, the heat pump is used as the heating means. However, the same effect can be obtained by using an electric heater or using waste heat generated during power generation in the fuel cell.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water heater that supplies a stable amount of heat to a heat radiating unit, improves the convenience of the heat radiating unit, and performs a hot water storage operation of hot water in a hot water storage tank with high efficiency. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multifunctional heat pump water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of another multifunctional heat pump water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the present invention. Diagram of multifunctional heat pump water heater of FIG. 4 [FIG. 4] Diagram of conventional multifunctional water heater [Description of reference numerals]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Heating means 16 Hot water storage tank 21 Heat radiating means 23 Hot water temperature detecting means 24 Indoor temperature detecting means 25 Flow rate adjusting means 26 Control means 30 Heat exchanger 31 First flow rate adjusting means 32 Second flow rate adjusting means 33 Inlet temperature detecting means 34 Outlet temperature detection means 35 Inflow temperature detection means 36 Outflow temperature detection means

Claims

Heating means, a hot water tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means from above, a heat dissipating means using hot water of the hot water tank as a heat source, and a flow rate adjusting means for varying a flow rate of a heat medium to the heat dissipating means, A hot water supply apparatus comprising a control unit that adjusts the flow rate adjusting unit and controls a heat release amount of the heat release unit.

A heating means, a hot water tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means from above, a heat radiating means using hot water of the hot water tank as a heat source, a heat exchanger for transferring heat in the hot water tank to a heat radiating means, First flow rate adjusting means for circulating hot water between the heat exchanger and the hot water storage tank, second flow rate adjusting means for circulating a heat medium between the heat exchanger and the heat radiating means, and the first flow rate adjusting means A hot water supply device comprising: a control unit for controlling the amount of heat radiated by the radiating unit by adjusting the unit and the second flow rate adjusting unit.

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means sets one of the first flow rate adjusting means and the second flow rate adjusting means to a constant flow rate and adjusts the other flow rate.

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means synchronizes the adjustment of the first flow rate adjustment means and the adjustment of the second flow rate adjustment means.

The control means adjusts the flow rate adjusting means according to at least one of an inlet temperature flowing into the heat exchanger from the hot water tank and an outlet temperature flowing out of the heat exchanger into the hot water tank. A hot water supply device according to item 1.

The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means adjusts the flow rate adjusting means according to the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

The control means adjusts the flow rate adjusting means according to at least one of an inflow temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heat radiating means, an outflow temperature flowing out of the radiating means, and an ambient temperature near the radiating means. The hot-water supply device according to any one of the preceding claims.

The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control means adjusts the flow rate by starting and stopping the flow rate adjusting means.

The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating means is a heat pump cycle, and heats the water in the hot water storage tank with the high-pressure refrigerant having a high pressure.

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heat pump cycle is supercritical in which the pressure of the refrigerant is equal to or higher than the critical pressure.

The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating unit uses waste heat of the fuel cell.