JP2006183911A - Hot water storage type water heater with sterilizing function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water storage type water heater with a sterilizing function that achieves uniform sterilizing action without causing any problem even if it is of the hot water storage tank type. <P>SOLUTION: To fill a bathtub 300 with hot water at a set hot water injection temperature, the hot water is supplied through a second hot water supply passage 54 after a hot-and-cold water mixing means 52 causes cold water from a bypass water supply passage 42 to mix with the hot water taken out of a hot water storage tank 3 to control the temperature of the hot water. When their mixing ratio computed for control of the temperature is low (the mixing ratio of cold water is low), the concentration of silver ions is set to a high value; when the mixing ratio assumes an intermediate value, the concentration of silver ions is set to a standard value; and when the mixing ratio is high (the mixing ratio of cold water is high), the concentration of silver ions is set to a low value. The electrodes 72, 73 of a silver ion generating means are caused to carry currents at a current value and for a current-carrying time such that the set concentration of silver ions is achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention uses a hot water stored in a hot water storage tank as hot water for supplying hot water to a hot water supply object, and a so-called hot water storage tank system configured to mix tap water supply for temperature control of the hot water supply temperature. The hot water storage type hot water supply device relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply device having a sterilization function in which silver ions are dissolved during the hot water supply, and in particular, the chlorine concentration contained in the hot water storage in the hot water storage tank is the storage time. The present invention relates to a technique for achieving uniform sterilization in consideration of the reduction and variation with the passage of time.

  Conventionally, it is known that silver ions are dissolved in water to be treated by electrolysis using a silver electrode as a positive electrode, and the water to be treated is sterilized using the sterilizing action of the silver ions (for example, patents). Reference 1). And the thing which tries to sterilize the bathtub water supplied from a hot water supply apparatus by applying the sterilization means which dissolves silver ion by electrolysis with a silver electrode as a positive electrode is proposed (for example, patent document 2). reference).

JP 2004-190882 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-40859

  By the way, the conventional hot water supply apparatus to which sterilization by ions is applied is an instantaneous hot water supply apparatus, that is, heat exchange heating by combustion heat is performed and heated when receiving tap water and passing through a heat exchanger. Although it is a hot water supply apparatus that continuously supplies hot water as it is, it is conceivable to apply sterilization by silver ions to a hot water supply apparatus using a hot water storage tank system.

  However, in the case of the hot water storage tank system, the chlorine concentration contained in the hot water used for hot water supply changes each time, unlike the case of the instantaneous type, and as a result, the dissolution of silver ions is the same as in the case of the instantaneous type. If it is performed, the sterilizing function may be inhomogeneous.

  In other words, the tap water originally contains chlorine for sterilization, and in the case of the instantaneous type, the concentration of chlorine contained in the hot water supply becomes uniform because the supplied water is heated as it is to supply hot water, If silver ions are dissolved at a constant concentration in this hot water supply, a certain bactericidal action by both silver ions and chlorine can be obtained. However, in the case of the hot water storage tank system, tap water supplied to the hot water storage tank is preheated by an external heat source such as a heat pump and maintained in the hot water storage tank. Since it will be taken out from the hot water storage tank each time, chlorine will disappear while time passes while being stored in the hot water storage tank. For this reason, even if the feed water is mixed for temperature control, the chlorine concentration in the hot water supply is not constant and lower than the original, and if only the silver ions are dissolved at a constant concentration, the chlorine and silver ions are combined. As a result, it is impossible to obtain a certain sterilizing action, and the sterilizing action itself becomes unstable.

  In order to cope with the reduction of the chlorine concentration, it is conceivable to increase the silver ion concentration to be dissolved as compared with the instantaneous type, but if the silver ion concentration is uniformly increased, the silver electrode may be worn at an early stage, If the hot water supply destination is a bathtub, an inconvenience such as contamination due to adhesion of silver oxide to the bathtub wall is expected. It is also possible to measure the chlorine concentration each time with a chlorine concentration meter and reflect it in the dissolution control of silver ions based on the measurement results. However, the installation of a new chlorine concentration meter causes a considerable increase in cost. The occurrence of inconvenience is also expected.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a homogeneous sterilization function and a sterilization function that does not cause any inconvenience even in a hot water storage tank type hot water supply device. The object is to provide a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water therein, hot water mixing means for adjusting the temperature by mixing water with the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank, Silver ion generating means for dissolving silver ions in the hot water by electrolysis using a pair of electrodes interposed in the middle of a hot water supply path for supplying hot water after conditioning, Silver ion dissolution control means for controlling the dissolution operation is provided. And as said silver ion melt | dissolution control means, it was set as the structure which changes the dissolution amount of a silver ion to the increase side, so that the mixing ratio of water is low in the mixing for temperature control by the said hot water mixing means.

  In the case of the invention according to the first aspect, when silver ions are dissolved from the silver ion generating means with respect to the hot water supply controlled by mixing the hot water in the hot water storage tank and the water, the lower the mixing ratio of the water, the lower the silver ion content. The amount of dissolution will be increased. That is, the low mixing ratio of water means that the proportion of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank and the hot water taken out for the use of this hot water supply is high as chlorine disappears over the storage period. Since there is little water which has chlorine concentration, it represents that chlorine concentration is low as the whole hot water supply. That is, it is possible to easily and easily determine the chlorine concentration in the hot water supply this time without using a chlorine concentration meter or the like. If the determination result shows that the chlorine concentration is low, the amount of dissolved silver ions is increased. . By increasing the dissolution amount of silver ions, the low chlorine concentration can be compensated for and the bactericidal action of both chlorine and silver ions can be exerted on the entire hot water supply. As a result, even if the mixing ratio of water is low, it is possible to exert a bactericidal action on the entire hot water supply with both chlorine and silver ions as in the case of high water, and a homogeneous bactericidal action can be realized. become. Moreover, since the dissolution amount of silver ions is continuously changed according to the mixing ratio of water, such that the dissolution amount increases as the mixing ratio of water decreases, the above-mentioned homogeneous bactericidal action is made smoother. Can be realized. In addition, the amount of dissolution of silver ions is increased according to the low mixing ratio of water, so there is no inconvenience as in the case of uniformly increasing the amount of dissolution of silver ions. In addition, the above-mentioned “change the amount of dissolution of silver ions to the higher side as the mixing ratio of water is lower” is further limited, so that the dissolution of silver ions is inversely proportional to whether the mixing ratio of water is high or low. It can also be understood that the amount is reduced or increased.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the hot water storage tank which stores hot water inside, the hot water mixing means which mixes water with the hot water taken out from this hot water storage tank, and temperature-controls, and the hot water supply which supplies hot water after temperature control Silver ion generating means for dissolving silver ions in hot water by electrolysis using a pair of electrodes interposed in the middle of the road, and silver ion dissolution for controlling the silver ion dissolving operation by controlling the conduction of the silver ion generating means And a control means. And as said silver ion dissolution control means, when the mixing ratio of water is low in the mixing for temperature control by the hot water mixing means, the amount of dissolution of silver ions is changed to the increasing side while the mixing ratio of water is When it is high, the amount of dissolution of silver ions is changed to the reduction side.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 2, when the mixing ratio of water is low, the dissolution amount of silver ions is increased, while when the mixing ratio of water is high, the dissolution amount of silver ions is decreased. When the mixing ratio is low and the chlorine concentration is low, not only the silver ions are increased to supplement the bactericidal action, but also when the mixing ratio of water is high and the chlorine concentration can be sufficiently secured, the silver ions are reduced to reduce chlorine. In addition, the degree of sterilization effect by both silver ions and silver ions is made uniform (homogenized). Thus, as in the case of claim 1, it is possible to easily and easily determine the chlorine concentration in the hot water supply this time without using a chlorine concentration meter, etc. There is no associated increase in costs. In this case, unlike the case of claim 1, since the amount of dissolved silver ions is changed by determining whether the mixing ratio of water is low or high, the control by the silver ion dissolution control means is performed. It can be realized more easily. Of course, the dissolution amount of silver ions is increased when the mixing ratio of water is low, and when the mixing ratio of water is high, the dissolution amount of silver ions is reduced. There is no inconvenience as in the case of increasing. In the present invention, “when the mixing ratio of water is low, the dissolution amount of silver ions is changed to the increase side, while when the mixing ratio of water is high, the dissolution amount of silver ions is changed to the reduction side”. In terms of the point, the standard of the change and the change method may be further embodied, and the amount of dissolution of silver ions may be changed in a stepwise reverse manner for each step of the mixing ratio.

  The following may be performed as specific control for changing the amount of dissolution based on the mixing ratio of water in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus with the sterilizing function of claim 1 or claim 2 described above. That is, as silver ion dissolution control means, by receiving information output about the mixing ratio, which is the ratio of water mixed with hot water by the hot water mixing means, by changing the concentration of silver ions to be dissolved based on this mixing ratio It is good also as a structure which changes the melt | dissolution amount of silver ion (Claim 3). In this way, the contents of control can be made more concrete, and the amount of dissolution is changed based on the silver ion concentration rather than the amount of dissolution itself, so more accurate control of the change is possible. Can be realized.

  In addition, regarding the change of the dissolution amount in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus with a sterilizing function according to claim 1 or claim 2, either the current value of the energization current to the silver ion generation means or the energization time as the silver ion dissolution control means It is good also as a structure which changes the melt | dissolution amount of silver ion by changing one or both (Claim 4). Since the dissolution amount of silver ions based on electrolysis is proportional to the amount of electricity, which is the product of the current and its energization time, even if the current value is changed, the energization time is changed, or the current value and energization time are Even if both are changed, the dissolution amount of silver ions can be changed. Thereby, one specific method can be provided as energization control for changing the silver ion dissolution amount by the silver ion dissolution control means.

  As described above, according to the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus with a sterilizing function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, silver ions are used for hot water temperature controlled by mixing water with hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank. When dissolving silver ions from the generation means, the mixing ratio of water is low, the ratio of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank and chlorine disappearing as the storage period elapses is taken up for the use of this hot water supply, Even if the chlorine concentration is low for the entire hot water supply, the amount of dissolved silver ions is increased. Therefore, the increased silver ions compensate for the low chlorine concentration, and chlorine and silver ions are added to the entire hot water supply. The bactericidal action by both of them can be exhibited. Thereby, even if the mixing ratio of water is low, a uniform bactericidal action can be realized as in the case of high water. In addition, the chlorine concentration in the hot water supply can be easily and easily determined without using a chlorine concentration meter, etc., and there is no inconvenience such as the establishment of a new chlorine concentration meter or the associated cost increase, and it is uniform. In addition, there is no inconvenience as in the case of increasing the dissolution amount of silver ions.

  In particular, according to claim 1, since the dissolution amount of silver ions is continuously changed according to the mixing ratio of water, a homogeneous bactericidal action can be obtained more smoothly and finely. Since the dissolution amount of silver ions is changed by determining whether the mixing ratio of water is low or high, the control by the silver ion dissolution control means can be realized more easily.

  Further, according to the third aspect, the contents of control can be made more concrete, and the dissolution amount is changed based on the silver ion concentration, not the dissolution amount itself. The change control of the dissolved amount of ions can be realized more accurately.

  Furthermore, according to claim 4, a specific method can be provided as energization control for changing the silver ion dissolution amount by the silver ion dissolution control means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus with a sterilizing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus provided with the hot water storage tank 3, and reference numeral 200 denotes an external heat source device that is connected to the hot water supply apparatus 100 and heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3.

  The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus 100 includes a hot water storage tank 3, a water supply system 4, a hot water supply circuit 5 that takes out hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 and supplies hot water, and a hot water storage heat in the hot water storage tank 3. A reheating circuit 6 for reheating and heating the hot water in 300 is provided.

  The water supply system 4 supplies tap water, which is connected to a water supply or the like at the upstream end, to the hot water storage tank 3 and hot water mixing means 52 (to be described later) of the hot water supply circuit 5. The water supply system shown in the figure has a tank water supply channel 41 having an upstream end connected to the water supply and the like and a downstream end connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 3, and a hot water storage tank 3 branched from the tank water supply channel 41 in the middle. And a bypass water supply path 42 having a downstream end connected to the hot water / water mixing means 52. In this water supply system 4, tap water pressure is supplied to the hot water storage tank 3 and the hot water mixing means 52 as hot water supply pressure, and automatic filling and hot water supply by the hot water supply circuit 5 for maintaining the hot water storage tank 3 in a full state are the above described water supply pressures. Based on the above. Reference numeral 43 in FIG. 1 denotes a pressure reducing valve, and the pressure reducing valve 43 reduces the feed water pressure to a predetermined appropriate pressure.

  The hot water supply circuit 5 includes hot water mixing means 52 for adjusting the temperature by mixing the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 3 through the hot water supply passage 51 and the water from the bypass water supply passage 42 at a predetermined mixing ratio, and after the temperature adjustment. A first hot water supply passage 53 for supplying hot water to one or more hot water taps 400 and a hot water supply for pouring water into the bathtub 300 through the reheating circuit 6 branched from the first hot water supply passage 51 (hot water injection) ) And a silver ion generating means 7 which is interposed in the second hot water supply path 54 and dissolves silver ions in the hot water supply.

  The hot and cold mixing means 52 has a built-in mixing valve (not shown), and the mixing valve mixes water from the bypass water supply path 42 with hot water from the outlet hot water path 51 at a predetermined mixing ratio. The hot water supply temperature of hot water discharged from 52 to the first hot water supply passage 53 is adjusted to a predetermined set hot water supply temperature. The mixing ratio is expressed as a ratio of mixing the water from the bypass water supply passage 42 with the hot water from the hot water discharge passage 51. For example, if the mixing ratio is "2", the amount of hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 3 is expressed. It means mixing twice the amount of water. The hot / cold water mixing means 52 receives a command signal related to the mixing ratio output from the controller 8 described later, and is capable of realizing hot water / water mixing at the mixing ratio. The change operation is performed. In order to calculate the mixing ratio in the controller 8, a hot water storage temperature sensor 55 for detecting the temperature of the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 3 is provided on the side of the hot water supply passage 51 of the hot water mixing means 52, and also by-pass water supply. A water supply temperature sensor 56 for detecting the temperature of the supplied water is provided on the side of the passage 42, and a hot water supply temperature sensor 57 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after temperature adjustment is provided on the first hot water supply passage 53 side. Yes.

  The upstream end of the second hot water supply passage 54 is branched from the first hot water supply passage 53 at a position downstream of the hot water mixing means 52 and the hot water supply temperature sensor 57, and the downstream end joins a return passage 61 described later of the memorial circuit 6. In the middle, a pouring flow rate sensor 58, a pouring valve 59 and the silver ion generating means 7 are interposed. The second hot water supply passage 54 causes the hot water after temperature adjustment in the hot water mixing means 52 to flow into the return path 61 by opening the pouring valve 59, and hot water is supplied to the bathtub 300 through the return path 61. That is, the hot water is poured (hereinafter, the hot water supply by the second hot water supply passage 54 is distinguished as “hot water pouring”). At that time, a predetermined amount of silver ions is dissolved in the pouring while the pouring passes through the silver ion generating means 7.

  The silver ion generating means 7 includes a tank 71 and a pair of electrodes 72 and 73 disposed in the tank 71, and hot water that passes silver ions through the tank 71 by electrolysis. It is supposed to be dissolved. The tank 71 is disposed either directly in the middle of the second hot water supply path 54 or in a bypass path connected to the second hot water supply path 54, whereby the second hot water supply path 54 is arranged. While the pouring flowing through the tank 71 passes through the tank 71, the silver ions are dissolved in the pouring. Of the pair of electrodes 72 and 73, at least the positive electrode is formed of silver or an alloy containing silver, and silver ions are eluted by electrolysis when energized. At this time, in order to equalize the amount of electrode wear between the pair of electrodes 72 and 73, alternating energization is performed such that the energization target is alternately switched by polarity conversion every predetermined time for the pair of electrodes 72 and 73. When performing the above, both the pair of electrodes 72 and 73 may be formed of the above silver or the like.

  On the other hand, as the external heat source device 200 that heats and raises the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 filled with the water supplied from the tank water supply channel 41 to the high temperature hot water having a predetermined temperature, various devices can be used. In the example shown in the figure, the heat pump 20 is used as the external heat source device 200, and hot water circulated from the hot water storage tank 3 is converted into high temperature hot water using the circulating medium on the high temperature side of the heat pump 20 as an external heat source. Water is heat-exchanged and converted into hot water by receiving heat from the circulating medium.

  In the heat pump 20, a compressor 22 and an expansion valve 23 are interposed in a circulation path 21 of the circulation medium, and the circulation medium compressed by the compressor 22 to a high temperature and a high pressure is the first heat exchanger 24. The water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 through the circulation path 26 by the operation of the circulation pump 25 is heat-exchanged and heated. Then, after the circulating medium expanded by the expansion valve 23 and having a low temperature and a low pressure absorbs heat by heat exchange with the outside air in the second heat exchanger 27, it is compressed again in the compressor 22 so as to have a high temperature and a high pressure. It has become. By operating the heat pump 20 and the circulation pump 25, the low-temperature hot water (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 1) taken out from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 3 passes through the first heat exchanger 24. The temperature of the hot water heated by the heat exchange heating is returned to the top of the hot water storage tank 3.

  The hot water storage hot water supply apparatus 100 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and various operation controls such as a hot water supply control, a pouring control and a reheating control, and the silver ion generating means by a controller 8 in which various control programs are stored. 7 is performed based on the output from the remote controller 81 and the outputs from the various sensors described above. The operation control of the external heat source device 200 is performed by the controller 8 or by another controller in accordance with the temperature management standard of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 8 controls the operation of a hot water supply control unit (not shown) that performs hot water supply control on the hot water tap 400 through the first hot water supply path 53 and a circulation pump 64 of the reheating circuit 6. A reheating control unit (not shown) for performing reheating control for raising hot water in the bathtub 300 to a predetermined temperature, a pouring control unit 82 for performing pouring control for filling the bathtub 300 with the second hot water supply path 54, A silver ion dissolution control unit 83 that dissolves silver ions in hot water dropped into the bathtub 300 by performing energization control on the silver ion generation means 7 and a silver ion dissolution control unit. And a silver ion concentration setting unit 84 for setting the concentration of silver ions to be dissolved.

  Hereafter, each control and process by the said pouring control part 63, the silver ion melt | dissolution control part 83, and the silver ion concentration setting part 84 are demonstrated, referring the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the hot water filling switch or automatic bath switch of the remote control 81 is turned ON by the user, the pouring control by the pouring control unit 82 is started, and at the same time, energization control and silver ion concentration setting by the silver ion dissolution control unit 83 are started. Setting processing by the unit 84 is started. The pouring control unit 82 calculates the mixing ratio in the hot water mixing means 52 so that the pouring valve 59 is opened and pouring at a predetermined set pouring temperature (set hot water supply temperature) (steps S1 and S2). . For example, this calculation may be performed by the following equation.

Xm = (Th−Tm) / (Tm−Tw)
Here, Xm is the mixing ratio, Th is the temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature sensor, Tm is the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor after mixing (after temperature adjustment), and Tw is the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor.

  And the instruction | command regarding the computed mixing ratio is output to the hot water mixing means 52, and operation control of a mixing valve is performed so that the mixing ratio may be implement | achieved (step S3). As a result, hot water whose temperature has been adjusted to the set pouring temperature is poured into the bathtub 300 through the second hot water supply passage 54 and the return passage 62. This pouring is executed until the hot water is filled in the bathtub 300 by the set hot water amount (dropping set amount) preset by the user in the remote control 81 (NO in step S4, steps S2 and S3). When pouring of the set hot water amount is completed, the pouring valve 43 is closed and pouring control is ended. (YES in step S4, step S5). Whether or not the hot water filling of the set hot water amount is completed is determined by whether the integrated value (flow integrated value) of the detected hot water flow rate from the hot water flow rate sensor 58 is greater than or equal to the above set hot water amount ( Step S4). After the pouring control is stopped, the control shifts to the reheating control after waiting for the output of the reheating command or the like.

  On the other hand, the silver ion dissolution control unit 83 and the silver ion concentration setting unit 84 read the mixture ratio calculated in the above step S2 (step S11), and in which range of values the read mixture ratio is divided into ranges beforehand. Is determined (steps S12 and S14). This range division is preset in order to change the silver ion concentration to be set depending on whether the calculated mixing ratio belongs to the low value side range, the intermediate range, or the high value side range.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the silver ion concentration is set high when the mixing ratio is low, and the silver ion concentration is set low when the mixing ratio is high. A mixing ratio-silver ion concentration relationship table is set in which the silver ion concentration to be set is inversely proportional. The relationship table of FIG. 4A may be stored in advance, and the silver ion concentration calculated from the relationship table may be set based on the mixing ratio read in step S11. In order to simplify and simplify the control, the mixture ratio range is divided into a plurality of ranges, and the silver ion concentration to be set is set in a plurality of stages corresponding to the number of the range divisions. For example, in the case of changing and setting the three-stage silver ion concentration by dividing into three ranges, the silver to be set if the mixing ratio in step S11 is an intermediate range (for example, the mixing ratio is a range of “1 to 3”). The ion concentration is set to a standard concentration (for example, 100 ppb) (YES in step S12, step S13), and the silver to be set if the mixing ratio is not in the intermediate range but on the high value side (for example, the mixing ratio is higher than “3”). If the ion concentration is set to a low concentration (for example, 50 ppb) (NO in step S12, YES in step S14, step S15), and the above mixture ratio is on the low value side (for example, a range where the mixture ratio is lower than “1”), then silver ions The concentration is set to a high concentration (for example, 200 ppb) (NO in step S14, step S16).

  The change setting of the silver ion concentration based on the above mixing ratio is performed by reading the chlorine concentration contained in the hot water poured into the bath 300 through the second hot water supply channel 54 (reading in the step S11). ) Is easily estimated and determined according to the value of the value, and the silver ion concentration is changed and set according to the determined chlorine concentration, thereby homogenizing the sterilization effect on the bath water filled in the bath 300. It is a process to do.

  The relationship diagram shown in FIG. 4B shows an example of the relationship estimated from the theoretical viewpoint regarding the mixture ratio-chlorine concentration. That is, for example, when the chlorine concentration of mixed water (tap water) is 1 ppm and the chlorine concentration of hot water is 0 ppm, the mixing ratio is changed from 1 to 4, and the chlorine concentration after mixing is calculated and displayed. Is. Looking at the trend expressed by this relationship example, the chlorine concentration is low if the mixing ratio is low, and the silver ion concentration is increased to compensate for this, while the chlorine concentration is high and the silver ion concentration is low if the mixing ratio is high. By doing so, it is derived that a bactericidal action using both chlorine and silver ions can be obtained uniformly.

  Then, based on the silver ion concentration set in any one of steps S13, S15, and S16, a current value and energization time for silver ion dissolution are determined (step S17). This is determined according to Faraday's law that the dissolution amount of silver ions is proportional to the product (electric amount) of the current value to be energized and the energization time. First, the time value required for the hot water filling to the bathtub 300 is calculated by dividing the set hot water amount by the detected flow rate from the pouring flow rate sensor, and the energization time is set shorter than this time value. This is to prevent the pouring from being completed before the required amount of silver ions is completely dissolved. Next, the required total dissolution amount of silver ions is calculated by multiplying the set hot water amount by the set silver ion concentration, and based on the required total dissolution amount and the above set energization time. The required current value is obtained by calculation. Thus, the combination of the current value and the energization time necessary to achieve the set silver ion concentration is determined. It should be noted that the current value may be set first in accordance with the circumstances of the capacity of the power supply facility, and the energization time may be set later within a range shorter than the time required for the hot water filling, or either one of them may be set. The given silver ion concentration may be realized by changing and setting the other as a fixed value.

  Next, an energization command is output from the silver ion dissolution control unit 83 to the energization control circuit 85 together with an output control signal relating to the determined current value, and the silver ion generating means from the energization control circuit 85 connected to a power supply circuit (not shown). 7 is energized to the positive electrode 72 or 73 (step S18). Thereby, dissolution of the silver ions into the pouring is started, and this dissolution is continued until the energization time elapses (NO in step S19, step S18). When the energization time elapses, the energization is stopped and controlled. (YES in step S19).

  According to the above embodiment, the hot water storage tank type hot water supply device is configured to supply hot water (pour) using the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 in which chlorine has disappeared as the storage period elapses. However, no matter how the mixing ratio in the hot water mixing means 52 is changed in order to adjust the temperature to a predetermined hot water supply temperature (pouring temperature), chlorine is added to the bath water filled in the bathtub 3. As a total sterilization effect of adding silver ions, it is possible to always exhibit a constant and homogeneous product, and reliably avoid the occurrence of a situation where the sterilization effect decreases due to the use of the above hot water storage it can. In addition to obtaining a stable bactericidal action, it is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of inconveniences such as electrode wear and fouling of the bathtub 3 due to silver oxide when the silver ion concentration is uniformly increased as a measure against the disappearance of chlorine. be able to. Moreover, the chlorine concentration contained in the hot water supply (hot water poured into the bathtub 300) can be simply estimated and determined according to the mixing ratio as described above without causing the installation of a chlorine concentration meter or the like and the associated cost increase. In addition, the determination of the chlorine concentration can be performed more easily since the basis of the determination is based on the output of the mixing ratio originally calculated in the pouring control (hot water supply control). .

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other various embodiment is included. That is, in the said embodiment, although what utilized the heat pump 20 is illustrated as the external heat source apparatus 200, it is not restricted to this, For example, the solar water heater or hot water storage tank which heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 with a solar heat 3 using solar heat as an external heat source such as a solar collector that heats hot water in the solar cell by heat exchange with a solar heat collecting medium, reaction heat generated in the fuel cell system (for example, reformer and fuel cell Either a waste heat generated by each reaction) may be used as an external heat source, or an electric heater that directly heats hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 may be used as an external heat source (electric water heater). . In short, the present invention can be applied to any hot water storage hot water supply system that uses hot water in a hot water storage tank as hot water for hot water supply, whatever the heat source for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  Instead of steps S17 and S18 (see FIG. 3) by the silver ion dissolution control unit 83 in the above embodiment, the following energization control may be executed. In other words, a relationship table between the pouring flow rate and the output control value related to the current value for each silver ion concentration is set in advance and stored so that the dissolution amount of silver ions is proportional to the pouring flow rate. By calculating an output control value from the relation table based on the detected pouring flow rate detected by the pouring flow rate sensor and the silver ion concentration set this time, and outputting the output control value to the energization control circuit 85 While the pouring is being performed, the current may be continuously supplied and melted.

It is a schematic diagram which shows embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the controller of the part which concerns on pouring and silver ion melt | dissolution. It is a flowchart which shows the control which concerns on pouring and silver ion melt | dissolution. FIG. 4A is a relationship diagram between the mixing ratio and the silver ion concentration of the bathtub to be set, and FIG. 4B is a relationship diagram between the mixing ratio and the chlorine concentration.

Explanation of symbols

3 Hot water storage tank 7 Silver ion generating means 42 Bypass water supply path 52 Hot water mixing means 54 Second hot water supply path (hot water supply path)
72, 73 Electrode 83 Silver ion dissolution control unit 84 Silver ion concentration setting unit 100 Hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus

Claims (4)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water inside, a hot water mixing means for adjusting the temperature by mixing water with the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank, and a pair of hot water supply channels for supplying hot water after temperature adjustment Silver ion generating means for dissolving silver ions in the hot water by electrolysis using the electrode of, and silver ion dissolution control means for controlling the dissolution operation of silver ions by energization control to the silver ion generating means,
The silver ion dissolution control means is configured to change the dissolution amount of silver ions to the increase side as the mixing ratio of water is lower in the mixing for temperature control by the hot water mixing means,
Hot water storage water heater with sterilization function. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water inside, a hot water mixing means for adjusting the temperature by mixing water with the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank, and a pair of hot water supply channels for supplying hot water after temperature adjustment Silver ion generating means for dissolving silver ions in the hot water by electrolysis using the electrode of, and silver ion dissolution control means for controlling the dissolution operation of silver ions by energization control to the silver ion generating means,
The silver ion dissolution control means changes the dissolution amount of silver ions to the increasing side when the mixing ratio of water is low in mixing for temperature control by the hot water mixing means, while the mixing ratio of water is high. Is configured to change the dissolution amount of silver ions to the reduction side,
Hot water storage water heater with sterilization function. A hot water storage type hot water supply device with a sterilizing function according to claim 1 or 2,
The silver ion dissolution control means receives information output about the mixing ratio, which is the ratio of water mixed with hot water by the hot water mixing means, and changes the silver ion concentration to be dissolved based on this mixing ratio. A hot water storage type hot water supply device with a sterilizing function configured to change the amount of ions dissolved. A hot water storage type hot water supply device with a sterilizing function according to claim 1 or 2,
The silver ion dissolution control means is configured to change the dissolution amount of silver ions by changing either one or both of the current value and the conduction time of the energization current to the silver ion generation means, with a sterilization function Hot water storage water heater.

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