JP2006250444A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply device 11 having improved user-friendliness by setting high temperature hot water to be poured as intended by a user without adding a new functioning button to a remote controller for pouring high temperature hot water. <P>SOLUTION: By operating a reheating button on the remote controller, a heat exchange means 47 makes heat exchange between hot water in a hot water storage tank 15 and hot water filled in a bathtub 12 for temperature rise of the hot water in the bathtub 12. By operating an addition hot water button on the remote controller, a bathtub hot water supply means 46 uses the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 for supplying hot water at a set temperature to the bathtub 12. By operating the reheating button and the additional hot water button on the remote controller in sequence, the bathtub hot water supply means 46 pours high temperature hot water from the hot water storage tank 15 to the bathtub 12. Without adding a new functioning button to the remote controller for pouring high temperature hot water, the high temperature hot water is set to be poured as intended by the user, thus improving user-friendliness. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply device having a function of raising the temperature of hot water in a bathtub by exchanging heat with hot water in a hot water storage tank.

  Conventionally, in a hot water supply device that stores hot water that has been boiled in a hot water storage tank and supplies the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is mixed with the supplied water to supply hot water at a set temperature to the bathtub. There is a hot water supply device that has an automatic hot water filling function and a hot water replenishment function that heat-exchanges the hot water of the hot water storage tank and the hot water filled in the bathtub so as to keep the hot water in the bathtub or keep it warm.

  In a hot water supply device having a heat-retaining function by heat exchange, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub can generally be raised by heat exchange with the hot water in the hot water storage tank. Does not have the function of hot water to raise the temperature. For this reason, the remote controller for operating the hot water supply apparatus has a reheating button for replenishing hot water in the bathtub by heat exchange, but is not provided with a hot water hot water button.

In addition, if the remaining hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank drops to about 60 ° C. during reheating, it takes time to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub due to the reduced heat exchange capacity. Instead of reheating the hot water in the bathtub, a method is known in which hot water in a hot water storage tank is supplied to the bathtub and automatically switched to a hot water hot water that quickly raises the temperature in the bathtub (for example, , See Patent Document 1). Therefore, also in this case, the remote control for operating the hot water supply device is not provided with a hot water hot water button.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-50048 (page 4-5, FIG. 1-3)

  However, when the remaining hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank drops to a temperature at which the heat exchange capacity decreases, the hot water supply hot water that quickly raises the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub by supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub as determined by the control unit. However, there is a problem that the water level of the bathtub rises without the intention of the user. Some users may not want to increase the amount of hot water in the bathtub even if it takes a long time to reheat by heat exchange, and it is impossible to respond to such user requests.

  In addition, providing a new function button for high-temperature hot water in the remote control has a problem that the remote control must be remade.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and without adding a new function button for high-temperature hot water supply to the remote controller, the hot water supply device can be set at the user's intention and the usability can be improved. The purpose is to provide.

  The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 is a hot water storage tank for storing hot water that has been boiled, a hot water supply means for a bathtub that uses the hot water in the hot water storage tank to supply hot water at a set temperature to the bathtub, and hot water in the hot water storage tank. Heat exchange means for exchanging heat between the hot water filled in the bathtub and the hot water in the bathtub, a remote controller having a plurality of function buttons assigned to each function and commanding each function, A controller configured to set a hot water supply hot water for hot water in the hot water storage tank to be poured into the bathtub by the hot water supply means for the bathtub by a combination of operations of specific function buttons of the plurality of function buttons of the remote control It is what.

  In addition, since the hot water supply hot water in the hot water storage tank is poured into the bathtub by the hot water supply means for the bathtub by the combination of the operation of specific function buttons among the plurality of function buttons of the remote control, Without adding a new function button for hot water, it is possible to set a hot water supply hot water for the user's intention, improving usability.

  The hot water supply device according to claim 2 is the hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller serves as a function button, a reheating button for chasing the hot water in the bathtub by the heat exchanging means, and hot water having a set temperature by the hot water supplying means for the bathtub. An additional hot water button for adding hot water to the bathtub is provided, and the control unit sets the hot water supply hot water by a combination of operations of the chasing button and the additional hot water button of the remote controller.

  And the combination of the operation of the renewal button that replenishes the hot water in the bathtub and the renewal hot water button that adds water to the bathtub sets the high temperature hot water that has both of these functions. This makes it easy to make the user aware of the operation, and makes it possible to easily operate the hot water supply without a dedicated function button.

  The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3 is the hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit operates one of the specific function buttons that command the high temperature hot water supply during the high temperature hot water supply. This cancels the setting of the hot water hot water.

  And even if it operates one of the specific function buttons which commanded the high temperature hot water even in the high temperature hot water, the setting of the high temperature hot water is canceled.

  According to the hot water supply apparatus of claim 1, the hot water supply hot water in which hot water in the hot water storage tank is poured into the bathtub by the hot water supply means for the bathtub by a combination of operation of specific function buttons among the plurality of function buttons of the remote controller. Therefore, without adding a new function button for hot water supply to the remote controller, the hot water supply can be set for the user's intention, and the usability can be improved.

  According to the hot water supply device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the hot water supply device according to claim 1, a combination of an operation of a reheating button for repressing hot water in the bathtub and an additional hot water button for adding hot water to the bathtub, Because the hot water supply that has both of these functions is set, it is easy to recognize the operation for setting the hot water supply hot water, and it is easy to operate the hot water supply even without a dedicated function button. .

  According to the hot water supply device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the hot water supply device of the first or second aspect, even during the high temperature hot water, one of the specific function buttons that commanded the high temperature hot water is operated. If this is the case, the hot water hot water setting can be canceled.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 11 has a hot water supply function of supplying hot water to a hot water supply place such as a hot water tap, and also has a function of automatically filling hot water in the bathtub 12 or keeping warm and reheating. Yes.

  The hot water supply body 13 provided in the hot water supply device 11 is provided with a hot water storage tank 15 of an electric water heater 14, and the water supply pipe 16 piped to a water supply source such as a water pipe is connected to the lower side of the hot water storage tank 15 via a pressure reducing valve 17. The hot water supply pipe 18 for supplying hot water is connected to the upper side of the hot water storage tank 15, and the upper and lower heaters 19, 20 for boiling the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 are arranged in the upper and lower parts of the hot water storage tank 15. Yes. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 is heated and stored in the hot water storage tank 15 by the heaters 19 and 20, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 is pushed up by the hot water pressure applied to the lower side of the hot water storage tank 15 by hot water at each hot water supply place. Hot water is supplied from the upper hot water supply pipe 18.

  A heat exchanger 22 is arranged on the upper side in the hot water storage tank 15, and the heat exchanger 22 and the bathtub 12 are connected by a circulation pipe 23. The circulation pipe 23 has an outward path 24 and a return path 25 with respect to the bathtub 12 as viewed from the heat exchanger 22 side. An outward thermistor 26 is disposed in the outward path 24. On the return path 25, a flow switch 27 for detecting the circulation of hot water in the bathtub 12, a circulation pump 28 for circulating the hot water in the bathtub 12 to the heat exchanger 22, an electric three-way valve 29 as a switching valve for switching the flow path, and detecting the water level A water level sensor 30 and a return thermistor 31 are disposed. In addition, a bypass path 32 is connected between the forward path 24 and the circulation pump 28 and the electric three-way valve 29 in the return path 25, allowing the hot water to flow from the return path 25 to the forward path 24. A check valve 33 for preventing hot water from flowing into the return path 25 is provided.

  Further, the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 17 of the water supply pipe 16 and the hot water supply pipe 18 are connected to the hot water mixing valve 35 and the bathtub mixing valve 36, respectively. These mixing valves 35 and 36 mix the water supplied through the water supply pipe 16 and the hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe 18 and discharge hot water at a set temperature from the discharge side according to the mixing ratio.

  A hot water supply pipe 37 for leading hot water to the hot water supply location is connected to the discharge side of the hot water mixing valve 35. A hot water flow sensor 38 for detecting the hot water flow rate and a hot water thermistor 39 for detecting the hot water temperature are arranged on the hot water supply pipe 37, respectively. It is installed.

  On the discharge side of the bathtub mixing valve 36, a bathtub pipe 41 connected to the electric three-way valve 29 disposed in the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 is connected. The bathtub pipe 41 is provided with a simple hopper 42. The simple hopper 42 allows the flow of hot water from the bathtub mixing valve 36 side to the electric three-way valve 29 side to allow the bathtub from the electric three-way valve 29 side. There is a check valve 43 that prevents back flow of hot water to the mixing valve 36 side, a water supply solenoid valve 44 that opens the bathtub pipe 41 when hot water is filled, and closes the bathtub pipe 41 during standby. .

  The electric three-way valve 29 connects the bathtub pipe 41 and the bypass path 32 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 and closes the bathtub 12 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 when hot water is supplied to the bathtub 12. During the circulation of hot water in the bathtub 12, the bathtub pipe 41 side is closed and the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 is opened.

  The bathtub mixing water supply valve 36, the bathtub piping 41, the electric three-way valve 29, the circulation piping 23, and the like constitute the hot water supply means 46 for the bathtub that uses the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 to supply hot water at the set temperature to the bathtub 12. Has been. In addition, heat exchange means 47 that heat-exchanges the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 and the hot water filled in the bathtub 12 with the heat exchanger 22, the circulation pipe 23, the circulation pump 28, etc., and raises the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 is provided. It is configured.

  FIG. 2 shows a remote controller 51 that is installed in the bathroom and operates the hot water supply device 11. The remote controller 51 includes a display unit 52 for displaying various information such as a set temperature for hot water supply, a set temperature for hot water in the bathtub 12, and time, and a plurality of function buttons 53 for setting various functions related to the bathtub 12. An exposed first operation portion 54 having a plurality of function buttons 53 and a second operation portion 55 that is opened and closed by a cover (not shown) having a plurality of function buttons 53 are formed.

  On the first operation unit 54, as a function button 53, hot water of a set temperature is automatically filled in the bathtub 12 by the hot water supply means 46 for the bathtub, and hot water after filling is automatically set by the periodic operation of the heat exchange means 47. Bathing button 56 for keeping warm, story button 57 for talking with a main remote controller (not shown), and chasing by the heat exchanging means 47 to raise the hot water in the bathtub 12 by a predetermined temperature with respect to the set temperature. A tracking button (hot button) 58 and the like are included.

  On the second operation section 55, as function buttons 53, a hot water temperature button 59 for setting the hot water temperature, a hot water temperature button 60 for setting the hot water temperature, a hot water amount button 61 for setting the hot water amount, the hot water temperature, Adjustable button 62 for changing the bath temperature, the amount of bath water, an add-on button 63 for adding hot water at the set temperature to the bathtub 12 by the hot water supply means 46 for bath, and a warm button for supplying water to lower the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 64, a volume button 65 for setting the volume, a washing button 66 for setting automatic washing, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 11 includes a control unit 71 that controls the hot water supply device 11, and the control unit 71 includes a circulation pump 28, an electric three-way valve 29, and mixing valves 35, 36. A water supply solenoid valve 44, a flow switch 27, each thermistor 26, 31, 39, a water level sensor 30, a thermistor (not shown) that detects temperature by being installed at a plurality of height positions of the hot water storage tank 15, a remote controller 51, etc. are connected. Yes.

  Then, the control unit 71 uses the hot water supply means 46 for the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 to pour hot water from the hot water storage tank 15 into the bathtub 12 by a combination of operations of the specific function buttons 53 of the plurality of function buttons 53 of the remote controller 51. A function for setting hot water hot water, which has a function for setting hot water hot water by operating the additional hot water button 63 within a predetermined time of several seconds after operating the hot water button 58 or during the hot water is doing. Moreover, it has a function which cancels | releases the setting of high temperature hot water supply by operating one of the specific function buttons which command-operated high temperature hot water supply during high temperature hot water supply.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the electric water heater 14, the heaters 19 and 20 are energized and supplied to the hot water storage tank 15 and used in specific time zones such as midnight hours when the electricity rate is low, for example, in the midnight power system and hourly lamp system. The remaining hot water is heated to a predetermined temperature and stored.

  When filling the bathtub 12, the electric three-way valve 29 closes the bathtub 12 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 and communicates the bathtub pipe 41 with the bypass path 32 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23. Open the valve 44, mix the water supplied through the water supply pipe 16 with the mixing valve 36 for the bathtub and the hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe 18, and set the hot water to the set temperature, the pipe 41 for the bathtub, the electric three-way valve 29, Hot water is supplied to the bathtub 12 through the return path 25, the bypass path 32, and the outward path 24 of the circulation pipe 23, and the hot water is filled.

  A flow rate sensor (not shown) disposed in the simple hopper 42 detects that the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 12 has reached the set amount, or the water level filled in the bathtub 12 by the water level sensor 30 disposed in the return path 25 is detected. When it is detected that the set water level has been reached, the water supply solenoid valve 44 is closed to stop hot water supply.

  In addition, after hot water is filled in the bathtub 12, the hot water of the bathtub 12 is set by the heat exchanging means 47 by the automatic heat retention operation every predetermined time or by the user operating the reheating button 58 to set reheating. The temperature is kept at the temperature, or the temperature is set to 1 to 1.5 ° C. higher than the set temperature.

  In the heat exchanging means 47, after closing the bathtub pipe 41 side with the electric three-way valve 29 and opening the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23, the circulation pump 28 is operated, whereby the hot water in the bathtub 12 is supplied to the circulation pipe 23. The return path 25, the electric three-way valve 29, the circulation pump 28, the heat exchanger 22, and the forward path 24 are circulated back to the bathtub 12. Heat is exchanged between the hot water flowing in the heat exchanger 22 and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15, and the hot water heated is returned to the bathtub 12 to raise the hot water temperature of the bathtub 12.

  The heat exchange means 47 is stopped if the hot water in the bathtub 12 reaches a set temperature during automatic warming or reaches a temperature about 1 to 1.5 ° C. higher than the set temperature during reheating.

  When the user requests a hot water supply, the remote controller 51 first operates the chasing button 58 and then operates the additional hot water button 63 to set the hot water supply hot water. At this time, a hot water supply hot water is set by operating the additional hot water button 63, for example, within a predetermined time of several seconds after the operation of the hot water button 58 or during the chasing.

  By setting a hot water supply hot water, a certain amount of hot water in the bathtub 12 or hot water in the bathtub 12 is about 1 to 1.5 ° C. by the hot water supply means 46 for the bathtub, through the same pipeline as when filling the hot water. Pour hot water necessary to raise.

  In the hot water supply means 46 for bathtubs, the electric three-way valve 29 closes the bathtub 12 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 and also connects the bathtub pipe 41 and the bypass path 32 side of the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23 to provide a water supply solenoid valve. Open 44. Then, hot water having a preset temperature (hot water having a temperature higher than the filling temperature or the heat retaining temperature) is adjusted by the bathtub mixing valve 36 to a high temperature hot water, and this hot water is adjusted to the bathtub pipe 41, Hot water is poured into the bathtub 12 through the electric three-way valve 29, the return path 25 of the circulation pipe 23, the bypass path 32, and the forward path 24. With this hot hot water, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 rises and the amount of hot water also increases.

  When a certain amount of hot water is poured into the bathtub 12 or when the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 is about 1 to 1.5 ° C. higher than the set temperature, the bathtub hot water supply means 46 is stopped.

  Thus, by operating in the order of the chasing button 58 and the additional hot water button 63 of the remote controller 51, it is possible to set the hot water supply hot water without adding a new function button for the high temperature hot water supply to the remote controller 51. High-temperature hot water can be set according to the user's intention, improving usability.

  In particular, in order to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12, the reheating by the heat exchanging means 47 and the hot water supply by the hot water supply means 46 for the bathtub can be selected and set by the user's intention, so that the usability can be improved. .

  Therefore, when the reheating is set, if the remaining hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank 15 is lowered to a temperature at which the heat exchange capacity is lowered, it takes time to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12. Sometimes, the hot water in the bathtub 12 can be quickly raised by switching to the hot water supply by operating the additional hot water button 63.

  On the other hand, even if it takes time to chase by the heat exchanging means 47, it is possible to meet the user's request not to increase the amount of hot water in the bathtub 12.

  In addition, the combination of the operation of the reheating button 58 for repressing hot water in the bathtub 12 and the additional hot water button 63 for adding hot water to the bathtub 12 sets a high temperature hot water bath that has both of these functions. Awareness of the operation for setting the hot water can be facilitated, and the hot hot water can be easily operated without a dedicated function button.

  In addition, even during the hot water supply, if the chasing button 58 or the additional hot water button 63 of the remote controller 51 is operated again, the setting of the hot water supply can be canceled and the hot water supply means 46 for the bathtub can be stopped.

  In addition, when there is a request that the user wants to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 and increase the water level, until now, the water level of the bathtub 12 is first raised by adding hot water, and then the hot water of the bathtub 12 by heat exchange. Although it was necessary to raise the temperature, since a hot water bath can be set, this hot water bath can both raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 12 and the water level at the same time, and it can be done in a short time, improving usability. .

  The hot water adding button 58 and the additional hot water button 63 are operated in this order to set the hot hot water, but the additional hot water button 63 and the additional hot water button 58 are operated in order. And the hot water button 63 may be operated simultaneously to set the hot hot water. Alternatively, even if the hot water adding button 58 or the additional hot water button 63 is combined with another function button 53, or a combination of other functional buttons 53 other than the hot water button 58 and the additional hot water button 63, the hot water adding hot water is set. Good.

  In order to boil hot water in the hot water storage tank 15, not only the heaters 19 and 20, but also a heat pump unit that collects heat in the atmosphere may be used.

It is a lineblock diagram of a hot-water supply device showing one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the state which removed the cover of the remote control of a hot-water supply apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

11 Water heater
12 Bathtub
15 Hot water storage tank
46 Hot water supply for bathtub
47 Heat exchange means
51 Remote control
53 Function buttons
58 Commemoration button
63 Additional hot water button
71 Control unit

Claims (3)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water,
Hot water supply means for a bathtub that uses the hot water in the hot water storage tank to supply hot water at a set temperature to the bathtub,
Heat exchange means for causing heat exchange between the hot water in the hot water storage tank and hot water filled in the bathtub to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub;
A remote control having a plurality of function buttons assigned to each function and commanding each function;
A controller configured to set a hot water supply hot water for hot water in the hot water storage tank to be poured into the bathtub by the hot water supply means for the bathtub by a combination of operations of specific function buttons of the plurality of function buttons of the remote control. A hot water supply apparatus characterized by The remote control has, as function buttons, a reheating button for chasing hot water in the bathtub by heat exchange means, and an additional hot water button for adding hot water at a set temperature to the bathtub by hot water supply means for the bathtub,
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the hot water supply hot water by a combination of operations of the chasing button and the additional hot water button of the remote controller. The control unit cancels the setting of the high temperature hot water by operating one of the specific function buttons which commanded the high temperature hot water during the high temperature hot water. Water heater.

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