JP2007017074A - Quick hot water unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a quick hot water unit capable of supplying hot water of a set temperature from a hot water faucet at a reservation time without wasteful consumption of energy. <P>SOLUTION: This quick hot water unit detects atmospheric temperature and water temperature in a circulating circuit 8 when reserved operation is instructed, and reads an instructed quick hot water set water temperature. A heating time database 19 stores heating necessary times according to conditions. The heating necessary time is a time necessary for raising the water temperature in the circulating circuit 8 to a quick hot water set water temperature by the quick hot water unit. A reservation program 18 measures the time from start of reserved heating operation to end thereof when the reserved heating operation is actually performed, and stores the measured heating necessary time in a predetermined area within the heating time database 19. Since the reserved heating operation can be performed based on a measured value when reserved operation is instructed next with the same condition, the energy consumed by an electric heater 14 or the like can be minimized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an immediate hot water unit in which hot water staying in a hot water pipe connected to a hot water heater and a hot water tap is kept warm and hot water is supplied immediately when the hot water tap is opened.

  Conventionally, as an immediate hot water unit that immediately produces hot water when the hot water tap is opened, as shown in FIG. 10, a hot water supply pipe 23 that connects the hot water heater 21 and the hot water tap 22, a downstream connection portion 24, and an upstream connection portion. A return pipe 26 connected at 25, an electric heater 27 provided in the return pipe 26, a circulation pump 28, and a water temperature sensor 29 are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an instant hot water unit, the hot water in the circulation circuit 30 composed of the hot water supply pipe 23 and the return pipe 26 between the downstream side connection part 24 and the upstream side connection part 25 is an instant hot water set water temperature predetermined by the user. Thus, the hot water in the return pipe 26 is circulated from the downstream side connection part 24 toward the upstream side connection part 25 by the circulation pump 28 and the electric heater 27 is operated to perform an immediate hot water operation. Hot water is heated.

  That is, in the instant hot water unit, the hot water operation is started when the temperature of the hot water in the return pipe 26 monitored by the water temperature sensor 29 falls below the instant hot water set water temperature, and the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 29 is detected. When the water temperature rises to the set temperature of the hot water, the circulation pump 28 is stopped and the electric heater 27 is turned off to end the hot water operation. Therefore, the circulation circuit 30 is always in a state where hot water near the hot water set water temperature exists. Therefore, when the hot water tap 22 is opened, first, hot water in the hot water supply pipe 23 near the hot water set water temperature is discharged from the hot water tap 22, and then hot water of the hot water set temperature heated by the water heater 21 is discharged from the hot water tap 22. Is done.

  In addition, in the case of such a hot water unit, when the hot water is not discharged for a long time, the immediate hot water operation is normally turned off by the user. For example, the hot water set temperature of the hot water is set from the hot water tap 22 in the morning or at a specific time. Some have a reservation function for making reservations so that hot water is discharged. However, the hot water unit differs in the length and diameter of the hot water supply pipe 23 or the return pipe 26 depending on the installation location, the heat insulating performance of the heat insulating material provided around the hot water pipe 23, and various factors such as the outside temperature during the hot water operation. is there. Therefore, the time from when the hot water operation starts to when the water temperature in the circulation circuit 30 reaches the hot water set water temperature also varies.

Therefore, when the outside air temperature is low, a situation may occur in which the water temperature in the circulation circuit 30 does not reach the hot water set water temperature even at the reserved time. In such a case, the user needs to set the reservation time earlier than the original reservation time based on his / her experience, which is inconvenient. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, it may be possible to set the operation start time at a time much earlier than the reserved time on the unit side, but in this case, the hot water operation is performed for an unnecessarily long time. There is an inconvenience that power is wasted and running cost is increased.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-260731

  The present invention aims to improve an instant hot water unit, and more specifically, in order to eliminate the inconvenience, hot water at a set temperature can be supplied from a hot water tap at a reserved time without consuming unnecessary energy. The purpose is to provide an instant hot water unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the instant hot water unit of the present invention includes a hot water pipe connecting a hot water heater and a hot water tap, a first connecting portion on the downstream side of the hot water pipe, and a second connecting portion on the upstream side. A return circuit connected, a circulation circuit composed of a portion of the hot water supply pipe between the first and second connection portions, and the return pipe; and hot water remaining in the circulation circuit for the second connection portion of the hot water supply pipe Circulation means for circulating in the direction of the first connection portion, heating means provided in the return pipe for heating hot water in the circulation circuit, water temperature detection means for detecting the water temperature in the circulation circuit, A control means for controlling the operation of the circulation means and the heating means based on the detected water temperature of the water temperature detection means so that the water temperature in the circulation circuit becomes a predetermined set temperature, and when the hot water tap is opened The hot water staying between the first and second connecting portions of the hot water supply pipe But the immediate hot water unit supplied from the second the hot-water tap is sent in the direction of the first connecting portion from the connecting portion, characterized in that it comprises the following arrangement.

  First, an ambient temperature detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature, a storage means for storing a required heating time determined by the ambient temperature, the water temperature in the circulation circuit and the set temperature, and the water temperature in the circulation circuit at the reserved time And a reserved operation means for performing a reserved operation for operating the control means.

  The reservation operation means calculates the remaining time from the current time to the reservation time after the reservation time and the set temperature are specified and the reservation operation is instructed, and the current time detected by the ambient temperature detection means Based on the ambient temperature at the time, the detected water temperature at the current time detected by the water temperature detecting means, and the designated set temperature, the corresponding heating required time is read from the storage means, and the remaining time is the heating required time. When it becomes below, the control means activates the heating means and the circulation means to perform the reserved heating operation, and the water temperature in the circulation circuit becomes the specified set temperature from the start of the reserved heating operation. The actual measurement time to reach is measured, and the read heating required time is changed to the actual measurement time and stored in the storage means.

  According to the instant hot water unit of the present invention, the reserved operation means performs the reserved heating operation using the required heating time determined by the ambient temperature, the water temperature in the circulation circuit, and the set temperature. For this reason, it is possible to perform an operation corresponding to the ambient temperature and the water temperature in the circulation circuit as compared with the case where the reserved heating operation is simply performed for a long time, so that useless energy is not consumed by the heating means. Further, the reserved operation means measures the required time during the reserved heating operation and stores the measured time in the storage area for the required heating time. Therefore, when the reserved heating operation is performed under the same conditions next time, the actually measured heating required time is called from the storage means, and the reserved heating operation is performed based on the measured time. For this reason, since the reserved heating operation is performed with the required heating time that matches the installation status of the immediate hot water unit, the water temperature in the circulation circuit can be reliably set to the set temperature by the reserved heating operation. , Wasteful energy consumption is prevented.

  Further, in the immediate hot water unit of the present invention, among the set temperatures stored in the storage means, the ambient temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation is higher than the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation. When the temperature within the temperature range higher than the specified set temperature is set as another set temperature, the reserved operation means has the detected water temperature reached the other set temperature during the reserved heating operation. When measuring the time from when the reserved heating operation starts until the detected water temperature reaches the other set temperature as another measured time, change the required heating time at the other set temperature to the other measured time It is preferable to store the data in the storage means.

  The reserved operation means measures the time from the start of the reserved heating operation until the detected water temperature reaches the other set temperature as another actually measured time, and sets the required heating time of the corresponding condition as the other actually measured time. It is changed and stored in the storage means. That is, since the other actual measurement time can be measured during the reserved heating operation for measuring the actual measurement time, a plurality of actual measurement times can be measured by one reserved heating operation. Therefore, when the user designates another preset temperature and instructs the reserved operation at a different occasion from the reserved operation in which the actual measurement is performed, the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation and the detected water temperature are the previous values. If it is the same as that at the time of actual measurement, the required heating time read from the storage means is a value that has already been actually measured. For this reason, the water temperature in the circulation circuit can be reliably set to the set temperature by the reserved heating operation, and wasteful energy consumption is prevented.

  Further, in the immediate hot water unit of the present invention, among the required heating time stored in the storage means, the ambient temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation and the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation When the required heating time determined on the condition that the water temperature exceeds the specified set temperature exceeds the measured time, the reserved operation means changes the required heating time to the measured time and It is preferable to store in the storage means.

  When heating the water temperature in the circulation circuit from the water temperature exceeding the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation to the specified set temperature, the detected water temperature at the reserved heating operation is changed from the detected water temperature to the specified set temperature. Compared to heating, the heating time is inevitably shorter. Accordingly, when the required heating time longer than the actual measurement time is stored in the storage means under such conditions, the reservation is made at least within the actual measurement time by changing the required heating time to the actual measurement time. Since the heating operation can be completed, waste of energy can be prevented.

  Further, in the instant hot water unit of the present invention, among the required heating time stored in the storage means, the atmospheric temperature corresponding to the atmospheric temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation and the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation are calculated. When the required heating time determined on the condition that the water temperature exceeds and the other set temperature exceeds the other actually measured time, the reserved operation means changes the required heating time to the other actually measured time. May be stored in the storage means. In this way, not only the actual measurement time but also the other actual measurement time, the heating required time that is inevitably shorter than the other actual measurement time is at least the other actual measurement time, Since the reserved heating operation can be completed at least within the other actual measurement time, waste of energy can be prevented.

  Further, in the immediate hot water unit of the present invention, when the preset temperature is designated and the control means is operated manually, the reserved operation means is configured to detect the ambient temperature at the start of manual operation and the water temperature in the circulation circuit. And the actual measurement time from the start of the manual operation until the water temperature in the circulation circuit reaches the specified set temperature is measured, and the manual operation is included in the required heating time stored in the storage means. The required heating time defined by the atmospheric temperature corresponding to the atmospheric temperature at the start of operation, the water temperature corresponding to the detected water temperature at the start of the manual operation, and the specified set temperature is set as the measured time. It is preferable to change and store in the storage means.

  Even when the reserved hot water unit is not operated in the reserved hot water unit, when the hot water hot water unit is operated manually, the hot water in the circulation circuit is heated by the heating means in the same manner as the reserved heating operation. Therefore, when such a manual operation is performed, an actual measurement time until the water temperature in the circulation circuit reaches the specified set temperature is obtained, and the ambient temperature and the detection that match the conditions at the start of the manual operation are obtained. The heating temperature corresponding to the water temperature and the designated set temperature is specified, changed to the actual measurement time, and stored in the storage means. As a result, when the reserved operation is designated next under the same conditions as the manual operation, the reserved heating operation is performed based on the actual measurement value, so that the reserved heating operation can be performed in an accurate required heating time. Therefore, waste of energy can be prevented.

  Next, an example of an embodiment of the instant hot water unit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the instant hot water unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply pipe 4 that connects a hot water heater 2 and a hot water tap 3, a first connection portion 5 on the downstream side of the hot water supply pipe 4, and an upstream side of the first hot water supply pipe 4. The return pipe 7 connected by the 2 connection part 6 is provided, and the circulation circuit 8 is comprised by the part between the 1st connection part 5 and the 2nd connection part 6 of the return pipe 7 and the hot water supply pipe 4. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the water heater 2 is a gas water heater, and water supplied from the water supply pipe 9 is passed through a heat exchanger (not shown) heated by a gas burner to obtain hot water. It is supplied to the hot water tap 3 through the hot water supply pipe 4. The operation of the water heater 2 is controlled by a first electrical unit 10 provided in the water heater 2 and is remotely operated by a remote controller 11 connected to the first electrical unit 10. The first electrical unit 10 is composed of electronic components such as a microcomputer and a memory. Moreover, the hot-water tap 3 in this embodiment is a currant or a shower provided in a kitchen, a washroom, a bathroom, or the like.

  The return pipe 7 includes a circulation pump 13 (circulation means) for circulating hot water remaining in the circulation circuit 8 in the direction from the second connection portion 6 to the first connection portion 5 of the hot water supply pipe 4, An electric heater 14 (heating means) for heating hot water, and a water temperature sensor 15 (water temperature detecting means) for detecting the temperature of hot water in the circulation circuit 8 at a position downstream of the electric heater 14 and upstream of the second connecting portion 6. And are provided.

  Further, the immediate hot water unit 1 is provided with a second electrical unit 16 that is communicably connected to the first electrical unit 10 of the water heater 2, and a circulation pump 13, an electric heater 14, and a water temperature sensor 15 are provided in the first hot water unit 1. Two electrical units 16 are connected. The ambient temperature sensor 12 is connected to the second electrical unit 16.

  Next, the functional configuration of the instant hot water unit 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second electrical unit 16 is composed of electronic components such as a microcomputer and a memory, like the first electrical unit 10, and includes a control program 17 (control means), a reservation program 18 (reservation operation means), and a heating time. And a database 19 (storage means). The second electrical unit 16 is connected to the first electrical unit 10, the circulation pump 13, the electric heater 14, the water temperature sensor 15, and the ambient temperature sensor 12.

  The control program 17 activates the circulation pump 13 and the electric heater 14 based on the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 15 so that the temperature of the hot water in the circulation circuit 8 becomes the immediate hot water set water temperature (set temperature) set by the remote controller 11. It is a program that controls. The reservation program 18 is a program for operating the control program 17 so that the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 becomes the immediate hot water set water temperature at the reservation time set by the remote controller 11. The heating time database 19 is a database that stores the required heating time determined by the conditions of the ambient temperature, the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8, and the instant hot water set water temperature.

  The required heating time means that the hot water unit 1 is operated from the state where the operation of the water heater 2 and the quick water unit 1 is stopped, and the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is set immediately by the circulation pump 13 and the electric heater 14. This is the time required to heat to the water temperature. This is basically determined by the ambient temperature such as the outside air temperature, the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 and the instant hot water set water temperature, but is actually provided around the length and diameter of the hot water supply pipe 4 and the return pipe 7. It depends on the material and thickness of the insulation material, the construction status, etc. In the present embodiment, an average condition is assumed for factors such as the length and diameter of the hot water supply pipe 4 and the return pipe 7 or the heat insulating material around the hot water pipe 4 and the return pipe 7, and stored in the heating time database 19 as an initial value that matches the condition. ing. The heating time database 19 is stored in an EEPROM (not shown) which is a nonvolatile memory capable of rewriting stored data.

  Next, the data structure of the heating time database 19 is shown in FIG. The heating time database 19 stores data in the table format shown in FIG. 3 in steps of −20 ° C. to 35 ° C. with respect to the ambient temperature. For example, taking a table with an air temperature of 10 ° C. as an example as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 at the start of the reserved heating operation, and the horizontal axis represents the instant hot water set water temperature. And the heating required time corresponding to each condition is memorize | stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the immediate hot water set water temperature is 40 ° C. when the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is 10 ° C., the required heating time is 20 minutes (see bold parts).

  Since the hot water heater 2 provided with the instant hot water unit 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, when the hot water tap 3 is opened while the hot water heater 2 is turned on, A water flow is generated in the water supply pipe 9, and when the first electrical unit 10 of the water heater 2 detects this water flow, the gas burner is ignited to start the hot water supply operation, and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 9 is heated by the heat exchanger. And hot water is obtained. In the hot water heater 2, the amount of heat of the gas burner is controlled by the first electrical unit 10 so that the hot water temperature becomes the hot water set temperature instructed by the remote controller 11. And when the hot-water tap 3 is closed and the water supply to the water heater 2 stops, the 1st electrical equipment unit 10 of the water heater 2 stops combustion of a gas burner, and stops hot water supply operation.

  In addition, when the reserved heating operation is performed, the circulation pump 13 and the electric heater 14 are controlled by the control program 17, and hot water at the set temperature of the immediate hot water instructed by the remote controller 11 circulates in the circulation circuit 8. Between the first connection part 5 and the second connection part 6 of the hot water supply pipe 4, a state where hot water having an immediate hot water set water temperature exists is maintained. For this reason, when the user opens the hot-water tap 3, the hot water at the set hot water temperature immediately between the first connection portion 5 and the second connection portion 6 of the water heater 2 is immediately supplied from the hot-water tap 3. Then, hot water heated by the water heater 2 is supplied. As a result, the delay time from when the user opens the hot-water tap 3 to when hot water is actually supplied is greatly reduced.

  Next, the operation when a reserved driving instruction is given by the user will be described with reference to FIG. In the following explanation, the reserved heating operation is an operation until the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is actually heated and reaches the set temperature of the hot water, and the reserved operation is a reservation after the user instructs the reserved operation. The operation until the heating operation ends. When the user sets a reservation time with the remote controller 11 and gives an instruction for a reservation operation (S1), the reservation program 18 calculates the remaining time that is the time from the current time to the reservation time (S2). At the same time, the ambient temperature is detected by the ambient temperature sensor 12, the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is detected by the water temperature sensor 15, and the instant hot water set water temperature set by the remote controller 11 is read (S3).

  Next, the reservation program 18 extracts the required heating time from various information (S4). Specifically, first, the matrix table 20 corresponding to the atmospheric temperature detected by the reservation program 18 is extracted. For example, when the ambient temperature is 10 ° C., the matrix table 20 shown in FIG. 3 is selected. Further, the required heating time is extracted from the matrix table 20 based on the detected water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 and the read hot water set water temperature. For example, when the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is 10 ° C. and the immediate hot water set water temperature is 40 ° C., a time of 20 minutes is extracted from the matrix table 20 of FIG.

  Next, the reservation program 18 compares the remaining time with the heating required time (S5). When the remaining time exceeds the required heating time (NO in S5), the processes from (S2) to (S4) are performed again. When the remaining time is equal to or shorter than the required heating time (YES in S5), the following reserved heating operation is performed in the immediate hot water unit 1.

  First, the reservation program 18 stores the start time of the reservation heating operation (S6). Next, the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation is detected by the ambient temperature sensor 12, the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is detected by the water temperature sensor 15, and the immediate hot water set water temperature set by the remote controller 11 is read (S7). Next, the reservation program 18 activates the circulation pump 13 on the basis of the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 15 so that the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 becomes the immediate hot water set water temperature set by the remote controller 11 by the control program 17. The electric heater 14 is activated (S8).

  Next, the reservation program 18 is in a temperature range where the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 15 is higher than the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 detected at the start of the reserved heating operation and lower than the target immediate hot water set water temperature. It is determined whether or not the instant hot water set water temperature has been reached (S9). In this embodiment, since the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 at the start of the reserved heating operation is 10 ° C. and the immediate hot water set water temperature is 40 ° C., the region of 30 ° C. to 39 ° C. is more than 10 ° C. and less than 40 ° C. Other immediate hot water set water temperatures exist every 1 ° C up to 1 ° C. Then, when the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 15 has reached another immediate hot water set water temperature (YES in S9), this time from the start of the reserved heating operation at the required heating time corresponding to the other immediate hot water set water temperature in the matrix table 20 Another actual measurement value that is the elapsed time up to the time is stored (S10). In the present embodiment, when the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is heated by the electric heater 14 to 30 ° C., which is another set temperature, if the elapsed time is 13 minutes, as shown in FIG. The minute data is stored at the corresponding position in the matrix table 20.

  Here, since the immediate hot water set water temperature set by the user is 40 ° C., the reserved heating operation is continued (NO in S11). Then, the processes from (S9) to (S10) are repeated, and the required heating time in the matrix table 20 is updated each time the other hot water set water temperature rises by 1 ° C. Here, FIG. 5 shows that when the vertical axis of the matrix table 20 is 10 ° C., the detected water temperature of the water temperature sensor 15 rises to 32 ° C., and heating from 30 ° C. to 32 ° C., which is another set water temperature, is necessary. The state where time was updated is illustrated. In this case, if the actual measurement values are 13, 13, 14 (minutes), the numerical values in the matrix table 20 are the actual measurement values shown in FIG. 5 from 15, 15, 16 (minutes) shown in the state of FIG. Updated to (see bold text).

  Then, the reserved heating operation ends when the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is heated by the electric heater 14 and reaches 40 ° C., which is the instant hot water set water temperature (YES in S11). At this time, the time required from the start time of the reserved heating operation is actually measured by the reservation program 18 (S12). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the reservation program 18 has a heating required time corresponding to 10 ° C., which is the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 at the start of the reserved heating operation, and 40 ° C., which is the instant hot water setting water temperature. Are replaced with actual measurement values (S13). In this embodiment, if the actual measurement time is 19 minutes, the data of 20 minutes as the initial setting value is replaced with 19 minutes.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in the row | line of 10 degreeC which is the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 at the time of the reservation heating operation start of the matrix table 20, the heating required time of the location applicable to 40 degreeC which is immediate hot water setting water temperature Is measured and updated, and the necessary heating time from 30 ° C. to 39 ° C., which is another instant hot water set water temperature, is measured and updated.

  Next, in the matrix table 20, the reservation program 18 has a higher atmospheric temperature in the circulation circuit than the detected water temperature at the time of the actual measurement at the same ambient temperature as the reserved heating operation at the start of the actual heating operation. It is checked whether or not there is a heating required time that is based on the water temperature and is longer than the actually measured heating required time as described above (S14). At this time, if there is a longer time than the actually measured value (YES in S14), the reservation program 18 rewrites the heating required time in the matrix table 20 to the above actually measured value (S15). Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the required heating time stored in the region where the hot water set water temperature is 30 ° C. to 39 ° C. in the column where the water temperature in the circulation circuit is 11 ° C. and 12 ° C. is larger than the actually measured value. Since it was a long value, it has been rewritten to the actual measurement value (see bold text).

  In these rewritten areas, the required heating time is not actually measured. However, since the measured water temperature in the circulation circuit is higher than that in the case where the measured water temperature in the circulation circuit is 10 ° C., the heating required time is required when the heating time is 10 ° C. The time will not be exceeded. Therefore, by simply replacing the required heating time in this way, it is possible to make the required heating time more consistent with the current situation even in the area where the actual measurement is not performed, and the reserved heating operation is performed in that area next time. When it is broken, useless energization of the electric heater 14 is prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the required heating time is measured during the reserved heating operation. However, the required heating time may also be measured when the hot water operation is performed by a user's manual operation. When the user operates the remote controller 11 to perform an immediate hot water operation, actual measurement of the required heating time from (S6) shown in FIG. 4 is started (S15). Thereby, since the heating required time actually measured at the time of manual operation is stored in the matrix table 20 of the heating time database 19, it is highly possible that the actually measured data can be used when the next reserved heating operation is performed.

  Next, a modification of the instant hot water unit 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this modification, when a heating operation (reserved heating operation or manual heating operation) is started by a reserved operation or a manual operation (S21), another circulation circuit higher than the water temperature in the circulation circuit when the heating operation is started. The following process is performed for each internal water temperature (S22). In this modification, the configurations of the water heater 2, the hot water supply pipe 4, the circulation circuit 8, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  Also in this modification, the case where the atmospheric temperature in the circulation circuit 8 at the start of the reserved heating operation is 10 ° C. and the water temperature is 10 ° C. will be described as an example. In the matrix table 20, the water temperature in the circulation circuit is 10 The water temperature in the other circulation circuit higher than ° C is 11 ° C to 35 ° C. Further, when the immediate hot water set water temperature is 40 ° C., the other immediate hot water set water temperatures that are higher than the circulating circuit water temperature and lower than the immediate hot water set water temperature are 30 ° C. to 39 ° C.

  When the water temperature in the other circulation circuit is 11 ° C., as shown in FIG. 8, the reservation program 18 checks whether or not the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 has reached 11 ° C., which is the other circulation circuit water temperature (S23). ). When the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 reaches 11 ° C., which is another circulation circuit water temperature (YES in S23), the start time of the parallel processing is stored by the reservation program 18 (S24).

  Next, the reservation program 18 checks whether or not the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 has reached another immediate hot water set water temperature lower than the immediate hot water set water temperature (S25). When the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 reaches another instant hot water set water temperature (YES in S25), the elapsed time is measured from the processing start time and the arrival time (S26), and the actual value is measured at the corresponding location in the matrix table 20. Is changed and stored (S27). If there is still another hot water set water temperature (NO in S28), the processing from S25 is continued.

  When all the elapsed times are actually measured for other immediate hot water set water temperatures, that is, when the measurement of the required heating time from 30 ° C. to 39 ° C. of the hot water set water temperature in the matrix table 20 is completed (YES in S28). The reservation program 18 ends the parallel processing, and measures the time from the start time of the reserved heating operation until the water temperature of the circulation circuit 8 reaches 40 ° C., which is the instant hot water set water temperature, in the same manner as in the above embodiment (S30). The change is stored in the corresponding part of the matrix table 20 (S31). In the parallel processing of the present modification, the above processing is performed in parallel from 11 ° C. to 35 ° C., which are the other circulating circuit water temperatures.

  Through the above parallel processing, the temperature in the matrix table 20 in one heating operation and the water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 is higher than that at the start of the reserved heating operation, and is specified to be higher than the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation. In addition, the data at many other hot water set water temperatures lower than the hot water set water temperature can be updated to actual measurement values. For this reason, even when a hot water heater 2 or the like is newly installed, it is possible to actually measure a large amount of time required for heating in a short time (see bold characters in FIG. 9). Can be performed.

  It should be noted that the ambient temperature at the start of the heating operation is 10 ° C. and the water temperature in the circulation circuit is 10 ° C., which is higher than the water temperature in the circulation circuit at the start of operation and lower than the set temperature of the immediate hot water (30 ° C.). To 39 ° C.), the required heating time is measured by the same process as in the above embodiment (see S6 to S11 in FIG. 4). In the case of the parallel processing, since the elapsed time is measured during the heating operation, the electric heater 14 itself is heated more than when the elapsed time is measured from the state where the heating operation is not performed. Actually, the elapsed time is shortened. Since this time is only a difference of about several tens of seconds compared to the case of strictly measuring, it can be ignored. On the other hand, the heating time database 19 may store a value obtained by considering the time difference in advance and correcting the required heating time.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment and modification, although the atmosphere of the 2nd electrical equipment unit 16 vicinity is detected by the atmospheric temperature sensor 12, it is not restricted to this, An atmospheric temperature sensor is connected to the 1st electrical equipment unit 10, and hot water supply The ambient temperature of the vessel 2 may be detected. Further, the ambient temperature is detected by the ambient temperature sensor 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 15 may be used as the ambient temperature. The water temperature in the circulation circuit 8 detected by the water temperature sensor 15 becomes substantially the same as the ambient temperature when a predetermined time elapses after the immediate hot water operation ends. Therefore, the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 15 can be used as the ambient temperature. Further, by setting the ambient temperature to the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 15 in this way, the matrix table 20 of the heating time database 19 shown in FIG. Storage capacity can be greatly reduced.

Explanatory drawing which shows the instant hot water unit which is an example of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of the instant hot water unit of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a heating time database. The flowchart which shows the reservation heating driving | operation of the instant hot water unit of this embodiment. The matrix table | surface which shows the state by which the data was updated by the reservation program. The matrix table | surface which shows the state by which the data was updated by the reservation program. The matrix table | surface which shows the state by which the data was updated by the reservation program. The flowchart which shows the reservation heating driving | operation of the instant hot water unit which is a modification of this invention. The matrix table | surface which shows the state by which the data was updated by the reservation program in the modification of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional instant hot water unit.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Instant hot water unit, 2 ... Hot water heater, 3 ... Hot water tap, 4 ... Hot water supply pipe, 5 ... 1st connection part, 6 ... 2nd connection part, 7 ... Return pipe, 8 ... Circulation circuit, 13 ... Circulation pump ( Circulating means), 14 ... Electric heater (heating means), 15 ... Water temperature sensor (water temperature detecting means), 17 ... Control program (control means), 18 ... Reservation program (reserved operation means), 19 ... Heating time database.

Claims (5)

A hot water pipe connecting a water heater and a hot water tap, a return pipe connected to a first connection part on the downstream side of the hot water pipe and a second connection part on the upstream side, and between the first and second connection parts A circulating circuit comprising a portion of the hot water supply pipe and the return pipe, circulating means for circulating hot water remaining in the circulating circuit from the second connection portion of the hot water supply pipe to the first connection portion, and A heating means provided in a return pipe for heating the hot water in the circulation circuit, a water temperature detection means for detecting the water temperature in the circulation circuit, and the water temperature so that the water temperature in the circulation circuit becomes a predetermined set temperature. Control means for controlling the operation of the circulation means and the heating means based on the detected water temperature of the detection means,
When the hot-water tap is opened, hot water staying between the first and second connection portions of the hot-water supply pipe is sent from the second connection portion toward the first connection portion, and the hot-water tap. In the instant hot water unit supplied from
Atmospheric temperature detecting means for detecting the atmospheric temperature, storage means for storing the required heating time determined by the atmospheric temperature, the water temperature in the circulation circuit and the set temperature, and the water temperature in the circulation circuit at the reserved time become the set temperature Reservation operation means for performing reservation operation to operate the control means as described above,
The reservation operation means calculates the remaining time from the current time to the reservation time after the reservation time and the set temperature are specified and the reservation operation is instructed, and the current time detected by the ambient temperature detection means is calculated. Based on the ambient temperature and the detected water temperature at the current time detected by the water temperature detecting means and the designated set temperature, the corresponding heating required time is read from the storage means, and the remaining time is less than the heating required time. When it becomes, the control means operates the heating means and the circulation means to perform the reserved heating operation, and from the start of the reserved heating operation until the water temperature in the circulation circuit reaches the designated set temperature The actual hot water unit is measured, and the read heating required time is changed to the actual measurement time and stored in the storage means. Of the set temperatures stored in the storage means, the ambient temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation is higher than the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation and lower than the specified set temperature. When the temperature range is set to another set temperature,
When the detected water temperature reaches the other set temperature during the reserved heating operation, the reserved operation means determines a time from the start of the reserved heating operation until the detected water temperature reaches the other set temperature. 2. The instant hot water unit according to claim 1, which is measured as another actually measured time, and the heating required time at the other set temperature is changed to the other actually measured time and stored in the storage unit.   Of the required heating time stored in the storage means, an ambient temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation, a water temperature exceeding the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation, and the specified set temperature When the required heating time determined as a condition exceeds the actual measurement time, the reserved operation means changes the required heating time to the actual measurement time and stores it in the storage means. Item 2. An instant hot water unit according to item 1.   Of the required heating time stored in the storage means, an atmospheric temperature corresponding to the atmospheric temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation, a water temperature exceeding the detected water temperature at the start of the reserved heating operation, and the other set temperature, When the required heating time determined as a condition exceeds the other actually measured time, the reserved operation means changes the required heating time to the other actually measured time and stores it in the storage means The instant hot water unit according to claim 2. The reserved operation means detects the ambient temperature at the start of manual operation and the water temperature in the circulation circuit and starts the manual operation when the set temperature is designated and the control means is operated manually. Measure the actual time from when the water temperature in the circulation circuit reaches the specified set temperature,
Of the required heating time stored in the storage means, an atmospheric temperature corresponding to the atmospheric temperature at the start of the manual operation, a water temperature corresponding to the detected water temperature at the start of the manual operation, and the specified set temperature The immediate hot water unit according to claim 1, wherein the required heating time determined under the condition is changed to the actual measurement time and stored in the storage means.

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