JP2007032996A - Hot-water storage type hot-water supply unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein a hot-water supply temperature and a hot-water supply amount from a faucet are remarkably changed not to allow stable hot water supply, when hot-water is required to be supplied to a bath tub in the midway of the hot water supply to the faucet. <P>SOLUTION: This hot-water supply unit is provided with a hot-water delivery pipe hot-water delivery flow passage branch point 138, that is a branch point for the first faucet-side mixing valve 120 side and the first bath-side mixing valve 135 side on a hot-water delivery pipe 111, and an intermediate temperature flow passage branch point 139, that is a branch point for the first faucet-side mixing valve 120 side and the first bath-side mixing valve 135 side on an intermediate hot-water delivery pipe 112, and a balance between a hot water amount and a water amount supplied to the first faucet-side mixing valve 120 side gets constant by this constitution, even when the hot-water is required to be supplied to the bath tub 113 in the midway of the hot water supply to the faucet 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus.

Conventionally, since this type of hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus supplies hot water to a caran and a bathtub, a hot water pipe connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank is connected to a flow path for supplying hot water to the caran and a bathtub that requires a large amount of hot water supply. It was branched to a channel for supplying hot water. In addition, before hot water is supplied to the currant or the bathtub, the temperature is adjusted by mixing an appropriate amount of tap water so that the temperature is arbitrarily set by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-116889 A

  By the way, in the above configuration, if water is supplied to the bathtub during hot water supply to the currant side, a large amount of hot water flows to the bath terminal side, and the amount of hot water supplied to the currant side is temporarily reduced. Therefore, instability of the hot water supply such as overshoot and undershoot was caused during the hot water supply.

  This invention solves such a subject, and when hot water supply to the bath terminal side is performed during hot water supply to the currant side, it aims at achieving the stabilization and comfort of hot water supply.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present invention flows from the hot water flow channel branch point with the hot water flow channel branch point on the hot water pipe branched to the currant side or the bath terminal side as a base point. A bath-side first mixing valve for mixing hot water and hot water from the medium-temperature hot water pipe; a curan-side first mixing valve for mixing hot water flowing from the hot-water flow path branch point and hot water from the medium-temperature hot water pipe; and the bath A bath-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe, and a curran-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the curan-side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe. Is.

  According to the above invention, even when water is supplied to the bath terminal side during hot water supply to the currant side, changes in the hot water supply temperature and amount of hot water supplied to the currant side are alleviated and a comfortable hot water supply operation is provided. it can.

  The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present invention can provide a comfortable hot water supply operation by reducing the temperature change to the currant side when water is supplied to the bath terminal side during hot water supply to the currant side.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, hot water heated using a heat pump circuit is stored in a stratified state from the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and the hot water is discharged from a hot water outlet pipe provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank to be desired on the curran side or the bath terminal side. A hot water storage device that supplies hot water of water, with an intermediate temperature hot water pipe that draws hot water from an approximately middle part of the hot water tank, and a hot water flow path branch point on the hot water pipe that branches to the currant side or the bath terminal side, A bath-side first mixing valve for mixing hot water flowing from the outlet hot water branch and hot water from the intermediate temperature hot water pipe, and a curran side first mixing valve for mixing hot water flowing from the hot water hot water branch and hot water from the intermediate temperature hot water pipe A bath-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the bath-side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe, and a curan-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the curan-side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe It is a hot water storage hot water supply device Therefore, when water is supplied to the bath terminal side during hot water supply to the currant side, the amount of hot water flowing from the outlet channel branch point on the outlet pipe to the currant side first mixing valve varies instantaneously, but at the same time The amount of hot water flowing from the intermediate temperature flow path branch point on the intermediate temperature hot water pipe to the first mixing valve of the currant fluctuates instantaneously, and the balance of the amount of hot water flowing from both sides is not lost, so there is no overshoot or undershoot. It can provide a comfortable and comfortable hot water supply operation.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the flow path resistance from the bath terminal side to the currant side is made smaller at the hot water flow path branch point.

  In the hot water storage tank, hot water heated by the heat pump circuit is stored in a stratified state from the upper part of the hot water storage tank, so there is hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank, and about 35 to 60 degrees in the middle part. Medium temperature hot water that is an intermediate temperature is stored. These medium-temperature hot water deteriorates the boiling efficiency (COP efficiency) of the heat pump and lowers the efficiency of the boiling operation, so boiling hot water discharged from the upper part of the hot water storage tank by mixing it with the medium-temperature hot water. Medium temperature hot water that deteriorates the raising efficiency (COP efficiency) can be effectively used for hot water supply. However, medium temperature hot water has a characteristic that the temperature rise is severe, and there is a problem that it is difficult to control the amount of mixed hot water. Therefore, when water supply to the bath terminal side is performed during hot water supply to the currant side, the balance of the divided flow rate of hot water is particularly lost, and the amount of hot water supply to the currant side is greatly increased.

  Thus, by using the configuration as shown in the second aspect of the invention, even when water is supplied to the bath terminal side during hot water supply to the currant side, the amount of decrease in hot water supply to the currant side is reduced. Can provide comfortable hot water operation.

  3rd invention is 2nd invention. WHEREIN: From the bath side 1st mixing valve side in the intermediate temperature flow-path branch point on the intermediate temperature hot-water pipe branched to the bath side 1st mixing valve side or the currant side 1st mixing valve side Also, the flow resistance to the currant side first mixing valve side is reduced.

  The flow resistance from the bath terminal side to the currant side is made smaller than the bath end side at the outlet hot water branch point, and the flow resistance from the bath side first mixing valve side to the currant side first mixing valve side at the intermediate temperature flow passage branch point By reducing the temperature, even when water is supplied to the bath terminal during hot water supply to the currant side, not only rapid fluctuations in the hot water supply temperature can be suppressed, but also rapid fluctuations in the amount of hot water supply can be suppressed. .

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, particularly in the third aspect, between the bath-side first mixing valve and the bath-side second mixing valve and between the currant-side first mixing valve and the currant-side second mixing valve, the hot water supply direction And a check valve for stopping the hot water flow in the opposite direction.

  As a result, even when water is supplied to the bath terminal during hot water supply to the currant, the amount of decrease in the amount of hot water supplied to the currant can be reduced and the backflow of tap water can be completely blocked. is there.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the check valve has a water stop function when the hot water flow in the hot water supply direction is not more than a predetermined amount. High temperature hot water is not discharged and hot water supply with high safety can be provided.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the check valve can stop the load of up to 10 g with respect to the hot water flow in the hot water supply direction. For example, if only a load that is significantly less than 10 g can be cut off, a high temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature is not supplied even under a specific condition of a small amount of hot water supply request. Further, if the flow rate corresponding to the weight greatly exceeding 10 g can be cut off, high temperature cannot be easily mixed, and high temperature hot water supply cannot be performed. Therefore, if the flow rate corresponding to the weight of about 10 g can be cut off, the convection phenomenon is prevented, and hot water higher than the set temperature is not supplied even under a specific condition where a very small amount of hot water is required.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of FIG. 1, the hot water storage tank 101 stores hot hot water, and the boiling pipe 102 connects the upper part and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 101. The hot water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 101 is flowed to the heat exchanger 104 by the boiling pump 103 provided in the middle of the hot water storage tank 101, and the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 104 is stored from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101. . The hot water supplied to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 is stored in a stacked state in the hot water storage tank 101 in such a form that the hot water is separated into the upper part and the low temperature hot water is separated into the lower part due to the difference in specific gravity. Further, when hot water in the hot water storage tank 101 is used, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 105 to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 101 and stored while maintaining the laminated state.

  In the heat exchanger 104, the hot water from the hot water storage tank 101 and the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) circulating in the refrigerant circuit 106 exchange heat. The refrigerant circuit 106 includes a heat exchanger 104, an evaporator 107, a compressor 108, an expansion valve 109, and a fan 110.

  The boiling operation for heating hot water as described above is usually performed in the late-night time period (for example, from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am) where the electricity rate is low. During the midnight hours, it is checked whether low temperature hot water (or water) is stored in the hot water storage tank 101, and if low temperature hot water is confirmed, the hot water storage tank 101 is boiled until it is filled with high temperature hot water. Driving continues.

  A hot water discharge pipe 111 for taking out hot water is provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101, and an intermediate hot water discharge pipe 112 for taking out the intermediate hot water is provided at a substantially middle part of the hot water storage tank 101. A bath use circuit 116 including a bath heat exchanger 114 and a circulation pump 115 for exchanging heat with hot water in the bathtub 113 and performing a reheating operation is provided from the middle of the hot water discharge pipe 111. It is connected to the lower part of 101. Further, a bath circulation circuit 119 is configured on the secondary side of the bath heat exchanger 114 to connect the bath adapter 117 of the bathtub 113 and circulate the bath water by the bath pump 118.

  With the above-described configuration, the bath chasing operation is performed by exchanging the hot water supplied from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 with the bath water flowing in the bath circulation circuit 119 in the bath heat exchanger 114. The hot water whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange is returned to the hot water storage tank 101 as medium hot water. At this time, the hot water storage tank 101 stores hot water of a high temperature layer, hot water of an intermediate temperature layer, and hot water of a low temperature layer in a laminated state. Further, if this bath chasing operation is continued, the amount of hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 decreases, and the amount of intermediate hot water accumulated below it increases.

  This phenomenon of increase in medium-temperature hot water has various adverse effects, and is largely the boiling efficiency of the heat pump during boiling operation (COP efficiency, the value obtained by dividing the hot water temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger 104 by the hot water temperature at the inlet of the heat exchanger 104). ). That is, when the hot water increases in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 101, the incoming water temperature of the heat exchanger 104 at the time of boiling rises rapidly, and heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 106 in a state where the incoming water temperature is high, The temperature difference with warm water decreases and the boiling efficiency decreases. In particular, in a heat pump cycle using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, since the high pressure on the high pressure side of the heat pump is high, the degree of decrease in the boiling efficiency (COP efficiency) of the heat pump becomes significant when the incoming water temperature increases. Furthermore, since the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 is reduced as a result of the increase in the hot water temperature, the hot water storage capacity is reduced as a whole, leading to a lack of hot water due to a shortage of hot water.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a measure against the hot water, an intermediate hot water pipe 112 is provided at a substantially intermediate portion of the hot water storage tank 101, and hot water supplied from the intermediate hot water pipe 112 and the upper hot water pipe 111 is mixed to obtain a predetermined mixed water. Is provided with a first currant side mixing valve 120 and a first mixing valve 135 on the bath side, and the first curving side mixing valve 120 feeds back the hot water temperature detected by the first temperature detector 121 to open the valve opening. The bath-side first mixing valve 135 adjusts the valve opening by feeding back the hot water temperature detected by the second temperature detector 136 to ensure a predetermined target temperature. By providing the curran side first mixing valve 120 and the bath side first mixing valve 135, it is possible to preferentially take out hot hot water and supply hot water according to the purpose of use. Medium hot water can be reduced.

  On the output side of the curan side first mixing valve 120, a load side circuit according to the application is configured. First, the mixed water from the curan side first mixing valve 120 and the water from the water supply pipe 105 are mixed for hot water use. A hot water supply mixing valve 122, which is one of the load side mixing valves for obtaining hot water at a set temperature, is provided and supplied to the currant 124. A hot water temperature detector 123 is attached to the output side of the hot water mixing valve 122, and the valve opening is adjusted by feeding back the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detector 123 so as to ensure a set temperature. Yes.

  In addition, a load side circuit used when using the bath is configured on the output side of the bath side first mixing valve 135, and the mixed water from the bath side first mixing valve 135 and the water from the water supply pipe 105 are mixed and set. A bath mixing valve 125, which is one of the load side mixing valves for obtaining hot water of temperature, is provided and connected to the bath circulation circuit 119 via the pouring valve 126 to fill the bathtub 113 with hot water. A bath temperature detector 127 is attached to the output side of the bath mixing valve 125, and the valve opening is adjusted by feeding back the hot water temperature detected by the bath temperature detector 127 so as to ensure the set temperature. ing.

  In addition, the high temperature side water intake path through which the high temperature hot water is supplied from the upper hot water discharge pipe 111 of the currant side first mixing valve 120 and the low temperature side water intake path through which the intermediate hot water is supplied from the intermediate hot water pipe 112 are the flow paths of the high temperature side water intake path. A check valve 128 is provided to increase the resistance. Similarly, a check valve 137 is arranged so that the flow path resistance of the high temperature side water intake path of the bath side first mixing valve 135 is increased.

  The check valve 128 and the check valve 137 have a water stop function up to a predetermined flow rate in the forward direction as shown in FIG. Has a closing function. By using this forward water stop function, the water stop function is activated when there is a small amount of hot water use below the flow rate at which the curan side first mixing valve 120 and the bath side first mixing valve 135 start operating. Therefore, the hot water supplied to each mixing valve does not flow in, and the danger of hot hot water can be avoided. Thus, by providing the check valve 128 and the check valve 137 whose flow path resistance increases under a predetermined condition in the high temperature side water intake path, hot water supply with high safety can be performed.

  A hot water remote controller 132 is provided in the vicinity of the currant 124, and a bath remote controller 133 is provided in the bathroom. The operation instruction from the hot water remote controller 132 or the bath remote controller 133 is sent wirelessly or by wire to a control unit 134 provided on the apparatus body side, and various operations are performed based on the control operations previously defined by the control unit 134 according to the transmitted conditions. I try to do it.

The operation and action of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus configured as described above will be described below. First, when the curan 124 is opened by the user, the hot hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 is taken out through the hot water discharge pipe 111 and flows to the curran side first mixing valve 120 through the check valve 128. It is. In the first mixing valve 120 on the side of the currant, hot water (medium hot water) taken out through the intermediate hot water pipe 112 connected to the intermediate temperature position of the hot water storage tank 101 and the hot water storage tank 1
Hot water stored at the top of 01 is mixed.

  Then, the mixed hot water flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 122 through the check valve 129. Further, tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 105 flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 122. The hot water mixing valve 122 mixes the flowing hot water and water at an arbitrary ratio so as to reach the temperature from the currant 124 through a check valve 131 provided on a pipe between the hot water mixing valve 122 and the hot water temperature detector 123. Hot water is supplied.

  In addition, when the amount of hot water supply to the currant 124 is a very small amount, the hot water on the a side of the hot water mixing valve 122 is almost shut off, so hot water at a temperature higher than the set temperature by the hot water remote controller 132 is not performed from the currant 124. Comfortable hot water is provided.

  On the other hand, when the hot water supply valve 126 is opened by the user, the hot hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 is taken out through the hot water discharge pipe 111 and is supplied to the bath-side first mixing valve 135 through the check valve 137. Washed away. In the bath-side first mixing valve 135, intermediate temperature hot water (medium temperature hot water) taken out through the intermediate hot water outlet pipe 112 connected to the intermediate temperature position of the hot water storage tank 101 and hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 are mixed. The

  The mixed hot water flows into the bath mixing valve 125 through the check valve 130. Further, the tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 105 flows into the bath mixing valve 125, mixes the flowing hot water and water at an arbitrary temperature, and adjusts the flow rate with the pouring valve 126. Supply hot water to the bath.

  By the way, by providing the check valve 129, when the amount of hot water supply to the currant 124 is very small, the hot water flowing to the hot water side (a side) of the hot water mixing valve 122 is cut off to a very small amount (or completely). Therefore, hot water supply higher than the set temperature by the hot water supply remote controller 132 is not performed from the currant 124, and comfortable and safe hot water supply is performed. The check valve 129 cuts off the flow below the predetermined flow rate, but preferably can cut off the weight up to about 10 g. This is because if only a load that is significantly less than 10 g can be cut off, the phenomenon that the hot water flows around the tap water due to the difference in specific gravity due to the temperature difference between the hot water and tap water cannot be prevented. On the other hand, if the flow rate corresponding to a load greatly exceeding 10 g can be cut off, high temperatures cannot be easily mixed, and high temperature hot water supply cannot be performed. The effect of the check valve 129 can be similarly applied to the check valve 130.

  In addition, although the hot water supply to the currant 124 and the hot water supply to the bathtub 113 were demonstrated separately, the hot water mixing valve 122 side and the bath mixing valve 125 were driven simultaneously by driving the first mixing valve 120 and the first mixing valve 135 on the bath side. It is also possible to supply hot water to the side simultaneously.

  Here, in general, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 113 is overwhelmingly large compared to the amount of hot water supplied to the currant 124, so hot water supply to the bathtub 113 is required during the hot water supply to the currant 124. Then, at the outlet hot water tap outlet channel branching point 138, which is a branch point between the side of the hot water pipe 111 and the side of the first mixing valve 135 on the side of the bath, the side of the first mixing valve 120 on the side of the hot water pipe. The amount of flowing hot water will decrease suddenly. However, at the same time, the intermediate temperature flow path branch point 139, which is a branch point between the curran side first mixing valve 120 side and the bath side first mixing valve 135 side on the intermediate outlet pipe 112, also goes to the curran side first mixing valve 120 side. The amount of flowing hot water will decrease suddenly. Therefore, the balance of the amount of hot water and the amount of water supplied to the curran side first mixing valve 120 side is almost constant, and the mixing ratio control in the curran side first mixing valve 120 is not complicated, and the hot water supply temperature such as overshoot and undershoot is reduced. Safe and stable hot water supply can be performed without causing instability.

  Further, at the hot water outlet hot water flow passage branch point 138, for example, the pipe diameter of the hot water outgoing pipe 111 to the side of the first mixing valve 120 on the side of the currant is made larger than that on the side of the first mixing valve 135 on the side of the bath. If the flow path resistance to the side is reduced, even if hot water supply to the bathtub 113 is requested during hot water supply to the currant 124, a rapid flow rate change can be mitigated. Similarly, at the intermediate temperature flow path branch point 139, the pipe diameter of the intermediate hot water discharge pipe 112 to the curan side first mixing valve 120 side is made larger than that of the bath side first mixing valve 135 side, etc. If the flow resistance to the side is reduced, a sudden change in flow rate can be mitigated. As a result, the amount of hot water supplied to the curran side first mixing valve 120 side can be supplied at a constant flow rate without causing a sudden change.

  By the way, as another method that can alleviate a rapid change in flow rate even when hot water supply to the bathtub 113 is requested during hot water supply to the currant 124, for example, a certain time after the hot water supply to the bathtub 113 is requested. Until the elapse of time, the hot hot water from the intermediate hot water pipe 112 side of the bath-side first mixing valve 135 may be cut off, and only hot water from the hot water pipe 111 side may be supplied to the hot water pipe 111. Then, after a certain time has elapsed, the hot water flow rate or temperature change may be stabilized, and hot water may be generated at a predetermined mixing ratio in the bath-side first mixing valve 135.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to stabilize the hot water supply operation by relaxing the change in the hot water temperature to the currant side and the change in the hot water supply amount, and the hot water mixing valve 122 and the bath mixing valve 125 Since the check valve is provided on the hot water side, a hot water higher than the set temperature is not supplied under a specific condition of a small amount of hot water supply, and a comfortable and safe hot water supply can be realized.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to a hot water bath heater that can supply hot water accumulated in a hot water storage tank to the bathtub side and the currant side.

The block diagram of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Check valve characteristics

Explanation of symbols

101 Hot water storage tank 105 Water supply pipe 106 Refrigerant circuit (heat pump circuit)
111 Hot water outlet pipe 112 Intermediate hot water outlet pipe 120 First mixing valve 122 Hot water supply mixing valve 124 Callan 129, 130, 137 Check valve (flow path resistance)
135 Bath side first mixing valve 138 Hot water outlet tap branch 139 Middle temperature branch branch

Claims (6)

Hot water that is heated using a heat pump circuit is stored in a stratified state from the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and the hot water is discharged from a hot water pipe provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank to supply desired hot water to the currant side or the bath terminal side. A hot water supply pipe for taking out hot water from a substantially middle part of the hot water storage tank, and a hot water supply flow path based on a hot water supply flow branch point on the hot water supply pipe branched to the currant side or the bath terminal side A bath-side first mixing valve that mixes hot water flowing from the branch point and hot water from the intermediate temperature hot water pipe, and a currant side first mixing valve that mixes hot water flowing from the hot water flow path branch point and hot water from the intermediate temperature hot water pipe. A bath-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the bath-side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe, and a curan-side second mixing valve for mixing hot water from the curan-side mixing valve and water from the water supply pipe And storage Formula water heater. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow path resistance from the bath terminal side to the currant side is made smaller at the hot water flow path branch point. At the intermediate temperature flow path branching point on the intermediate temperature outlet pipe that branches to the bath side first mixing valve side or the curran side first mixing valve side, the bath side first mixing valve side is further connected to the curran side first mixing valve side. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flow path resistance is reduced. A check that stops the hot water flow that is opposite to the hot water supply direction between the bath-side first mixing valve and the bath-side second mixing valve and between the currant-side first mixing valve and the currant-side second mixing valve. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a valve is provided. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the check valve has a water stop function when a hot water flow in a hot water supply direction is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The hot water storage hot water supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the check valve is capable of stopping water load of at least 10 g with respect to the hot water flow in the hot water supply direction.