JP2007212096A - Mist generator and mist-functioned bathroom dryer equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mist generator capable of quickly and reliably determining leak in a liquid-liquid heat exchanger which heats secondary-side mist water with primary-side high temperature water, without requiring combustion operation only necessary therefor. <P>SOLUTION: At starting mist operation, a water proportional valve for circulating and supplying high temperature water to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger is operated to be opened. In this case, during transition from opening operation signal output to actual opening converting operation, a water supply solenoid valve is temporarily opened to supply water to the secondary side. If there is a flow from the primary side toward the downstream side, the occurrence of leak from the secondary side to the primary side is determined and the start of mist operation is forcibly stopped. At finishing mist operation control, if the temperature of the high temperature water on the primary side is suddenly lower than in natural radiation, the occurrence of leak is also determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generating device used for obtaining a feeling of sauna by spraying hot water or the like heated in the indoor space in a bathroom or the like, for example, and a bathroom dryer with a mist function provided with the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a mist generator having a determination processing function for determining the presence or absence of leakage (water leakage) in a liquid-liquid heat exchanger for heating hot water for mist.

  Conventionally, in a closed circuit, water leakage occurs depending on the length of the time value required for the water pressure detection value to decrease and reach the predetermined judgment pressure value immediately after the predetermined water pressure is applied or the degree of pressure drop. There is known an inspection method for determining the presence or absence of the light (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, the following procedure is used for inspection of a composite heat source device that has a bath circuit for reheating bath water and a heating circuit that circulates hot water for heat source between remote heat radiation terminals. is doing. That is, a new valve or an existing valve is closed to connect the bath circuit and the heating circuit into one closed circuit, and a predetermined water pressure is applied. Normally, the pressure detection value decreases regardless of whether or not water leakage occurs due to the expansion of piping constituting each circuit, but if water leakage occurs, the degree of water pressure decrease increases compared to when there is no water leakage. For this reason, if the time value required to decrease to the predetermined determination pressure value is shorter than the determination time value, it is determined that water leakage has occurred.

JP-A-11-63523

  By the way, as a mist generating apparatus, in order to heat the water for mist to predetermined temperature, using a liquid-liquid heat exchanger is performed. That is, on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, high-temperature water circulated and supplied for a bathroom dryer or for heating is circulated as a heat source, while mist water is drawn into the secondary side, and this mist water is Liquid-liquid heat exchange heating is performed with the high-temperature water. In this liquid-liquid heat exchanger, for example, damage such as perforation occurs in the partition wall that partitions heat transfer between the primary high-temperature water and the secondary mist water so that heat can pass through the holes. Even if the primary side and the secondary side are short-circuited and a leak occurs, it does not mean that the liquid leaks in a state that is visible to the outside, so the discovery of the leak occurrence is significantly delayed, Or there are inconveniences such as difficulty.

  As for the presence or absence of a leak that occurs inside such a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, it is necessary to detect it early if a leak occurs. In addition, when performing the determination of whether or not the leak has occurred (leak determination), the combustion operation for circulatingly supplying the high-temperature water for the heat source only to execute the leak determination or every time the leak determination is performed Is equivalent to consuming excess combustion energy other than for use such as mist spraying or bathroom drying, and the time required for the combustion operation leaks. Since the time required for the determination is added, the time required for the leak determination per time is increased correspondingly, and the original usable time such as mist spraying is limited accordingly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to determine the leak when performing a leak determination in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger provided in the mist generator. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mist generator and a bathroom dryer with a mist function, which can perform the leak determination at an early stage and reliably without the need for a combustion operation only for this purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid-liquid heat exchanger for heating mist water, and a mist for generating mist by heating the mist water by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. Control means for performing operation control, and a heat medium is circulated and supplied as a heat source to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger by the mist operation control, while water for mist is heated as an object to be heated on the secondary side. The following specific items were provided for the mist generator configured to be supplied. That is, a heat medium temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and a mist water supply for switching between supply and shutoff of mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger A switching means and a leak determination processing means for determining whether or not a leak has occurred between the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. As the leak determination processing means, immediately after the mist operation control by the control means is completed, the mist water supply switching means is temporarily switched from the shut-off state to the supply state, while the heat detected by the heat medium temperature detecting means. The medium temperature is monitored, and the presence or absence of leakage is determined based on the change state of the heat medium temperature detected after the switching. The installation position of the “heat medium temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger” is not limited to the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, but communicates with the primary side. It is good also as a route and piping to do. This is also because it is possible to grasp and detect the temperature of the heat medium on the primary side.

  In the case of the invention according to the first aspect, even if the circulation of the heat medium to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger is stopped due to the end of the mist operation control, if the heat supply is stopped immediately after the end of the mist operation control. The medium temperature is still maintained at a high temperature. In this state, the mist water supply switching means is temporarily switched to the supply state so that the mist water is supplied to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger and is monitored while being switched to the supply state. If the detected value of the temperature of the heat medium that has been rapidly decreased, the mist water leaks from the secondary side to the primary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and the hot heat medium suddenly increases due to the mixing of cold mist water. It can be determined that the temperature has dropped. That is, the configuration of the leak determination that determines that a leak has occurred if the temperature of the heat medium detected by the heat medium temperature detecting means decreases with a temperature decrease exceeding the natural heat dissipation of the heat medium is adopted. This makes it possible to perform the leak determination more reliably under a clearer criterion for the temperature change state. As described above, the heat energy for increasing the temperature of the heat medium is not consumed for the leak determination, and the leak determination is made early and reliably by effectively using the residual heat of the heat medium immediately after the mist operation ends. Can be done.

  The invention according to claim 1 further comprises a heat medium supply switching means for switching supply / cutoff of the heat medium to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and the heat medium supply switching means and the liquid-liquid heat exchange. When the heat medium temperature detecting means is disposed between the primary side of the chamber, the heat medium supply switching means is maintained in the supply state when starting the monitoring of the heat medium temperature as the leak determination processing means. Or it can be set as the structure which carries out switching operation (Claim 2). In this case, since the heat medium supply switching means is switched to the supply state, if a leak occurs, the heat medium supply switching means causes a flow in the heat medium that was originally circulated and stopped by the end of the mist operation. Will flow to the side. In short, mist water leaking from the secondary side to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger is mixed in the heat medium to lower the temperature of the heat medium, while the heat medium is on the heat medium supply switching means side, that is, the heat medium. It flows to the temperature detection means side. For this reason, a decrease in the heat medium temperature due to the occurrence of the leak can be reliably and early detected by the heat medium temperature detecting means, so that a reliable leak determination can be performed early. At that time, if the heating medium supply switching means is switched to the fully open supply state as the switching operation by the leak determination processing means (Claim 3), the flow of the heat medium accompanying the occurrence of the leak Can be promoted more. As a result, a decrease in the heat medium temperature in the heat medium temperature detecting means can be detected more quickly, and leak determination can also be performed more quickly.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger which heats the water for mist, and the control means which performs the mist driving | operation control for heating the water for mist with this liquid-liquid heat exchanger and producing | generating mist The heat medium is circulated and supplied as a heat source to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger by the mist operation control, and water for mist is supplied as a heating target to the secondary side. The following specific items were prepared for the existing mist generators. That is, a heat medium flow detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of heat medium flow on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and a heat medium for switching supply / blocking of high-temperature water to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. Between the supply switching means, the mist water supply switching means for switching the supply / interruption of mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger Leak determination processing means for determining whether or not a leak has occurred is provided. Then, as the leak determination processing means, the control means outputs a switching operation signal for switching from the shut-off state to the supply state to the heat medium supply switching means to start the mist operation control, and then the heat medium During the operation delay time until the supply switching means actually operates, the mist water supply switching means is switched from the shut-off state to the supply state, and monitoring for the presence or absence of the flow detected by the heat medium flow detection means is started. And it is set as the structure which determines the presence or absence of leak generation based on the presence or absence of the distribution | circulation detected by the said heat-medium distribution | circulation detection means in the supply state of mist water.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 4, the heat medium supply switching means is usually constituted by a thermal valve that waits for heat generation and is operated by the heat, and the mist water supply switching means is constituted by an electromagnetic valve. become. For this reason, the heating medium supply switching means that is switched to the supply state at the start of the mist operation does not immediately switch from the cutoff state upon receipt of the output of the switching signal, but operates after a slight time delay. There is a characteristic that it starts and shifts from the shut-off state to the supply state. For this reason, while the heat medium supply switching means before the actual conversion to the supply state after the switching signal is output is still maintained in the shut-off state, the mist water is supplied to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. When the supply pressure of mist water is applied, the heat medium supply switching means is still in a cut-off state, so the heat medium flow detection means should not detect the heat medium flow. Nevertheless, when it is detected that there is circulation, the mist water leaks from the secondary side to the primary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and the leaked mist water causes a flow in the heat medium. It can be determined that a leak has occurred. In other words, a leak determination configuration is adopted in which it is determined that a leak has occurred if the heat medium flow detection means detects that there is a flow. In this case, it is possible to perform leak determination early and reliably by effectively using the dead time at the start of mist operation, and to determine the heat energy for heating the heating medium at high temperature I don't let you spend it just for the sake of it.

  Also, a bathroom dryer with a mist function is provided with any one of the above-described mist generators, and provided with a heating means and a blower that receives the heating by the heating means to generate hot air and blow it out into the bathroom space. (Claim 5). By doing in this way, the bathroom dryer provided with the mist generator which can perform the leak determination in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger which is a heating means of the above mist water by an automatic process is obtained.

  As described above, according to the mist generator of any one of claims 1 to 3, the residual heat of the heat medium immediately after the end of the mist operation is effectively used to monitor the temperature of the heat medium. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the leak has occurred early and reliably due to a sudden temperature change accompanying the occurrence of the leak, and it is not necessary to raise the temperature of the heat medium for the leak determination. The heat energy consumption can be eliminated.

  In particular, according to the second aspect, it is possible to reliably and early detect a decrease in the heat medium temperature due to the occurrence of the leak by the heat medium temperature detecting means, and to perform a reliable leak determination at an early stage. According to No. 3, the flow of the heat medium accompanying the occurrence of leak can be further promoted to detect the decrease in the heat medium temperature in the heat medium temperature detecting means more quickly, and the leak determination can also be performed more quickly. Will be able to.

  According to the mist generator of claim 4, a slight time delay from the start of operation of the heating medium supply switching means that is switched from the shut-off state to the supply state at the start of the mist operation control is effectively utilized. Since the mist water can be supplied to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger or the supply pressure of the mist water is applied to monitor the distribution of the heat medium on the primary side, it does not normally flow. The inconvenience of detecting the occurrence of a leak early and reliably by detecting the flow of the heat medium of the firewood and consuming the heat energy for making the heat medium high only for the leak determination Can also be avoided.

  Furthermore, according to the bathroom dryer with a mist function according to claim 5, since the mist generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided, the liquid-liquid heat which is a heating means for mist water Leakage determination in the exchanger can be performed early and reliably by automatic processing, and it is possible to avoid wasting heat energy only for leak determination.

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

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a system in which a mist generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is systematized as a bathroom dryer with a mist function in combination with a bathroom dryer. That is, what is applied to the bathroom space R as an indoor space to which mist is released is shown. This bathroom dryer includes a heat source unit 2 having both a hot water supply function and a hot water circulation heating function, a mist unit 3 as an outdoor unit that generates and prepares water for mist, an indoor unit 4 as an indoor unit, and a ventilator 5. It is equipped with.

  The heat source unit 2 includes a hot water circulation system 21 that heats a heat medium such as hot water or antifreeze in the hot water circulation path and circulates it to an external heating terminal, and heats the water supply in the hot water supply path to an external hot water supply destination. A hot water supply system 22 for supplying hot water is individually provided. The hot water circulation system 21 and the hot water supply system 22 include combustion can bodies that are independent from each other, and are configured in a so-called two-can two-water channel. These combustion operations and the like are controlled by the heat source controller 23. Therefore, it is not always necessary to use one heat source unit 2, and the first heat source unit configured only by the hot water circulation system 21 and the second heat source unit configured only by the hot water supply system 22 are used. Or, conversely, as a heat source device, a single can / two water channel that heats the heating medium, feed water, etc. by one combustion can body, or a single can / three water channel including reheating of bathtub water is used. Also good.

  The hot water circulation system 21 is connected to a circulation path for circulatingly supplying a heated heating medium (hereinafter referred to as “high temperature water”) as a heat source to various heating terminals. A circulation path composed of 24 and a heating return path 25 extends to the heat-dissipating heat exchanger 42 for drying the bathroom in the indoor unit 4 via the mist unit 3. The heating forward path 24 and the heating return path 25 are branched in the mist unit 3 to heat high-temperature water with respect to a primary side (heat source side) of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 to be described later, which is a mist water heating unit. It can be circulated as a heat source. That is, the heating forward branch path 241 branched from the heating forward path 24 is connected to the primary side inlet (heat source side) of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 via the water proportional valve 311 which is a flow rate adjusting valve with a closing function as a heating medium supply switching means. The heating return branch 251 connected to the primary side outlet (heat source side outlet) of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 is joined to the heating return path 25. As a result, the high-temperature water supplied from the heating forward branch 241 to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 becomes a low temperature after radiating heat (after heat exchange heating), and the low-temperature water that is the low-temperature heat medium is heated. It is returned to the hot water circulation system 21 through the return branch 251 (see the arrow in FIG. 1). The water proportional valve 311 can be adjusted in opening so that high-temperature water can be circulated and supplied only at a flow rate required for heating the water for mist by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. The opened state is the fully opened state, and the fully closed state is operated in the closing direction from the minimum opening and is completely closed. Reference numeral 312 in FIG. 1 denotes a heat source temperature sensor (thermistor) as a heat medium temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the primary high temperature water, and the primary inlet of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 and the above water proportionality. It is disposed in the heating forward branch 241 at a position between the valve 311. The heat source temperature sensor 312 is disposed at the primary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 or at the heating return branch 251 near the primary side outlet of the liquid-liquid heat source unit 31. The position may be either.

  In the heat source unit 2, the hot water circulation system 21 sends low temperature water stored in the expansion tank 211 to the heat exchanger 213 by the operation of the circulation pump 212, and heats it by exchanging heat with the combustion heat of the combustion burner 214. The high-temperature water is supplied to a heating terminal (for example, a floor heating unit) that requires a heat source. And the low temperature water which became low temperature by the heat radiation in a heating terminal is returned to the said expansion tank 211, and is circulated. One of the heating terminals is the heat-dissipating heat exchanger 42, and high-temperature water is supplied from the hot water circulation system 21 to the heat-dissipating heat exchanger 42 through the heating forward path 24, and the outlet of the heat exchanger 42. Then, the low temperature water is returned to the expansion tank 211 through the heating return path 25.

  Further, the hot water supply system 22 is connected to hot water supply pipes to various hot water supply destinations (for example, kitchen curan, shower currant, etc.), and the hot water supply pipe 61 is a secondary of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 as a part thereof. It is connected to the side (heated side) so that hot water can be supplied as mist water to be heat exchange heated. In the hot water supply system 22, it is detected that one of the hot water supply destinations is opened and the amount of water entering the water inlet 221 from the water supply pipe 62 exceeds the minimum operating flow rate, and the heat source machine controller 23 starts combustion of the combustion burner 222. In the heat exchanger 223, the incoming water is heat-exchanged and heated by combustion heat and then supplied to various hot water supply pipes including the hot water supply pipe 61. Further, both the above-mentioned water supply pipe 62 and a water supply pipe 63 described later are connected at their upstream ends to the water pipe, and the supply pressure of the tap water or the supply pressure after the pressure reduction is applied.

  The mist unit 3 is installed outside the bathroom space R. The liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, the water proportional valve 311, the supply of high-temperature water to the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, the switching of mist water to be heated, etc. And a mist unit controller 32 for controlling. In the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, the hot water supply pipe 61 is connected to the mist water introduction side, that is, the secondary side inlet (heated side inlet) heated by the liquid-liquid heat exchange with the high-temperature water. While connected via a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611, the water supply pipe 63 is also connected via a water supply electromagnetic valve 631. The water supply pipe 63 and the hot water supply pipe 61 constitute a mist water supply pipe for supplying mist water to the secondary side inlet of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, and the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 and the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 are used. Constitutes mist water supply switching means for switching between supply and shutoff of the mist water. Although not shown in the drawing, the hot water supply pipe 61 and the water supply pipe 63 are respectively provided with a strainer, a freeze prevention heater and the like.

  The upstream end of the mist hot water supply pipe 64 is connected to the secondary side outlet (heated side outlet) of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, and the downstream end of the mist hot water supply pipe 64 is connected to the indoor unit 4. It is connected to mist spray nozzles 44a and 44b. Thereby, in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, the water for mist supplied to the secondary side is heated by liquid-liquid heat exchange with the high-temperature water supplied to the primary side, and heated to a predetermined temperature. The mist warm water is supplied to the mist spray nozzles 44a and 44b through the mist warm water supply pipe 64. The mist warm water supply pipe 64 includes a mist temperature sensor (thermistor) 641 for detecting the temperature of the heated mist warm water, and a mist solenoid valve for switching between supply and shutoff of the mist warm water to the mist spray nozzles 44a and 44b by switching between opening and closing. 642 is interposed. Further, a drainage pipe 65 is branched from the mist hot water supply pipe 64 via a drainage electromagnetic valve 651 so that hot water that has not reached a predetermined temperature, such as internal residual water, can be drained.

  The above-mentioned hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 and water supply electromagnetic valve 631 perform the selective supply switching of hot water supply or water supply as the mist water when the mist water supply to the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 is performed by switching between opening and closing. The mist water supply switching valve is configured to switch between supplying and shutting off the mist water itself to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. Then, the supply of mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 by these electromagnetic valves 611 and 631 and the supply of high-temperature water to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 by the water proportional valve 311 The mist unit controller (outdoor unit controller) 32 controls switching between shut-off and switching between supply and shut-off of mist water to the mist spray nozzles 44a and 44b by the mist solenoid valve 642.

  The indoor unit 4 includes a ceiling installation type that is fitted into the ceiling of the bathroom space R and a wall-hanging installation type that is attached to the side wall of the bathroom space R, and any type can be applied as the present embodiment. The indoor unit 4 is provided with a heat exchanger 42 for generating hot air and a blower (circulation fan) 43 for blowing hot air in a casing 41, and two or more (four in the illustrated example) as mist discharge means. ) Mist spray nozzles 44a, 44a, 44b, 44b, a switching electromagnetic valve 45 for changing the number of nozzles to spray mist by opening / closing switching, and an indoor unit controller (indoor unit controller) for controlling the operation of the above devices. 46 is arranged.

  When the blower 43 is blown by the indoor unit controller 46, the inside air of the bathroom space R is sucked into the heat exchanger 42 from the outside to the inside through the suction port 411 at the top of the casing 41, and then the heat is After passing through the exchanger 42 from the inside to the outside, the air is blown out from the hot air outlet (not shown) toward the bathroom space R. When passing through the heat exchanger 42, the heat exchanger 42 receives heat from the high-temperature water circulated through the thermal valve 421, and is heated to a predetermined temperature and heated to be converted into hot air. The warm air is blown out to the bathroom space R so as to exhibit the bathroom drying function. A louver 471 swingingly tilted by the louver motor 47 is installed at the hot air outlet, and the hot air blowing direction is changed by changing the tilt angle of the louver 471. Such a hot air blowing function constitutes a bathroom dryer. The above-mentioned operation of the blower 43, circulation supply of high temperature water by opening the thermal valve 421, operation control for hot air blowing such as setting the tilt angle of the louver 471 by operation of the louver motor 47, and these The indoor unit controller 46 performs temperature and humidity management control and the like, which is performed based on the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 48 that detects the indoor temperature by detecting the intake air temperature, the detected humidity of the humidity sensor 49, and the like. It has become.

  The ventilator 5 is configured to discharge the inside air in the bathroom space R to the outside by the operation of the ventilation fan 51.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mist unit controller 32 and the heat source device controller 23 are connected to each other so that bidirectional communication can be performed by wire or wireless, and both the mist unit controller 32 and the indoor unit controller 46 are wired or wireless. Is connected to enable bidirectional communication. The mist unit controller 32 is connected to the heat source device controller 23 and the indoor unit controller 46 based on, for example, an input command from the wireless remote controller 7 and detection information from the mist temperature sensor 641 and the indoor temperature sensor 48. The three controllers 23, 32, and 46 cooperate to control the mist spraying on the bathroom space R by sending a control signal or the like. Therefore, the controller 23, 32, 46 constitutes the mist control means 8. The mist unit controller 32 includes a leak determination unit 321 as a leak determination processing unit that automatically determines whether or not a leak has occurred in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. The leak determination unit 321 has a leak. When it is determined, the forced operation stop process of the mist generating device is executed together with the predetermined alarm process for the user.

  Hereinafter, the leak determination processing by the leak determination unit 321 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The leak determination process by the leak determination unit 321 of the first embodiment is executed at the end of the mist operation (mist sauna operation). That is, for example, when an output signal for ending the mist operation is received, such as when the mist operation switch of the remote controller 7 is turned off by the user operation from the ON state (YES in step S1), the original end-time control for mist operation end The supply stop of the mist hot water and the water for mist by the closing operation command for the mist solenoid valve 642, the closing operation command for the water supply solenoid valve 631 and the hot water supply solenoid valve 611, and the supply of hot water for the heat source by the closing operation command for the water proportional valve 311 Then, the process proceeds to a leak determination process by the leak determination unit 321.

  After execution of the end-time control, as a leak determination process, first, a fully open operation command is output to the water proportional valve 311 (step SA1), and the temperature detection value (heat medium temperature) of the heat source temperature sensor 312 is stored (step SA2). . After confirming that the fully open operation command for the water proportional valve 311 has been output (YES in step SA3), the open operation command is output to the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 (step SA4), and the heat source temperature sensor 312 The change of the temperature detection value is continuously monitored until a predetermined time elapses (step SA5).

  Here, the temperature of the high-temperature water existing on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 on the downstream side of the water proportional valve 311 is reduced by natural heat dissipation over time because the supply of new high-temperature water is interrupted. It will follow. At this time, in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, if a partition or the like partitioning between the primary side and the secondary side has a hole or the like and a leak occurs, cold water supply from the secondary side becomes the primary side. Therefore, the temperature of the primary high-temperature water drops more rapidly than the temperature drop due to natural heat dissipation. For this reason, by the monitoring in step SA5, the current temperature detection value has changed from the stored temperature detection value by a temperature decrease degree ΔT (for example, 40 ° C. to 50 ° C./min) or more for determination. If it is detected (YES in step SA5), it is determined that a leak has occurred, the determination result is temporarily stored (step SA6), the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 is closed (step SA7), and the failure lamp blinks, for example. While being displayed (step SA8), the operation is terminated.

  For example, the high-temperature water immediately after the water proportional valve 311 is fully closed is approximately 80 ° C., and is connected to the water supply pipe 63 by the opening operation of the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. If the feed water temperature at which the feed water pressure is applied is approximately 30 ° C., the temperature of the high-temperature water (temperature detection value of the heat source temperature sensor 312 is about 1 minute in the case of ΔT of 40 ° C. to 50 ° C./min described above. ) Will drop close to the water supply temperature. Therefore, the monitoring time (time for leak judgment) of the temperature drop state in step SA5 may be set to 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, or 2 minutes (about 1-2 minutes).

  Further, as the failure lamp, a warning lamp installed on a desired surface in the bathroom space R of the casing 41 of the indoor unit 4 may be used, and this warning lamp may be continuously blinked. As a warning means for the user, in addition to the failure lamp, for example, the remote controller 7 may be used to perform a warning display using characters or pictographs on its display surface, a flashing warning light, or the like. Then, an alarm buzzer installed in the indoor unit 4 may be sounded, or an alarm based on voice guidance may be output using a similarly installed speaker.

  On the other hand, in the monitoring at step SA5, when the temperature decrease degree of the temperature detection value of the heat source temperature sensor 312 is less than the determination temperature decrease degree ΔT, that is, the temperature decrease due to natural heat radiation (step After determining that there is no leak and temporarily storing the determination result (step SA9), the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 is closed (step SA10), and the operation is terminated.

  According to the leak determination process by the leak determination unit 321 described above, whether or not a short circuit occurs due to perforation between the primary side and the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 and whether or not a leak occurs are ensured. In addition, since the leak determination is performed using the residual heat of the high temperature water at the end of the mist operation, it is necessary to operate the heat source unit 2 only for the leak determination. And there is no wasteful consumption of combustion energy. In addition, since leak detection is performed by detecting a temperature drop phenomenon that the temperature drops sharply due to mixing of feed water (mist water) that has leaked from the secondary side, relatively high temperature hot water has been detected. Presence / absence can be determined in a relatively short time (about 1 to 2 minutes). At this time, if a leak from the secondary side to the primary side occurs, the water proportional valve 311 is opened, so that the high temperature water whose temperature has dropped due to the cold water supply is open. The heat source temperature sensor 312 installed between the primary side inlet and the water proportional valve 311 can detect the temperature drop accurately. In addition, since the water proportional valve 311 is not fully opened but is fully opened, the flow of the high-temperature water whose temperature has decreased due to the mixing of the feed water to the water proportional valve 311 side, that is, to the heat source temperature sensor 312 side. As a result, the heat source temperature sensor 312 can detect the temperature drop more quickly if a leak occurs.

  In addition, when the installation position of the heat source temperature sensor 312 is, for example, the primary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 or the heating return branch 251 near the primary side outlet, The output of the full open operation command of the proportional valve 311 is not always necessary, and this is omitted, and after the mist operation end control in step S1, the temperature detection value is stored, and the temperature drop degree is monitored and determined. May be.

  Further, as the installation position of the water proportional valve 311 described above, FIG. 1 illustrates the case where it is interposed in the upstream side of the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, that is, the heating forward branch path 241. Not limited to this, the water proportional valve may be interposed in the downstream side of the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, that is, in the heating return branch 251. In this case, in relation to the installation position of the heat source temperature sensor 312 described above, an opening operation command or a full opening operation command of the water proportional valve is output so that the high temperature water whose temperature has been lowered easily flows if a leak occurs. You just have to do it.

  In the leak determination method described above, it is determined that a leak has occurred by detecting a rapid temperature drop exceeding the temperature drop based on natural heat dissipation, and processing such as forced termination of the device is performed. Even if there is one detection of a temperature drop that is suspected of causing a leak, it will not occur for the first time when the same detection is repeated twice or three times without immediately judging that there is a leak. You may make it make final determination with existence. This is because if it is determined that there is a leak by only one detection, there is a possibility of erroneous determination due to, for example, contact failure on the substrate side related to temperature detection or the like. For example, when it is finally determined that a leak has occurred in the second detection, the leak determination unit 321 is provided with a count memory, and starts counting by the first detection of the rapid temperature decrease as described above, and “1”. When the same temperature decrease is detected for the second time at the end of the next mist operation, it is determined that a leak has occurred and processing such as blinking display of a failure lamp may be executed.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 shows a bathroom dryer with a mist function provided with the mist generator of the second embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the heat source temperature sensor 312 of the first embodiment is not essential, and the return located near the primary side outlet (heat source side outlet) near the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 or the heating return branch 251. The flow rate sensor 252 (see also FIG. 5) is used to determine a leak when starting the mist operation. The return flow rate sensor 252 detects a flow rate returning from the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 to the heat source unit 2 (warm water circulation system 21). In the leak determination process in the leak determination unit 322 of the present embodiment. The flow rate is detected when the return flow rate sensor 252 detects a significant flow rate value (a flow rate value exceeding the detection error range of the sensor), that is, the presence of circulation is detected. In addition, in the other structure of the bathroom dryer with a mist function of this embodiment, the same code | symbol as that of 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, and duplication of detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Hereinafter, the leak determination processing by the leak determination unit 322 as the leak determination processing means in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the mist operation is started by the user turning on the mist operation switch of the remote controller 7, first, the mist continuation timer time value set by the user with respect to the remote controller 7, the mist spray wind direction setting and the air volume setting, Various set values such as mist temperature settings are taken in (step SB1). Then, an initial check is performed to determine whether there are any abnormalities in various temperature sensors (for example, the indoor temperature sensor 48, the mist temperature sensor 641, etc.), and if any sensor abnormality is detected (NO in step SB2). Then, the failure lamp is turned on (step SB3), and the mist operation that has been turned ON is forcibly stopped.

  If the various temperature sensors are normal (YES in step SB2), as pre-processing for starting the mist operation, the operation lamp is turned on, the mist lamp is turned on, and the heat source operation signal to the heat source controller 23 of the heat source unit 2 (warm water circulation) An output of an operation start signal for combustion of the system 21) (step SB4), an output of an open operation signal for the thermal valve 421, and an output of an open operation signal for the water proportional valve 311 (step SB5).

  After performing these pre-processes, the process shifts to normal operation control (step SB13), which is normally normal mist operation control, and is constituted by the thermal valve 421 in step SB5 and the thermal valve. The water proportional valve 311 thus made needs to wait for the elapse of a predetermined opening operation time (about 1 minute) from when the opening operation signal is output until the water proportional valve 311 actually enters a predetermined opening state. For this reason, while this open operation signal is output, the water proportional valve 311 itself is still closed (the above open operation time) is effectively used, and the leak determination processing by the leak determination unit 322 is sandwiched between them. Yes.

  That is, first, the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 is opened (step SB6), and it is confirmed whether or not the return flow rate sensor 252 detects the flow rate, that is, whether there is a flow (step SB7). Prior to the start of the mist operation, the upstream water supply solenoid valve 631 and the hot water solenoid valve 611 on the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 are both closed, and the downstream mist solenoid valve 642 and the drainage solenoid valve are closed. Both 651 are in a closed state, and even if the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 in step SB6 is opened in this state, the flow of mist water cannot be generated and the state where it is stagnant is maintained. . However, if there is a short circuit between the primary side and the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, a secondary mist water flows to the primary high-temperature water side and leaks. Will occur. And if it is immediately after the output of the open operation signal with respect to the water proportional valve 311 of step SB5, since the water proportional valve 311 is still a closed state, the above-mentioned leak is caused in the heating return branch 251 of the soot that does not naturally generate the flow itself. A flow will occur with the occurrence. Therefore, if a significant flow rate detection value is detected by the return flow rate sensor 252 (YES in step SB7), it is determined that a leak has occurred and stored (step SB8), and the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 opened in step SB6 is stored. Is closed (step SB9), the fault lamp is blinked, for example (step SB10), and the started mist operation control is stopped to forcibly stop.

  On the other hand, if there is no flow rate detection by the return flow rate sensor 252 in step SB7 (NO in step SB7), it is determined that there is no leak and stored (step SB11), and the water supply electromagnetic that is opened for leak determination is stored. After the valve 631 is closed and returned to the original state (step SB12), the operation shifts to the normal operation control for the mist operation (step SB13). The time value from the opening operation of the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 in step SB6 to the closing operation in step SB9 or step SB12, that is, the time value for temporarily operating the supply pressure of mist water for leak determination is as follows. For example, if a leak occurs even within a few seconds, it is possible to detect the flow (flow rate detection) associated with the leak. In short, even if an open operation signal for the water proportional valve 311 is output, the water proportional valve 311 has an open operation delay, but it is surely within the first extremely short time (for example, several seconds) of the open operation delay. While the water proportional valve 311 is still in the closed state, it is checked whether or not the flow rate is detected by the return flow rate sensor 252 (step SB7).

  According to the leak determination process performed by the leak determination unit 322 according to the second embodiment, whether or not a short circuit occurs due to perforation between the primary side and the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, and the occurrence of the leak occurs. As with the first embodiment, the presence or absence of can be reliably determined and detected. In addition, since the leak determination is performed by effectively using the time required for opening the thermal valve 421 and the water proportional valve 311 at the time of starting the mist operation, the heat source unit 2 starts the combustion operation. However, since the combustion operation is not for the leak determination but for starting the mist operation, it is possible to avoid wasteful combustion energy consumption when the combustion operation is performed only for the leak determination. In addition, since the leak is determined by effectively using the relatively short elapsed time required for the opening operation of the water proportional valve 311 described above, it is also possible to determine whether or not the leak has occurred in a relatively short time (about 1 minute). Can do.

  In the second embodiment described above, the flow rate is detected by the return flow rate sensor 252, and it is detected that there is circulation on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. However, as described above, even on the secondary side. Although the flow should not originally occur, the water for mist leaks from the secondary side to the primary side due to the occurrence of the leak. For example, at the position near the secondary side inlet of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, etc. A mist water flow sensor 612 (see FIG. 4) may be installed, and the mist water flow sensor 612 may be used for the leak determination process instead of the return flow sensor 252 described above. Further, instead of performing flow rate detection, a water flow switch or the like that can detect the generation of a flow even with a small amount may be used as the heat medium flow detection means.

  Also in these second embodiments, as described in the first embodiment, the same detection was repeated twice or three times without immediately determining that there was a leak in one flow rate detection. Sometimes it may be determined for the first time that a leak has occurred. A specific method using a count memory or the like may be performed in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention includes not only the above description but various other things. That is, in each of the above embodiments, the mist generator may be used separately from the bathroom dryer, and the target indoor space is not limited to the bathroom space R, but is an indoor space for the purpose of a sauna only, etc. Any indoor space may be used.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which the mist unit 3 as an outdoor unit and the indoor unit 4 as an indoor unit are installed independently of each other. The mist unit (outdoor unit) 3 and the indoor unit (indoor unit) 4 may be integrated with each other so that the unit (outdoor unit) 3 is installed behind the ceiling of the bathroom. The above points are of course the same in other configuration examples described later.

  Both the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined, and the leak determination may be performed both at the start and end of the mist operation control. In this case, even if it is determined that leakage occurs at either the start or end, there may be a misjudgment due to poor contact of the substrate, so it is determined that leakage has occurred both at the start and at the end. It is also possible to determine that a leak has occurred finally or truly and only when a leak occurs (such as blinking display of a failure lamp).

  In the second embodiment and other configuration example 1 described later, instead of temporarily opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 631, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 may be temporarily opened. Since both of the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 and the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 constitute mist water supply switching means, the function of supplying the mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 or applying the supply pressure. Because they are the same.

<Other configuration example 1>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a leak determination process performed by the leak determination unit 323 serving as a leak determination processing unit. As in the second embodiment, the leak determination process in this case is performed while the leak determination is performed by effectively utilizing the time required for opening the thermal valve 421 and the water proportional valve 311 at the start of the mist operation. Instead of using flow detection as in the second embodiment, it is intended to determine the occurrence of leak by pressure drop detection. For this reason, the return flow rate sensor 252 or the mist water flow rate sensor 612 in the second embodiment is not essential, and a pressure sensor (not shown) is installed on the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 instead. is there. More specifically, the pressure sensor is installed on the downstream side (liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 side) of the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 (see FIG. 4) or the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 and more than the mist electromagnetic valve 642. Any position in the secondary region of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 that is the upstream region or the upstream region of the drain electromagnetic valve 651 may be used. In the following, description will be made using the components shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, when the mist operation is started by the user turning on the mist operation switch of the remote controller 7, the processes from Step SB <b> 1 to Step SB <b> 5 described in the second embodiment are performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Execute (see also FIG. 6). That is, first, various setting values set by the user are fetched into the remote controller 7 (step SB1), and an initial check is performed to check whether there are any abnormalities in various temperature sensors. If this is the case (NO in step SB2), the failure lamp is turned on (step SB3), and the mist operation that has been turned ON is forcibly stopped. On the other hand, if the various temperature sensors are normal (YES in step SB2), as preprocessing for starting the mist operation, the operation lamp is turned on, the mist lamp is turned on, and the heat source operation signal of the heat source unit controller 23 of the heat source unit 2 is output. The output (step SB4), the output of the opening operation signal to the thermal valve 421 and the output of the opening operation signal of the water proportional valve 311 are performed (step SB5).

  Then, after performing these pretreatments, a predetermined opening operation time (1 minute) required for the thermal valve 421 and the water proportional valve 311 in step SB5 to actually enter a predetermined open state after receiving the opening operation signal. In the meantime, the leak determination process by the leak determination unit 323 is sandwiched in between.

  That is, first, the drain electromagnetic valve 651 is opened (step SC6), the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 is opened (step SC7), and both the drain electromagnetic valve 651 and the water supply electromagnetic valve 631 are closed (step SC7). Step SC8). In short, the state before starting the mist operation, that is, the upstream water supply electromagnetic valve 631 and the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 611 of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 are both closed, and the downstream mist electromagnetic valve 642 and the like. In the state where both the drain electromagnetic valve 651 is closed and the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 is closed circuit, the supply water pressure is applied to the secondary closed circuit by the processing of the above steps SC6 to SC8. Make it work. If there is no leak, the applied water pressure should remain as it is, but if there is a leak, the pressure in the secondary closed circuit will decrease. For this reason, if the detected pressure value of the pressure sensor has decreased (YES in step SC9), it is determined that a leak has occurred and is stored (step SC10), and the failure lamp is blinked, for example (step SC11). ), Stop the mist operation control that was started and stop the forced operation.

  On the other hand, if the pressure detection value by the pressure sensor does not decrease in step SC9 while maintaining a substantially constant value (NO in step SC9), it is determined that there is no leakage (step SC12) and stored (step SC12). Shift to normal operation control (step SB13).

  Also in the case of the leak determination process by the leak determination unit 323 in the above case, whether or not a short circuit occurs due to perforation between the primary side and the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, and the occurrence of the leak The presence / absence can be reliably determined and detected as in the first embodiment. In addition, as in the second embodiment, the leak determination is performed by effectively using the time required for opening the thermal valve 421 and the water proportional valve 311 at the time of starting the mist operation. Although the combustion operation 2 is started, the combustion operation is not for the leak determination but for starting the mist operation, and therefore, wasteful combustion energy when the combustion operation is performed only for the leak determination. Consumption can be avoided. In addition, since the leak is determined by effectively using the relatively short elapsed time required for the opening operation of the water proportional valve 311 described above, it is also possible to determine whether or not the leak has occurred in a relatively short time (about 1 minute). Can do.

  Also in this case, as described in the first embodiment, when the same detection is repeated twice or three times without immediately determining that there is a leak in one flow rate detection. A final determination may be made that a leak has occurred for the first time. A specific method using a count memory or the like may be performed in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

<Other configuration example 2>
This will be described with reference to FIG. In the hot water circulation system 21, normally, if the liquid level in the expansion tank 211 is abnormally lowered, it is determined that a leak has occurred in the piping in the heat source unit 2 of the hot water circulation system 21, and the countermeasure processing for the abnormality is performed. A function to execute is provided. Here, the installation position of the water proportional valve 311 for switching supply / interruption of high-temperature water as a heat source to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 is not the heating forward branch 241 upstream of the primary side, but the primary side. It is assumed that the heating return branch 251 is downstream. Then, as a leak determination process, the water proportional valve 311 is closed, while the drain electromagnetic valve 651 is opened, a command is issued to the heat source controller 23 to operate the circulation pump 212 of the hot water circulation system 21. The change level of the liquid level in the expansion tank 211 is monitored. If there is no leak due to occurrence of a short circuit such as a hole between the primary side and the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31, the pressure of the circulation supply acts on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. As a result, the circulating water circulates in a bypass path (not shown) of the hot water circulation system 21 in the heat source unit 2 and the liquid level in the expansion tank 211 does not decrease. However, when the above leakage occurs, the circulating water in the hot water circulation system 21 leaks from the primary side to the secondary side and flows out through the drainage electromagnetic valve 651 and the drainage pipe 65 in the open state. The liquid level in the expansion tank 211 is lowered by the amount of leakage. By detecting this drop in the liquid level, it is possible to determine the occurrence of leakage in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31. The leak in this case can detect not only the leak from the primary side to the secondary side in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 but also the leak from the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 31 to the outside. become.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the bathroom dryer with a mist function of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram about the control part of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart mainly regarding leak determination processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of another configuration example 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of another configuration example 2;

Explanation of symbols

31 Liquid-liquid heat exchanger 32 Mist unit controller (control means)
252 Return flow sensor (heat medium flow detection means)
311 Water proportional valve (heating medium supply switching means)
312 Heat source temperature sensor (heat medium temperature detection means)
321 and 322 Leak determination unit (leak determination processing means)
611 Hot water solenoid valve (mist supply water switching means)
631 Water supply solenoid valve (Water supply switching means for mist)

Claims (5)

A liquid-liquid heat exchanger for heating the mist water, and control means for performing mist operation control for generating mist by heating the mist water by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. A mist generator configured to circulate and supply a heat medium as a heat source to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and to supply mist water as a heating target on the secondary side,
A heat medium temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger;
Mist water supply switching means for switching supply / shutoff of mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger;
Leak determination processing means for determining whether or not there is a leak between the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger,
The leak determination processing means temporarily switches the mist water supply switching means from the shut-off state to the supply state immediately after the mist operation control by the control means is completed, while the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detecting means. The mist generator is configured to determine whether or not leakage has occurred based on the change state of the heating medium temperature detected after switching. The mist generator according to claim 1,
Heat medium supply switching means for switching supply / cutoff of the heat medium to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger is provided, and the heat medium is provided between the heat medium supply switching means and the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. A temperature detection means is provided,
The leak determination processing unit is a mist generator configured to maintain or switch the heating medium supply switching unit in a supply state when monitoring the heating medium temperature. The mist generating device according to claim 2,
The leak determination processing means is a mist generator configured to switch the heating medium supply switching means to a fully open supply state. A liquid-liquid heat exchanger for heating the mist water, and control means for performing mist operation control for generating mist by heating the mist water by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. A mist generator configured to circulate and supply a heat medium as a heat source to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and to supply mist water as a heating target on the secondary side,
A heat medium flow detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a heat medium flow on the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger;
A heating medium supply switching means for switching supply / cutoff of high-temperature water to the primary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger;
Mist water supply switching means for switching supply / shutoff of mist water to the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger;
Leak determination processing means for determining the presence or absence of leakage between the primary side and the secondary side of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger,
The leak determination processing means outputs a switching operation signal for switching from the shut-off state to the supply state to the heat medium supply switching means for the control means to start mist operation control, and then the heat medium supply switching During the operation delay time until the means actually operates, the mist water supply switching means is switched from the shut-off state to the supply state, while monitoring the presence or absence of the flow detected by the heat medium flow detection means, A mist generator configured to determine the presence or absence of leakage based on the presence or absence of the flow detected by the heat medium flow detection means in the supply state. A mist generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a heating unit, and a blower that receives heat from the heating unit to generate hot air and blow it out into a bathroom space. Bathroom dryer with mist function.

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