JP2009056403A - Water softening unit and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable quick hot water supply using soft water even when regeneration of a water softener is performed, in a water softening unit where hot water supply can be carried out using soft water and the water softener can be regenerated. <P>SOLUTION: The water softening unit 1 has the water softener 10 and a regenerating salt water supply device 11, and hot water supply is carried out using water which has passed through the water softener 10. Regeneration of the water softener 10 is carried out by refilling the salt water supply device 11 with water to make salt water, supplying the salt water from the salt water supply device 11 to the water softener 10, and then washing the water softener 10 by supplying water to discharge the salt water. When the hot water supply is required during the regeneration of the water softener 10, the interruption process for stopping production and supply of the salt water to make the water softener 10 usable is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softening unit that can use soft water for hot water supply and the like, and a hot water supply system using the unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, hot water is supplied using water that has been passed through a water softener in which a cation exchange resin is placed to change tap water or well water into soft water. And since soft water is good for skin and foaming, the demand for using it in a bath is increasing.

  Such a water softener cannot be softened in the end when water softening is continued by passing tap water or well water. Therefore, salt water is supplied to the water softener to regenerate the water softener.

Some water softeners are automatically regenerated. In the case of such an automatic device, for example, regeneration is performed when the amount of water passing through the water softener exceeds a certain amount. The reproduction is performed at a predetermined cycle.
Such an apparatus is described in Patent Document 1 and the like.
JP 2002-39613 A

  When the water softener is regenerated, the supply of tap water or well water to the water softener is shut off and salt water is supplied to the water softener, so that the water softening cannot be performed during the water softener regeneration. This regeneration process is performed at predetermined time intervals and the like, but there is a problem that the regeneration of the water softener may overlap with the timing of hot water supply.

  Therefore, for example, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the water softener is regenerated in the middle of hot water filling, the hot water filling is temporarily interrupted, the water softener is regenerated, and after the water softener is finished being regenerated, Is resumed. Then, the amount of hot water filling up to interruption is stored, and even when hot water filling is interrupted, a predetermined amount of hot water filling can be performed.

  However, since the regeneration of the water softener is performed by repeatedly supplying the salt water to the water softener and draining the salt water and finally washing the water through the water, it takes time. And since it cannot be used in the meantime, it is inconvenient for the user because soft water cannot be used or it takes time to fill the hot water.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the water softening unit which can perform the reproduction | regeneration of a water softener and prevents the above problems.

  The invention described in claim 1 for achieving the above-mentioned object has a water softener and a regenerated salt water supply device, can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and has a predetermined condition. In the water softening unit that can regenerate the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the regenerated salt water supply water to produce salt water. Salt water is supplied to the water softener, and then the salt water is drained through the water softener and washed. When there is a request for hot water supply during regeneration of the water softener, the production and supply of salt water is terminated. It is a water softening unit characterized by performing an interruption process for making a water softener usable.

  According to invention of Claim 1, it has a water softener and a regenerated salt water supply device, can supply hot water with the water which passed through the water softener, and if a predetermined condition is satisfied, a regenerated salt water supply device The water softener can be regenerated with salt water from the water, and when there is a demand for hot water supply during regeneration of the water softener, the production and supply of salt water is terminated and the water softener can be used. Since the interruption process is performed, when the water softener is being regenerated, the water softened can be used as a state in which the water softener can be used quickly.

  The invention according to claim 2 has a water softener and a regenerated salt water supplier, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener. In the water softening unit that can regenerate the water softener with salt water, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the regenerated salt water supply to produce salt water, supplying the salt water from the regenerated salt water supply to the water softener, Water is drained through the water softener and washed, and a detection means is provided to detect whether or not the user has entered the bathroom. This is a water softening unit that performs an interruption process to make the water softener ready for use.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection means for detecting whether or not the user has entered the bathroom is provided, and when detecting that the user has entered the bathroom during the regeneration of the water softener, the interruption process is performed. When there is a high possibility of using softened water, water softened in the bathroom can be used as a state in which the water softener can be used quickly.

  The invention according to claim 3 has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supplier, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener. In the water softening unit that can regenerate the water softener with salt water, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the regenerated salt water supply to produce salt water, supplying the salt water from the regenerated salt water supply to the water softener, The water softener is drained and washed with water, and it is possible to make a reservation for hot water supply for the hot water filling of the bath. In the case of overlapping, the water softening unit is characterized in that the start of regeneration of the water softener is started earlier than planned.

  According to invention of Claim 3, it has a water softener and a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device, and it can supply hot water with the water which passed the water softening device, and if predetermined conditions are satisfy | filled, a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device The water softener can be regenerated with salt water from the water, and if the hot water supply time for the hot water filling of the bath overlaps with the time for regenerating the water softener, start the water softener regeneration earlier than planned. Therefore, hot water supply for bathing can be performed with soft water.

  The invention according to claim 4 repeats the production of salt water and the supply to the water softener not by the prescribed number of times, but by repeating the number of times less than the prescribed number, and causing the water softener to discharge the salt water through the water. 4. The water softening according to claim 3, wherein the water softening is performed by performing an interruption process so that the water softener can be used, and the regeneration is finished before the hot water supply for filling the hot water in the bath. Is a unit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the water softener can be used in an interrupted state, and the regeneration is terminated before the hot water supply for the hot water filling of the bath. The water softener regeneration can be terminated before the hot water supply for.

  The invention according to claim 5 includes a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supplier, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener. In the water softening unit that can regenerate the water softener with salt water, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the regenerated salt water supply to produce salt water, supplying the salt water from the regenerated salt water supply to the water softener, The water softener is drained and washed with water, and the hot water supply time for hot water filling in the bath is memorized in the past. It is a water softening unit characterized by performing regeneration.

  According to invention of Claim 5, it has a water softener and a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device, It is possible to supply hot water with the water which passed the water softener, and if predetermined conditions are satisfy | filled, a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device It is possible to regenerate the water softener with salt water from the water, remember the time zone of hot water supply for the hot water filling of the bath that was done in the past, avoid the time zone with high frequency, Therefore, the soft water can be used more reliably by making it difficult to regenerate the water softener during the time of hot water supply for filling the hot water in the bath.

  The invention described in claim 6 has a water softener and a regenerated salt water supplier, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener. In the water softening unit that can regenerate the water softener with salt water, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the regenerated salt water supply to produce salt water, supplying the salt water from the regenerated salt water supply to the water softener, Water is drained through the water softener and washed, and when the bath is replenished, the required time for retreating the bath is calculated, the estimated completion time is confirmed, and the regeneration of the water softener ends. When the time is later than the estimated completion time, the water softening unit is characterized in that it performs an interruption process to end the production and supply of salt water and make the water softener usable.

  According to invention of Claim 6, it has a water softener and a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device, and it can supply hot water with the water which passed the water softener, and when a predetermined condition is satisfy | filled, a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device The water softener can be regenerated with salt water from the water, and when the bath is replenished, the required time for retreating the bath is calculated and the estimated completion time is confirmed. If the end time is later than the estimated completion time, the interruption process is performed, and therefore soft water can be used when the user uses the bath after the bath is refilled.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the water softener is regenerated by replenishing the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supplying salt water from the reclaimed salt water supplier to the water softener, producing salt water and supplying to the water softener. Is repeated for a specified number of times, and then the salt water is discharged through the water softener and washed, and the interruption process is repeated for the specified number of times without repeating the production of salt water and the supply to the water softener. 7. The water softener can be used in a state where the water softener can be used by repeating the number of times less than a predetermined number of times and draining the water softener through water and washing it. It is a water softening unit according to the above.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, since the water softener is regenerated by repeating the production of the salt water in the reclaimed salt water supplier and the supply to the water softener a predetermined number of times, the tank of the regenerated salt water supplier A large amount of salt water can be supplied to the water softener while making the water compact.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, after the interruption process, the water softener is regenerated by repeating the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that are less than the specified number of times. 7. The water softening unit according to 7.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, after the interruption process is performed, the water refill mode and the regeneration mode are repeated for less than the specified number of times, and the water softener is regenerated. Regeneration of the water softener in a state can be regenerated to a sufficient state.

  The water softener is regenerated by supplying water to the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supplying salt water from the reclaimed salt water supplier to the water softener, and producing the salt water and supplying it to the water softener only once. Then, the salt water is discharged through the water to the water softener and washed, and when the interruption process is started in a state where the salt water is replenished to the salt water supplier, the salt water supplier In the case of starting with the salt water supplied from the reclaimed salt water supplier to the water softener, the salt water supply to the water softener is interrupted and the salt water is passed through the water softener. Can be discharged and washed (claim 9).

  Further, the supply of water is interrupted from the start of the interruption process to the end of the interruption process, and hot water can be supplied with the softened water after the interruption process is completed (claim 10).

  A bypass path is provided so that hot water can be supplied by passing the bypass path without passing through the water softener during regeneration of the water softener, and passes through the bypass path from the start of the interrupt process until the end of the interrupt process. It is also possible to supply hot water (claim 11).

  Moreover, when the interruption process is performed before the salt water is supplied to the water softener, it is possible to omit washing the salt water through the water through the water softener (claim 12).

  Furthermore, it has a water softening unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a water heater, and a remote controller, which are connected by a communication line capable of communicating with each other, and capable of data communication. (Claim 13).

  According to the water softening unit of the present invention, the water softener can be regenerated, and even during regeneration, a state where hot water cannot be supplied with soft water can be made as short as possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water softening unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used in a hot water supply system 85 together with a hot water heater 80 and a remote controller 81. And the water softening unit 1, the hot water heater 80, and the remote control 81 are connected by the communication line 83, and can communicate data among these.
Note that the water heater 80 and the remote controller 81 may be those normally used. The remote controller 81 can be used to give instructions for hot water filling in the bath, change the set temperature of the general hot water supply or the set temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, etc. Is the one to operate. In addition, data communication can be performed via the communication line 83 through a means called superimposed two-core communication.

  And the water softener 10 can know that the request | requirement of the hot water supply generate | occur | produced through communication with the hot water heater 80 or the remote control 81, and in this embodiment, it communicates by wire by the communication line 83 as mentioned above. Is something that can be done. This communication can also be performed wirelessly.

  The water softening unit 1 is connected to a water supply pipe 20, a hot water supply pipe 21 and a drain pipe 25. Then, external water can be supplied from the water supply pipe 20, and this water can be moved from the hot water supply pipe 21 to the water heater 80. Further, as will be described later, wastewater generated during regeneration of the water softener 10 can be discharged from the drain pipe 25 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water softening unit 1 includes a water softener 10 and a regenerated salt water supplier 11. The water softener 10 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 and the hot water supply pipe 21, and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 20 flows through the water softener 10 to the hot water supply pipe 21.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the hot water flows from the hot water supply pipe 21 to the hot water heater 80, and the water supplied from the hot water heater 80 is heated to become hot water and flows into the hot water outlet pipe 24, and is softened. Can be used for hot water supply such as baths and showers.

  The hot water heater 80 is configured to operate when necessary. For example, when a shower or currant connected to the hot water pipe 24 is opened and a water amount of a predetermined amount or more is detected, an instruction or reservation for hot water supply to a bath (including bath automatic operation) is input to the remote controller 81 In such a case, a hot water supply request signal is generated and the water heater 80 is activated.

  Further, a bypass pipe 23 that bypasses the water supply pipe 20 and the hot water supply pipe 21 without passing through the water softener 10 is connected. A drain pipe 25 branched from the water supply pipe 20 and a salt water supply pipe 26 branched from the hot water supply pipe 21 are provided, and the regenerated salt water supplier 11 is connected to the salt water supply pipe 26.

The water supply pipe 20 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 30 and a water inlet opening / closing valve 31. And the bypass pipe 23 is connected so that it may branch between the pressure-reduction valve 30 and the water intake on-off valve 31. FIG. Moreover, the drain pipe 25 is connected so that it may branch between the water on-off valve 31 and the water softener 10, and drainage is performed from the drain pipe 25.
The hot water supply pipe 21 is provided with a water sampling opening / closing valve 32 and a water sampling amount sensor 33. And the salt water supply pipe | tube 26 is connected so that it may branch between the water sampling on-off valve 32 and the water softener 10. FIG.

The bypass pipe 23 is provided with a bypass opening / closing valve 35 and a bypass water amount sensor 36.
Further, the drain pipe 25 is provided with a drain on-off valve 37, and the salt water supply pipe 26 is provided with a salt water on-off valve 38.

The water softener 10 is a column filled with a cation exchange resin. And when passing the water softener 10, calcium ion, magnesium ion, etc. adsorb | suck to a cation exchange resin, and can reduce the hardness of water.
Moreover, since the cation exchange resin of the water softener 10 has a limit in adsorption of calcium ions and magnesium ions, as will be described later, calcium ions and magnesium ions which are allowed to pass through salt water and are adsorbed on the cation exchange resin, etc. Is played back.

  The regenerated salt water supplier 11 can produce salt water for regenerating the water softener 10, and can supply the produced salt water to the water softener 10. Specifically, the reclaimed salt water supply device 11 has a portion for putting salt, and external water is introduced from the salt water supply pipe 26 to dissolve the salt to produce salt water. The flow from the supply pipe 26 to the water softener 10 is performed.

  In addition, the regenerated salt water supply device 11 is disposed above the water softener 10. And in the reproduction | regeneration mode mentioned later, the salt water in the reproduction | regeneration salt water supply apparatus 11 flows by the natural fall by gravity.

The opening / closing of the water inlet / outlet valve 31, the water sampling on / off valve 32, the bypass on / off valve 35, the drainage on / off valve 37, and the salt water on / off valve 38 are controlled by a water softening unit control unit (not shown), and the normal use mode and the water supplement mode By switching to the regeneration mode and the cleaning mode, a flow path as shown below can be formed.
In addition, although these modes are demonstrated using FIGS. 3-6, the part which lets water pass is shown as the continuous line, and the part which does not let it pass is shown with the dashed-two dotted line.

  In the normal use mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the water on / off valve 31 and the water sampling on / off valve 32 are opened, and the bypass on / off valve 35, the drain on / off valve 37 and the salt water on / off valve 38 are closed. is there. And it flows from the water supply pipe 20 through the water softener 10 to the hot water supply pipe 21, and usually has such a flow path.

  In the water replenishment mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the water sampling on / off valve 32, the bypass on / off valve 35, and the salt water on / off valve 38 are opened, and the water on / off valve 31 and the drain on / off valve 37 are closed. . Then, a flow path from the water supply pipe 20 through the bypass pipe 23 to the salt water supply pipe 26 is formed, and external water can be supplied to the regenerated salt water supply device 11.

  In addition, in the water replenishment mode, a flow path that flows from the water supply pipe 20 to the hot water supply pipe 21 through the bypass pipe 23 is formed separately. Is not softened, and is a flow path that is supplied to the water heater 80 side shown in FIG.

  In the regeneration mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the bypass on-off valve 35, the drain on-off valve 37, and the salt water on-off valve 38 are opened, and the water sampling on-off valve 32 and the water on-off valve 31 are closed. . And the flow path which flows through the water softener 10 from the reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device 11 to the drain pipe 25 is formed, the flow path which supplies salt water to the water softener 10 and drains the salt water which passed the water softener 10 is formed. The

  Even in the regeneration mode, a flow path that flows from the water supply pipe 20 to the hot water supply pipe 21 through the bypass pipe 23 is formed separately from the water supply pipe 20. Is not softened, and is a flow path that is supplied to the water heater 80 side shown in FIG.

In the cleaning mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the water sampling on / off valve 32, the bypass on / off valve 35, and the drain on / off valve 37 are opened, and the water on / off valve 31 and the salt water on / off valve 38 are closed. . And the flow path through which the water softener 10 is drained through the water supply pipe 20 through the bypass pipe 23 is formed.
In addition, a flow path is formed by branching by the bypass pipe 23 and supplying external water to the hot water heater 80 side without being softened.

In the water softening unit 1, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the water softener 10 is regenerated by the salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier 11. Although this condition is not specifically limited, For example, when the quantity of the water which passes the water softener 10 exceeds a fixed quantity, it can carry out with a predetermined period.
And regeneration of this water softener 10 is performed as follows.

  First, the normal use mode shown in FIG. 3 is switched to the water replenishment mode shown in FIG. 4, and external water is supplied to the regenerated salt water supplier 11. Then, regenerated salt water is produced by the regenerated salt water supplier 11.

When a certain amount of water is supplied to the reclaimed salt water supply device 11 to produce reclaimed salt water, the replenishment mode shown in FIG. 4 is switched to the regeneration mode shown in FIG. Of salt water passes through.
In this regeneration mode, salt water flows by gravity, and the process is continued until there is no salt water in the regeneration salt water supply device 11.

When the salt water in the reclaimed salt water supplier 11 runs out, the mode is switched again to the water replenishment mode shown in FIG. 4, and salt water for regeneration is produced again. And when the salt water for reproduction | regeneration is manufactured, it will switch to the regeneration mode shown by FIG. 5, and the salt water for reproduction | regeneration will pass through the water softener 10. FIG.
In this way, the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode are repeated a plurality of times as one set. Therefore, even if the amount of salt water required for regeneration is large, the tank of the regeneration salt water supply device 11 can be prevented from becoming too large. In the water softening unit of the present embodiment, the replenishment mode and the regeneration mode are repeatedly set four times, but this number may be different depending on the size of the water softener 10 and the regenerated salt water supply device 11. If it is plural, the number of times can be other than four.

  And if the regeneration mode of the 4th time is performed and the salt water of the regeneration salt water supply device 11 runs out, it will switch to the washing | cleaning mode shown by FIG. And in washing | cleaning mode, washing | cleaning of the water softener 10 grade | etc., Is performed using the water from the outside, and salt water is discharged | emitted.

In the water softening unit 1 of the present embodiment, the series of operations for this regeneration takes about one hour, and during this time, the water softener 10 cannot be used.
Therefore, soft water can be used while improving convenience by performing the following control.

The first control is when the request for hot water supply is during regeneration of the water softener 10, and the replenishment mode and the regeneration mode are repeated less than the specified number of times, that is, less than 4 times in the present embodiment. Even when the regeneration mode is finished, the process is switched to the cleaning mode to perform the interruption process of discharging the salt water, and further to the normal mode after the interruption process. And hot water supply is performed after switching to normal mode.
That is, during the repetition of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode, the next repetition is not performed upon completion of the regeneration mode, and the washing mode is set. The water softener 10 can be used without performing it.
Furthermore, in other words, when the hot water supply request is generated, the mode is switched to the cleaning mode when the set of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode currently being performed is completed.

By controlling in this way, after the request for hot water supply, since the interruption process is performed and the replenishment mode and the regeneration mode are not newly repeated, the water softener 10 can be used in a relatively short time. The time when it cannot be used can be shortened.
Soft water cannot be used from the start of the interruption process until the interruption process ends, but during this time, the supply of water may be interrupted to delay the start of hot water supply. It is also possible to supply water that has not been softened by passing it through.
In the case of hot water supply for hot water filling in a bath, since the decrease in convenience is small even if the start of hot water supply is somewhat delayed, soft water can be reliably used by using such control.

  Further, in this case, whether to use soft water reliably even if the start of hot water supply is somewhat delayed, or whether to use hot water using water that has not been softened until the mode is switched to a normal mode, as will be described later. It can also be made possible for the user to select by setting operation or the like.

  In the first control described above, hot water is supplied after switching to the normal mode. However, in the water softening unit 1 of this embodiment, water that has not been softened is supplied to the hot water even during the regeneration of the water softener 10. Can be used. Therefore, water that has not been softened may be used for hot water supply until switching to the normal mode. In this case, water that is not softened is mixed at the time of hot water supply for bath hot water filling, but since hot water supply for bath hot water filling can be started immediately without waiting time, The tension completion time can be the same as in normal cases.

  In addition, when a hot water is used by opening a shower, a currant or the like connected to the hot water discharge pipe 24, a relatively short time of hot water is required. Therefore, when there is a request for hot water supply during regeneration of the water softener 10, hot water may be supplied with water that does not soften for the time being, and soft water may be used after the water softener 10 can be used.

  Further, after the hot water supply is completed, for example, after the completion of the hot water supply, 1 hour has elapsed, the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that are less than the specified number of times are repeated, so that the water softener 10 can be completely regenerated. You can also

  In the present embodiment, since the remote controller 81 and the water softening unit 1 are connected by the communication line 83, a signal for instructing hot water bathing is sent to the water softening unit 1, more specifically, the water softening unit controller. Can communicate directly to.

The second control is provided with detection means such as a human detection sensor that detects whether or not the user has entered the bathroom, and when the water softener 10 detects that the user has entered the bathroom during regeneration, the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode Even if the number of repetitions is less than the specified number of times, the interruption process is performed, and when the regeneration mode is completed, the mode is switched to the washing mode, the salt water is discharged, and the mode is switched to the normal mode.
That is, at the time when the above detection is performed, the mode is switched to the cleaning mode at the time when the set of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode currently performed is completed, and further to the normal mode.
In this way, it is possible to perform interruption processing by detecting that the user has entered the bathroom, and the regeneration of the water softener 10 can be terminated at an early stage. Water can be used.

  When the detection by the human detection sensor is not performed, it is possible to restart the water softener 10 completely by restarting the repeated replenishment mode and regeneration mode.

  It is also possible to detect whether the user has entered the bathroom by a detection means other than the human detection sensor. For example, a water level sensor can be provided in a bathtub, and a user can be detected based on a change state of a detected water level by the water level sensor.

  The third control is used in the case of the water heater 80 that can make a reservation for hot water supply for filling a hot water bath. Then, it is determined in advance whether or not the hot water supply time for filling the hot water in the bath overlaps with the regeneration time of the water softener 10. When the hot water supply for filling the hot water in the bath and the regeneration of the water softener 10 are expected to overlap, the following control is performed.

Specifically, the start time of the regeneration of the water softener 10 is advanced so that the end of the regeneration ends before the start time of the hot water supply for the hot water of the bath. This makes it possible to use soft water.
In addition, when the start time of regeneration of the water softener 10 is advanced, if the end of regeneration of the water softener 10 is later than the start time of hot water supply for filling the bath, It may be possible to shorten the regeneration time of the water softener 10 by performing an interruption process in which the repetition of the mode and the regeneration mode is less than the specified number of times, or for filling the bath after the completion of the regeneration of the water softener 10 Hot water supply may be performed. In addition, when the repetition of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode is less than the specified number of times, the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that are less than the specified number of times can be repeated after the hot water supply is finished.

The fourth control stores a hot water supply time zone for bathing in the past, and reproduces the water softener 10 while avoiding a high frequency time zone. Specifically, for each time of day, the frequency of hot water supply for hot water bathing is memorized, and the time period and frequency when hot water supply for hot water bathing has not been performed in the past. It learns to regenerate the water softener 10 during a low time period.
In addition, when hot water supply for hot water filling of the bath is performed during the time period when the water softener 10 is regenerated by such learning, it is changed to a less frequent time period from another time period. The water softener 10 is regenerated by changing.

Note that the data to be stored and the division of time zones are not particularly limited, and any data may be used. For example, as data to be stored, data for 5 days from the previous day to 5 days ago can be used, and learning can be performed using these data.
In the above control, the actual hot water supply for bathing is used. However, the water softener 10 is regenerated in a time zone where there is no actual use or a low frequency using other hot water performance. You can also do it.

The fifth control is to adjust the regeneration process of the water softener 10 when the bath is recharged with respect to the one equipped with the bath reheating function.
Specifically, when the bath reheating switch is turned on, the required time for retreating the bath is calculated from various conditions and data, and the completion completion time is confirmed. When the regeneration process of the water softener 10 is performed, it is determined whether or not the regeneration of the water softener 10 is completed at the estimated completion time of reheating, and if it is determined that the regeneration of the water softener 10 is not completed, The repetition of the mode and the regeneration mode is made less than the specified number of times, the interruption process is performed so that the regeneration process is completed early, and the water softener 10 can be used for the predicted completion time of bathing. By doing so, the regeneration process is completed when the user takes a bath, and hot water supply using soft water is performed.

The method for calculating the required time for bathing is not particularly limited, but for example, the following method can be used.
The first method is to calculate from the bath water level, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the current bath temperature, and the bath capacity. Specifically, the amount of water in the bathtub is confirmed from the water level of the bath and the previously stored bathtub area, and this is multiplied by the temperature difference between the set temperature and the current bathtub temperature, and divided by the bath capacity.
Specifically, the amount of water in the bathtub is 200 liters (for example, the bathtub area is 5000 square cm, the water level is 40 cm), the set temperature is 40 ° C., the current bath temperature is 20 ° C., the temperature difference is 20 ° C., and the bath capacity is 200 Kcal. If it is / min, the calculation result of 20 minutes is calculated.

The second method is to calculate the required time from the temperature rise gradient of the reheating. Specifically, it is calculated by multiplying the temperature difference between the set temperature and the current bath temperature by the time required to rise by 1 ° C.
Data measured in advance can also be used as the time required to rise by 1 ° C. This rise time can be measured by using the temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor and measuring the time until the temperature rises by 1 ° C. after a certain time has elapsed since the bath circulation pump was activated. .

  In this case as well, if the repetition of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode is made less than the specified number of times, the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that are less than the specified number of times are repeated after a certain period of time, for example, one hour later. , Playback can be completed.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned control is used independently, it can be used combining several control.

  The above-described water softening unit 1 softens the water for hot water supply and is supplied to the water heater 80, but can be supplied from a faucet or the like without being heated by the water heater 80. In this case, it is possible to branch the pipe in the water heater 80 or the like to branch a flow path for heating and a flow path for not heating.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform an interruption process that is performed by switching to the mode without waiting for completion of the set of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that is currently being performed.
For example, if the supply of salt water from the regeneration salt water supply device 11 to the water softener 10 can be stopped in the middle of the regeneration mode, the supply of salt water is stopped before the regeneration mode is completed. It can also be stopped by switching to the cleaning mode in the middle of the regeneration mode. By doing in this way, interruption processing can be ended quickly and the time when soft water cannot be used can be shortened further.

  In addition, only one set of the replenishment mode and the regeneration mode of the regeneration process can be used, and it can also be used for one with a specified number of times. And when salt water is manufactured in the water replenishment mode or when salt water is supplied to the water softener 10 in the regeneration mode, the salt water is manufactured and supplied when it becomes necessary to use softened water. An interruption process is performed to make the water softener ready for use.

In the case of the interruption process for switching the mode without waiting for the completion of the setting of the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode, when the interruption process starts after the regeneration mode is performed, the mode is changed to the washing mode and the salt water is changed. Although it is necessary to discharge, if the regeneration mode is not performed and only the first water replenishment mode is performed, the cleaning mode may be omitted and the process may be completed.
For example, when there is only one set of the replenishment mode and the regeneration mode of the regeneration process, that is, when the salt water is produced and supplied to the water softener 10 only once, the reclaimed salt water supplier 11 is supplemented with salt water. When the interruption process is started in the state of manufacturing, the interruption process is completed only by interrupting the water replenishment to the regenerated salt water supplier 11. Moreover, when it starts in the state which is supplying salt water to the water softener 10 from the reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device 11, supply of salt water is interrupted to the water softener 10, it switches to washing | cleaning mode, and water is supplied to the water softener 10 The brine is drained through and washed to complete the interruption process.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the hot water supply system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an operation principle diagram showing a water softening unit used in the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram showing a normal use mode of the water softening unit of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram showing a water replenishment mode of the water softening unit in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an operational principle diagram showing a regeneration mode of the water softening unit in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram illustrating a cleaning mode of the water softening unit in FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water softening unit 10 Water softener 11 Regenerated salt water supply device 80 Hot water supply device 81 Remote control 83 Communication line 85 Hot water supply system

Claims (13)

It has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supply device, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and regenerates the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the water softening unit that can
Regeneration of water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, and then drain the salt water through the water softener and wash it.
A water softening unit that performs an interruption process to make a water softener usable by terminating the production and supply of salt water when there is a request for hot water supply during regeneration of the water softener. It has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supply device, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and regenerates the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the water softening unit that can
Regeneration of water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, and then drain the salt water through the water softener and wash it.
A detection means is provided to detect whether or not the user has entered the bathroom, and when it is detected that the bathroom has been entered during the regeneration of the water softener, the production and supply of salt water is terminated and the water softener is ready for use. A water softening unit characterized by being performed. It has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supply device, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and regenerates the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the water softening unit that can
Regeneration of water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, then drain the salt water through the water softener and wash it.
If you can make a reservation for the hot water supply for the hot water bath in the bath, and the time of the hot water supply for the hot water bath overlaps with the time of the water softener regeneration, start the water softener regeneration earlier than planned A water softening unit characterized by being started.   The water softener can be used by repeating the production of salt water and supplying to the water softener not more than the specified number of times, but by repeating the water less than the specified number of times and draining the water through the water softener. 4. The water softening unit according to claim 3, wherein a regenerating process is terminated before the hot water supply for filling the hot water in the bath by performing an interruption process to make a proper state. It has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supply device, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and regenerates the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the water softening unit that can
Regeneration of water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, then drain the salt water through the water softener and wash it.
A water softening unit that memorizes a hot water supply time for a hot water bath in the past and regenerates the water softener while avoiding a high frequency time zone. It has a water softener and a reclaimed salt water supply device, and can supply hot water with water that has passed through the water softener, and regenerates the water softener with salt water from the regenerated salt water supply device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the water softening unit that can
Regeneration of water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, then drain the salt water through the water softener and wash it.
If there is a bath rebirth, calculate the required time for bath rebirth and check the estimated completion time.If the time to finish the water softener is later than the completion completion time, produce salt water And a water-softening unit that performs an interruption process to end the supply and make the water softener usable. Regeneration of the water softener is to replenish the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, supply salt water from the regenerated salt water supplier to the water softener, repeat the production of salt water and supply to the water softener a prescribed number of times, The water softener is drained and washed with water,
In the interruption process, the production of salt water and the supply to the water softener are not repeated a specified number of times, but the number of times less than the specified number is repeated, and the water is discharged through the water to the water softener and washed. The water softening unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 6, wherein the vessel is put into a usable state.   8. The water softening unit according to claim 7, wherein the water softener is regenerated by repeating the water replenishment mode and the regeneration mode that are less than the specified number of times after the interruption process. To regenerate the water softener, water is replenished to the reclaimed salt water supplier to produce salt water, salt water is supplied from the reclaimed salt water supplier to the water softener, and this salt water is produced and supplied to the water softener only once. , The salt water is drained through the water softener and washed.
In the case where the interruption treatment is started in a state where water is replenished to the reclaimed salt water supplier and salt water is produced, replenishment of water to the reclaimed salt water supplier is interrupted, and the salt water from the reclaimed salt water supplier to the water softener When the process is started in a state where water is supplied, the supply of salt water to the water softener is interrupted, and the water is discharged through the water to the water softener and washed. The water softening unit according to any one of 4 and 6.   The water softening unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, wherein the water supply is interrupted from the start of the interruption process until the interruption process ends.   A bypass path is provided, and water that has been softened by passing through the bypass path without passing through the water softener can be used during regeneration of the water softener, from the start of the interruption process to the end of the interruption process, The water softening unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, wherein water that has not been softened is supplied by passing through a bypass.   In the case where the interruption process is performed before the salt water is supplied to the water softener, it is omitted that the water softener is discharged and washed through the water. The water softening unit according to any one of 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.   It has the water softening unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a water heater, and a remote controller, and these are connected by a communication line capable of communicating with each other, thereby enabling data communication. Hot water supply system characterized by

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