JP2009121760A - Hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply apparatus, bringing the hot water delivered from a faucet close to a preset temperature as quickly as possible. <P>SOLUTION: Each faucet unit 40 includes: a water passing quantity detection means 44; a temperature detection means TH, and a control circuit 41 for transmitting the detected flow rate and temperature of delivered hot water from a data communication means 45 to a control circuit 11 in a hot water supply machine body 10. The control circuit 11 in the hot water supply machine body 10 includes a circuit part functioning to obtain a loss heat value until it reaches the preset temperature based on the real time flow rate and temperature of delivered hot water transmitted from the control circuit 41 of the faucet unit 40, feedback control for a heating heat value to a hot water supply mechanism 18 in consideration of correction heat value compensating for the obtained loss heat value, and quickly bring the temperature of delivered hot water close to the preset temperature, and a safety circuit part for generating an alarm signal when the temperature of hot water delivered from another faucet unit 40 is determined to be a high temperature above a preset risk temperature in consideration of the loss heat value learning about the other faucet unit 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a device for supplying hot water at a set temperature from a faucet, generally a hot water supply device capable of supplying hot water from a faucet at various locations in the home, etc. In addition to making hot water supply with high controllability as much as possible, the present invention relates to an improvement for ensuring the safety by preventing the hot water from being unexpectedly hot while increasing the convenience for the user.

  Hot water heaters are used to heat hot water and supply hot water at a set temperature from faucets provided at various locations in the home. From the faucet at the end of the pipe, users could not easily get hot water of the desired hot water temperature, and they often felt unpleasant, and the water that had accumulated in the pipe until then could not be warmed up. There was no choice but to throw it away.

  In order to avoid this, there has also been proposed a device in which a return pipe is provided in the hot water supply device so that hot water at a set temperature is always circulated in the pipe. Energy consumption must be anticipated, and it may be structurally impossible to attach return piping for all of the piping to faucets located at various locations in the home. Therefore, such a proposal is not considered to be a target for further improvement in providing practical and inexpensive products.

  On the other hand, as a practical device configuration considering the convenience of the user, when taking into account the filling of a predetermined amount of hot water into the bathtub, etc., a fixed stopcock is attached to the faucet for hot water supply into the bathtub. There is something provided. Certainly, the hot water heaters are becoming more and more functional, and there are some that allow automatic hot water filling of the bath by the control operation of the main body of the water heater, but such ones are expensive, so use a low-cost single-function water heater However, it is trying to provide a function similar to automatic hot water filling.

In such a situation, as recently recognized in Patent Document 1 below, the casing of the tap portion of the tap is slightly larger, but a mechanical mechanism and an electronic mechanism are incorporated therein to generate electricity using a flowing water stream. When the accumulated flow detected by the water flow rate detection means counts a predetermined amount of hot water, the electromagnetic on-off valve is closed with the stored power, and the hot water is automatically stopped there. There is something like that. Such electric power self-contained fixed stopcocks are already commercially available.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-71260

  Furthermore, in the hot water supply apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation state of the fixed stop cock is turned into an encrypted signal by intermittently flowing water, and this is transmitted to the main body of the water heater so that the attached remote controller ( For example, the remote controller) can display the estimated time until completion of filling, and the temperature information from the built-in temperature detection means can be used to display the temperature of the hot water that is actually filled. In addition, an abnormally high or low temperature is detected and the faucet is closed, or the hot water supply temperature at the hot water supply output is controlled on the hot water supply side so as to become a set temperature. Since the signal is transmitted and received by the flow rate interruption, it is possible to evaluate the advantage of eliminating the need for wired wiring using the electric conductor.

  In addition to this, attempts to obtain temperature information and flow rate information from the faucet are recognized, but such a conventional device, including the device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, at the most, simply gives the user the situation at the faucet. Even if feedback control is performed, the amount of output heat at the outlet of the water heater can be varied so that the set temperature is reached from time to time. There were no prior corrections to the loss of water and attempts to reduce the rise delay of the tap water from the faucet. In addition, although the length of the pipes leading to each faucet varies greatly depending on the installation situation in each household, no hot water supply device designed to cope well with such a situation has been conventionally recognized.

  In view of such a conventional situation, the present invention brings hot water to be set close to the set temperature as quickly as possible by actively transmitting significant information from the faucet, or changes in the location and usage of each faucet, It is possible to cope with changes in the pipe length, etc., and even when opening a nearby faucet at the relatively far away faucet, hot water that is too hot is closer to this water heater. It is intended to provide a hot water supply device that takes safety into consideration so that no hot water is discharged from the faucet.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention heats the hot water supply with the hot water supply mechanism under the command of the control circuit in the hot water supply body so as to reach the set temperature set by the user, and the hot water temperature at which the hot water temperature should be controlled. A hot water supply device for discharging hot water from each of the faucet units of the faucet unit provided as two or more faucet units to be controlled;
Each of the faucet units includes a water flow amount detecting means for detecting the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism via a pipe, and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the discharged hot water actually discharged through the faucet unit. A control circuit for transmitting the detected flow rate, the hot water temperature, and the set temperature set by the user from the data communication means via a non-wired (non-electric conducting wire) data transmission path; , A power generation device that generates electric power using the flow energy of hot water passing through the faucet unit, and stores the generated power of the power generation device, and the stored water amount detection means, temperature detection means, operation unit, data communication means, and control by the stored power A power storage means for driving the circuit;
On the other hand, in the control circuit in the main body of the water heater, when the water flow through the faucet unit is detected, it acts on the hot water supply mechanism to start the warming operation of the water supply, and the real-time transmitted from the control circuit of the faucet unit. Based on the flow rate and the tapping temperature, the temperature rise slope until reaching the set temperature is also calculated to calculate the amount of heat loss through the pipe to the faucet unit, and the calculated amount of heat loss is stored as a learning memory value In addition, a circuit that functions to quickly bring the hot water temperature close to the set temperature, and a feedback control of the hot water amount to the hot water supply mechanism, taking into account the corrected calorific value that compensates for the calculated lost heat amount, and the hot water temperature If hot water has already been discharged from any one of the controlled faucet units, and there has been hot water from another hot water outlet temperature controlled faucet unit, the hot water discharged from the other faucet unit will be heated. When it is determined that a critical temperature or more high temperature preset in consideration also the heat loss that learns about other faucet units, by providing a safety circuit section for issuing an alarm signal, a;
We propose a hot water supply system characterized by

  In addition to the above, the present invention also provides a more desirable configuration in addition to the above, and each faucet unit is closed using the power stored in the power storage means in accordance with a control circuit command in the main body of the water heater. An electromagnetic on / off valve that can be valved is provided, and when the safety circuit issues an alarm signal, the control circuit in the water heater body gives a valve opening prohibition command to the electromagnetic on / off valve provided in the other faucet unit. In addition, a hot water supply device that maintains the valve closing state is also proposed.

  In addition, when such an electromagnetic on-off valve is provided, the electromagnetic on-off valve is selectively opened / closed by the power stored in the power storage means by the user's operation when the above-mentioned valve opening prohibition instruction is not given, or the amount of water flow is detected. When the control circuit provided in the faucet unit recognizes that the integrated flow rate obtained through the means has reached the set amount of hot water preset by the user, the control circuit is configured to close the valve. good.

Further, in certain aspects of the invention,
A piping unit is provided upstream of the faucet unit along the piping;
The piping unit includes a water flow amount detecting means for detecting a flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism through the pipe, a temperature detecting means for detecting the hot water temperature at a portion where the piping unit is provided, A control circuit that transmits the detected flow rate and hot water temperature to the control circuit in the machine body from the data communication means via a non-wired data transmission line, and a power generation device that generates electric power by flowing energy of hot water passing through the piping unit, A power storage means for storing the generated power of the power generation device and driving the water flow amount detection means, the temperature detection means, the data communication means, and the control circuit with the stored power;
On the other hand, the control circuit in the main body of the water heater performs feedback control of the heating heat amount to the hot water supply mechanism based on the real-time flow rate and hot water temperature transmitted from the control circuit of the piping unit, and the hot water temperature from the faucet unit. To quickly bring the temperature closer to the set temperature;
We also propose a hot water supply system that features

  Further, in this case, the control circuit in the main body of the water heater also stores a correction value based on the temperature rise tendency in the piping unit in the storage means, and stores the correction value so that the correction value is also used for feedback control at the next hot water discharge. A water heater characterized by this is also proposed.

  In applying the present invention, it is premised that there are a plurality of faucet units subject to hot water temperature control, which are installed in different places, but the control circuit in each faucet unit is relative to the control circuit in the water heater body, It is preferable that the identification number unique to each faucet unit is also transmitted. And when the control circuit in the hot water supply body detects the water flow through the faucet unit specified by the identification number, it acts on the hot water supply mechanism to start the water heating operation for the faucet unit corresponding to the identification number. Based on the real-time flow rate and hot water temperature transmitted from the control circuit of the faucet unit corresponding to this identification number, the feedback control of the heating heat amount for the faucet unit specified by the identification number is made to the hot water supply mechanism, The tap water temperature in the faucet unit specified in this way is configured to function so as to quickly approach the set temperature in the faucet unit. Naturally, when the safety circuit issues an alarm signal, and when the control circuit in the water heater body gives a valve opening prohibition command to the electromagnetic on / off valve of the faucet unit based on this alarm signal, the target faucet The unit can be easily specified by the identification number.

  In addition, a priority order may be provided for the identification number. The control circuit in the hot water supply body performs feedback control of the heating heat amount in the hot water supply mechanism so as to be suitable for a faucet unit having a high priority.

  In this respect, the hot water supply apparatus of the present invention may be provided with one or more remote controllers as will be recognized in this type of conventional hot water supply apparatus. In such a case, however, at least the set temperature set in the faucet unit can be displayed by the remote controller. The flow rate detected in the faucet unit, the hot water temperature, and the transmission of the set temperature set by the user to the control circuit of the main body of the water heater are provided in the remote controller and communicated with the data communication means of the faucet unit. It can be performed through a data communication means that performs communication via a non-wired data transmission line. However, at this time, the data transmission line between the remote controller and the control circuit of the main body of the water heater body may be a wired data transmission line, which is more realistic. Of course, when an alarm signal is issued from the safety circuit unit, the alarm may be displayed visually or audibly or visually and audibly with this remote controller via the control circuit. Each may be provided with a display unit capable of displaying information using the above-mentioned stored power under the control of a control circuit, and an alarm may be displayed here.

  The non-wired data transmission line may be an aerial line that uses radio frequency, or may be one that uses infrared communication, and as described above, the flow rate of hot water flowing through the faucet unit is intentionally Piping in the intermittent flow method for intermittent encryption may be a substantial data transmission line.

  In addition, when a remote control is provided, it is recommended to display the cumulative amount of hot water used and the amount of heat used based on the set temperature and flow rate sent from the faucet unit. It is even better to display the history for one, some, or all of the daily, weekly, monthly.

  According to the present invention, since the control circuit of the water heater main body can know in real time the hot water temperature and flow rate actually discharged from the faucet unit, a change command such as the heating heat amount to the hot water supply mechanism is extremely quick, And it can be done with high accuracy. Thus, a configuration that uses the actual hot water temperature and the hot water flow rate obtained in real time for feedback control of the hot water supply mechanism directly on the hot water supply body side has not been presented so far, and the present invention is awaited. This is a function that has only been possible for the first time, and its effectiveness is extremely high. On top of that, when hot water is being discharged from any one of the faucet units that are subject to temperature control, if there is hot water from other faucet units that should also be subject to hot water temperature control, When the temperature of the hot water is expected to be too high, an alarm is given to the user or the hot water can be forcibly blocked, so that high safety can be ensured.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a hot water supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied. An example of the internal configuration of the water heater main body 10 that heats and outputs the hot water is shown in FIG. 2, but the portion of the hot water supply mechanism 18 including a heat exchanger (not shown) is basically the same as that of this type of existing equipment. Details are not shown because no changes are required. Upon receiving the water supply, the hot water supply mechanism 18 heats the water supply under the command of the control circuit 11 and discharges the hot water to the pipe 80. The control circuit 11 grasps the flow rate through a heat exchanger (not shown) in the hot water supply mechanism 18 supplied by the water flow amount detection means 14, while the set temperature Ts set by the user with the remote controller 20 via the wired communication unit 13 Since the information is received and stored in the storage means 12, the amount of heat generated in the hot water supply mechanism 18 is controlled so as to be the set temperature Ts. In addition to the set temperature Ts, various data to be described later are also stored in the nonvolatile storage means 12, and the control circuit 11 performs control using the stored data as necessary.

  Although two remote controllers 20 are shown in FIG. 1, for example, one is a kitchen remote controller installed in the kitchen, and the other is a bath remote controller installed in the bathroom. Of course, the remote control may be provided at other installation locations. Naturally, even in such a case, the present invention can be applied without any problem, and FIG. A configuration example is shown. That is, there is a wired communication unit 23 that communicates with the wired communication unit 13 of the water heater main body 10 and a wired data transmission line 70 using an electrical lead, and the control circuit 21 passes through these communication units, and hot water Necessary data is exchanged with the control circuit 11 on the machine body side. The data transmission line 70 for communication between the remote controller 20 and the water heater main body is more practically the wired data transmission line 70 as described above, but a non-wired data transmission line in the sense of a non-electrical conductor, for example, a wireless A data transmission line, an infrared data transmission line, etc. may be sufficient.

  The remote controller 20 is also provided with an operation unit 26 for setting the set temperature Ts by the user or instructing the set hot water amount in the case of hot water filling, and for the convenience of the setting operation, temperature information, hot water information, etc. In order to display various information, the display unit 27 controlled by the control circuit 21 is also provided, as well as a faucet unit 40 and an airline etc. Preferably, data communication means 25 for transmitting and receiving data via a non-wired data transmission line is provided. In this embodiment, since the data transmission lines 31 and 32 are antennas using radio frequencies, the data communication means 25 is limited to the radio communication means 25 in the figure.

  FIG. 1 also shows four tap water temperature control target faucet units (one of which is a shower faucet unit with a shower head 49 attached, and the other is a bathtub). There is also a faucet unit for dropping hot water in 50) and four piping units 60 are shown. However, in the figure, the antennas 31 and 32 used for the data transmission line are shown only one each for the sake of simplicity of the drawing, but all the faucet units 40 and the piping units 60 transmit and receive data to and from the remote controller 20, respectively. You may comprise so that it may become possible.

  In this embodiment, data transmission / reception is performed between the remote controller 20 and the data transmission line 31 ′. , 32 ′, even if it is configured to perform data communication directly therewith, many functions to be described later can be satisfied as they are. Eventually, the transmission / reception number may be transmitted from the remote control 20 side to the control circuit 11 built in the water heater main body 10 through the wired data transmission line 70, but data transmission / reception is performed with the remote control 20 for the time being. This is because the remote controller 20 is generally closer to the faucet unit 40 and the piping unit 60 and can reliably transmit and receive data even with weak radio waves. Conversely, the faucet unit 40 and the piping unit 60 are configured to transmit and receive data via the data communication means built in the water heater body 10, and the remote controller via the data transmission line 70 as necessary from the water heater body 10 side. It may be configured to transmit information.

  Therefore, the non-wired data transmission line through which the faucet unit 40 and the piping unit 60 transmit and receive data to and from the remote controller 20 may use infrared rays in addition to those that use radio frequency. When performing data communication with the control circuit built in the main unit 10, in addition to such a type, the flow rate interruption method recognized in the conventional example as mentioned above, that is, the flow rate is intentionally interrupted and encrypted. A configuration in which data is transmitted using the pipe 80 as a non-wired data transmission line can also be employed.

  In FIG. 2, an example of the internal configuration is shown as a representative of one faucet unit 40, and the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism 18 through the pipe 80 is detected by the water flow rate detecting means 44. The temperature of the hot water sent to the control circuit 41 and discharged from the faucet is detected by the temperature detection means TH and is also grasped by the control circuit 41. The control circuit 41 can send and receive data to and from the remote controller 20 through the data communication means, in this case, the wireless communication means 45 as described above. In this embodiment, the faucet unit 40 is also provided with an operation unit 46 that can be operated by the user for setting the set temperature, etc., and the control circuit 41 decodes and grasps the set contents, and also sets the set temperature and the current hot water supply. A display unit 47 for appropriately displaying the temperature, the current water flow rate, the set hot water amount in the case of hot water filling, etc. is also operably connected under the control of the control circuit 41. In addition, as will be described later, when the hot water is discharged from the faucet unit, an alarm display based on a case where the safety circuit unit provided in the control circuit 11 in the water heater main body 10 determines that the hot water temperature is too high Alternatively, or more positively, when the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 described below is forcibly maintained in the closed state, an indication to the effect that the forcibly closed state is present may be displayed on the display unit 47. it can. It should be noted that necessary data is rewritably stored in the storage means 42 connected to the control circuit 41.

  The above-described electromagnetic on-off valve 48 preferably provided is for naturally opening and closing the faucet when necessary under the control of the control circuit 41, but is provided in the faucet unit 40 without external power supply. In addition, in order to selectively drive such a power movable mechanical device and the various electronic circuits described above, the device of the present invention also incorporates a power generator EG that generates electric power using the flowing energy of hot water passing through the faucet unit 40. The generated energy is stored in a suitable power storage means 43 such as a high capacity capacitor or a secondary battery. That is, the electronic circuits 41 to 47 and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 48 in the faucet unit 40 are operated by the stored power stored in the power storage means 43.

  In addition, the faucet unit 40 in which the operation unit 46 and the display unit 47 are provided on the surface of the casing in addition to housing the electronic circuit and the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 inside the casing is shown in FIG. As with a recognized faucet, it is larger than a simple faucet that is operated only by a normal hand-cranking operation, but can still be accommodated in a size range that is sufficiently easy to handle. Specific products are already on the market. For example, a product called “quantitative stop cock unit” and model number: CTU-ASV4 is commercially available from Corona Co., Ltd., 7-7 Higashi Shinbo, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture. This product automatically closes with the energy generated by the built-in power generator when the passing flow rate reaches the set flow rate.

  In the case of this embodiment, further, in the middle of the pipe 80 leading from the water heater main body 10 side to each faucet unit 40, the position where the faucet unit 40 is provided in relation to each faucet unit 40. A piping unit 60 is provided along the piping 80 on the upstream side (side closer to the water heater main body 10). Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a total of four piping units 60 are shown.

  In FIG. 2, an example of the internal configuration is shown as a representative of one piping unit 60 provided on the upstream side in relation to one faucet unit 40. The flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism 18 via the pipe 80 is detected by the water flow amount detecting means 64 and sent to the control circuit 61 in the pipe unit 60, and the temperature of the hot water passing through the pipe unit 60 Is detected by the temperature detecting means TH and is also input to the control circuit 61. The control circuit 61 can also transmit / receive data to / from the remote controller 20 using the data communication means, in this case, the radio communication means 65, or at least one-way transmission from the control circuit 61 side. Is possible.

  In addition, as in the faucet unit 40, in order to drive the electronic circuit without supplying power from the outside, a power generation device EG that generates power using the flowing energy of hot water passing through the piping unit 60 is also incorporated. The generated energy is stored in an appropriate power storage means 63 such as a high-capacity capacitor or a secondary battery, and the electronic circuits 61 and 63 to 65 in the piping unit 60 can be operated by the stored power stored in the power storage means 43. It has become.

  Since it is such a device configuration, according to the present invention, after the faucet unit 40 in this case, via the remote control 20 by wireless data communication, the control circuit on the side of the water heater main body by wired communication between the remote control 20 and the water heater main body 11 can send significant information for control in real time, and can perform control that enhances unprecedented convenience.

  For example, in the remote controller 20, this may be the same as the conventional model, but the user can set the hot water temperature to be discharged from the faucet unit 40 by operating the operation unit 26. This set temperature Ts is transmitted from the wired communication unit 23 via the control circuit 21 to the control circuit 11 of the water heater main body 10 through the wired communication unit 13 on the water heater main body side, and stored in the storage means 12. If the faucet unit 40 is a hot water supply unit to the bathtub 50 and performs automatic hot water filling up to the set amount of hot water in the bathtub 50 on the water heater body 10 side, The set amount of hot water can be sent to the control circuit 11 on the water heater body 10 side and stored in the storage means 12. However, when the faucet unit 40 itself has an automatic valve closing function with a predetermined amount of hot water as will be described later, the water heater body is a single-function type, that is, when water is passed through the hot water supply mechanism 18, It is possible to control the heating only in view of the set temperature, and to stop the heating if water flow stops.

  When the user operates the operation unit 46 in the faucet unit 40 and instructs to open the valve, the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 is opened by the power stored in the power storage means 43, and the water heater main body 10 is also operated in the hot water supply mechanism 18. Water flow occurs. If it is a faucet unit 40 or the like used in a normal kitchen, it is not configured to open and close the valve by the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 by the operation of the operation unit 46 (if that is the case, the operability is very good However, as with the classic faucet structure, a manual on-off valve may be provided, and the valve may be configured to open and close by twisting it. In other words, such an electromagnetic on-off valve 48 is suitable for use in a faucet unit that is applied particularly to metering hot water into the bathtub 50.

  When the water flow detection means 14 built in the water heater main body 10 detects the generation of water flow through the hot water supply mechanism 18, the control circuit 11 acts on the hot water supply mechanism 18 to start the heating operation of the hot water, and stores it in the storage means 12. In order to supply hot water at a preset temperature from the faucet, the water supply is heated to a predetermined amount of heat. The hot water temperature actually output from the water heater main body 10 is detected by the temperature detection means TH provided at the outlet of the water heater main body 10, and the control circuit 11 controls the hot water supply mechanism 18 in view of this temperature change. .

  On the other hand, on the side of the faucet unit 40, the flow rate of hot water actually supplied is detected by the built-in water flow rate detecting means 44, and the actual hot water temperature is detected by the temperature detecting means TH, and the detected values are respectively controlled by the control circuit 41. The control circuit 21 of the remote controller 20 that has received this is transmitted to the control circuit 11 of the water heater main body 10 via a wired communication line.

  Therefore, since the control circuit 11 of the water heater body 10 can know the hot water temperature and flow rate actually discharged from the faucet unit 40 in real time, a change command such as the heating heat amount to the hot water supply mechanism 18 is extremely quick. And with high accuracy. For example, when the temperature of the tap water from the faucet unit 40 does not reach the set temperature Ts after a predetermined time has elapsed, the amount of heating can be increased until the set temperature TS is reached. Alternatively, when it is determined that the actual rising temperature of the hot water temperature from the faucet unit 40 is small per unit time, the heating amount can be similarly increased. As described above, a configuration in which the actual hot water temperature and the hot water flow rate obtained in real time are directly used for feedback control of the hot water supply mechanism 18 on the main body side of the water heater has not been presented so far. It is a function that became possible only after waiting.

  Of course, if the user issues a valve closing command by operating the operation unit 46 of the faucet unit 40, or if the faucet unit 40 is used for automatic filling of a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub 50, For example, when the control circuit 41 recognizes that the integrated flow rate obtained through the water flow amount detecting means 44 has reached the set hot water volume, the control circuit 41 acts on the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 and closes it there. Stop the flow. In this case, the control circuit 11 of the water heater main body 10 may not have a hot water filling function up to a predetermined amount of hot water, and an inexpensive one can be used.

  Furthermore, in the basic mode of the present invention, the convenience for the user is enhanced from another viewpoint. That is, the faucet unit 40 is also provided with an operation unit 46 that can change and set the set temperature Ts, and the user can change and adjust the set temperature Ts while viewing the display on the display unit 47. The changed set temperature is sent from the aerial line 31 to the control circuit 11 on the water heater body 10 side via the remote controller 20 and the wired communication line, and the control circuit 11 controls at this set temperature.

  When configured in this way, the set temperature setting function on the remote controller 20 may not be particularly necessary, and the display unit 27 simply displays the set temperature Ts set in the faucet unit 40. Anyway. On the contrary, the set temperature set with the remote controller 20 is used as the normal set temperature, and the set temperature at the faucet unit 40 is temporary only for that time, that is, after the hot water supply for that time is over, the remote controller 40 is used. It may be possible to return to the normal set temperature set in the above or vice versa. In any case, it is extremely convenient to be able to set the set temperature Ts at hand without going to the remote controller 20.

  However, as described above, the fact that the control circuit 11 of the water heater main body 10 can know the hot water temperature and flow rate actually discharged from the faucet unit 40 in real time is further developed to the faucet unit 40. Even if the length of the pipe 80 varies depending on the installation location, it can be advantageously used to absorb this and keep the delay time until reaching the set temperature as short as possible.

  For example, FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B) show the hot water discharge characteristics of a conventional hot water supply apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4A, even if the output hot water temperature at the output portion of the water heater body 10 rises to the set temperature Ts in a relatively short time, the longer the length of the pipe 80, (B) The amount of heat released from the pipe (loss heat loss Qlst) is large, and therefore it takes a long time for the tap water temperature obtained from the faucet to reach the set temperature Ts, which is large for the user. It was uncomfortable and the water that flowed in the meantime was wasted. In addition, because of the heat radiation in the pipe 80, there was even a case where the actual temperature t To does not reach the set temperature Ts in the first place.

  On the other hand, in the apparatus of the present invention, the actual hot water temperature To and the output flow rate are grasped in real time by the control circuit 41 that operates without receiving external power supply in the faucet unit 40, and the information thereof is the water heater body 10 Therefore, the control circuit 11 of the water heater body 10 can be controlled so that the actual tapping temperature To is correctly set to the set temperature Ts, and the set temperature is determined from changes in the tapping flow rate and tapping temperature over time. It is also possible to calculate the temperature rise slope up to Ts. In other words, the amount of heat loss Qlst corresponding to the flow rate expected for the faucet unit 40 can be obtained, and the obtained result or the corrected amount of heat Qamd can be stored in the storage means 12 as a learning memory value, so at least the next time When the hot water is discharged, a preferable control mode as shown in FIG.

  That is, since the loss heat quantity Qlst or the correction heat quantity Qamd that will be lost in advance can be read from the storage means 12 and used, the correction heat quantity Qamd is preliminarily added at the start of heating in consideration of the expected loss. In this way, as shown in FIG. 3D, the actual hot water temperature To can be brought closer to the set temperature Ts more quickly in time. In addition, this type of hot water supply device, in which the length of the pipe 80 is not uniquely determined by the environment in which it is installed, substantially absorbs fluctuations in the length of the pipe 80, which model and what installation environment However, it is very useful for realizing a quick response from the faucet unit 40 to the hot water at the set temperature Ts. It is also an extremely useful function presented here for the first time to learn and store the heat release amount in the pipe 80 and control the heating amount in the hot water supply mechanism 18 in accordance with the stored value.

  At the same time, needless to say, feedback control based on such correction also copes with seasonal changes. If the season changes, the loss heat quantity Qlst shown in FIG. 3 (B) also changes, but the correction heat quantity Qamd can be learned and stored and changed accordingly.

  Furthermore, a piping unit 60 having the above-described configuration is also provided, and as described above, the hot water temperature and flow rate at that portion of the piping 60 is also sent to the remote controller 20 via the wireless power transmission line 32, and hot water is supplied from there. If the information is transmitted to the control circuit 11 of the machine main body 10 or directly to the control circuit 11 of the water heater main body 10 via the wireless transmission line 32 ', the front side of the faucet unit 40 can be obtained. Therefore, the heat loss loss or the correction value based on the temperature rise tendency or the like here is also stored in the storage means 12, and preferably by learning and storing, more accurate hot water temperature feedback control. It can be performed. In particular, when intermittent hot water supply is performed, if it is known that there is still a sufficient amount of heat in the piping unit 60, it is not necessary to wastefully increase the heating energy at the start of the next hot water supply. Since the amount of heat loss in the piping part from the piping unit 60 to the faucet unit 40 can also be extracted, more detailed control can be performed in view of the hot water temperature difference and the like, and the distance of the piping can be estimated eventually.

  Even if any one of the faucet unit 40 or its associated storage means 43 to 63 in the piping unit 60 is in a poorly charged state, the control circuit in the water heater main body 10 is based on the information from the piping unit 60 closest to it. 11 also has the advantage of approximate control.

  In addition, the remote controller 20 can display the accumulated hot water usage and heat usage based on the set temperature information and water flow information sent from the faucet unit 40, and the daily, weekly, monthly, etc. history can be displayed. It can also be displayed. This can also contribute to raising the user's awareness of energy saving, and can be a guideline to avoid unnecessary use.

  However, in the present invention, it is planned that there are two or more faucet units that are subject to hot water temperature control. Especially in such a case, it is possible to realize a more preferable control form by identifying and registering each faucet unit in the control circuit 21 in the remote controller 20 and the control circuit 11 in the water heater main body 10, and for each faucet unit. It is possible to quickly discharge hot water at a set temperature.

  For example, each faucet unit 40 attempts to transmit its own identification number when transmitting a water flow signal. In this way, the set hot water temperature can be set for each faucet unit 40, and desirable control can be performed for each faucet unit 40 by transmitting information for learning as described above. it can. For example, when the set temperature of the faucet unit 40 installed in the kitchen is 40 ° C, that of the faucet unit 40 for shower is 43 ° C, and that for hot water supply to the bathtub 50 is 42 ° C. In addition, by reading the identification number sent from the opened faucet unit 40, the set temperature set in the faucet unit 40 can be controlled as a target value, and the learning stored value can be effectively used individually.

  In particular, in the present invention, for example, it is possible to specify which faucet unit each faucet unit 40 is as described above, and it is possible to optimally control the hot water temperature by taking in the various data described above, respectively. When there is hot water from another faucet unit 40 when any one of the faucet units 40 has already been drained, the amount of heat lost from the temperature of the hot water discharged from the other faucet unit is learned with respect to the other faucet unit. By taking Qlst into consideration, the safety circuit unit provided in the control circuit 11 in the water heater main body 10 can determine whether or not there is a possibility that the temperature will be higher than a preset dangerous temperature. Therefore, when it is determined that the safety circuit section will be such hot water, the control circuit 11 may, for example, from one or both of the display section 27 of the remote controller or the display section 47 provided in the faucet unit 40. An audible or visual alarm, or an audible and visual alarm can be issued to the user.

  Of course, the control circuit 11 can actually be constructed in software based on recent technological trends, and therefore, it is easy to construct a safety circuit unit substantially equivalent to that incorporated in the control circuit 11. However, on the contrary, it does not prevent the safety circuit unit that determines the occurrence of danger in advance based on the various data described above from being assembled as a circuit independent of the control circuit 11.

  With such a configuration according to the present invention, it is clear that the safety measures for the user are further increased, and the product value is also increased, but furthermore, as in the illustrated embodiment, the power storage means 43 is provided in each faucet unit 40. When an electromagnetic on-off valve 48 that can be closed with stored power is provided, when the safety circuit issues an alarm signal, the control circuit 11 opens to the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 provided on the faucet unit subject to the alarm. If the prohibition command is given and the valve opening is forcibly blocked (the valve closed state is forcibly maintained), the degree of safety is further increased. Naturally, when the safety circuit unit determines that the hot water from the faucet unit that has issued the alarm has fallen to a safe temperature range, the forced on / off state of the electromagnetic on-off valve 48 may be released.

  In addition, regarding the registration for identification of each faucet unit 40, a registration operation which can be seen by the user with a remote controller can be performed. For example, at the beginning of equipment installation, the kitchen faucet can be opened, and the faucet unit 40 currently opened can be registered so that it can be visually displayed as that of the kitchen. The same applies to other faucet units such as bath water heaters, showers, toilets, toilets, washing machines, car wash stations, and the like. Of course, it is possible to register and display normal set temperatures corresponding to each, which is very convenient for the user during actual use.

  As shown in a basic flowchart in accordance with FIG. 4A, first, as shown in step 1001, when the remote controller 20 receives a hot water signal from the faucet unit 40 of the identification number n, in step 1002, the faucet unit 40 The set temperature set in is received and stored and displayed, or the set temperature to be set in the faucet unit 40 is determined by the remote controller 20 and stored and displayed. However, the storage means can be diverted and may be linked via a data transmission line, and the storage means 12 provided in the water heater body 10 can be used as the storage means for the remote control or each faucet unit 40 The storage means 42 provided in itself can also be used as the storage means of the remote controller. Of course, although not shown, a dedicated storage means that can be rewritten may be provided in the remote control itself.

  Next, in step 1003, the faucet unit 40 that has received the identification number n is determined by the user's selection operation, and the installation location, for example, it is registered as a kitchen. In step 1004, the correction calorific value described above, preferably obtained at the time of the hot water, is obtained, stored in the storage means 12, and used for subsequent learning storage. Such initial registration operation is repeated in all of the plurality of faucet units 40 provided.

  Under use after initial registration, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), when a tap hot water discharge signal having an identification number n is received in step 2001, the control circuit 11 of the water heater body 10 registers in step 2002. At the preset temperature, the hot water control is performed as described above, and the actual heat correction required based on the temperature rise gradient obtained at that time is learned and stored. When it receives that it is still water, it stops heating.

  Furthermore, it is also a practical consideration to determine the priority order of the plurality of faucet units 40 provided. For example, when a faucet unit registered for bath use based on the identification number n is opened, even if another faucet unit is open at that time, the bath use is preferentially registered by an operation via the remote controller at the time of installation. In this case, hot water whose temperature is too low or too high is not supplied to the bathtub, so that comfort is maintained and safety is enhanced.

  In addition, when the faucet unit having the lowest set temperature is opened, a setting that gives priority to it is possible. If hot water is supplied to a place where the temperature is set to a low temperature, for example, the above-described safety circuit unit according to the present invention has a temperature range in which an alarm signal is not issued, that is, a hot water source in a temperature range that is not dangerous. This is because even if it is expected, it cannot be denied that the user is uncomfortable. However, when there is no extreme temperature change, a method of performing feedback control as the highest priority by considering the identification number of the faucet unit that is opened first, that is, the faucet unit that has been opened first is also conceivable.

  As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the control circuit 11 and the safety circuit unit can be substantially constructed with the aid of a microcomputer, and each function is configured by a program adapted to each. Can be executed. Of course, as long as it matches the purpose of the claims of the present application, any modification is free.

It is a schematic block diagram in desirable one Embodiment of this invention hot-water supply apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the internal structural example of each component shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining about the relationship between the hot water temperature in the exit of a water heater main body, and the actual hot water temperature in a faucet unit. It is explanatory drawing explaining the flow of control at the time of identifying and registering each faucet unit with a remote control and for each registered faucet unit.

Explanation of symbols

10 Water heater body
11 Control circuit
12 Storage means
13 Wired communication section
14 Water flow detection means
18 Hot water supply mechanism
20 Remote control
21 Control circuit
23 Wired communication section
25 Wireless communication means
26 Operation unit
27 Display
31 Data transmission line
32 data transmission lines
31 'Data transmission line
32 'data transmission line
40 faucet unit
41 Control circuit
42 Storage means
43 Power storage means
44 Flow rate detection means
45 Wireless communication means
46 Control panel
47 Display
48 Solenoid valve
49 shower head
50 bathtub
60 Piping unit
61 Control circuit
63 Power storage means
64 Flow rate detection means
65 Wireless communication means
70 Wired data transmission line
80 piping
EG power generation means
TH temperature detection means

Claims (16)

Provide two or more faucet units for hot water temperature control that should control the hot water temperature by heating the hot water with the hot water supply mechanism under the command of the control circuit in the main body of the water heater to reach the set temperature set by the user A hot water supply device for discharging hot water from each faucet unit of the faucet unit provided;
Each of the faucet units has a water flow amount detecting means for detecting the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism via a pipe, and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water actually discharged through the faucet unit. A control circuit for transmitting the detected flow rate and the hot water temperature from the data communication means via a non-wired data transmission path to the control circuit in the main body of the water heater, and hot water passing through the faucet unit. A power generation device that generates power using fluid energy, and a storage device that stores the generated power of the power generation device and drives the water flow amount detection means, the temperature detection means, the data communication means, and the control circuit by the stored power are provided. Being;
On the other hand, the control circuit in the water heater body detects the water flow through the faucet unit and acts on the hot water supply mechanism to start the water supply warming operation, and the control circuit provided in the faucet unit. Based on the real-time flow rate and tapping temperature sent from, calculate the temperature rise slope until reaching the above set temperature, and calculate the heat loss through the pipe to the faucet unit, and calculate the calculated loss The amount of heat is held in the storage means as a learning memory value, and the heating heat amount feedback control is performed on the hot water supply mechanism in consideration of the corrected heat amount to compensate for the calculated lost heat amount, and the hot water temperature is quickly set to the set temperature. If there is hot water from another faucet unit when hot water has already been discharged from any one of the above faucet units, the circuit section that functions to approach the When the hot water temperature is determined to become learning to have consideration also the heat loss quantity to preset critical temperature or more high temperature and with respect to said other faucet unit, by providing a safety circuit section for issuing an alarm signal, a;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
Each faucet unit is provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve that can be closed using the stored power of the power storage means in accordance with a command of the control circuit in the hot water supply body, and when the safety circuit unit issues the alarm signal, The control circuit in the machine main body is configured to keep the valve closed state by giving a valve opening prohibition command to the electromagnetic on-off valve provided in the other faucet unit;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2;
The electromagnetic open / close valve is configured to be selectively opened / closed by the stored power of the power storage means by a user's operation when the valve opening prohibition command is not given;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2;
When the solenoid on / off valve is not provided with the valve opening prohibition command, the electromagnetic on / off valve indicates to the faucet unit that the accumulated flow rate obtained through the water flow rate detecting means has reached the set hot water amount preset by the user. Being configured to be closed by the control circuit when it is recognized by the control circuit;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
A piping unit is provided upstream of the faucet unit along the piping;
The piping unit includes a water flow amount detecting means for detecting a flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mechanism via the pipe, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a hot water temperature at a portion where the piping unit is provided. , A control circuit for transmitting the detected flow rate and the hot water temperature to the control circuit in the water heater body from the data communication means via a non-wired data transmission line, and flow energy of the hot water passing through the piping unit And a power storage means for storing the generated power of the power generation apparatus and using the stored power to drive the water flow amount detection means, the temperature detection means, the data communication means, and the control circuit. And
When the water flow through the faucet unit is detected, the control circuit in the water heater body acts on the hot water supply mechanism to start the heating operation of the water supply, and the real time transmitted from the control circuit of the faucet unit. Based on the real-time flow rate, the hot water temperature, and the real-time flow rate and the hot water temperature transmitted from the control circuit of the piping unit, feedback control of the heating heat amount is performed for the hot water supply mechanism, and the hot water temperature is controlled. To quickly bring the temperature closer to the set temperature;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 5;
The control circuit in the main body of the water heater also stores a correction value based on a temperature rise tendency or the like in the piping unit in the storage means, and stores the correction value so that the correction value is also used for feedback control at the next hot water discharge. ;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
A control circuit provided in each of the faucet units is configured to transmit a unique identification number to the control circuit in the water heater body;
When the control circuit in the main body of the water heater detects a water flow through the faucet unit specified by the identification number, the control circuit operates on the hot water supply mechanism and starts heating operation of the water for the faucet unit corresponding to the identification number. Then, based on the real-time flow rate and the hot water temperature transmitted from the control circuit of the faucet unit corresponding to the identification number, the heating for the faucet unit specified by the identification number for the hot water supply mechanism Performing a feedback control of the amount of heat, and functioning to quickly bring the hot water temperature in the faucet unit specified by the identification number close to the set temperature in the faucet unit;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 7;
A priority is set for the identification number;
The control circuit in the water heater body performs the feedback control so as to be suitable for the faucet unit having a high priority;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
One or more remote controllers are provided;
The display unit provided in the remote controller can display at least the set temperature set in the faucet unit;
Transmission of the detected flow rate in the faucet unit, the hot water temperature, and the set temperature set by a user to the control circuit of the water heater main body is provided in the remote controller, and Through data communication means that communicates with the data communication means of the faucet unit via a non-wired data transmission line;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 9;
When the safety circuit emits the alarm signal, the remote controller displays the alarm visually or audibly or visually and audibly to the user;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 9;
Displaying the cumulative amount of hot water used and the history of heat used for one, some, or all of the daily, weekly, and monthly on the display unit of the remote controller;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 9;
The data transmission line between the remote controller and the control circuit of the water heater body is a wired data transmission line;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
The faucet unit is provided with a display unit capable of displaying information by the stored power;
When the safety circuit unit issues the alarm signal, the display unit displays the alarm visually or audibly, or visually and audibly to the user;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
The non-wired data transmission line is an antenna using radio frequency;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
The non-wired data transmission line uses infrared communication;
Hot water supply device characterized by A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1;
The non-wired data transmission line substantially constitutes the pipe in a flow rate intermittent system that intentionally interrupts and encrypts the flow rate of hot water flowing through the faucet unit;
Hot water supply device characterized by

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