JP2009127870A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater of high usability for a user by executing a heat-up operation by manual setting to cope with life styles of all users. <P>SOLUTION: This water heater 10 is a device for storing a hot water heat quantity used in supplying hot water by an automatic operation mode to execute a heat-up operation by utilizing midnight power in a hot water storage tank 15. The water heater 10 comprises a manual operation mode (S200) switchable from an automatic operation mode (S100) by operating an operating portion 102 of a remote controller 100 for manually setting a forced heat-up operation executed at least twice in a day, and setting various operating conditions of the forced heat-up operation (set values set by the user to execute the forced heat-up operation such as a heat-up temperature, a heat-up start time, a heat-up finish time, an amount of heated hot water, an operation date and time necessary for heat-up operation). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater having a hot water storage tank for storing hot water boiled by a heating source, and supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank when hot water is supplied.

An apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional water heater. This hot water supply device is a device that can perform a rerun operation for the shortage of hot water in the hot water storage tank when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank is insufficient with respect to the required amount of hot water for the day. The manual operation mode can be used to select and specify either a one-time reheating operation time or a daily renewal operation time in a predetermined period.
JP 2004-132628 A

  Recently, the lifestyle patterns and lifestyles of users have been diversified, and the lifestyle patterns of individuals have diversified among the same family members. Since multiple people with different lifestyle patterns use one water heater in this way, conventional hot water storage hot water heaters using midnight power give priority to economy and are not necessarily comfortable and easy to use for users. I can't say that.

  This is also the case with the water heater described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. The user can set one reheating operation time in one day, but this can satisfy a wide variety of users. Cannot be implemented. In other words, it is not possible to carry out a chasing operation that can sufficiently cope with the family structure of a household using a water heater and various lifestyles possessed by each user.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water heater that is easy to use for the user by performing a boiling operation with manual setting that can cope with the lifestyles of all users. .

In order to achieve the above object, the following technical means are adopted. That is, the first invention is an invention related to a water heater that stores the amount of hot water used during hot water supply in the hot water storage tank (15) in the automatic operation mode (S100) in which the boiling operation is performed using midnight power. And
Switching from the automatic operation mode (S100) is possible, and forced heating operation to be performed at least twice a day is set manually, and various operating conditions (S210) of this forced heating operation are set. The manual operation mode (S200) is provided.

  According to the present invention, by making it possible to set the forced heating operation a plurality of times per day in the time zone desired by the user, for example, for every lifestyle of a user caused by differences in age, working hours, etc., for example, 1 It is possible to carry out a boiling operation that can flexibly cope with any hot water supply time zone, hot water supply time, hot water supply amount, etc. of the day. Therefore, it is possible to provide a water heater that is comfortable and easy to use for all users. The various operating conditions are set values that can be set by the user to perform forced boiling operation. For example, the boiling temperature, the boiling start time, the boiling end time, the boiling water amount, the operation date, the boiling The time required for the lifting operation.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the water heater includes a date setting unit that sets the forced boiling operation to be performed on a predetermined date. According to the present invention, since the forced boiling operation can be set with a simple operation on a predetermined date specified from the user's life pattern, the user's device operability is further improved.

  Further, the water heater has a storage unit that stores various operation conditions (S210) set in the manual operation mode (S200), and is stored in the storage unit in the manual operation mode (S200) to be executed later. It is preferable to use various operating conditions (S210).

  According to the present invention, since the user can set various operating conditions that have been set in the past again with a simple operation, the user's device operability is further improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that various operating conditions (S210) at the time of the forced boiling operation include at least one of the boiling temperature, the amount of boiling water, or the boiling start time and the boiling end time. According to each of these inventions, it is possible to provide an operation of a water heater that can sufficiently cope with various user preferences and life patterns.

  Further, the various operating conditions (S210) during the forced boiling operation include the boiling temperature, the amount of boiling water, the boiling start time, and the boiling end time. Further, in the manual operation mode (S200), the plural The priority order is preferably set in the various operating conditions (S210).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a boiling operation with a high degree of user satisfaction in which an operation condition that the user wants to prioritize among a plurality of operation conditions is reflected.

  In the manual operation mode (S200), a plurality of various operation conditions (S210) are set, and priority is set in the plurality of various operation conditions (S210), and the priority is set. When the set value of any one of the operating conditions is determined, it is preferable to change the set values of the other operating conditions according to the set priority.

  According to the present invention, setting values of various operating conditions that satisfy the user's priority can be provided to the user, and the user can easily perform the boiling operation reflecting the priority by selecting this. .

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means of embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
1st Embodiment which is one Embodiment of this invention is described according to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a water heater 10 in the present embodiment. The hot water heater 10 mainly performs a boiling operation when the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is insufficient or the midnight power in the midnight time zone where the price setting is inexpensive (automatic operation mode), This is an apparatus for storing the amount of hot water used in hot water supply in the hot water storage tank 15. A feature of the water heater 10 is that it can be switched from an automatic operation mode that uses midnight power, manually sets a forced heating operation that is performed at least twice a day, and various types of forced heating operation. It is a point equipped with the manual operation mode which can set an operation condition.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water heater 10 is a hot water storage type heat pump type hot water heater, and is mainly used for general households. Hot water for hot water stored in a hot water storage tank 15 or a heat pump is used. The hot water boiled in the unit 1 is supplied to a hot water use side terminal for a kitchen, a washroom, a bathroom, and the like. The hot water use side terminal is, for example, a hot water faucet such as a shower 2, a currant, a hand-washing faucet, or a bath tub 3.

  Note that the water heater according to the present invention is not limited to the water heater 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the water heater 10 is merely one example.

  A water heater system including a water heater 10 is heated by a remote control device 100, a heat pump unit 1 that heats water by heat exchange with a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in a water / refrigerant heat exchanger, and a water / refrigerant heat exchanger. A hot water storage tank 15 for storing hot water, a water supply pipe for supplying water to the hot water storage tank 15, a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 to a hot water tap for a building, water supply to the hot water storage tank 15 and hot water storage tank Each load component 14 including a control valve for controlling hot water supply from 15, various sensors 13 for detecting the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15, hot water temperature and pressure inside and outside the hot water storage tank 15, and detection values of the various sensors 13 And a control board 11 that controls each device of the water heater main body based on a command from the remote control device 100.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration relating to control of the water heater 10 and the remote control device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 11 includes a power supply circuit (not shown) and a microcomputer 12 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 12) that is a hot water supply control circuit. The power supply circuit includes a transformer and a switching power supply that convert an alternating current supplied from a commercial power supply via a watt hour meter (not shown) into a direct current and convert a high voltage into a low voltage. The microcomputer 12 inputs / outputs a microprocessor, a ROM in which programs and data are written, operation information of the water heater 10, detection values of various sensors 13, command information from the remote control device 100 and a watt hour meter, and the like. An input / output port to be performed and a RAM for temporarily holding the various information are provided.

  The remote operation device 100 is installed on a wall surface or the like inside a building, and includes a microcomputer 101 (hereinafter referred to as the microcomputer 101) which is a remote operation control circuit, operation buttons for setting the operation requested by the user, and the like. And a display unit 103 composed of a liquid crystal screen.

  The operation unit 102 includes a power on / off button, a menu button, a selection button, a setting (decision) button, and the like. For example, an operation mode, a boiling temperature, a boiling water amount, a boiling start time, and a boiling end time. In addition, the date setting for the manual operation mode can be set.

  The microcomputer 101 is connected to the microcomputer 12 of the water heater 10 so as to be able to transmit and receive each other. The microcomputer 101 transmits various commands set by the operation unit 102 of the remote control device 100 to the microcomputer 12, and conversely receives the permission signal that received the command from the microcomputer 12 and various information of the current water heater 10. The data is stored in the RAM 101. The display unit 103 displays the input state of the operation unit 102 based on the input setting program of the microcomputer 101.

  Further, the microcomputer 101 displays information input by the operation unit 102, for example, the current date and time, the date and time that is to be set or corrected, the boiling start time and end time that are to be set in the manual operation mode, on the display unit 103. Display as confirmation.

  The water heater 10 communicates the hot water storage tank 15 with the water / refrigerant heat exchanger so that the water in the hot water storage tank 15 returns to the high temperature water section at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 through the water flow path of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger. Circulating hot water pipe 23, hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 flows out to the hot water use side terminal, and hot water pipe 51 that connects the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 to the hot water supply pipe 23. And.

  Further, the hot water supply pipe 23 communicates with a shower, a currant, a hand-washing plug, etc., and a pipe branched in the middle is a bath pipe 35 and is connected to the bath tub 3. A city water inflow pipe 31 branched from a city water pipe 28 for taking in city water such as tap water is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 15. The circulation pipe 17 is provided with a bypass pipe 19 that bypasses the hot water storage tank 15 and forms a flow that circulates between the circulation pipe 17 and the water flow path of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger. The city water pipe 28 is provided with a stop cock 29 capable of stopping water supply, and further provided with a water supply temperature thermistor 32 for detecting the water temperature of the water supply.

  The hot water storage tank 15 is provided with a water temperature thermistor 50 composed of a plurality of thermistors (seven in FIG. 1) arranged in the height direction in order to detect the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 and the hot water storage temperature. The temperature information at the water level of hot water or water filled in the hot water storage tank 15 is output to the microcomputer 12.

  A city water inflow pipe 31 for supplying city water into the hot water storage tank 15 is connected to the introduction port 30. This city water pipe 28 is connected to a hot water filling mixing valve 34 and a hot water supply mixing valve 25 which will be described later.

  The bottom surface of the hot water storage tank 15 is provided with a suction port 16 for sucking the lowest water in the tank, and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 15 is provided with a discharge port 21 for discharging hot water to the top of the tank. Yes. The suction port 16 and the discharge port 21 communicate with each other by being connected to the circulation pipe 17 with a water / refrigerant heat exchanger interposed therebetween. A part of the circulation pipe 17 constitutes a water flow path of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger.

  A circulation pipe 17 between the suction port 16 and the water / refrigerant heat exchanger includes an incoming temperature thermistor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the water supplied to the water / refrigerant heat exchanger, a circulation pipe 17 and a bypass. A switching valve 18 disposed at a junction with the pipe 19 and a circulation pump (not shown) for forcibly flowing water in the circulation pipe 17 are provided. Further, at the outlet of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger, a boiling temperature thermistor 20 that detects the temperature of water heated by the water / refrigerant heat exchanger is provided. The temperature information detected by any thermistor is also output to the microcomputer 12.

  The heat pump unit 1 heats up hot water by exchanging heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger and the water flowing through the water flow path of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger. ing. The heat pump unit 1 outputs a signal to the microcomputer 12.

  A lead-out port 22 is provided at the uppermost part of the hot water storage tank 15, and a hot water supply pipe 23 is connected to the lead-out port 22 for deriving high-temperature water from hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15. . The intermediate hot water portion, which is an almost intermediate portion in the hot water storage tank 15, is in communication with the intermediate hot water pipe 51 for deriving the intermediate hot water from the hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15.

  Furthermore, a mixing valve 24 is provided at the junction of the intermediate temperature water pipe 51 and the hot water supply pipe 23. The mixing valve 24 is a temperature adjustment valve that adjusts the hot water temperature of the hot water to be circulated through the hot water mixing valve 34 and the hot water mixing valve 25, and is removed from the hot water supply pipe 23 by adjusting the ratio of the respective opening areas. It is possible to adjust the mixing ratio between the high temperature water and the medium temperature water taken out from the medium temperature water pipe 51.

  The mixing valve 24 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 12 and is controlled based on temperature information detected by the water temperature thermistor 50. A bath pipe 35 branched from the hot water supply pipe 23 is connected downstream of the mixing valve 24.

  The hot water supply mixing valve 25 and the hot water mixing valve 34 are temperature control valves that adjust the temperature of hot water for hot water discharged from the ends of the hot water supply pipe 23 and the bath pipe 35, respectively. These adjust the ratio of the respective opening areas, that is, the ratio of the opening on the hot water supply water temperature adjusted by the mixing valve 24 and the opening on the water side of the city water inflow pipe 33 communicating with the city water pipe 28. To adjust the hot water temperature to the set temperature.

  The hot water mixing valve 25 and the hot water mixing valve 34 are in electrical communication with the microcomputer 12 and controlled based on temperature information detected by the hot water temperature thermistor 32, the hot water thermistor 26, the circulating hot water thermistor 39, and the like. Is done.

  The hot water supply thermistor 26 is temperature information in the hot water supply pipe 23, the flow rate counter 27 is information on the flow rate in the hot water supply pipe 23, the circulation hot water supply thermistor 39 is temperature information in the bath pipe 35, and the hot water flow rate counter 37 is a bath. The flow rate information in the service pipe 35 is output to the microcomputer 12.

  The mixing valve 24, the hot water mixing valve 25, and the hot water mixing valve 34 are each a hot water temperature thermistor (not shown), a hot water thermistor 26 or a circulating hot water thermistor 39 provided on the outlet side. Feedback control is performed based on the hot water temperature.

  When the flow rate counter 27 and the hot water flow rate counter 37 detect the flow of water in the hot water supply pipe 23 and bath pipe 35, the hot water faucets, showers, or hot water fillings to be described later are provided at the ends of the respective pipes. This is a state in which the electromagnetic valve 36 is opened to discharge hot water.

  The hot-water supply pipe 23 is a pipe that guides hot-water supply water whose temperature is adjusted to a set temperature to a hot-water supply tap such as a shower, a currant, and a hand-washing tap connected to the downstream end. A hot water supply mixing valve 25, a hot water supply thermistor 26, and a flow rate counter 27 are provided in the middle of the piping.

  The downstream end of the pipe 35 for bath is connected to a circulation circuit composed of the bathtub outflow pipe 44 and the bathtub inflow pipe 43, and when the bath 3 is filled with hot water, hot water, and hot water, the temperature is set to a predetermined temperature. It is a pipe that guides the adjusted hot water supply water. In the middle of the bath pipe 35, a hot water filling mixing valve 34 as a temperature adjusting means is provided.

  Further, a hot water solenoid valve 36, a hot water flow rate counter 37, and bath water in the circulation circuit pass through the bath piping 35 in the bath piping 35 downstream of the hot water mixing valve 34. And a check valve 38 for preventing backflow.

  The bathtub outlet pipe 44 that constitutes a circulation circuit together with the bathtub inlet pipe 43 is provided with a water pressure sensor 45, a bath circulation electric valve 46, and a circulation pump 47 in order from the upstream side, that is, the side closer to the bathtub. The connecting portion between the bathtub outlet pipe 44 and the bathtub inlet pipe 43 is also a junction with the bath pipe 35, and a circulating hot water supply thermistor 39 is provided at this junction. The bathtub inflow piping 43 is provided with a water flow switch 40, a bath three-way valve 41, and a reheating temperature thermistor 42 in order from the junction to the downstream bathtub.

  The water pressure sensor 45 is a sensor that detects the amount of hot water of the bath water filled in the bathtub 3, in other words, the water pressure for obtaining the water level in the bathtub. The electric valve 46 for bath circulation is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the circulation circuit. The circulating hot water supply thermistor 39 is a water temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature of the bath water flowing through the bathtub outflow pipe 44.

  The running water switch 40 is a running water sensor that detects bath water circulating in the circulation circuit when the circulation pump 47 is driven, and the microcomputer 12 determines the presence or absence of bath water in the bathtub based on the ON time of the switch. Used. The circulation pump 47 is an electric pump that forcibly circulates the bath water in the bathtub 3 in the circulation circuit.

  The reheating temperature thermistor 42 is a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bath water flowing through the bathtub inflow pipe 43, and detects the temperature of the bath water returned to the bathtub 3. The water pressure sensor 45, the running water switch 40, the circulating hot water supply thermistor 39 and the reheating temperature thermistor 42 output the volume information, running water information and temperature information to the microcomputer 12, respectively. 12 is controlled.

  When detecting the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 3 after the hot water filling, the hot water solenoid valve 36 is closed and the circulation pump 47 is operated. And the temperature of bath water is detected by the hot water supply thermistor 39 for circulation, circulating the bath water in the bathtub 3 in order in the bathtub outflow piping 44, the bathtub inflow piping 43, and the bathtub 3.

  The microcomputer 12 controls the temperature information from the thermistors 20, 26, 32, 39, 42, and 50, the flow information from the flow counters 27 and 37 and the flowing water switch 40, and the operation from the operation unit 102 of the remote operation device 100. Based on the signal, etc., actuators such as the heat pump unit 1, the mixing valves 24, 25 and 34, the hot water solenoid valve 36, the switching valve 18, the bath three-way valve 41, the circulation pump, the reheating pump and the circulation pump 47 Control.

  The water heater 10 is provided at the upper part in the hot water storage tank 15 and includes a reheating heat exchanger 49 for reheating the hot water in the bath tub 3 by heat exchange. The reheating heat exchanger 49 is connected to a recirculation circulation pipe 48 that communicates the reheating heat exchanger 49 and the bathtub inflow pipe 43. The tracking circulation pipe 48 constitutes a tracking circuit for heating the bath water of the bathtub 3.

  When the bath water replenishment operation is performed, the microcomputer 12 opens the electric valve 46 for bath circulation, operates the circulation pump 47 provided in the bathtub outflow pipe 44, and further sets the bath three-way valve 41. Control for opening the recirculation circulation pipe 48 is executed, and the bath water circulates between the recirculation circulation pipe 48 and the inside of the bathtub 3.

  At this time, the bath water flows out of the bathtub 3 and flows through the bathtub outflow pipe 44, flows into the recirculation circulation pipe 48 by the bath three-way valve 41, and flows in the flow path of the recuperation heat exchanger 49. After receiving heat from the hot water supply water stored in the upper part of the inside, the water temperature rises and flows out to the circulation pipe 48 for reheating, then flows into the bathtub inflow pipe 43 and returns into the bathtub 3. Then, the microcomputer 12 continues the chasing operation until the temperature of the bath water detected by the circulating hot water supply thermistor 39 reaches the set temperature desired by the user.

  Next, some examples in which the time zone for setting the forced boiling operation (manual operation mode) in one day is performed according to the lifestyle of the user will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a time chart of the first example showing a time zone in which a certain user performs forced boiling operation in one day. 4 shows a second example which is another form of the time chart shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a third example which is still another form of the time chart shown in FIG. .

  First, in FIG. 3, forced heating operation is performed in the late-night time period (in this embodiment, from 7 o'clock to 7 o'clock in the next morning) when the electricity bill is the cheapest by concluding an electric power contract with the electric power company. A first example in which the user manually sets the manual operation A and the manual operation B in which the forced boiling operation is performed in the evening time zone is shown. Note that the user in the first example, the second example, and the third example may be a single user, or a plurality of users composed of family members use one water heater. It may be the case.

  The user of the first example takes a bath in the midnight time before 7:00 in the early morning, requires hot water after 7:00 for preparation, meals, etc., at noon (around noon) and in the evening for meals, etc. Each requires hot water and takes a bath from 23:00 until midnight. In the case of the life pattern of the first example, in the manual operation A in which the boiling operation is forcibly performed at midnight, hot water storage tanks for bathing in the early morning and hot water in the morning, noon and evening are provided. In the manual operation B in which the water is stored in 15 and the forced boiling operation is performed in the evening time zone, hot water for bathing from 23:00 to midnight is supplied to the hot water storage tank 15 in advance.

  In this way, the user operates the remote controller 100 so that the user can use the hot water without inconvenience by operating the hot water heater 10 according to his / her own intention. It is possible to switch to a manual operation mode (manual operation A, manual operation B) that is performed twice in a time zone. Thereby, the hot water corresponding to a user's life style is attained by supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 appropriately.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a manual operation A in which the forced boiling operation is performed in the midnight time zone and a manual operation C in which the forced boiling operation is performed between noon and evening, as in FIG. The 2nd example to set is shown. This second example is applied when a plurality of people use one water heater 10, and for example, the user is a large number of family members, a wide range of workers, students, elderly people, etc. The life pattern in the case of a family composition over the ages is shown.

  The user in the second example needs hot water after 7 o'clock for preparation, meals, etc., and also requires hot water at noon and in the evening for meals, etc., and for a long time from evening until before midnight , Bathing and bathing. In the case of the life pattern of the second example, in manual operation A, hot water for supplying hot water in the morning and noon is stored in the hot water storage tank 15, and in manual operation C, hot water required for evening hot water, long bathing, etc. Is replenished into the hot water storage tank 15 in advance.

  In this way, the user switches from the normal automatic operation mode to the manual operation A and the manual operation C that are performed twice a day so that the hot water used for long bathing can be secured and can be spent comfortably. Can do. Thereby, the hot water corresponding to a user's life style is attained by supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank 15 appropriately.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a manual operation D in which forced heating operation is performed from midway through the midnight time to the morning after midnight, and manual operation E in which forced heating operation is performed from night to 23:00, 3 shows a third example in which the user manually sets. This third example is applied to a user who lives a life in which day and night are reversed. For example, the third example shows a life pattern when the user is a night worker.

  The user of the third example needs hot water for meals etc. in the morning before noon, baths for a predetermined time after noon, and supplies hot water for meals etc. in the first half of the midnight hours after 23:00. I need. In the case of the life pattern of the third example, manual operation D stores hot water in the morning and bathing after noon in the hot water storage tank 15, and manual operation E first half of the midnight time zone. The hot water required for hot water supply to the hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 15 in advance.

  In this way, the user can perform a manual operation D, a manual operation that is divided into two times a day from the normal automatic operation mode, so that the user can spend comfortably when living in the late night hours. It is possible to switch to operation E. Thereby, the hot water supply corresponding to a user's lifestyle can be performed by supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank 15.

  Next, control processing by the water heater 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of control processing by the microcomputer 12 of the water heater 10. FIG. 7A is a front view showing the external appearance of the remote control device 100 when the user sets forced boiling operation, and each of (b) to (d) shows the forced boiling operation performed by the user. It is the front view which showed an example of the external appearance of the remote control device 100 when setting various driving conditions in FIG. Each of (a)-(d) of Drawing 8 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of remote control device 100 when a user sets up various operation conditions in forced boiling operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, power supply from the microcomputer 101 of the remote operation device 100 to the microcomputer 12 of the water heater 10 is commanded by the user's operation, and automatic operation modes such as automatic operation, operation at midnight, and full tank operation are commanded. Then, the automatic operation control flow starts and the automatic operation mode is started (step 100).

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 12 determines in step 200 whether or not a setting signal for the manual operation mode (manual forced boiling operation) has been sent from the microcomputer 101. If it is determined in step 200 that the manual operation mode setting signal is not detected, the process returns to step 100.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the manual operation mode setting signal is detected in step 200 by the user operating the remote control device 100 as shown in FIG. 7A, the microcomputer 12 proceeds to step 210. Then, it is determined whether or not an input signal of various operating conditions (boiling conditions) of the boiling operation has been sent from the microcomputer 101. When the user operates the remote control device 100 as shown in FIGS. 7B to 7D and FIGS. 8A to 8D, an input signal for the boiling condition is detected in step 210. If determined, the process proceeds to step 215.

  The microcomputer 12 stores various operating conditions (for example, the boiling temperature, the boiling start time, the boiling end time, the boiling hot water amount, the operation date, the time required for the boiling operation, etc.) input and set in step 215 in the RAM. The program is stored in the ROM and read into the program to control the various components of the heat pump unit 1 and the water heater 10 to reflect the set operating conditions, and the forced boiling operation with high user satisfaction. To implement. Then, the process returns to step 100 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 210 that the input signal of the boiling condition is not detected, the microcomputer 12 proceeds to step 220 and is based on the set values of various operating conditions executed in the automatic operation mode control such as automatic operation. The forced boiling operation is performed, and the process returns to step 100 again. This is because when the user does not set his / her preferred operating conditions, the boiling speed is controlled in advance according to the program and data of the microcomputer 12 so that the processing speed in the microcomputer 12 can be increased without complicating the processing. Because.

  Display examples of various operating conditions will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 7B, the user sets the manual operation mode (manual operation mode) by operating the menu button, the up / down push button, and the determination button of the operation unit 102 as shown in FIG. 7A. In this case, a menu displayed on the display unit 103 is shown. In the manual operation mode, the boiling temperature, the boiling start time, the boiling end (stop) time, the amount of boiling water, and the date setting can be selected.

  FIG. 7C shows the settable range (60 ° C. to 90 ° C.) displayed on the display unit 103 and the current display when the user selects the boiling temperature in the display of FIG. The temperature (80 ° C.) displayed on the part 103 is shown.

  FIG. 7D shows a temperature finally set by the user operating the up / down push button and the enter button in the display of FIG. 7C (90 ° C.), and notes on the set temperature. Is shown.

  FIGS. 8A and 8C show the case where the user selects the boiling temperature by operating the menu button, the up / down push button and the enter button of the operation unit 102 as shown in FIG. 7B. The form displayed on the display unit 103 is shown. The user sets the boiling temperature by operating the up / down push button and the enter button while viewing the display unit 103.

  8B is displayed on the display unit 103 when the user selects the boiling start time by operating the menu button, the up / down push button, and the enter button of the operation unit 102 in FIG. 7B. The form to be done is shown. 8D shows the display unit 103 when the user selects the boiling stop time by operating the menu button, the up / down push button, and the determination button of the operation unit 102 in FIG. 7B. The form displayed in is shown.

  In addition, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 102 of the remote operation device 100 in each setting of the manual operation A to E and instructs the microcomputer 12 to raise the boiling temperature, the amount of boiling water, the boiling Various operating conditions such as the start time and the boiling end time can be set to desired values. By this, the operation of the water heater 10 can sufficiently cope with various user preferences and various life patterns.

  In addition, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 102 of the remote operation device 100 and instructs the microcomputer 12 so that each of the manual operations A to E is repeatedly performed on a predetermined date. be able to. As a result, if the user's own life pattern is limited to a specific date, the user can repeatedly set the forced boiling operation optimal for this life pattern with a simple operation, further improving the operability of the equipment. become.

  In addition, the microcomputer 12 of the water heater 10 has a storage unit including a RAM or the like that stores the various operation conditions set in the manual operation mode. The microcomputer 12 can read various operating conditions previously stored in the storage unit in the manual operation mode to be executed later and input them into the program, and can execute a forced boiling operation based on the various operating conditions. Thereby, the user can set various operating conditions set in the past again by a simple operation, and the operability of the device is further improved.

  As described above, the water heater 10 of the present embodiment is a device that stores the amount of hot water used in hot water supply in the hot water storage tank 15 in the automatic operation mode in which the boiling operation is performed using midnight power. The water heater 10 allows the user to switch from the automatic operation mode by operating the operation unit 102 of the remote control device 100, and manually sets the forced boiling operation that is performed at least twice a day. In addition, it has a manual operation mode in which various operation conditions for forced boiling operation can be set.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to perform a boiling operation that can flexibly deal with users who have any lifestyle that uses the water heater 10, and can supply hot water that meets individual preferences such as hot and cold water volume. Can be supplied.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the user performs setting to switch to the manual operation mode that is performed twice a day according to the intention of the user. The number of times is not limited, and the user may operate the remote control device 100 so as to execute the manual operation mode three or more times a day according to his / her preference and intention.

  Moreover, the setting of various operating conditions in the forced boiling operation may be as follows in addition to the setting described in the above embodiment.

  For example, when the user operates the operation unit 102, priorities are set from among a plurality of settable operating conditions (for example, boiling temperature, boiling start time, boiling end time, boiling hot water amount, etc.). You may comprise so that it can do. The microcomputer 12 receives the priority order reflected in the input setting program of the microcomputer 101 as a setting signal, inputs the setting signal related to the priority order to the program that the microcomputer 12 has, and performs an operation that reflects it in the control of each load component 14. According to this configuration, the driving condition that the user wants to prioritize among the plurality of driving conditions is reflected, and driving with high user satisfaction can be provided.

  Further, the microcomputer 12 first sets the priority order from a plurality of settable operating conditions (for example, boiling temperature, boiling start time, boiling end time, boiling hot water amount, etc.) by the user. After that, after the user sets a set value for one of the operating conditions, the set values for the other operating conditions set thereafter are changed according to the priority order (reflecting the priority order). . In other words, the setting values of the other operating conditions change based on the priority set by the user so that the operating conditions with higher priority are more strongly reflected in the boiling operation than the other operating conditions. A changing set value is automatically selected or easily selected by the user.

  Further, the microcomputer 12 sets the setting value of the other operating condition when the setting value of the other operating condition is determined after the setting value (setting condition) of any one of the operating conditions having high priority is determined by the user. Is changed according to the above priority order (reflecting the priority order), and is provided to the user so that it is possible to select set values of other operating conditions according to the above priority order. May be.

  According to this configuration, setting values (setting conditions) of various operating conditions that satisfy the user's priority order are provided from the microcomputer 12, and the user can easily select and sufficiently reflect the highest priority operating conditions. Boiling operation can be carried out reliably and operation with high user satisfaction can be obtained.

  Further, the microcomputer 12 gives the user the highest priority among a plurality of settable operating conditions (for example, boiling temperature, boiling start time, boiling end time, boiling hot water amount, etc.). The setting may be performed, and the setting values of other various operating conditions may be selected by the user from within the range displayed on the display unit 103 by the microcomputer 12 based on the operating condition with the highest priority.

  According to this configuration, the set values of other operating conditions are selected so as to satisfy the operating conditions set by the user with the highest priority, so that the boiling operation that sufficiently reflects the highest priority operating conditions is ensured. It can be implemented and can provide driving with high user satisfaction.

It is the schematic which showed the structure of the water heater in 1st Embodiment which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure which concerns on control of the water heater and remote control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is the time chart which showed the time slot | zone when a certain user performs forced boiling operation in one day using the water heater based on 1st Embodiment. The other form of the time chart shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The other form of the time chart shown in FIG. 3 is shown. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the control processing in the water heater of 1st Embodiment. (A) is the front view which showed the external appearance of the remote control device 100 when a user sets forced boiling operation. Each of (b) to (d) is a front view showing an example of the appearance of the remote control device 100 when the user sets various operating conditions in the forced boiling operation. (A)-(d) is the front view which showed an example of the external appearance of the remote control device 100 when a user sets various operation conditions in forced heating operation.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Hot water heater 15 ... Hot water storage tank 100 ... Remote control device

Claims (8)

A hot water supply device that stores hot water used in hot water supply in a hot water storage tank (15) in an automatic operation mode (S100) in which boiling operation is performed using midnight power,
Switching from the automatic operation mode (S100) is possible, and forced heating operation to be performed at least twice a day is set manually, and various operating conditions (S210) of the forced heating operation are set. A water heater having a set manual operation mode (S200).   2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the manual operation mode (S <b> 200) includes a date setting unit configured to perform the forced boiling operation on a predetermined date. A storage unit for storing the various operation conditions (S210) set in the manual operation mode (S200);
The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the various operation conditions (S210) stored in the storage unit are used in the manual operation mode (S200) to be implemented later.   The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the various operating conditions (S210) during the forced boiling operation include a boiling temperature.   The hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the various operating conditions (S210) during the forced boiling operation include a boiling start time and a boiling end time.   The hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount of boiling water is included in the various operating conditions (S210) during the forced boiling operation. The various operating conditions (S210) during the forced boiling operation include a boiling temperature, a boiling water amount, a boiling start time, and a boiling end time.
4. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein a priority is set in the plurality of various operation conditions (S <b> 210) in the manual operation mode (S <b> 200). In the manual operation mode (S200), a plurality of various operation conditions (S210) are set,
A priority order is set in the various operating conditions (S210),
When the priority order is set, if any one of the operating condition setting values is determined, the other operating condition setting values are changed according to the set priority order. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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