JP2009138966A - Heat pump type water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat pump type water heater capable minimizing production of intermediate-temperature water of low temperature in reheating a bath. <P>SOLUTION: In this heat pump type water heater comprising a hot water storage tank 2 for storing hot water/water, a heat pump type heating means 3 for heating the hot water/water in the hot water storage tank 2, a bath circulating circuit 24 connected with a bathtub 6, a bath circulation pump 21 for circulating the water in the bathtub 6 to the bath circulating circuit 24, a bath heat exchanger 20 for allowing the bathtub water circulated in the bath circulating circuit 24 to exchange heat with the hot water/water in the hot water storage tank 2, and a hot water supply pipe 35 connected with the bath circulating circuit 24 and supplying the hot water/water in the hot water storage tank 2 to the bathtub 6, and circulating the bathtub water to the bath heat exchanger 20 to be reheated, the bath circulation pump 21 is driven to circulate the bathtub water to the bath heat exchanger 20, and the water of high temperature in the hot water storage tank 2 is supplied to the bath circulating circuit 24 from the hot water supply pipe 35 to perform a quick reheating operation in reheating. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump type water heater that uses hot water in a hot water storage tank to replenish bathtub water.

Conventionally, in this type of heat pump water heater, hot water in a hot water storage tank is heated by a heat pump unit to store hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water stored in the hot water is discharged from a hot water tap to supply hot water. On the other hand, if there is an instruction for reheating operation from the remote control etc., the bath water in the bathtub is circulated to the bath heat exchanger provided in the hot water storage tank, and hot water around the bath heat exchanger, for example, about 80 ° C. There has been a reheating operation in which the temperature of the bathtub water is raised by exchanging heat between the hot water and the bathtub water, and the heated bathtub water is returned to the bathtub. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
JP 2005-274090 A

  By the way, in this conventional type, when the reheating operation is performed, heat is exchanged between the hot water around the bath heat exchanger provided in the hot water storage tank and the bathtub water in the bathtub, so the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is When the chasing operation is started from a low temperature, the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger is significantly lowered. As a result, a relatively low temperature of about 40 ° C to 50 ° C of medium-temperature water is stored around the bath heat exchanger after the reheating operation, and the medium-temperature water is boiled up in a hot water storage tank. When the operation is started, the heating capacity of the heat pump unit with respect to the medium temperature water is greatly reduced, so that there is a problem that the energy consumption efficiency (hereinafter referred to as COP) is reduced. In addition, if medium temperature water having a relatively low temperature of about 40 ° C. to 50 ° C. is generated, high temperature hot water from a hot water tap, for example, high temperature hot water of about 60 ° C. may not be supported, which may impair convenience. In addition, when the reheating operation is started when the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is low, it takes a considerable time to heat the bathtub water to the set temperature.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is particularly configured as claimed in claim 1, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heating means for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a bath circulation connected to the bathtub. A circuit, a bath circulation pump that circulates bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath circulation circuit, a bath heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bathtub water circulating in the bath circulation circuit and hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the bath A heat pump type hot water supply apparatus, comprising a hot water pipe connected to a circulation circuit for pouring hot water in the hot water storage tank into the bathtub, and circulating the bathtub water to the bath heat exchanger In the reheating, the bath circulation pump is driven to circulate the bath water to the bath heat exchanger, and hot water in the hot water storage tank is circulated from the hot water pipe to the bath circulation circuit. And we shall make rapid reheating operation is poured into.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heating means for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, a bath circulation circuit connected to the bathtub, and the bath water of the bathtub to the bath circulation circuit. A bath circulation pump to circulate; a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat of the bath water circulating in the bath circulation circuit with hot water in the hot water storage tank; and hot water in the hot water storage tank connected to the bath circulation circuit to the bathtub In the heat pump type hot water heater provided with a hot water filling pipe for pouring water and circulating the bath water to the bath heat exchanger, the bath circulation pump is driven during the reheating. A normal reheating operation for circulating the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger, and driving the bath circulation pump to circulate the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger, Hot water in the hot water storage tank from tension tube by selecting one of the rapid reheating operation is poured into the bath circulation circuit was assumed to perform the reheating of the bath water.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the bath circulation circuit is composed of a bath outlet pipe for flowing bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger and a bath return pipe for flowing bathtub water that has passed through the bath heat exchanger to the bathtub. The bath circulation pipe is provided with the bath circulation pump, and the hot water pipe is connected to the bath circulation pipe between the bath circulation pump and the bath heat exchanger.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the bath circulation circuit includes a bath outlet pipe for flowing the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger and a bath return pipe for flowing the bath water having passed through the bath heat exchanger to the bathtub. The bath circulation pipe is provided with the bath circulation pump, and the hot water filled pipe is connected to the bath return pipe.

  Further, in the fifth aspect, during the rapid chasing operation, the pouring is stopped when an amount of pouring from the hot water filling pipe to the bath circulation circuit becomes a predetermined amount or more, and the bath water at that time is stopped. When the temperature of the bath water does not reach the desired temperature, the bath circulation pump is continuously driven until the temperature of the bath water reaches the desired temperature.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of reheating, the bath circulation pump is driven to circulate the bath water to the bath heat exchanger, and hot water in the hot water storage tank is poured into the bath circulation circuit from the hot water pipe. Since the reheating operation is carried out rapidly, the reheating of the bath can be performed only by heat exchange in the bath heat exchanger, or hot water in the hot water storage tank can be bathed from the hot water pipe through the bath circulation circuit. Compared to the reheating of the hot water in the bath, the reheating time until the bath water is heated to the set temperature can be shortened, and the decrease in the water temperature around the bath heat exchanger can be reduced as the reheating time is reduced. Since the intermediate temperature water with a high target temperature is generated and can cope with the high temperature hot water, the generation of the intermediate temperature water with a relatively low temperature can be suppressed, so that the COP during the boiling operation can be improved.

  According to claim 2, when reheating, the bath circulation pump is driven to circulate the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger, and the bath circulation pump is driven to heat the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat. Since it was circulated to the exchanger and either hot water replenishment operation was selected to pour hot water in the hot water storage tank from the hot water pipe into the bath circulation circuit, the bath water was replenished. For example, when the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub is high, the chasing operation is normally performed, and when the temperature of the bath water in the bath is low, the chasing operation is performed rapidly. Depending on the water condition of the bath water, it is convenient to choose whether to carry out the normal chasing operation or the rapid chasing operation. Renewal only by heat exchange Compared with the reheating of hot water in the hot water storage tank into the bathtub through the bath circulation circuit, the reheating time until the bath water is heated to the set temperature can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to reduce the decrease in hot water temperature around the bath heat exchanger, so that a relatively high temperature medium temperature water can be generated and can be used for high temperature hot water, and the generation of a relatively low temperature medium temperature water can be suppressed. COP at the time of boiling operation can be improved.

  According to claim 3, the bath circulation pipe comprising the bath circulation circuit is provided with a bath circulation pump, and the hot water pipe is connected to the bath circulation pipe between the bath circulation pump and the bath heat exchanger. During rapid chasing, the bath water in the bathtub circulated by driving the bath circulation pump and the hot water in the hot water storage tank poured from the hot water pipe can be mixed reliably. The heated bath water is circulated to the bath heat exchanger and further heated back to the bath by heat exchange with hot water in the hot water storage tank, so the reheating time can be shortened and further flows into the bath heat exchanger. Since the temperature of the bath water is high, the decrease in the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger can be reduced, and the hot water is generated at a relatively high temperature and can be used for high-temperature hot water, and the hot water is generated at a relatively low temperature. Can suppress Therefore, those that can improve the COP during heating operation.

  According to claim 4, the bath circulation pipe comprising the bath circulation circuit is provided with a bath circulation pump, and the hot water supply pipe is connected to the bath return pipe. Since the tub water in the circulated bathtub is directly circulated to the bath heat exchanger, for example, when the temperature of the bath water is low, heat is exchanged with high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank. The efficiency of the exchange is improved, and the bath water heated after passing through the bath heat exchanger is mixed with the hot water in the hot water storage tank poured from the hot water tube, and the temperature is further increased. Since the heat exchange efficiency in the bath heat exchanger is good, the reheating time can be further shortened, and the decrease in the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger can be reduced as the reheating time is reduced. So relatively warm water With generated can correspond to the high-temperature hot water, it is possible to suppress the generation of hot water in a relatively low temperature, it is capable of improving the COP during heating operation.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, during the rapid chasing operation, the hot water is stopped when the amount of hot water poured from the hot water pipe into the bath circulation circuit exceeds a predetermined amount, so that the bath water in the bathtub overflows. If the bath water temperature does not reach the desired temperature when pouring is stopped, the bath circulation pump continues to be driven until the bath water temperature reaches the desired temperature. Since the bath water is circulated to the bath heat exchanger and the bath water is heated to a desired temperature by the heat exchange in the bath heat exchanger, the user can take a comfortable bath at the desired temperature. Is.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
This heat pump type hot water heater boils and stores hot water in the midnight hours when the unit price of contracted electric power by time is low, and uses the stored hot water for hot water supply, etc. 1 is a hot water storage tank for storing hot water 2 is a hot water storage tank unit, 3 is a heat pump unit as a heat pump type heating means for heating hot water in the hot water storage tank 2, 4 is a hot water tap provided in a kitchen or a washroom, and 5 is the vicinity of the hot water tap 4 A remote controller for hot water supply provided in, 6 is a bathtub, and 7 is a remote controller for bath provided in the bathroom.

  The hot water storage tank 2 of the hot water storage tank unit 1 has a hot water discharge pipe 8 connected to the upper end, a water supply pipe 9 connected to the lower end, a heat pump forward pipe 11 constituting a heat pump circulation circuit 10 at the lower part, and a heat pump circulation circuit 10 at the upper part. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 taken out from the heat pump forward pipe 11 is boiled up by the heat pump unit 3 and returned to the hot water storage tank 2 from the heat pump return pipe 12 to be stored in the hot water supply pipe. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed up by the supply of water from the hot water 9, and the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed out from the hot water discharge pipe 8 to supply hot water.

  The heat pump unit 3 includes a compressor 13 having a variable rotation speed for compressing refrigerant, a water refrigerant heat exchanger 14 as a condenser, an electronic expansion valve 15 as decompression means, and air as a forced air-cooled evaporator. A heat pump circuit 17 composed of a heat exchanger 16, a heat pump circulating pump 18 provided in the heat pump forward pipe 11 for circulating hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 14, and their drive are controlled. A heat pump control unit 19 is provided, and carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant in the heat pump circuit 17 to constitute a supercritical heat pump cycle.

  Here, the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 14 employs a counterflow system in which the refrigerant and hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 that is heated water face each other. In the supercritical heat pump cycle, the refrigerant is super Since the water to be heated can be efficiently heated to a high temperature because it is condensed in a critical state, the temperature difference between the inlet temperature of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 14 of the heated water and the outlet temperature of the refrigerant becomes constant. By controlling the electronic expansion valve 15 or the compressor 13, if the inlet temperature of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 14 of the water to be heated is a low temperature of about 5 ° C. to 20 ° C., the water to be heated is in a very good COP state. Can be heated.

  20 is a bath heat exchanger made of stainless steel snake pipe for heating the bath water in the bath 6 and is arranged at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. The bath heat exchanger 20 includes a bath circulation pump. A bath circulation circuit 24 comprising a bath return pipe 22 for flowing bathtub water in the bathtub 6 through the bath heat exchanger 20 and a bath return pipe 23 for flowing bathtub water in the bathtub 6 to the bath heat exchanger 20 is connected. Thus, the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 can be circulated, and the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is heated by the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 to be reheated. Reference numeral 25 denotes a running water switch that detects the presence or absence of running water, and 26 denotes a bath temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bath water circulating through the bath outlet pipe 22 of the bath circulation circuit 24.

  An intermediate temperature hot water discharge pipe 27 connected to an intermediate position of the hot water storage tank 2 is heated by heat transfer in the vicinity of the boundary layer of the intermediate temperature water or hot water and water whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange with the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 20. The hot water stored at the intermediate position of the hot water storage tank 2 such as medium-temperature water that has decreased or increased in temperature is discharged from the hot water storage tank 2.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes an intermediate hot water mixing valve constituted by an electric mixing valve provided in the middle of the outlet hot water pipe 8 and downstream of the intermediate hot water hot water outlet pipe 27. Reference numeral 29 denotes an intermediate temperature provided in an intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 downstream of the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28. The sensor mixes the hot water near the intermediate position of the hot water tank 2 and the hot water from the hot water pipe 8 connected to the upper end of the hot water tank 2 at a predetermined temperature higher than the hot water set temperature set by the user with the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7. The valve opening degree of the valve body (not shown) of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 is adjusted so as to reach the target temperature, and the mixing ratio is controlled.

  31 is a hot water mixing valve composed of an electric mixing valve that mixes hot water from the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 and low temperature water from the water supply bypass pipe 32 branched from the water supply pipe 9. The valve opening degree of the valve body (not shown) of the hot water mixing valve 31 is adjusted so that the hot water temperature detected by the provided hot water temperature sensor 34 becomes the hot water supply set temperature set by the user with the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7. The mixing ratio is controlled.

  35 is a hot water pipe that branches off from the hot water supply pipe 33 and is connected to the bath outlet pipe 22 of the bath circulation circuit 24 for pouring hot water into the bathtub 6. A hot water filling valve 36 for stopping, a bath flow rate counter 37 for counting the amount of pouring water into the bathtub 6, and a check valve 38 provided in a double manner for preventing the bath water of the bathtub 6 from flowing backward are provided. It is what.

  A plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 39 are arranged in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank 2. In this embodiment, five hot water storage temperature sensors 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e are arranged. The amount of heat remaining in the hot water storage tank 2 is detected based on the temperature information detected by 39, and the vertical temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 2 is detected.

  The hot water remote controller 5 and the bath remote controller 7 are respectively provided with a hot water temperature setting switch 40 for setting the hot water set temperature and a bath temperature setting switch 41 for setting the bath set temperature. The bath remote switch 7 is provided with bath automatic switches 42 for injecting hot water by a hot water filling amount set by a hot water filling amount setting switch (not shown) of the bath remote control 7 and keeping it warm for a predetermined time. A reheating switch 43 for starting reheating of the bathtub water is provided.

  Reference numeral 44 denotes a hot water supply control unit as a control means having a microcomputer that receives the input of each sensor in the hot water storage tank unit 1 and controls the drive of each actuator. The hot water control unit 44 is connected to the hot water remote controller 5 and the bath remote controller 7 by radio or wire, and allows the user to set an arbitrary hot water set temperature and bath set temperature, and controls hot water operation and bath reheating. is there.

  When the hot water supply control unit 44 receives a normal operation of the reheating switch 43 of the bath remote controller 7, for example, an input of reheating of the bath by a short press of the reheating switch 43, the hot water supply control unit 44 drives the bath circulation pump 21 to move inside the bathtub 6. The bath water is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 20 through the bath circulation circuit 24 to exchange heat with the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 to perform the normal reheating operation in which the bath water is reclaimed.

  When the hot water supply control unit 44 receives a predetermined operation different from the normal operation of the reheating switch 43 of the bath remote controller 7, for example, when the reheating switch 43 is pressed for a long time, the bath circulation pump 21 is driven and the bath water is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 20 through the bath circulation circuit 24 to exchange heat with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2, and the hot water filling valve 36 is opened, and the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 is opened. The hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank 2 is taken out by setting the opening degree so that the hot water outlet pipe 8 side is fully opened, and further, opening the hot water mixing valve 31 so that the intermediate hot water pipe 30 side is fully open. Hot water is poured into the bath outlet pipe 22 of the bath circulation circuit 24 through the hot water filling pipe 35 and mixed with the bathtub water circulating through the bath forward pipe 22 at the connection between the hot water filling pipe 35 and the bath forward pipe 22. Before chasing And it performs different rapid reheating operation and normal reheating operation.

  45 is an overpressure relief valve for releasing the overpressure of the hot water storage tank 2, 46 is a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of the water supply, 47 is a water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water supply, and 48 is a hot water supply flow rate for counting the amount of hot water supplied. It is a counter.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the boiling operation will be described. When the hot water storage temperature sensor 39 detects that the required amount of heat does not remain in the hot water storage tank 2 the next day in the midnight power time zone, the hot water supply control unit 44 notifies the heat pump control unit 19. In response, a boiling start command is issued. Upon receiving the command, the heat pump control section 19 starts driving the heat pump circulation pump 18 after starting the compressor 13, and cool water of about 5 ° C. to 20 ° C. taken out from the heat pump outgoing pipe 11 connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2. Heated to a high temperature of about 70 ° C. to 90 ° C. by the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 14, returned to the hot water storage tank 2 from the heat pump return pipe 12 connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2, and stacked in order from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. Store water. When the hot water storage temperature sensor 39 detects that the necessary amount of heat has been stored, the hot water supply control unit 44 issues a boiling stop command to the heat pump control unit 19, and the heat pump control unit 19 stops the compressor 13 and heat pump circulation. The pump 18 is also stopped to finish the boiling operation.

  Next, the hot water supply operation will be described. When the hot water tap 4 is opened, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 9 flows into the hot water storage tank 2. Then, hot water stored in the intermediate portion of the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed out to the intermediate warm water mixing valve 28 through the intermediate temperature hot water discharge pipe 27. In the hot water storage tank 2, high temperature water is stored in the upper part and low temperature water is stored in the lower part. A difference in specific gravity occurs due to the temperature difference, and a high temperature water having a low specific gravity is formed in the upper part by forming a temperature boundary layer. Since the low-temperature water with heavy specific gravity is located at the lower part, they do not mix with each other.

  Here, the hot water supply control unit 44 mixes hot water from the hot water tap pipe 27 and hot water from the hot water pipe 8, and uses the hot water set valve 28 set by the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7 at the hot water mixing valve 28. The intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 is adjusted to an appropriate ratio so that the mixing target temperature is higher than a certain temperature. Here, since the hot water flowing in from the intermediate temperature hot water outlet pipe 27 is hot and higher than the hot water supply set temperature, the outlet hot water pipe 8 side of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 is closed.

  Then, the hot water of the target mixing temperature that has flowed out of the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 31 via the intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 and is mixed with the low temperature water from the water supply bypass pipe 32, and the hot water supply control unit 44 mixes the hot water. The valve opening degree of the valve 31 is adjusted, and hot water at a hot water supply set temperature is supplied from the hot water tap 4. Then, the hot water supply is completed by closing the hot water tap 4.

  Here, the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 supplies hot water having a mixing target temperature higher than a preset hot water supply temperature to the intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 by a certain temperature or higher. When the temperature is lower than the hot water supply set temperature, the valve opening degree of the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 is adjusted by the hot water supply control unit 44, and hot water having a mixture target temperature higher than the hot water supply set temperature by using high temperature water from the hot water discharge pipe 8 The hot water from the intermediate position of the hot water tank 2 is given priority, the use of hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water tank 2 is kept to a minimum, and hot water as a heat source is supplied. More can be secured.

  Next, the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 6 will be described. When the bath automatic switch 42 of either the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7 is operated, the hot water controller 44 opens the hot water valve 36. Then, the water supply from the water supply pipe 9 flows into the hot water storage tank 2. Then, hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed out to the intermediate warm water mixing valve 28 through the intermediate temperature hot water discharge pipe 27.

  When the hot water supply control unit 44 receives an input from the bath automatic switch 42, the hot water from the intermediate hot water tap pipe 27 and the hot water from the tap pipe 8 are mixed, and the hot water supply remote controller 5 or bath remote controller is mixed by the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28. The intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 is adjusted to an appropriate ratio so that the mixing target temperature is higher than the higher one of the bath setting temperature or the hot water supply setting temperature set in 7 by a certain temperature or more. Here, since the hot water flowing in from the intermediate temperature hot water outlet pipe 27 is at a low temperature and lower than the bath set temperature or the hot water supply set temperature, the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 mixes the hot water from the outlet hot water pipe 8 side. The valve opening is adjusted so that the mixing target temperature is higher than the set temperature by a certain temperature.

  Then, the hot water of the target mixing temperature that has flowed out of the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 31 via the intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 and is mixed with the low temperature water from the water supply bypass pipe 32, and the hot water supply control unit 44 mixes the hot water. The valve opening degree of the valve 31 is adjusted, and hot water having a bath set temperature is filled from the hot water filling pipe 35 to the bathtub 6 through the bath outlet pipe 22.

  When the bath flow counter 37 provided in the hot water filling pipe 35 counts a predetermined hot water filling amount, the hot water supply control unit 44 closes the hot water filling valve 36 and ends the hot water filling operation.

Next, the heat insulation operation of the bath will be described. Following the hot water operation, the hot water supply control unit 44 drives the bath circulation pump 21 at regular time intervals, and bath water in the bathtub 6 is supplied to the bath heat exchanger 20.
The hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 and the bathtub water are subjected to heat exchange to perform the heat insulation operation of the bath. When the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the bath temperature sensor 26 reaches the bath set temperature, the hot water supply control unit 44 stops driving the bath circulation pump 21 and stops the heat retaining operation.

  Next, bath rebirth will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. Bath rebirth is started when the user operates the rebirth switch 43 of the bath remote controller 7. Then, it is determined whether or not the reheating switch 43 has been normally operated, and here, whether or not the reheating switch 43 has been pressed for a short time (step S1). The normal chasing operation is executed (step S2). On the other hand, if the reheating switch 43 is normally operated, that is, if the reheating switch 43 is not pressed for a short time, the hot water supply control unit 44 determines whether or not the reheating switch 43 has been operated in a predetermined manner different from the normal operation. Then, it is determined whether or not the reheating switch 43 has been pressed for a long time (when it is determined that the reheating switch 43 has been pressed for a long time), a rapid reheating operation of the bath is executed (step S4).

  Thus, at the time of reheating the bath, for example, the user checks the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 and if the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is felt to be high, the reheating switch 43 is pressed for a short time to normally retreat. When the user feels that the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is low, the user normally presses the retreat switch 43 and performs a rapid retreat operation. It is highly convenient because it is possible to select whether to perform the whirling operation or the rapid chasing operation.

Next, the normal reheating operation of the bath will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the reheating switch 43 of the bath remote controller 7 is pressed for a short time by the user's operation and the hot water supply control unit 44 receives an input of the normal reheating operation, the hot water supply control unit 44 first drives the bath circulation pump 21 (step S5). 6 circulates the bathtub water in the bath circulation circuit 24 and determines whether there is any remaining hot water in the bathtub 6 based on the detection signal of the flowing water by the flowing water switch 25 (step S6). When the switch 25 detects that there is running water for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub 6.

  When the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that there is no remaining hot water in step S6, the bath circulation pump 21 is stopped (step S7), and the drain plug of the bathtub 6 may be removed. Is notified by sound or display (step S8), and then the normal chasing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that there is remaining hot water in step S6, the bath set temperature set by the bath temperature setting switch 41 of the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 6, etc. Based on the above, a desired reheating target temperature is set (step S9). The hot water supply control unit 44 sets the reheating target temperature to the bath set temperature when the temperature of the bath water is low, and to the current bath water temperature when the temperature of the bath water is close to the bath set temperature. The temperature is set to about 2 ° C higher.

  Then, the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 20 through the bath circulation circuit 24 to exchange heat with the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 to retreat the bathtub water, and circulates in the bath circulation circuit 24. It is determined whether or not the temperature of the bathtub water to be detected, that is, the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the bath temperature sensor 26 provided in the bath outlet pipe 22 has reached or exceeded the reheating target temperature (step S10). When it is determined that the above has been reached, the driving of the bath circulation pump 21 is stopped (step S11), and the normal chasing operation is ended.

Next, the rapid chasing operation of the bath will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the reheating switch 43 of the bath remote control 7 is pressed and held by the user's operation and the hot water supply control unit 44 receives an input of the rapid reheating operation, the hot water supply control unit 44 first drives the bath circulation pump 21 (step S12), 6 circulates the bathtub water in the bath circulation circuit 24 and determines whether there is any remaining hot water in the bathtub 6 based on the detection signal of the presence or absence of running water by the running water switch 25 (step S13). When the switch 25 detects that there is running water for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub 6.

  If the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that there is no remaining hot water in step S13, the bath circulation pump 21 is stopped (step S14), and the drain plug of the bathtub 6 may be removed. Is notified by sound or display (step S15), and then the rapid chasing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that there is remaining hot water in step S13, the bath set temperature set by the bath temperature setting switch 41 of the hot water remote controller 5 or the bath remote controller 7, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 6, etc. Based on the above, a desired reheating target temperature is set (step S16). The hot water supply control unit 44 sets the reheating target temperature to the bath set temperature when the temperature of the bath water is low, and to the current bath water temperature when the temperature of the bath water is close to the bath set temperature. The temperature is set to about 2 ° C higher.

  When the reheating target temperature is set, the hot water supply control unit 44 opens the hot water filling valve 36 (step S17), and further opens the intermediate hot water mixing valve 28 so that the outlet pipe 8 side is fully opened. At the same time, the opening degree of the hot water supply mixing valve 31 is adjusted so that the intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 side is fully opened (step S18), and hot water at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2, for example, hot water of about 80 ° C. The intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 and the hot water supply pipe 33 are circulated, and pouring of the hot water into the bath outlet pipe 22 of the bath circulation circuit 24 via the hot water filling pipe 35 is started. Then, the hot water poured from the hot water pipe 35 and the bath water circulating through the hot water pipe 22, in this case, the low temperature water of about 20 ° C. are mixed at the connecting portion between the hot water pipe 35 and the bath water pipe 22. The bath water of about 50 ° C. heated by this mixing is circulated through the bath heat exchanger 20 to exchange heat with the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 and further heated to obtain bath water of about 60 ° C. to 70 ° C. Returning to the bathtub 6, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is raised.

  The hot water supply control unit 44 circulates the bath water to the bath heat exchanger 20 through the bath circulation circuit 24 while pouring hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 from the hot water filling pipe 35 to the bath outlet pipe 22. It is determined whether or not the temperature of the bathtub water circulating through the water, that is, the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the bath temperature sensor 26 has reached or exceeded the reheating target temperature (step S19). At that time, the hot water filling valve 36 is closed to stop pouring (step S20), and the valve opening degrees of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 and the hot water supply mixing valve 31 are made to be the valve opening degree before the rapid reheating operation. The adjustment is made (step S21), and the driving of the bath circulation pump 21 is stopped (step S22), and the rapid chasing operation is ended.

  On the other hand, in step S19, the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that the temperature of the bathtub water circulating in the bath circulation circuit 24, that is, the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the bath temperature sensor 26 is lower than the reheating target temperature. At the time, it is determined whether or not the pouring amount counted by the bath flow counter 37 from the start of the rapid chasing operation has become a predetermined amount or more, for example, 30 L or more (step S23). When the hot water supply control unit 44 determines that the amount of pouring counted by the bath flow counter 37 is not 30L or more, the process returns to step S8 and continues to recharge, and the amount of pouring counted by the bath flow counter 37 becomes 30L or more. When it is determined that the hot water filling valve 36 has been closed, the hot water filling valve 36 is closed to stop pouring (step S24), and the valve openings of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 and the hot water supply mixing valve 31 are opened before the rapid reheating operation. (Step S25), and it is determined whether or not the temperature of the bathtub water circulating in the bath circulation circuit 24, that is, the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the bath temperature sensor 26 has reached or exceeded the target temperature. (Step S26), when it is determined that the temperature of the bathtub water circulating in the bath circulation circuit 24 is lower than the target temperature, the circulation pump is continuously driven to make the bath water hot. The recirculation of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 and the reheating of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 are continued, and when it is determined that the bath water has reached the reheating target temperature, the process proceeds to step S22, and the bath circulation pump 21 is stopped and the rapid chasing operation is ended.

  During the rapid chasing operation described above, the bath circulation pump 21 is driven to circulate the bath water in the bathtub 6 to the bath heat exchanger 20 via the bath circulation circuit 24, and hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 is filled with hot water. Since the hot water is poured into the bath circulation circuit 24 via the pipe 35 and mixed with the bathtub water, the bathtub by the heat exchange in the bath heat exchanger 20 even when the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 is low. In the bath heat exchanger 20, the temperature of the water and the temperature of the bath water are increased by mixing the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 and the bath water at the same time. The bath water is heated to a desired reheating target temperature as compared with reheating only by heat exchange or reheating in which hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is poured into the bathtub 6 from the hot water filling pipe 35 through the bath circulation circuit 24. Can reduce the time required for Furthermore, since the decrease in the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger 20 can be reduced as the reheating time is shortened, a relatively high temperature medium-temperature water can be generated to cope with high-temperature hot water, and a relatively low-temperature medium-temperature water can be generated. Therefore, COP at the time of boiling operation can be improved.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the bath circulation pipe 24 constituting the bath circulation circuit 24 is provided with a bath circulation pump 21, and a hot water filling pipe 35 is provided on the bath circulation pipe 22 between the bath circulation pump 21 and the bath heat exchanger 20. As a result of the connection, the bath water in the bathtub 6 circulated by driving the bath circulation pump 21 and the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 poured from the hot-water pipe 35 are surely connected during rapid chasing operation. The bath water heated by mixing can be circulated to the bath heat exchanger 20 and further heated by the heat exchange with the high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 to be returned to the bathtub 6. In addition, since the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 20 becomes higher, the decrease in the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger 20 can be reduced. If we can respond In, it is possible to suppress the generation of hot water in a relatively low temperature, it is capable of improving the COP during heating operation.

  Further, during the rapid chasing operation, when the amount of pouring poured from the hot water filling pipe 35 into the bath circulation circuit 24 exceeds a predetermined amount, the pouring is stopped so that the bathtub water in the bathtub 6 does not overflow. If the temperature of the bath water does not reach the desired temperature when pouring is stopped, the bath circulation pump 21 is continuously driven even after the predetermined amount of pouring is finished, and bath heat exchange is performed. Since the reheating of the bathtub water is continued by the heat exchange in the vessel 20 and the temperature is raised to the target temperature, the user can perform comfortable bathing at the reheating target temperature, that is, an appropriate bath water temperature.

  Next, another embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In this embodiment, description of the same configuration and operation as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described. In the embodiment, the hot water filled pipe 35 is connected to the bath outlet pipe 22 of the bath circulation circuit 24 and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 2 is poured into the bathtub 6. By being connected to the return pipe 23, during the rapid chasing operation, the bath water in the bathtub 6 circulated by driving the bath circulation pump 21, for example, bath water of about 20 ° C. is used as it is. 20, and heat exchange is performed with high-temperature water around the bath heat exchanger 20 in the hot water storage tank 2, for example, high-temperature water of about 80 ° C. Therefore, heat exchange efficiency in the bath heat exchanger 20 is improved, and bath heat exchange is performed. The temperature is raised by the vessel 20 Hot water at about 80 ° C. above the hot water storage tank 2 is poured into the bath return pipe 23 from the hot water filled pipe 35 to the bath return pipe 23 and the hot water filled pipe 35 and the bath return pipe. Since the water is reliably mixed and heated at the connection part 23 and is returned to the bathtub 6 as bath water of about 60 ° C. to 70 ° C., the heat exchanging time in the bath heat exchanger 20 is good, and the reheating time is further shortened. In addition, since the decrease in the temperature of the hot water around the bath heat exchanger 20 can be reduced as the reheating time is shortened, a relatively high temperature medium temperature water can be generated to cope with high temperature hot water, and a relatively low temperature medium temperature water. Since the production can be suppressed, the COP during the boiling operation can be improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described one embodiment and the other embodiments. In the above-described one embodiment and the other embodiments, the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 28 is opened during the rapid reheating operation. The temperature is adjusted so that the hot water supply pipe 8 side is fully opened, and the opening degree of the hot water supply mixing valve 31 is adjusted so that the intermediate hot water supply pipe 30 side is fully open. However, the outlet temperature of the hot water mixing valve 31 is set higher than the predetermined temperature by a certain temperature so that the outlet temperature of the hot water supply mixing valve 31 becomes a predetermined temperature, for example, 80 ° C. And the mixing ratio is adjusted so that the outlet temperature of the hot water supply mixing valve 31 is 80 ° C., and hot water mixed at a predetermined temperature is poured into the bath circulation circuit 24 from the hot water filling pipe 35. It may be made to do.

Further, a normal operation of the chasing switch 43, for example, a normal chasing operation is executed by a short press of the chasing switch 43, and a predetermined operation different from the normal operation of the chasing switch 43, for example, a long pressing of the chasing switch 43 is performed. In this case, another quick tracking operation switch is provided in addition to the tracking switch 43. When the tracking switch 43 is pressed, the normal tracking operation is performed and the rapid tracking operation is performed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a rapid chasing operation is executed when the chasing operation switch is pressed.

The schematic block diagram of one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control which selects the reheating content of the bath of the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the normal chasing operation of the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the rapid chasing operation of the same embodiment. The schematic block diagram of other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Hot water storage tank 3 Heat pump heating means (heat pump unit)
6 Bath 20 Bath heat exchanger 21 Bath circulation pump 24 Bath circulation circuit 35 Hot water pipe

Claims (5)

  A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heating means for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, a bath circulation circuit connected to the bathtub, and a bath circulation pump for circulating the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath circulation circuit A bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the bath water circulating in the bath circulation circuit and hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a hot water filling for pouring hot water in the hot water storage tank connected to the bath circulation circuit into the bathtub A heat pump type hot water heater that circulates the bath water to the bath heat exchanger and causes the bath water to be reheated. A heat recirculation operation is performed in which high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank is poured from the hot water pipe into the bath circulation circuit while being circulated through the heat exchanger. Pump water heater.   A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heating means for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, a bath circulation circuit connected to the bathtub, and a bath circulation pump for circulating the bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath circulation circuit A bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat of the bath water circulating in the bath circulation circuit with hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a hot water pipe connected to the bath circulation circuit for pouring hot water in the hot water storage tank into the bathtub In the heat pump type water heater that circulates the bath water to the bath heat exchanger and causes the reheating, the bath circulation pump is driven during the reheating, and the bath water in the bathtub is Normal recirculation operation for circulating in the bath heat exchanger, driving the bath circulation pump to circulate the bath water in the bath to the bath heat exchanger, and from the hot water tube Hot water in the hot water tank by selecting one of the rapid reheating operation is poured into the bath circulation circuit, heat pump water heater, characterized in that so as to perform the reheating of the bath water.   The bath circulation circuit is composed of a bath outlet pipe for flowing bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger and a bath return pipe for flowing bathtub water that has passed through the bath heat exchanger to the bathtub, The heat pump type water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the bath circulation pump, wherein the hot water pipe is connected to the bath outlet pipe between the bath circulation pump and the bath heat exchanger. .   The bath circulation circuit is composed of a bath outlet pipe for flowing bathtub water in the bathtub to the bath heat exchanger and a bath return pipe for flowing bathtub water that has passed through the bath heat exchanger to the bathtub, The heat pump type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the bath circulation pump, wherein the hot water filled pipe is connected to the bath return pipe.   During the rapid chasing operation, the pouring is stopped when the amount of pouring poured from the hot water filling pipe into the bath circulation circuit exceeds a predetermined amount, and the temperature of the bath water at that time is a desired temperature. 5. The heat pump hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of the bath water is less than 1, the bath circulation pump is continuously driven until the temperature of the bath water reaches a desired temperature. Machine.

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