JP2009204249A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater capable of performing hot water supply automatic operation reducing failure for a user. <P>SOLUTION: A system control device 50 for the water heater calculates hot water supply requiring heat quantity required for completing hot water supply by using learning information based on past use records, calculates boiling possible heat quantity which can be boiled by a heat pump unit 10 during hot water supply, and compares predicted hot water storage heat quantity obtained by adding the calculated boiling possible heat quantity to hot water storage heat quantity stored in a hot water storage tank 11 with the calculated hot water supply requiring heat quantity to determine whether or not hot water supply tapping operation is possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus that uses hot water stored in a hot water storage tank to perform hot water discharge operation when automatic operation for hot water filling in a bath is set.

  A well-known hot water supply device uses hot water previously boiled by a heating means and stored in a tank when an automatic hot water filling operation is instructed by operating a bath automatic switch or the like. The tension is to be implemented. In this hot water filling automatic operation, hot water filling is performed when the amount of stored hot water in the tank is greater than the amount of heat required for hot water filling to be performed in the future. It was necessary to operate the bath automatic switch in order to return to the hot water filling automatic operation again after the display and the boiling by the heating means. For this reason, the hot water filling device is not easy to use because smooth hot water filling automatic operation is not performed.

Moreover, even when there is little remaining hot water in the tank as described above, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water supply device that does not need to operate the bath automatic switch again and automatically returns to hot water filling automatic operation and improves usability. The described apparatus has been proposed. When the hot water filling automatic operation is instructed by the remote controller, this apparatus has a predetermined amount larger than the first set remaining hot water amount when the hot water is discharged when the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank is smaller than the predetermined first set remaining hot water amount. The hot water discharge operation is set in a standby state until hot water is stored by the heating means up to the second set remaining hot water amount, and the standby state is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. When it is determined that the hot water storage amount is larger than the second set remaining hot water amount, the hot water hot water supply operation is automatically restarted.
JP 2006-170555 A

  However, in the hot water supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the hot water storage operation is waited until the hot water is stored up to the second set remaining hot water amount by the heating means, if the second set remaining hot water amount is set large, the hot water runs out during filling. However, it takes time to shift to the hot water operation, and eventually it takes time to complete the filling. Conversely, if the second set remaining hot water amount is set to be small, the transition to the hot water operation is quickened, but the hot water storage amount may be insufficient during hot water filling. In any case, there is a problem that a smooth hot water filling automatic operation cannot be provided for the user and a malfunction is felt. Further, in order to set a large amount of the second set remaining hot water amount, the capacity of the tank is required to some extent, which leads to an increase in the size of the tank.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that can perform hot water filling automatic operation with less trouble for the user.

In order to achieve the above object, the following technical means are adopted. That is, the first invention related to the hot water supply apparatus includes a heat pump heating device (10) for boiling water using a heat pump refrigeration cycle, and a hot water use side terminal for water boiled by the heat pump heating device (10). A hot water storage tank (11) that is stored for use in the hot water supply, a driving operation means (30, 40) that is operated when automatic hot water filling is desired, and a driving operation means (30, 40)). When a command signal for executing the hot water filling automatic operation is sent by being operated, it is determined whether or not the hot water filling hot water driving operation is possible using learning information learned from past usage records, and a heat pump heating device (10 And a control device (50) for controlling the operation of
The control device (50) calculates the necessary amount of heat required for filling the hot water and uses the learning information to heat up the heat pump heating device while the hot water is being filled. By calculating the amount of heat that can be boiled and comparing the predicted amount of stored hot water, which is obtained by adding the amount of heat that can be heated to the amount of stored hot water stored in the hot water storage tank (11), to the amount of heat required for filling the hot water, It is characterized by determining the propriety of overhanging hot water operation.

  The present invention determines whether or not the hot water supply hot water operation can be performed by utilizing the predicted hot water storage amount obtained by adding the boiling heat amount in the hot water tank calculated using the learning information to the hot water storage heat amount of the hot water storage tank. According to this, since not only the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank is used as a parameter for determining whether or not the hot water supply operation is possible, the determination of whether or not the hot water supply hot water operation is performed is performed with high accuracy, and the conditions under which the hot water supply hot water can be started are expanded. Therefore, it is possible to provide a hot water filling automatic operation with less trouble for the user with a short hot water waiting time. In addition, even if there is an unexpected situation such as when a large amount of hot water is used before the hot water filling is performed, the hot water filling operation thereafter is performed smoothly and a user-friendly hot water supply device can be provided.

Further, when the predicted amount of stored hot water is equal to or higher than the required amount of hot water filling, the control device (50) determines that the hot water filling hot water operation is possible and starts the boiling operation by the heat pump heating device. Started hot water bathing operation,
When the predicted amount of stored hot water is less than the required amount of hot water filling, start the boiling operation with the heat pump type heating device and set the hot water filling hot water operation to the standby state.
When the amount of hot water stored by adding the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank to the amount of heat stored by the heating operation of the heat pump heating device exceeds the required amount of hot water filling, it is preferable to start the hot water filling hot spring operation.

  According to the present invention, the hot water filling automatic operation for determining whether or not the hot water is discharged with high accuracy can be performed. And if hot water is possible, even if the hot water storage heat amount at the present time does not reach the required hot water heat amount, the hot water hot water supply operation and the hot water operation are performed in parallel in anticipation of the hot water storage amount after the boiling operation. The time to complete the filling will be shortened. On the other hand, even when the hot water cannot be discharged immediately, it is possible to reliably detect a state where the necessary amount of heat filled in the hot water storage tank is actually stored. Thereby, smooth hot water filling automatic operation can be provided for the user.

  Further, the control device (50) starts the boiling operation by the heat pump type heating device when the predicted hot water storage heat amount is smaller than the required hot water filling amount, sets the hot water filling hot water operation to the standby state, and sets the heat pump type heating device. When the predetermined amount of hot water that can be bathed can be filled using the amount of heat stored in the boiling operation, it is preferable to start the hot water extraction hot water operation.

  When a hot water filling automatic operation command is given, if the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank is small and hot water filling cannot be performed immediately, a large amount of heat is boiled by the heat pump type heating device. become longer. However, according to the present invention, when a predetermined amount of hot water that can be bathed becomes a state where the hot water can be filled, it is possible to shorten the time from when the hot water filling execution command is made until the bather can take a bath. It is possible to provide a hot water filling automatic operation that is convenient for the user.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the control device (50) varies the boiling temperature during the boiling operation by reducing the heating capability of the heat pump type heating device from the maximum capability according to the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature. According to the present invention, the efficiency of the heat pump type heating device can be improved as compared with the maximum capacity boiling operation.

Further, the control device (50) uses the learning information to calculate a boiling equivalent time when the heat pump type heating device is operating with a certain heating capacity, and uses this boiling equivalent time to boil. Calculate the amount of heat that can be raised,
It is preferable that the rising operation time until the heating capacity is stabilized after the heat pump heating device is activated is included in the boiling equivalent time in terms of half the time.

  According to the present invention, since highly accurate boiling equivalent time is required, the accuracy of the amount of heat that can be heated is increased, and it is possible to more accurately determine whether hot water is discharged.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a control apparatus (50) sets the boiling temperature by the heat pump type heating apparatus during the said hot water pouring operation to the boiling temperature from which the heating capability becomes the maximum capability. According to the present invention, since the boiling time can be shortened, an easy-to-use hot water filling automatic operation can be provided.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a control apparatus (50) updates the hot water filling time measured as learning information, when the hot water hot water supply operation is started from a state where there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub (43). According to this invention, the hot water filling time when the hot water amount set by the user is 100% hot water can be stored as learning information, and more accurate calculation of the amount of heat that can be heated based on the hot water filling time is performed. it can.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means has shown the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
A schematic configuration of a hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the hot water supply apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device includes a heat pump unit 10 that is a heat pump type heating device, a hot water storage tank 11 that stores water heated by the heat pump unit 10, a tank unit that includes piping, various valves, and the like. Yes. The control unit of the hot water supply device receives a command signal transmitted from the bath remote controller 30 or the kitchen remote control 40 and controls the system of the entire hot water supply device, and communication between the system control device 50 and the heat pump unit 10 And a heat pump control device 8 for controlling the boiling operation. The tank unit and the heat pump unit 10 are configured so that they can be installed integrally or separated from each other at the installation site.

  In the heat pump unit 10, at least the compressor 1, the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 that is a heat exchanger for heating, the decompression device 3, the evaporator 4, and the refrigeration cycle functional parts of the gas-liquid separator 7 are connected in a ring shape by piping. Is formed. Further, a blower 5 that provides forced air to the evaporator is provided in the vicinity of the evaporator 4, and a temperature sensor 6 that detects the temperature of the forced air by the evaporator 4 (outside air temperature) is provided. In this embodiment, the heat pump unit 10 uses a carbon dioxide having a low critical temperature as a refrigerant to constitute a supercritical heat pump cycle in which the refrigerant pressure on the high pressure side becomes equal to or higher than the critical pressure of the refrigerant.

  When the heat pump cycle is constituted by a supercritical heat pump cycle, hot water having a temperature higher than that of a general heat pump cycle, for example, about 85 ° C. to 90 ° C. can be stored in the hot water storage tank 11. The heat pump unit 10 is configured to operate according to a control signal from the heat pump control device 8 and to output the operation state to the heat pump control device 8. The heat pump unit 10 uses a midnight power in the midnight time zone, which is inexpensive to set a fee, to boil up the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11, and to boil based on control specifications described later in a time zone other than the midnight time zone. Raise the drive.

  The heat pump control device 8 receives the hot water supply operation information instructed by the bath remote controller 30 or the kitchen remote controller 40 via the system control device 50, and based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor 6, the water temperature thermistor 31, the water temperature thermistor 32, and the like. The opening of the variable pressure reducing device 3 included in the heat pump unit 10 and the compressor 1 so that the temperature of the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as hot water temperature) becomes a target value. Control the discharge capacity and so on.

  The bath remote controller 30 and the kitchen remote controller 40 are operation panels that are operated when the user uses the hot water supply device, and each operation switch includes display units 30a and 40a that display an operation state and a setting state of the hot water supply device. Yes. The bath remote controller 30 is installed on the wall surface of the bathroom for bathers to use in the bathroom, and the kitchen remote controller 40 is a remote control panel installed on the wall surface of the place where hot water is used such as a kitchen away from the bathroom. .

  The system controller 50 includes a bath remote controller 30, water temperature thermistors 31, 32, water supply temperature thermistor 33, medium temperature water thermistor 34, hot water supply temperature thermistor 35, tank water temperature thermistors 36a to 36e, bath circulation temperature thermistor 37, memory temperature thermistor 38, Various signals are received from the water level sensor 28, the running water switch 42, the flow rate counters 26 and 46, and the like. Then, according to the procedure described later, control of the circulation pump 13, the hot / cold water mixing valve 21, the hot water supply mixing valve 22, the bath mixing valve 24, the bath electromagnetic valve 25, the three-way valve 41, the bath circulation pump 27, and the like, and heat pump control Control of the heat pump unit 10 via the device 8 can be performed.

  The hot water storage tank 11 is a metal container having excellent corrosion resistance, for example, a stainless steel container, and a heat insulating material (not shown) is arranged on the outer peripheral portion, so that hot water for hot water supply can be kept warm for a long time. ing. The hot water storage tank 11 is preferably a small tank having a capacity of 200 L or less, and a 185 L tank is adopted in this embodiment. The hot water storage tank 11 has a vertically long shape, and an introduction port is provided on the bottom surface thereof, and an introduction pipe 17 that is a water supply path for introducing tap water into the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the introduction port. The introduction pipe 17 is a pipe branched from the water supply pipe 16 for introducing tap water. A feed water temperature thermistor 33 and a flow rate counter (not shown) are provided on the upstream side of the introduction port, and the temperature signal and the flow rate signal are output to the system controller 50. Further, a pressure reducing valve (not shown) for reducing the pressure of tap water flowing through the introduction pipe 17 to a predetermined pressure is provided on the upstream side of the introduction port.

  A plurality of tank water temperature thermistors are provided on the outer wall surface of the hot water storage tank 11, and the tank water temperature thermistors 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, and 36e are arranged in order from the upper part to the lower part of the tank. The tank water temperature thermistors 36a to 36e are arranged so that the amount of water stored from the uppermost part in the tank becomes 20L, 50L, 90L, 130L, 165L in order from the upper part, and each water level filled in the upper part in the hot water storage tank 11 is set. The temperature information at the level is output to the system controller 50. Based on the temperature information transmitted from the tank water temperature thermistors 36a to 36e, it is possible to detect the temperature boundary position between the hot water heated in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 and the water before being heated in the lower part of the tank. . For example, if the detected temperature of a certain tank water temperature thermistor exceeds a predetermined temperature that can be used as the amount of stored hot water (for example, 50 ° C.), hot water that can be used for hot water is stored from the top of the tank to the position of the tank water temperature thermistor. Will be.

  The lower surface of the hot water storage tank 11 is provided with an outlet for sucking out water in the tank, and the upper surface of the hot water storage tank 11 is provided with an inlet for allowing hot water heated by the heat pump unit 10 to flow into the tank. ing. The outflow port and the inflow port are communicated with each other by a circulation circuit 12 composed of a return pipe and a forward pipe. The heating means arranged in the heat pump unit 10 is the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2. The water passage 2 b of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 constitutes a part of the circulation circuit 12.

  The circulation circuit 12 includes a circulation pump 13 that is a forced circulation means between the heat pump unit 10 and the hot water storage tank 11 on the upstream side of the heat pump unit 10. The rotation speed of the circulation pump 13 is controlled by the system controller 50 so that the hot water temperature heated by the heat pump unit 10 becomes a target value. A water temperature thermistor 31 that detects the temperature of the water flowing into the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 is provided upstream of the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 in the circulation circuit 12. A water temperature thermistor 32 that detects the temperature of the water that has passed through the water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 is provided downstream of the vessel 2.

  The water / refrigerant heat exchanger 2 heats the water in the hot water storage tank 11 flowing through the water passage 2b sucked from the outlet through heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 2a, and then enters the hot water storage tank 11 from the inlet. By returning to, a hot water layer can be formed in the hot water storage tank 11 from the top to the bottom.

  An upper outlet port is provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11, and an intermediate part outlet port for discharging medium temperature hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 is provided in the intermediate part of the hot water storage tank 11. Both outlets communicate with a hot water supply pipe 14 which is a hot water supply path for extracting hot water in the hot water storage tank 11. The hot water supply pipe 14 is a pipe that connects a hot water use side terminal such as a hand-washing stopper, a shower, and a bathtub to the upper outlet. The intermediate outlet port is connected to the hot water supply pipe 14 by a medium hot water pipe 15. A middle temperature water mixing valve 21 for controlling a mixing amount ratio of hot water led out from the upper outlet and hot water led out from the middle outlet is provided at the junction of the intermediate hot water pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 14. ing.

  In the hot water supply pipe 14, a bath pipe 18 is connected to a branch part 23 on the downstream side of the joining part with the intermediate temperature water pipe 15. A hot water supply mixing valve 22 is provided further downstream from the branching portion 23. The hot water mixing valve 22 supplies the amount of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 14 and the pipe branched from the water supply pipe 16 in order to bring the temperature of the hot water sent to the hot water use side terminal into an appropriate temperature state such as a set temperature. The ratio of the amount of water is controlled to mix warm water and water. An intermediate-temperature water thermistor 34 that detects the temperature of intermediate-temperature water is provided in the outlet-side piping of the intermediate-temperature water mixing valve 21, and a hot-water supply temperature thermistor 35 that detects the temperature of hot-water supply water is provided in the outlet-side piping of the hot-water supply mixing valve 22. A flow rate counter 46 for detecting the flow rate is provided. The opening degree of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 21 and the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is feedback-controlled by the system controller 50 using information detected by the thermistors 34 and 35 and the flow rate counter 46.

  In particular, the opening degree of the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 21 is determined by the detected temperature of the tank water temperature thermistor 36b (at a position where 50 L of water is stored from the uppermost part in the tank) near the portion where the intermediate temperature water pipe 15 is connected to the hot water storage tank 11. Controlled by. For example, when the set temperature of the hot water is 40 ° C., the intermediate temperature water mixing valve 21 is controlled so as to take in hot water from the passage on the intermediate temperature water pipe 15 side until the temperature detected by the tank water temperature thermistor 36 b is 45 ° C. or lower.

  The pipe 18 for bath is connected at its upstream end to the branch part 23, and its downstream end is connected to a connection part 29 with a circulation circuit composed of the bathtub outflow pipe 45 and the bathtub inflow pipe 44. It is a pipe that guides hot water supply water whose temperature is adjusted to a predetermined temperature when hot water, hot water, etc. are used. A bath mixing valve 24, a bath electromagnetic valve 25, a flow rate counter 26, and a check valve (not shown) as temperature adjusting means are provided in the middle of the flow path of the bath pipe 18. A bath circulation temperature thermistor 37 capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water is provided.

  The bath mixing valve 24 is a temperature control valve that adjusts the hot water temperature of hot water discharged into the bath by controlling the mixing amount of the water flowing through the water supply pipe 16 and the hot water divided from the hot water supply pipe 14. The bath mixing valve 24 adjusts the temperature of the hot water discharged to the set temperature by adjusting the ratio of the opening area of each flow path, that is, the ratio of the opening degree on the hot water side and the opening degree on the water side. The bath mixing valve 24 is electrically connected to the system controller 50, and its opening degree is feedback controlled based on temperature information detected by the feed water temperature thermistor 33 and the bath circulation temperature thermistor 37.

  The bath solenoid valve 25 is a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the bath pipe 18, and is controlled by the system control device 50 when bath water is filled in the bathtub 43, hot water, and hot water is used. . When the flow counter 26 detects the flow of water in the bath pipe 18, the bath electromagnetic valve 25 is opened and the hot water is discharged into the bathtub 43.

  A bath temperature thermistor 38 and a three-way valve 41 are provided in order from the upstream side, that is, the side close to the bathtub 43, in the bathtub outlet pipe 45 that constitutes the circulation circuit together with the bathtub inlet pipe 44. The connection part between the bathtub outflow pipe 45 and the bathtub inflow pipe 44 is also a connection part with the circulation circuit 19 for remembrance, and the flow path is switched by the three-way valve 41. In the bathtub inflow pipe 44, a water flow switch 42, a bath circulation temperature thermistor 37, a bath circulation pump 27, and a water level sensor 28 are provided in order from the three-way valve 41 toward the bathtub 43.

  The water level sensor 28 is a sensor that detects the amount of hot water of the bath water filled in the bathtub 43, in other words, the water pressure for obtaining the water level in the bathtub 43. The three-way valve 41 switches between connecting the flow path so as to connect the bathtub inflow pipe 44 and the bathtub outflow pipe 45, or connecting the flow path so as to connect the bathtub inflow pipe 44 and the memory circulation circuit 19. It is a flow path switching valve capable of The reheating temperature thermistor 38 is a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bath water flowing through the bathtub outflow pipe 45 at the time of reheating operation.

  The running water switch 42 is a running water sensor that detects bath water circulating in the circulation circuit when the bath circulation pump 27 is driven, and the system controller 50 determines the presence or absence of bath water in the bathtub 43 based on the ON time of the switch. Used to do. The bath circulation pump 27 is an electric pump that forcibly circulates the bath water in the bathtub 43 in the circulation circuit. The bath circulation temperature thermistor 37 is a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bath water flowing through the bathtub inflow pipe 44 during the hot water operation, and detects the temperature of the bath water returned to the bathtub. When the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 43 is detected after filling, the bath solenoid valve 25 is closed and the bath circulation pump 27 is operated. The bath water temperature is detected by the bath circulation temperature thermistor 37 while the bath water in the bathtub 43 is circulated in the order of the bathtub outflow pipe 45, the bathtub inflow pipe 44, and the bathtub 43.

  When filling the bathtub 43 with hot water, the system controller 50 opens the bath solenoid valve 25 and causes the hot water adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the bath mixing valve 24 to flow into the bathtub inflow pipe 44 from the connection portion 29. It takes in in the bathtub 43 until it reaches the set amount of hot water. When performing the reheating operation, the system control device 50 closes the bath electromagnetic valve 25 and controls the three-way valve 41 so as to connect the bathtub inflow piping 44 and the recirculation circulation circuit 19, and the circulation for the bath. The pump 27 is activated. Then, the bath water in the bathtub 43 flows out into the bathtub outflow pipe 45 by the suction force of the bath circulation pump 27, flows into the remedy circulation circuit 19 from the connection portion 29, flows into the hot water storage tank 11, Heat is exchanged with the high-temperature water in the tank by the heat exchange unit 20 provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11. The bath water heated by exchanging heat in the heat exchanging unit 20 flows in the recirculation circuit 19 toward the bathtub 43, flows into the bathtub inflow pipe 44 connected by the three-way valve 41, and returns into the bathtub 43. . During the chasing operation, the bath water is heated by the heat exchanging portion 20 while circulating through the chasing circulation circuit 19 in this way, and is warmed until the temperature detected by the chasing temperature thermistor 38 reaches the set temperature.

  Next, the operation and control of the hot water filling automatic operation in the hot water supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described. The system control device 50 includes an input circuit, a microcomputer, an output circuit, and the like, and has a record of the amount of heat used as hot water (for example, an operation record of the heat pump unit 10 and a hot water supply record corresponding to hot water supply or hot water filling). ) Is stored in the storage means continuously every day. The storage means is composed of, for example, a flash memory or a RAM, and reads and writes stored data. And the memory | storage means of the system control apparatus 50 can memorize | store the track record of the past use heat amount including the driving | operation track record of the heat pump unit 10 for a predetermined period, and the old track record which protruded from the said predetermined period becomes a new track record at any time. Rewritten. In the present embodiment, the record of the amount of heat used for the past one week is stored as an example of the predetermined period. Then, when the record of the amount of heat used for one week is the timing at which the latest one-day record is stored, the oldest one-day record is erased from the storage means, and the most recent one-day record is written. Become.

  The system control apparatus 50 of the present embodiment performs the operation results of the heat pump unit 10 in the past one week, which is an example of a past predetermined period, in order to perform an efficient boiling operation that eliminates running out of hot water and useless operation ( Hereinafter, learning information learned from the past one week of driving performance) is used. By using this learning information, it is possible to calculate the required amount of heat required for filling the hot water so as to satisfy the hot water setting conditions (hot water volume, hot water temperature, etc.) set by the remote controller. When the boiling operation is performed by the heat pump unit 10 while the hot water is being filled, the amount of heat that can be heated that can be heated by the boiling operation can be calculated. In addition, the time required for hot water filling, the relation with the hot water filling time with respect to the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 10, and the like can also be calculated. Then, when the hot water filling automatic operation is set, the system control device 50 uses the learning information to determine whether the hot water filling hot water operation described later is possible. Moreover, the result of the hot water filling time stored and updated as the learning information is the time measured during the hot water hot water discharge operation which starts from a state where there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub 43.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the hot water filling automatic operation of the hot water supply apparatus. When the user (user) operates the bath automatic switch of the remote controller when he / she wants to bathe the bath, a command signal for automatic bathing operation is transmitted to the system controller 50, and the flowchart of FIG. 3 starts. First, in step 1, the system controller 50 executes a process of injecting a predetermined amount of priming water necessary for pump activation into the bath circulation pump 27, and then activates the bath circulation pump 27 (step 2). Next, it is determined whether or not there is remaining hot water in the bathtub 43 based on whether or not a signal indicating that the running water switch 42 is ON is received (step 3).

  If it is determined in step 3 that the time when the running water switch 42 is ON and it is determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub 43, it is then determined whether or not the remaining hot water in the bath can be filled. Step 30). The determination in step 30 is performed by determining whether or not the current hot water storage amount Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 is equal to or greater than the amount of heat Qb1 necessary for completing the hot water filling (hereinafter referred to as hot water filling required heat amount Qb1). Done. The amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 is calculated by obtaining the amount of heat that can be used for the hot water stored in the upper part of the tank using the detected temperatures of the tank water temperature thermistors 36a to 36e. The hot water filling required heat amount Qb1 is a predicted water amount G1 (hereinafter referred to as remaining hot water addition prediction) that needs to be added to the bathtub 43 to a value obtained by subtracting the feed water temperature from the temperature set in the hot water filling operation (hereinafter referred to as hot water filling set temperature). Multiply by the amount of water G1). The remaining hot water addition predicted water amount G1 is a value obtained by calculating the amount of water that needs to be added to the bathtub 43 in order to satisfy the set hot water amount set in the hot water filling automatic operation. On the other hand, when the amount is large, the amount of water to be replenished is calculated more because it requires more water than the former.

  If it is determined in step 30 that the hot water storage amount Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 is equal to or greater than the hot water filling required heat amount Qb1, then the hot water storage heat amount Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 is equal to or greater than the predetermined heat amount to be retained. (Step 31). This predetermined amount of heat is the minimum amount of heat that you want to keep in the hot water storage tank 11, and secures the amount of heat to cope with unexpected sudden hot water supply to the shower and hand-washer and for the next automatic hot water filling operation. It is the amount of heat set to do.

  If it is determined in step 31 that the hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the predetermined heat amount, the system control device 50 performs a process of stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 10 (step 32), and executes step 10 and subsequent steps described later. Conversely, if it is determined in step 31 that the hot water storage heat amount Qt is less than the predetermined heat amount, the system control device 50 considers that the hot water storage heat amount Qt is in a small state and starts the heat pump unit 10 for replenishment (step 33). Then, step 10 and subsequent steps described later are executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 30 that the hot water storage heat amount Qt is less than the hot water filling required heat amount Qb1, since the hot water storage heat amount Qt is insufficient, the hot water hot water supply operation to the bathtub 43 cannot be started immediately. Hot water filling automatic operation (automatic bath) standby processing is performed, and the display unit 30a of the bath remote controller 30 and the display unit 40a of the kitchen remote controller 40 indicate that they are in a standby state (step 34). Then, the heat pump unit 10 is activated to start the boiling operation (step 35), the operation for storing the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 11 is advanced, and it is then determined whether or not the hot water can be filled (step 36). ).

  In step 36, the system controller 50 obtains the boiling heat quantity Qhp1 replenished by the operation of the heat pump unit 10, and the value obtained by adding the boiling heat quantity Qhp1 to the current hot water storage quantity Qt is calculated in step 30 described above. It is determined whether or not the required heat amount Qb1 or more. When it is determined in step 36 that the value obtained by adding the boiling heat quantity Qhp1 to the hot water storage heat quantity Qt is equal to or greater than the hot water filling required heat quantity Qb1, the system controller 50 automatically cancels the standby state and enters hot water filling automatic operation. The return is displayed on the display unit 30a and the display unit 40a (step 37), and step 10 and later are executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 3 that the time during which the flowing water switch 42 is ON is not recognized and there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub 43, it is next determined whether or not the hot water pouring operation is possible ( Step 4). In step 4, the system control device 50 uses the learning information as necessary, and the amount of stored hot water Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 and the amount of heat Qb0 necessary for completing the hot water filling (hereinafter referred to as hot water filling required heat amount Qb0). ), And when the hot water filling is performed, the heat-capable heat quantity Qhp0 that can be heated by the heat pump unit 10 during the hot water filling is calculated. Whether or not the hot water charging operation in step 4 is possible is determined by whether or not the predicted hot water storage amount calculated by adding the boiling heat amount Qhp0 to the hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the hot water filling heat amount Qb0.

  The amount of stored hot water Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 is calculated by the same method as in step 30 described above. The hot water filling required heat amount Qb0 is calculated by multiplying a value obtained by subtracting the feed water temperature from the hot water filling temperature by a predicted water amount G0 to be added to the bathtub 43 (hereinafter referred to as a hot water filling predicted water amount G0). The predicted hot water filling amount G0 is calculated by adding the amount of water necessary to satisfy the set water level (for example, level 1, level 2, level 3, etc.) to the reference water amount. The set water level is a water level set by the user with the remote control. The predetermined unit water amount that should be increased every time the water level increases by one level is determined individually for each device from the learning information. The amount of water necessary to satisfy the set water level is calculated by multiplying the number of level increases corresponding to the increase in the set water level from the reference water level by the predetermined unit water amount. The reference water level is a predetermined minimum amount of water and is the amount of water displayed as level zero on the display unit of the remote controller. As the reference water level, for example, an amount of water that is about 2/3 of the hot water setting amount of water, a minimum amount of water that a bather can take a bath, or an amount of water that an adult can take a half body bath may be adopted. Thereby, the hot water filling that is smaller than the set amount of hot water can be performed once, and after satisfying the bathing request of the bather, the shortage is filled again and the hot water filling operation can be completed.

  The amount of heat Qhp0 that can be heated is the amount of heat that can be heated by the heating operation that proceeds in parallel with the hot water filling, and is calculated using the learning information. The boilable heat quantity Qhp0 can be obtained by multiplying the calculated heating capacity of the heat pump unit 10, the heat radiation amount per unit capacity specific to the device, and the boiling equivalent time.

  For example, the heating capacity is determined according to the outside air temperature, which is the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 6, and the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the heating capacity is previously stored in a control map (characteristic diagram) in the ROM of the system controller 50. Is remembered as Heating capacity of the heat pump unit 10 is set so as to be the most efficient boiling temperature with respect to the amount of heat necessary for one day obtained from the learning information. However, when the outside air temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, which is a low temperature, or when the feed water temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature, which is a low temperature, such as in winter, the heating capacity is 0.5 to 5% of the maximum capacity. It is preferable to set the boiling temperature to be reduced by a minute. Further, the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 10 may be reduced from the maximum capacity according to the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature, and the boiling temperature during the boiling operation may be varied. According to this, efficiency improves rather than the boiling operation by the maximum capacity.

  The amount of heat radiation per unit capacity unique to the device is determined individually for each device from the learning information. The boiling equivalent time is the operation time of the heat pump unit 10 that can be regarded as maintaining the previous heating capacity and the amount of heat released per unit capacity. It is obtained from the stored learning information in consideration of the above. The time required for hot water filling is, for example, a default value of 15 minutes, and the adjustment of the hot water filling time performed according to the amount of hot water filling and the low water supply pressure range is calculated by using learning information. The time required for the start-up is calculated in consideration of the shortage of the heating capacity when the heat pump unit 10 is started. For example, a time obtained by converting the time until the heating capacity is stabilized to half is adopted.

  If the system controller 50 determines in step 4 that the predicted hot water storage heat amount Qhp0 added to the hot water storage heat amount Qt is smaller than the hot water filling required heat amount Qb0, it determines that the hot water filling hot water operation is not possible. And since the amount of stored hot water Qt is insufficient, the hot water filling / unloading operation to the bathtub 43 cannot be started immediately, so the hot water filling automatic operation (automatic bath) standby processing is performed, and the display unit 30a and the display unit 40a are on standby. The state is displayed (step 40). Then, the heat pump unit 10 is activated to start the boiling operation (step 41), and the operation for storing heat in the hot water storage tank 11 is advanced.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the amount of heat boiled up by the heat pump unit 10 is in a state where hot water satisfying the reference water level can be filled (step 42). In step 42, the system control device 50 uses the learning information to calculate the required hot water filling amount Qb 2 necessary for filling the hot water at the reference water level, and obtains the boiling heat amount Qhp 1 supplemented by the operation of the heat pump unit 10. . Then, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by adding the boiling heat amount Qhp1 to the current hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the hot water filling required heat amount Qb2 necessary for filling the hot water at the reference water level. If it is determined in step 42 that the value obtained by adding the boiling heat amount Qhp1 to the hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the required hot water filling amount Qb2, the system controller 50 determines that the predetermined hot water amount that can be bathed can be filled. Then, the display unit 30a and the display unit 40a display that the standby state is automatically canceled and the hot water filling automatic operation is restored (step 43). Then, step 6 and subsequent steps described later are executed.

  On the other hand, if the system controller 50 determines in step 4 that the predicted hot water storage heat amount calculated by adding the boiling heat amount Qt0 to the hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the hot water filling required heat amount Qb0, the hot water hot water supply operation can be executed. Assuming that there is a heat pump unit 10 and starting the boiling operation (step 5), the bath solenoid valve 25 is turned on and held open to perform the hot water pouring operation (step 6). Further, the bath mixing valve 24 is controlled so that hot water at a set temperature is supplied, and hot water filling to the bathtub 43 is started. In the boiling operation of the heat pump unit 10 that is performed after the step 5 and the hot water filling after the step 33, the boiling temperature is set to a boiling temperature at which the heating capability of the heat pump unit 10 is the maximum capability. As a result, the boiling time can be shortened.

  When hot water filling is started, the system control device 50 determines whether or not the amount of hot water accumulated in the bathtub 43 is equal to or higher than the reference water level (step 7). If it is determined that the amount of hot water equal to or higher than the reference water level has accumulated, the bath solenoid valve 25 is turned off to close it, and the hot water supply to the bathtub 43 is temporarily stopped (step 8). Then, the system control device 50 clearly indicates that it is in an inputable state for the user, so that the level zero amount of hot water is stored, the display unit 30a and the display unit 40a can be bathed, and automatic addition hot water is waited for. The status is displayed (step 9).

  Next, the system control device 50 executes a process for detecting the hot water temperature and the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 43 (step 10). At this time, the system control device 50 controls the three-way valve 41 so that the bathtub outflow pipe 45 and the bathtub inflow pipe 44 are connected, and operates the bath circulation pump 27. The system controller 50 can detect the hot water temperature and water level of the bath water based on signals transmitted from the water level sensor 28 and the bath circulation temperature thermistor 37.

  Next, the system control device 50 again turns on the bath solenoid valve 25 to open it, and starts a hot water filling automatic operation for continuously adding hot water to the set water level (step 11). Then, the amount of hot water in the bathtub 43 increased by the start of hot water filling by executing the control of the three-way valve 41, the operation of the circulation pump 27 for bath, and the signal detection of the water level sensor 28 as in step 10 above. Is determined to have reached the set water level (the water level set in the hot water filling automatic operation by the user) (step 12). If it is determined that the amount of hot water equal to or higher than the set water level has been accumulated, the bath solenoid valve 25 is turned off to close it, and hot water supply hot water is stopped (step 13).

  Next, whether the bath water has reached the set temperature by executing the control of the three-way valve 41, the operation of the bath circulation pump 27, and the signal detection of the bath circulation temperature thermistor 37 as in step 9 above. It is determined whether or not (step 14). If it is determined in step 14 that the bath water has not reached the set temperature, the reheating operation described above is executed (step 15), and the reheating operation is continued until the temperature detected by the reheating temperature thermistor 38 reaches the set temperature. To do. The amount of heat used in the reheating operation at this time is ensured by increasing the heat pump unit 10 and operating it.

  If it is determined in step 14 that the bath water has reached the set temperature, it is determined whether or not the current hot water storage heat amount Qt in the hot water storage tank 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined heat amount that is desired to be retained (step 16). . The predetermined amount of heat is the same amount of heat as the predetermined amount of heat in step 31 described above. When it is determined in step 16 that the current hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than the predetermined heat amount, the system control device 50 performs a process of stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 10 (step 17), and the hot water filling automatic operation ends. The process of step 17 is not performed until it is determined that the current hot water storage heat amount Qt is equal to or greater than a predetermined heat amount.

  Below, the effect which the hot water supply apparatus of this embodiment brings is demonstrated. The system controller 50 of the hot water supply device uses the learning information based on the past usage record to calculate the required amount of heat required for filling the hot water and completes the heat pump unit while the hot water is being filled. 10 calculates the amount of heat that can be boiled up, and compares the predicted amount of stored hot water by adding the calculated amount of heat that can be heated to the amount of stored hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 11 with the calculated amount of heat required for filling the hot water. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the hot water supply operation is possible.

  According to this, since only the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 is not used as a parameter for determining whether or not the hot water filling operation is possible, the determination of whether or not the hot water filling operation is performed is performed with high accuracy and is necessary for the automatic hot water filling operation to proceed. The amount of heat stored in the hot water is not as high as before, and the hot water filling becomes quicker and the waiting time for hot water filling is shortened for the user. In addition, the conditions under which hot water filling can be started will be expanded, making it easier for users to use. Therefore, the hot water filling automatic operation with less trouble for the user can be performed. In addition, even if there is an unexpected situation such as when a large amount of hot water filling is performed before the order of automatic hot water filling or a hot water supply such as a shower is used for a long time, automatic hot water filling is prohibited. Therefore, the subsequent operation is performed smoothly and automatically, and a user-friendly water heater is obtained. In addition, when there is an automatic hot water filling operation command, the amount of heat that can be raised during hot water filling is calculated to determine whether or not hot water filling operation is possible, and at the same time, hot water filling and boiling water heating operation are performed simultaneously. Even if the capacity of the tank 11 is reduced, the hot water filling standby time can be suppressed, and both the downsizing of the apparatus and the convenience of the user can be satisfied.

  When the predicted amount of stored hot water is equal to or greater than the required amount of hot water filling, the system control device 50 determines that the hot water filling hot water operation is possible and starts the boiling operation by the heat pump unit 10 and at the same time. Start driving. On the other hand, if the predicted amount of stored hot water is less than the amount of heat required for filling the hot water, the heating operation by the heat pump unit 10 is started and the hot water filling hot water operation is set to the standby state, and the heating operation of the heat pump unit 10 is added to the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 11. When the amount of stored hot water with the amount of heat stored by the above becomes equal to or greater than the required amount of hot water filling, the hot water filling hot spring operation is started.

  According to this control, it is possible to determine whether hot water is available or not with high accuracy. If it is determined that the hot water can be discharged, even if the hot water storage heat amount does not reach the required hot water filling amount, the hot water hot spring operation and the boiling operation are performed in parallel in anticipation of the hot water storage amount after the boiling operation. Therefore, the time until completion of the hot water filling can be shortened. On the other hand, even when the hot water cannot be discharged immediately, it is possible to reliably detect a state where the necessary amount of heat filled in the hot water storage tank is actually stored. Therefore, it is easy for the user to use, and it is possible to provide an automatic hot water filling operation that is smooth and has few problems.

  In addition, when the predicted amount of stored hot water is less than the required amount of hot water filling, the system controller 50 starts the boiling operation by the heat pump unit 10 and sets the hot water pouring operation to the standby state. When the reference water level (predetermined amount of hot water that can be bathed) can be filled using the stored heat quantity, the hot water filling hot water operation is started. When hot water filling up to the reference water level is completed, it is displayed or notified that bathing is possible, and then hot water is added into the bathtub 43 until the set water level is reached.

  When a hot water filling automatic operation command is issued, if the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 11 is small and hot water filling cannot be performed immediately, a large amount of heat is boiled up by the heat pump unit 10, so become longer. However, according to this control, when the predetermined amount of hot water that can be bathed becomes a state where the hot water can be filled, the time until the bather can take a bath after the hot water filling execution command is started can be shortened. It can meet the demands of bathers who want to bathe.

  Further, the system control device 50 uses the learning information to calculate the boiling equivalent time when the heat pump type heating device is operating with a certain heating capacity, and can be heated using this boiling equivalent time. The amount of heat is calculated, and after the heat pump unit 10 is started up, the rising operation time until the heating capacity is stabilized is converted into half time and is included in the boiling equivalent time. According to this, since highly accurate boiling equivalent time is calculated | required, the precision of the amount of heat which can be raised improves and it contributes to the accurate determination of whether or not hot water is available.

  In addition, when the hot water supply operation is started from a state where there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub 43, the system control device 50 updates the measured hot water filling time as learning information. As a result, the filling time when the set amount of hot water is 100% filled is stored as learning information, the amount of heat that can be heated up corresponding to the exact filling time can be calculated, and whether hot water filling operation is possible or not Judgment can be made.

(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 embodiment, the record of the amount of heat used as hot water (for example, the record of operation of the heat pump unit 10, the record of hot water supply equivalent to hot water filling, etc.) is stored in the storage means of the system control device 50. The heat pump control device 8 having the storage means may be stored.

  In addition, when performing hot water charging in the control of the hot water filling automatic operation, the heat amount already stored in the hot water storage tank 11 is used to fill the bathtub 43 and the heating operation by the heat pump unit 10 is performed. It is replenished. At this time, the amount of heat obtained by the boiling operation may be temporarily stored in the hot water storage tank 11 and then supplied to the bathtub 43 as hot water filling, or directly supplied to the bathtub 43 without being supplied to the hot water storage tank 11. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the operation results for one week stored in the control device can be obtained by updating the predetermined operation information (model operation information) stored in advance at the time of shipment of the device from the factory. It may be adapted to.

  Further, the working refrigerant flowing through the heat pump cycle of the heat pump unit 10 is not limited to carbon dioxide, but may be other refrigerants such as Freon.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control in the hot water filling automatic operation of the hot water supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment. In the hot water supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the control procedure when bath hot water filling automatic operation is set.

Explanation of symbols

8 ... Heat pump control device (control device)
10. Heat pump unit (heat pump type heating device)
11 ... Hot water storage tank 30 ... Bath remote control (operating operation means)
40 ... Kitchen remote control (driving operation means)
43 ... Bathtub 50 ... System control device (control device)

Claims (7)

A heat pump heating device (10) for boiling water using a heat pump refrigeration cycle;
A hot water storage tank (11) for storing the amount of heat boiled by the heat pump heating device (10) for use in the hot water to the hot water supply use side terminal;
Driving operation means (30, 40) operated when it is desired to execute automatic operation of hot water filling,
If the hot water filling automatic operation execution command signal is sent by operating the driving operation means (30, 40), whether or not the hot water filling hot water driving operation is possible using learning information learned from past usage results. And a control device (50) for controlling the operation of the heat pump heating device (10),
The control device (50) calculates the amount of heat required for filling to fill the hot water and uses the learning information to heat up the heat pump heating device while filling the hot water. Calculate the amount of heat that can be boiled,
Further, by comparing the calculated hot water storage heat amount stored in the hot water storage tank (11) with the calculated amount of heat that can be heated up and the calculated required hot water filling amount, A hot-water supply apparatus characterized by determining. When the predicted amount of stored hot water is equal to or greater than the required amount of hot water filling, the control device (50) determines that the hot water filling hot water operation is possible and starts the boiling operation by the heat pump heating device. And start the hot water bathing operation,
When the predicted amount of stored hot water is less than the amount of heat necessary for filling the hot water, the boiling operation by the heat pump type heating device is started and the hot water filling hot water operation is set to a standby state.
The hot water hot water supply operation is started when the hot water storage heat amount obtained by adding the heat amount stored by the boiling operation of the heat pump type heating device to the hot water storage heat amount of the hot water storage tank becomes equal to or greater than the required hot water filling heat amount. 1. A hot water supply apparatus according to 1. The control device (50) starts the boiling operation by the heat pump heating device and puts the hot water supply hot water operation in a standby state when the predicted hot water storage heat amount is less than the required hot water filling heat amount,
The hot water filling and hot water operation is started when a predetermined amount of hot water that can be bathed can be filled using the amount of heat stored by the heating operation of the heat pump heating device. Hot water supply device.   The said control apparatus (50) reduces the heating capability of the said heat pump type heating apparatus from the maximum capability according to external temperature, and varies the boiling temperature of the said boiling operation. The hot water supply device according to any one of the above. The control device (50) uses the learning information to calculate a boiling equivalent time when the heat pump type heating device is operating with a certain heating capacity, and uses the boiling equivalent time to calculate the heating time. Calculate the amount of heat that can be boiled,
5. The rising operation time until the heating capacity is stabilized after the heat pump heating device is started is converted to half the time and included in the boiling equivalent time. 6. A hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1.   The said control apparatus (50) sets the boiling temperature by the said heat pump type heating apparatus during the said hot water pouring operation to the boiling temperature from which the heating capability becomes the maximum capability, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The said control apparatus (50) updates the hot-water filling time measured as said learning information, when the said hot-water hot-water supply operation is started from the state in which there is no remaining hot water in a bathtub (43). Item 7. A hot water supply apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6.

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