JP2010014363A - Shower apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shower apparatus for supplying a hot/cold shower that is high in the temperature responsiveness of hot/cold water and increased in the convenience of, for example, timing and temperature setting. <P>SOLUTION: The shower apparatus for generating hot water and cold water alternately (hot/cold shower apparatus 2) establishes liquid-liquid heat exchange by using a heating medium 8 as a heat source. This can provide a quick change from hot water to cold water and can secure a temperature width quickly between a hot water temperature and a cold water temperature to enhance an increased massage effect and to improve user health. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a shower apparatus that automatically supplies a hot / cold water shower by so-called liquid-liquid heat exchange or the like that obtains hot water by the amount of heat of a heated heat medium.

  There is a hot water shower in the water heater application. Conventionally, it is known that if a hot water temperature of a hot water shower is changed in a predetermined pattern, a massage effect can be obtained by the shower.

Regarding the hot water shower that obtains such a massage effect, Patent Document 1 discloses that the combustion amount of the burner of the water heater is changed, the hot water temperature of the shower head is changed, and the set temperature is fluctuated. Is provided with a lower limit temperature limiter that sets a hot water upper limit temperature, changes the target temperature according to the upper limit temperature, and limits the target temperature.
JP-A-4-302944 (Summary, FIG. 1 etc.)

  By the way, in the water heater disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to obtain a fluctuation operation, a target temperature of hot water heated by the water heating circuit is set by a temperature setter, and water heating is performed based on the set temperature of this temperature setter. A control device for controlling the heating means of the circuit is provided, and has a fluctuation operation function for changing the amount of heating of the heating means according to time. In this fluctuation operation function, hot water in the fluctuation operation is controlled by a temperature setting device. The reference temperature is set, the target temperature is changed according to the reference temperature, and the fluctuation range of the target temperature is limited. Such restriction of the target temperature is for the user to change the set temperature without worrying about anxiety and to suppress the malfunction of the device due to the occurrence of drainage.

  If priority is given to the prevention of malfunctions of such devices, the fluctuation operation expected by the user will be limited. In direct control of the combustion amount, the responsiveness of fluctuation operation is low, and the time and temperature There is a problem that convenience is low, such as being difficult to change.

  In this case, when the burner is used as the heating means, the lower limit temperature of the fluctuation range is to prevent the heating amount from becoming weaker than the water temperature passing through the heat exchanger, and the combustion continues at a temperature lower than the lower limit temperature. Supplying it may cause malfunction of the device. Even if combustion of the burner is stopped and the feed water can be supplied at the feed water temperature below the lower limit temperature without heating the feed water, the temperature below the lower limit temperature is left to the feed water temperature, and it is higher than the lower limit temperature. When the target temperature is switched, the burner ignition control is indispensable, and the combustion response requires time.

  Even when the burner is not ignited, the target heating amount, that is, the gas supply amount is determined according to the change in the target temperature, and the air supply fan is driven in accordance with the target heating amount. Control of valves and gas proportional valves, and mixing control of water heated by the heating amount and bypassed water are necessary, and a considerable time is required for the response. There is a problem that is low.

Therefore, an object of the present invention relates to a shower apparatus that supplies a hot / cold water shower, and has a high temperature responsiveness of hot / cold water, and is intended to improve convenience such as time adjustment and set temperature change.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a shower device that alternately generates hot water and cold water, and performs a liquid-liquid heat exchange using a heat medium as a heat source, thereby falling from hot water to cold water. In a short time, the temperature range between the hot water temperature and the cold water temperature can be secured, the massage effect can be enhanced, and the health of the user can be promoted. The features of the present invention are listed as follows.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a shower device that alternately generates hot water and cold water, and heat exchange means for heating the circulating heat medium and heat of the heated heat medium to water. Heat medium heat exchange means, bypass means for flowing non-heated water to the hot water side of the heat medium heat exchange means, high-temperature water obtained by the heat medium heat exchange means, and non-heated water are mixed, Mixing means for generating hot water or cold water obtained by the mixing ratio of high-temperature water and non-heated water, setting the hot / cold water mode to control the heating means and / or the mixing means, and the unwinding time and the squeezing time And an upper limit temperature higher than a reference temperature and a lower limit temperature lower than the reference temperature are set, the temperature of the hot water is controlled to the upper limit temperature during the loosening time, and the lower limit temperature is set to the lower limit temperature during the tightening time. Cold water And a controlling means for controlling the temperature. With this configuration, the above object is achieved.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the shower apparatus, preferably, the upper limit temperature is set to a value higher than the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature, and the lower limit temperature is set to a value lower than the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature. The controller may be configured to increase the reference temperature from the reference temperature to the upper limit temperature with a predetermined temperature gradient during the loosening time. The above object can also be achieved by such a configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the shower apparatus, preferably, the control means includes first time passage means for aging from the setting of the hot / cold water mode, and the first time passage means is a first predetermined time. It is good also as a structure which cancels | releases the said hot / cold water mode when time passes. The above object can also be achieved by such a configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the shower apparatus, preferably, the control means is configured to elapse a second predetermined time from the supply interruption of the hot water or the cold water during the operation of the hot / cold water cycle. The time-lapse means may be provided, and when the second time-lapse means releases the supply shut-off before the second predetermined time has elapsed, the hot / cold water cycle may be restarted. The above object can also be achieved by such a configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, in the shower apparatus, preferably, the control means sets the number of operations of the hot / cold water cycle, and ends the hot / cold water cycle when the number of operations reaches a predetermined number. A configuration may be adopted. The above object can also be achieved by such a configuration.

  (1) In this shower device, the unwinding time and the squeezing time can be set in the hot / cold water cycle, and hot water can be automatically supplied during the unraveling time, and cold water can be automatically supplied during the squeezing time. Since it is performed by liquid-liquid heat exchange, the temperature change from hot water to cold water can be performed quickly, and the responsiveness is enhanced, so that the massage effect can be improved.

  (2) The minimum temperature of chilled water can be lowered to the incoming temperature of clean water supplied for chilled water, the temperature range between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature can be increased, and the temperature drop should be performed quickly. Can do.

  (3) The time width of the unwinding time and / or the tightening time and the time width of the hot / cold water cycle can be arbitrarily set.

  (4) If the control means includes a first aging means for aging from the setting of the hot / cold water mode, the hot / chilled water mode is automatically canceled when the first aging means elapses for the first predetermined time. And a highly convenient shower device can be obtained.

  (5) If the control means includes a second time aging means for aging a second predetermined time from the supply interruption of the hot water or the cold water during the operation of the hot / cold water cycle, the second time aging means is a second predetermined time. When the supply of hot water or cold water is released before the passage of time, the hot / cold water cycle can be automatically restarted, and a highly convenient shower device can be obtained.

(6) If the control means sets the number of operations of the hot / cold water cycle, and the number of operations reaches the predetermined number of times, the operation number of the hot / cold water cycle has reached the predetermined number of times. Since the hot / cold water cycle can be automatically terminated, a highly convenient shower device can be obtained.

  [First Embodiment]

  For the first embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hot / cold water shower apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  This hot / cold water shower apparatus 2 is an example of a hot water supply apparatus using a so-called liquid-liquid heat exchanger that performs hot water heating with the amount of heat of a heated heat medium as a heating means. As shown in FIG. 4 and a hot water supply device 6A.

  The heating device 4 is a heating unit that heats the heat medium 8 that is circulated to the hot water supply device 6 </ b> A, and includes, for example, a heat exchanger that exchanges the combustion heat of the burner with the heat medium 8. The heating medium 8 may be a heating liquid.

  The hot water supply device 6A is a hot water supply heating means for heating the feed water using the heat of the heat medium 8, and includes, for example, a plate heat exchanger 12 as a heat exchange means for exchanging the heat of the heat medium 8 to the clean water W. ing. In the plate heat exchanger 12, the heating medium 8 circulates from the heating device 4 through the heating medium side pipe 14, and the drinking water W circulates from the drinking water means to the drinking water side pipe 16. A hot water supply amount sensor 18 and a water control valve 20 are installed upstream of the plate heat exchanger 12 in the water supply line 16. The hot water supply amount sensor 18 is a means for detecting the flow rate of water supply and hot water supply through the water supply side pipe line 16, and the water control valve 20 is a means for controlling the flow rate of the water supply W flowing through the water supply side pipe line 16. is there.

  A bypass pipe 22 is branched on the upstream side of the plate-side heat exchanger 12 of the water supply side pipe 16, and a mixing valve 24 is provided at the junction of the downstream side of the bypass pipe 22 and the water supply side pipe 16. is set up. The bypass line 22 is a means for joining the hot water Wb before passing through the plate heat exchanger 12, that is, before heating, with the high-temperature water HWa. It is a means for adjusting the mixing ratio. An inlet temperature thermistor 26 serves as temperature detection means on the water supply side of the water supply side pipe 16, and a hot water temperature thermistor 28 serves as temperature detection means on the outlet water side pipe 16 on the outlet side of the plate heat exchanger 12, and a mixing valve 24. A mixed temperature thermistor 30 is installed in the downstream water supply side pipe line 16 as temperature detecting means. The incoming water temperature thermistor 26 detects the temperature of the clean water W, the outgoing hot water temperature thermistor 28 detects the hot water temperature of the hot water HWa, and the mixed temperature thermistor 30 detects the hot water temperature of the hot water HWb after passing through the mixing valve 24. Is done.

  The hot water supply apparatus 6A is provided with a control board 32 as a control means, and a control unit is provided on the control board 32, and a remote control device 34 is pulled out so that temperature control and the like can be remotely operated. . The remote controller 34 may be a bathroom remote controller installed in the bathroom.

  A shower pipe 36 and a hot water supply pipe 38 are branched downstream of the water supply pipe 16, and a shower head 40 is attached as a shower hot water outlet to the shower pipe 36, and means for adjusting the amount of shower water is provided. A hot water tap 42 is installed, and a hot water supply valve 44 is installed in the hot water supply line 38.

  Next, the control device mounted on the control board 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control device. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The control device 46 includes a control unit 48, and the control unit 48 includes, for example, a microcomputer.

  The controller 48 receives temperature detection signals from the hot water supply amount sensor 18, the incoming water temperature thermistor 26, the outgoing water temperature thermistor 28, the mixed temperature thermistor 30, the outside air temperature thermistor 49, etc., and the control output of the controller 48 is the water control valve. 20, the mixing valve 24, and other functional units 50. The outside air temperature thermistor 49 is an outside air temperature detecting means for determining the season based on the outside air temperature.

  An unused time timer 51 is set as an aging means for aging the unused time, and the unused time timer 51 includes a timer 511 as a first aging means for aging time that does not shift while selecting the hot / cold water mode. A timer 512 is installed as a second time-lapse means for suspending the interruption time during the operation of the hot / cold water mode, and the unused time timer 51 measures the time triggered by the output of the control unit 48. The obtained time information is added to the control unit 48. The timer 511 is a measuring unit that measures, for example, 10 minutes as a time that triggers the release of the hot / cold water mode, and the timer 512 is a measuring unit that measures, for example, 1 minute as a certain interruption time. The counter 53 is means for counting the number of hot / cold water cycles.

  The remote control device 34 connected to the control unit 48 is, for example, a bathroom remote control device installed in a bathroom, and includes a control unit 54, an operation unit 56 such as a key switch, a display unit 58, and a sound notification unit 60. . The control unit 54 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and the like, and controls communication with the control unit 48 on the control device 46 side, inputs input from the operation unit 56, display control of information on the display unit 58, and sound of the sound notification unit 60. Control such as notification by.

  The operation unit 56 is a means for inputting information and switching, and is composed of a group of switches configured integrally with the display unit 58. For example, a hot / cold water shower switch (SW) 561, an automatic switch (SW) 562, and a setting change. A switch (SW) 563, a cycle switch (SW) 564, and a cold water temperature switch (SW) 565 are provided.

  The hot / cold water shower SW561 is a means for instructing switching to the hot / cold water mode or switching the cancellation thereof, the entrusting SW562 is an instructing means for allowing the set temperature or the like to default, and the setting change SW563 is for changing various settings Command means, cycle SW564 is a command means for inputting setting change of cycle time, and chilled water temperature SW565 is a command means for changing chilled water temperature.

  Next, the hot / cold water operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a temperature change of hot / cold water, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a setting mode table, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a seasonal change.

  In the hot / cold water mode, when the hot-water tap 42 is opened, a hot / cold water shower is provided in which hot water HWb and cold water (low temperature water) Wb are alternately supplied from the shower head 40. That is, hot water HWb is supplied during the loosening time, and cold water Wb is supplied during the tightening time. The temperature of the hot water HWb is set as the unraveling temperature, and the upper temperature (Tr + 5) [° C], which is higher than the set temperature Tr [° C] as the unraveling reference temperature, for example, by 5 [° C] is set as the predetermined temperature. , The gradient temperature from the set temperature Tr [° C.] to the upper limit temperature (Tr + 5) [° C.]. In FIG. 3, Tw is the squeezing temperature in the hot / cold water mode, and is the lower limit temperature of the hot / cold water. The relationship between the tightening temperature Tw and the set temperature Tr can be expressed by Tw = Tr−ΔT.

  Further, the temperature of the cold water Wb may be a low temperature having a temperature range of, for example, 10 [° C.] or more as the set temperature Tr [° C.] and the predetermined temperature width ΔT as the tightening temperature Tw.

  In the hot / cold water mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the hot water supply temperature is gradually increased from the set temperature (hot water supply temperature) Tr [° C.] of the remote control device 34 in the first loosening time. (Set temperature Tr [° C.] + 5 [° C.]). In this case, when the set temperature Tr is a predetermined temperature, for example, 42 [° C.] or higher, the temperature reaches 42 [° C.] + 5 [° C.] = 47 [° C.] or higher. [C] is set to, for example, 42 [C] during the hot / cold water mode. The squeezing temperature is reached at the next squeezing time. This tightening temperature can be set in two steps of strength and weakness. “Strong” is, for example, 20 [° C.], and “weak” is, for example, 25 [° C.].

  In the hot / cold water mode, the unwinding time + squeezing time is set to one cycle, and this cycle is set as a predetermined number of times, for example, 10 times. After the end of this 10 cycles, the hot water is continuously supplied at the set temperature.

  As the cycle time of the unwinding time and the tightening time, three stages in the setting mode table 62 can be set as shown in FIG.

  In the “carefully” mode, the setting time is 40 seconds and the tightening time is 20 seconds.

  In the “normal” mode, the setting time is 30 seconds and the tightening time is 15 seconds.

  In the “karuku” mode, the unwinding time is set to 20 [seconds] and the tightening time is set to 10 [seconds].

  In addition, an “automatic” mode is provided. In this case, the operation can be changed depending on the season. Regardless of the set temperature, the initial temperature (usually the set temperature) of the unwinding time is 38 [° C] in summer, spring and autumn: 39 [° C], winter: 40 [° C], and the tightening temperature is 25 [in winter]. ° C], other seasons: 20 ° C. The cycle time is set to “normal” mode.

  In this case, the season is determined by using the temperature detected by the outside temperature thermistor 49 and determining the unwinding temperature and the tightening temperature from the lowest temperature for a certain period, for example, 10 days. As shown in FIG. 5, the seasonal change may be determined from the temperature based on the seasonal data published on the JMA homepage. For example, if the average value of, for example, 10 days of the detected temperature of the outside temperature thermistor 49 is taken and the previous season is 4 [° C.] in winter, the switching temperature from the winter mode to the spring / autumn mode is 6 [° C.]. . In this case, the switching temperature from the spring / autumn mode to the winter mode is 4 [° C.].

  Next, FIG. 6 is referred about hot water supply control including hot and cold water supply. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main process of hot water supply control.

  When the power is turned on, the control device 46 executes initialization processing such as reading of model settings, initialization of output, and initial test (step S11). As a process to be performed at all times, hot / cold water mode management (step S12) is executed, and switching of the hot / cold water mode is determined. In the hot water supply operation control, control related to hot water supply is performed, and this control includes supply of hot and cold water (step S13).

  Next, control such as freezing prevention is executed as other control (step S14), and after this control, the process returns to step S12.

  In this processing procedure, each control does not mean to move to the next step after the processing of each step is completed by repeating necessary processing while repeating the processing loop.

  Next, FIG. 7 is referred about hot / cold water mode management. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for hot / cold water mode management.

  The hot water supply temperature is set by the remote control device 34. In this embodiment, the bathroom remote control device is installed, but the kitchen remote control device may have the same function. Since a hot / cold water shower or the like is used in a bathroom, it is determined whether or not the temperature setting has priority in the bathroom (step S21). If the bathroom has priority (YES in step S21), the selection of the hot / cold water menu is determined. (Step S22), the hot / cold water mode can be set by selecting the hot / cold water menu. When the hot / cold water mode menu is selected by the remote controller 34 (YES in step S22), it is determined whether or not the hot / cold water mode is in effect (step S23), and if in the hot / cold water mode (YES in step S23). When the hot / cold water mode is being displayed, the process can be selected and the selected switch (SW) is determined (step S24).

  When the cycle SW 564 is pressed (A in step S24), the cycle time setting is changed (step S25). When the chilled water temperature SW565 is pressed (B in step S24), the setting of the tightening temperature is changed (step S26). When the flashing hot / cold water shower SW561 is pressed (C in step S25), the hot / cold water mode is canceled (step S27), and the normal hot water supply operation state is changed.

  If it is not in the hot / cold water mode in step S23 (NO in step S23), the hot / cold water operation setting is called and an initial value is set (step S28). Selection is possible, and switch selection is determined (step S29).

  When the hot / cold water shower SW561 is pressed (A in step S29), the hot / cold water mode is started at the set value displayed at that time (step S30). When automatic switch 562 is pressed (step S29 B), a set value corresponding to the season is called (step S31), and the hot / cold water mode is started (step S30). When the setting change SW 563 is pressed (step S29C), the cycle time and squeeze temperature setting screen display is displayed, and the setting can be changed, so that switch selection is determined (step S32).

  When the cycle SW 564 is pressed (A in step S32), the cycle time setting is changed (step S33), and when the chilled water temperature SW 565 is pressed (B in step S32), the tightening temperature is set. It is changed (step S34). When the hot / cold water shower SW561 is pressed (C in step S32), the hot / cold water mode is started at the set value displayed at that time (step S30).

  When the hot / cold water mode is started, in step S30, the display of the hot / cold water shower SW561 starts blinking, and the state is stored in a memory or the like so that it can be determined at the time of hot water supply. The number of cycles is also initialized, and when the hot / cold water shower is not performed for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), a timer 511 (10 minutes) for canceling the hot / cold water mode is started (step S35), The process returns to step S12 (FIG. 6).

  Next, FIG. 8 is referred with respect to the processing procedure of hot water supply control. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of hot water supply control.

  This hot water control includes a process in which the hot water tap 42 is not opened after the hot / cold water mode is set, and a process in which the hot water tap 42 is closed and the hot / cold water mode is interrupted during the operation of the hot / cold water mode. Is included. In the former process, the timer (10 minutes) 511 of the unused time timer 51 is operated simultaneously with the setting of the hot / cold water mode, and if the hot water tap 42 is not opened within 10 minutes, the hot / cold water mode is canceled. In the latter process, the hot-water tap 42 is closed during operation in the hot / cold water mode, and the hot / cold water mode is canceled if the hot-water tap 42 is not opened within one minute. In this embodiment, the operation standby after the setting of the hot / cold water mode is set to 10 minutes as an example, and the interruption is set to 1 minute. However, such a time is an example.

  Therefore, in this hot water supply control, it is determined whether or not the hot / cold water mode is in effect (step S41). If not in the hot / cold water mode (NO in step S41), it is determined whether or not the hot water tap 42 is open. If the hot water tap 42 is in an open state (YES in step S42), hot water is supplied at the set temperature (step S43), and the process returns to step S13 (FIG. 6). Even when the hot-water tap 42 is not in an open state (NO in step S42), the process returns to step S13 (FIG. 6). Such a process is a normal hot / cold water supply operation.

  If it is in the hot / cold water mode (YES in step S41), it is determined whether or not the hot-water tap 42 is in an open state (step S44). If the hot-water tap 42 is opened (YES in step S44), it is not yet determined. The timer (10 minutes) 511 and the timer (1 minute) 512, which are the usage time timer 51, are stopped (step S45), and the operation of supplying hot / cold water (FIG. 3) is performed (step S46). In this case as well, the normal hot / cold water supply operation is performed, but the number of execution cycles of the hot / cold water is counted by the counter 53, and the hot / cold water mode is canceled when a predetermined number of cycles (for example, 10 times) is completed.

  If it is in the hot / cold water mode and the hot-water tap 42 is closed (NO in step S44), it is determined whether or not the hot-water tap 42 has shifted from opening to closing (step S47). Since the hot / cold water mode is executed once the plug is opened, there is no processing by the timer (10 minutes) 511.

  When the hot-water tap 42 has shifted from opening to closing (YES in step S47), the hot / cold water mode is interrupted, and therefore the timer (1 minute) 512 that measures the interruption time of the hot / cold water supply operation triggered by the closure. Is set to start aging (step S48). If the hot water tap 42 does not shift from opening to closing (NO in step S47), if it is in operation, it is determined whether or not the timer (1 minute) 512 has expired (step S49), and the time has expired. If not (NO in step S49), the process returns to step S13 (FIG. 6). If timer (1 minute) 512 is up (YES in step S49), the hot / cold water mode is canceled (step S50).

  If the hot water tap 42 is opened while the timer (1 minute) 512 is timing (YES in step S44), the timer operation of the timer 512 is stopped and the hot / cold water supply operation is restarted (step S46). That is, if the interruption is within a predetermined time (1 minute), the hot / cold water supply operation is restarted.

  Even if the hot / cold water mode is set, if the hot water tap 42 is not opened (NO in step S44), the timer 511 is monitored for time-up through step S47 (step S49), and the timer 511 is time-up ( In step S49 (YES), that is, in this case, if the hot water tap 42 is not opened within 10 minutes, the hot / cold water mode is canceled (step S50), and a normal hot water supply operation or a standby state is entered.

  Next, FIG. 9 is referred about temperature control of hot / cold water. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for temperature control of hot and cold water.

  In the temperature control of hot / cold water, the set temperature Tr [° C.], the upper limit temperature (Tr + 5) [° C.] or the squeezing temperature Tw and the elapsed time are referred to as the detected temperature of the mixed temperature thermistor 30 and the target temperature. Hot water HWb and cold water Wb are supplied during the tightening time, and the hot water supply temperature is changed from the unwinding reference temperature Tr to the upper limit temperature (Tr + 5) [° C.] during the unwinding time.

  In the temperature control of hot / cold water, the elapsed time is monitored to determine whether the elapsed time is within the loosening time (step S61). If the elapsed time is within the loosening time (YES in step S61), the loosening time is reached. Therefore, the target temperature is loosened and set to the upper limit temperature (Tr + 5) [° C.] (step S62). When the elapsed time exceeds the loosening time (NO in step S61), the tightening temperature Tw is set as the target temperature because the tightening time is being reached (step S63).

  The mixing valve 24 is adjusted so that the detected temperature of the mixed temperature thermistor 30 becomes such a target temperature (step S64), and the mixing ratio of the high-temperature water HW with respect to the clean water W is increased during the loosening time, and during the tightening time. The mixing ratio of the high temperature water HW is reduced. In this case, for example, the detected temperature of the cold water Wb cannot be reduced below the incoming temperature of the clean water W. Therefore, if the set squeezing temperature is not higher than the incoming water temperature, the incoming water temperature becomes the squeezing temperature.

  It is determined whether or not the elapsed time for supplying the hot / cold water is equal to or greater than the “unwinding time + squeezing time” (step S65), and the “unraveling time + squeezing time” is defined as one cycle. The elapsed time is reset for the cycle (step S66). It is determined whether or not the cycle number N has reached a predetermined set cycle number Nr (= 10 times, for example) (step S67). If N = Nr is reached (YES in step S67), the hot / cold water operation is terminated and the hot / cold water mode is canceled (step S68).

  If such temperature control is performed, as shown in FIG. 10, the user can, for example, set temperature Tr1 (= 40 [° C.]), Tr2 (= 38 [° C.]), Tr3 (= 37 [ ° C]) in steps, and a hot water shower and a cold water shower can be supplied in which the loosening temperature and the squeezing temperature are alternately repeated. In this case, with the passage of time, control for automatically reducing the set temperatures Tr1, Tr2, Tr3 in steps may be performed, or control for increasing in steps may be performed. Further, the user may arbitrarily adjust the temperature as necessary.

  (1) According to the above configuration, hot and cold water can be automatically supplied from the shower head 40 in a predetermined pattern. In the embodiment, hot / cold water is supplied from the shower head 40, but it may be supplied from the hot water supply valve 44 side.

  (2) In the loosening time, the hot water HWb is heated by exchanging heat with the heat medium 8 using the plate heat exchanger 12 which is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and in the tightening time, the cold water Wb is passed through the bypass line 22. By mixing, the temperature of the hot water HWb is reduced, so that the low-temperature response is fast, the temperature range between the hot water HWb and the cold water Wb can be increased, and the rise and fall can be made steep. Since the plate heat exchanger 12 is always in a heated state, there is an advantage that the hot water temperature at the time of supplying hot water can be rapidly increased (rapid increase).

  (3) The minimum temperature of the cold water can be lowered to the incoming temperature of the clean water W, and the temperature range between the hot water and the cold water can be increased.

  (4) The supply time and supply temperature of hot water and / or cold water can be arbitrarily changed, and can easily meet the user's needs.

  (5) For example, the supply pattern of hot water and cold water can be set to 10 cycles and a desired supply time can be realized.

  (6) Even if it is interrupted in the hot / cold water mode, the supply of hot / cold water can be resumed within a predetermined time, for example, within one minute, which is highly convenient.

[Second Embodiment]

  The shower apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a hot / cold water shower apparatus according to the second embodiment. The hot / cold water shower apparatus shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG.

  This hot / cold water shower device 2 is realized by adding a cold water supply function to the hot water supply function of the hot water supply / reheating / heating device 6B. The hot water supply / refreshing / heating device 6B is a hot / cold water function for supplying hot / cold water supply. Part 64, normal hot water supply function part 66 that performs only normal hot water supply, heating function part 68 that performs heating, and renewal function part 70 that replenishes bathtub water BW. A heat medium 8 is used as a heat source for supplying hot / cold water, hot water supply, and bathing water, and a heating device 4 is used as a heat source for the heat medium 8.

  The heating device 4 is a heating means for the heating medium 8 to be circulated to the hot water supply / reheating / heating device 6B, a heating load, etc. In this embodiment, the combustion chamber 72 has a burner 74 as a heat source and an air supply means. The air supply fan 75 is installed, the fuel gas G as an example of fuel is burned by the burner 74, and the heat medium 8 is heated by the amount of heat of the combustion exhaust. The combustion chamber 72 includes a primary heat exchanger 76 that mainly exchanges sensible heat of combustion exhaust gas to the heat medium 8, and a secondary heat exchanger 78 that mainly exchanges latent heat of combustion exhaust gas to the heat medium 8. . The heat medium 8 is accumulated in the cis-turn 80 and is circulated to the secondary heat exchanger 78 and the primary heat exchanger 76 by the circulation pump 82 and heated.

  The hot / cold water function unit 64 is means for alternately supplying hot water and cold water, and is a functional unit that supplies hot / cold water from the shower head 40, and is the same as in the first embodiment. A description thereof will be omitted.

  Unlike the hot / cold water function unit 64, the normal hot water supply function unit 66 is a functional unit that continuously supplies hot water, and heats the water W supplied to the water supply side pipe 16 by the plate heat exchanger 12. The hot water HW is continuously supplied by exchanging heat of the medium 8. In this case, the hot water HW is supplied to the bathtub 86 through the conduit 84.

  The heating function unit 68 is a function unit that circulates the heat medium 8 heated by the heating device 4 to the high temperature terminal 88 and the low temperature terminal 90 to radiate heat.

  The memorial function unit 70 functions to circulate the bath water BW through the memorial pipe 92 to the heat exchanger 96 by the pump 94 and to heat the bath water BW by the amount of heat of the heat medium 8 circulated to the heat exchanger 96. Part.

  Also in the hot / cold water shower device 2, the hot water HWb or the cold water Wb described above is obtained by the plate heat exchanger 12 using the heat medium 8 heated by the heat source device of one can three water using a single burner 74 as a heat source. It is the structure which supplies.

  When the hot-water tap 42 is opened, the clean water Wa flows into the bypass line 22 via the water control valve 20 and the hot-water supply amount sensor 18, and the high-temperature water HW heated via the plate heat exchanger 12 and the bypass line The low temperature clean water Wb that has passed through 22 is mixed, and the hot water is discharged at the set temperature.

  When the hot water supply amount sensor 18 detects that the water supply amount has reached a certain level, the circulating pump 82 and the air supply fan 75 are rotated. When the number of rotations of the air supply fan 75 reaches a certain level, the igniter is activated and the ignition is performed. The plug starts to discharge, and the burner 74 that burns the fuel gas G is ignited. The original gas solenoid valve 98, the gas solenoid valve 100, and the gas switching solenoid valve 102 are “open”, the gas proportional valve 104 is “ON”, and the burner 74 is ignited. When the flame is detected by the frame rod, the combustion display of the bathroom remote controller 341 or the kitchen remote controller 342 is turned on as the remote controller 34. When combustion starts, the heat medium 8 that has absorbed a part of the latent heat in the secondary heat exchanger 78 further absorbs sensible heat in the primary heat exchanger 76, and the heat medium temperature detected by the tapping temperature thermistor 28. The opening degree of the gas proportional valve 104 and the rotation speed of the air supply fan 75 are adjusted so that the predetermined temperature becomes 80 [deg.] C., for example.

  In the plate heat exchanger 12, for example, hot water circulates as the high-temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) heat medium 8 heated by the secondary heat exchanger 78 and the primary heat exchanger 76, and the amount of heat the heat medium 8 has. Water W is heated by heat exchange.

  As described above, in the hot water supply / remembrance / heating device 6B, the hot / cold water shower device 2 is added, so that the hot / cold water function unit 64 or the normal hot water function unit 66 is selectively operated, or any one of them. On the other hand, the heating function unit 68 or the memorial function unit 70 can be selectively or simultaneously operated, and with the multi-function, a massage effect by hot / cold water expected by the user can be obtained, which contributes to the health promotion of the user. it can.

[Other Embodiments]

  In the above embodiment, the hot / cold water mode is canceled when the number of hot / cold water cycles reaches a predetermined number. However, the time is measured from the start of the hot / cold water cycle, and the measurement time reaches the predetermined time. When it does, it is good also as a structure which complete | finishes a hot / cold water cycle.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment and the like of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and is described in the claims or disclosed in the specification. It goes without saying that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the above gist, and such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a shower apparatus that automatically supplies a shower by so-called liquid-liquid heat exchange that obtains hot water by the amount of heat of a heated heat medium, and by liquid-liquid heat exchange, the temperature drop from hot water to cold water is accelerated, and a massage effect High temperature hot and cold water shower can be generated and is useful.

It is a figure which shows the hot / cold water shower apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the temperature change of warm / cold water. It is a figure which shows a setting mode table. It is a figure which shows a seasonal change. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the main process of hot water supply control. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of hot / cold water mode management. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of hot water supply control. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of temperature control of warm / cold water. It is a figure which shows the temperature change of the temperature control of warm / cold water. It is a figure which shows the hot / cold water shower apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Hot / cold water shower device 4 Heating device 6A Hot water supply device 6B Hot water supply / replacement / heating device 8 Heat medium 12 Plate heat exchanger 14 Heat medium side pipe 16 Water supply side pipe 18 Hot water supply quantity sensor 20 Water control valve 22 Bypass pipe Channel 24 Mixing valve 26 Water inlet temperature thermistor 28 Hot water temperature thermistor 30 Mixed temperature thermistor 32 Control board 34 Remote control device 36 Shower pipe 38 Hot water supply pipe 40 Shower head 42 Hot water tap 44 Hot water supply valve 46 Control device 48 Control section 49 Outside temperature thermistor 50 Other functional parts 51 Unused time timer 511 Timer (10 minutes)
512 timer (1 minute)
53 Counter 54 Control part 56 Operation part 58 Display part 60 Sound notification part 62 Setting mode table 64 Hot / cold water function part 66 Normal hot water supply function part 68 Heating function part 70 Remembrance function part 72 Combustion chamber 74 Burner 75 Air supply fan 76 Secondary Heat exchanger 78 Primary heat exchanger 80 Systurn 82 Circulating pump 84 Pipe line 86 Bathtub 88 High temperature terminal 90 Low temperature terminal 92 Mourning pipe line 94 Pump 96 Heat exchanger 98 Original gas solenoid valve 100 Gas solenoid valve 102 Gas switching solenoid valve 104 Gas proportional valve 561 Hot / cold water shower SW
562 Random SW
563 Setting change SW
564 Cycle SW
565 Cold water temperature SW

Claims (5)

A shower device that alternately generates hot water and cold water,
Heating means for heating the circulating heat medium;
A heat medium heat exchange means for exchanging heat of the heated heat medium with water;
Bypass means for flowing non-heated water to the hot water side of the heat medium heat exchange means;
Mixing means for mixing the high-temperature water obtained by the heat-medium heat exchange means and the non-heated water, and generating hot water or cold water obtained by a mixing ratio of the high-temperature water and the non-heated water;
A hot / cold water mode is set to control the heating means and / or the mixing means, and an unwinding time and a squeezing time are set as a hot / cold water cycle, and an upper limit temperature higher than a reference temperature and a lower limit temperature lower than the reference temperature are set. Control means for controlling the temperature of the hot water at the upper limit temperature during the unwinding time, and controlling the temperature of the cold water at the lower limit temperature during the tightening time;
A shower apparatus comprising: The shower device of claim 1,
The upper limit temperature is set to a value that is higher than the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature, the lower limit temperature is set to a value that is lower than the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature, and the control means is configured to change the reference temperature from the reference temperature during the unwinding time. A shower apparatus characterized by raising the upper limit temperature by a predetermined temperature gradient. The shower device of claim 1,
The control means includes first aging means for aging from the setting of the hot / cold water mode, and when the first aging means elapses for a first predetermined time, the hot / cold water mode is canceled. Shower equipment. The shower device of claim 1,
The control means includes second time passage means for elapse of a second predetermined time from supply interruption of the hot water or the cold water during the operation of the hot / cold water cycle, and the second time passage means is a second predetermined time means. The shower apparatus, wherein the hot / cold water cycle is restarted when the supply interruption is canceled before the passage of time. The shower device of claim 1,
The said control means sets the frequency | count of operation | movement of the said hot / cold water cycle, and when the frequency | count of operation reaches | attains predetermined number, the said hot / cold water cycle is complete | finished, The shower apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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