JP2010175142A - Operating method of water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating method of a water heater, saving hot water to be used on the next day in a hot water storage tank by operating a heating source at midnight, and efficiently collecting solar heat to heat the water in the hot water storage tank during the daytime. <P>SOLUTION: This operating method of the water heater 10 has: the hot water storage tank 15 having a water supply port 11 on its bottom section, and a first hot water supply port 12 on its ceiling section, and accommodating a heat exchanging section 14 for a heat medium heated by a solar heat collecting section 13 inside of the bottom section; and the heating source 19 for heating the water taken out from the bottom section of the hot water storage tank 15 and supplying the hot water to the hot water storage tank 15. Temperature region data to each temperature region in which the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage tank 15 is gradually reduced toward a high temperature side, is created in advance, a temperature A is determined from outside air temperature data obtained by measuring the outside air temperatures of specific time zones of the latest past few days, the temperature region B corresponding to the temperature A is selected from the temperature region data, the hot water storage amount C corresponding to the temperature region B is determined to operate the heating source 19, and the operation of the heating source 19 is stopped at the time point when the hot water of a target temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank 15 by the hot water storage amount C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a method of operating a water heater that heats water in a hot water storage tank with a heat medium heated by a solar heat collecting section during the day and heats water in the hot water storage tank with a heating source at night.

Solar heating that heats the water in the hot water storage tank with a heat medium that is provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank, circulates the heat medium between the heat exchanging part and the solar heat collecting part, and is heated in the solar heat collecting part. A circuit and a heat pump heating circuit that guides water from the upper side of the hot water storage tank to the heat pump at the lower side of the hot water tank, heats it with the heat pump and returns the hot water to the upper side of the hot water storage tank. A hot water supply system has been proposed in which only water is heated with a heat pump to make hot water, and the water around the heat exchange section is kept at a low temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-162109 A

However, in the hot water supply system described in Patent Document 1, when all the water in the hot water storage tank is boiled up at night by heating with the heat pump, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is used and provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank. There is a problem that solar heat cannot be collected by the solar heat collecting part until the surroundings of the heat exchange part are filled with water, and the solar heat collecting part cannot be efficiently collected in the daytime when the solar radiation is strong.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and operates a heating source at midnight to secure hot water to be used the next day in a hot water storage tank, and efficiently recovers solar heat during the day to heat the water in the hot water storage tank. It aims at providing the operation method of the water heater which can be.

The operation method of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention that meets the above object includes a water supply port through which water flows into the bottom part, a first hot water outlet that sends out hot water stored in the ceiling part, and solar heat collection inside the bottom part. A hot water storage tank in which a heat exchanging part for heating water stored in a heat medium heated in the hot part is housed, and water taken out from a water intake provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank is converted into hot water by midnight power. In a method of operating a water heater having a heating source stored in the hot water storage tank through a pouring port provided in a ceiling portion of the hot water storage tank or the periphery thereof,
Create in advance temperature range data for each temperature range where the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage tank is set to be smaller as the temperature shifts to the higher temperature side,
The temperature A is determined from the outside temperature data obtained by measuring one of the average temperature, the minimum temperature, and the maximum temperature of the outside temperature in a specific time zone in the latest past multiple days, and corresponds to the temperature A from the temperature range data. The temperature region B to be selected is selected, the hot water storage amount C corresponding to the temperature region B is determined, the heating source is operated, and the hot water at the target temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank when the hot water storage amount C is stored. Stop operation of the heating source.

In the operation method of the hot water heater according to the present invention, the target temperature is determined using the predicted heat usage amount determined by the actual usage heat amount obtained from the amount of hot water used on the day of the latest past predetermined period and the hot water storage amount C. can do.

In the operation method of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of hot water and water are disposed in the hot water storage tank in the height direction, and the hot water storage tank has the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. It can be determined that the amount C of hot water has been stored.

In the method of operating a water heater according to the present invention, the hot water storage tank is composed of a single tank, and a second hot water outlet is provided at an intermediate height position on the side of the hot water storage tank. When the first hot water outlet is connected via a mixing valve to take out hot water from the hot water storage tank, the mixing valve is operated to prioritize the hot water from the second hot water outlet, and the second When the temperature of hot water taken out from the hot water outlet decreases, the amount of hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet can be increased.

In the operation method of the water heater according to the present invention, the hot water storage tank includes a first sub-tank in which the first hot water outlet is provided on a ceiling portion, and the pouring port is provided on or around the ceiling portion, and the water supply port. And a second sub tank in which the water intake is provided at the bottom and the heat exchanging portion is housed inside the bottom, and a communication pipe connecting the lower portion of the first sub tank and the upper portion of the second sub tank. When a second hot water outlet is provided at the upper end of the second sub-tank, and the second hot water outlet and the first hot water outlet are connected via a mixing valve, the hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank. And operating the mixing valve to prioritize the hot water from the second hot water outlet, and when the temperature of the hot water taken out from the second hot water outlet decreases, The amount of tapping can be increased.

In the operation method of the water heater according to the present invention, when the heating source is operated at midnight and hot water to be used the next day is stored in the hot water storage tank, the hot water at the target temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank up to the hot water storage amount C. Since the operation is stopped, it is possible to prevent all the water in the hot water tank from being boiled. For this reason, water can exist around the heat exchanging part provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank, and heat radiation from the heating medium heated in the solar heat collecting part is promoted, so that the solar heat collecting part can Recovery can be performed efficiently.

In the operation method of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention, the target temperature is determined by using the predicted usage heat amount and hot water storage amount C of hot water used the next day determined from the actual usage heat amount per day obtained over the latest past predetermined period. When deciding, the target temperature can be decided reflecting the seasonal change and lifestyle.

In the method for operating a water heater according to the present invention, a hot water storage tank is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a plurality of hot water and water in the height direction, and hot water having a hot water storage amount C is stored in the hot water storage tank at a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. Can be determined easily and accurately at low cost.

In the operation method of the water heater according to the present invention, the hot water storage tank is composed of a single tank, the second hot water outlet is provided at an intermediate height position on the side of the hot water storage tank, and when hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank, When giving priority to the hot water from the second hot water outlet, water can be poured into the lower part of the hot water storage tank while using the hot water in the hot water storage tank. Thereby, water can be made to exist around the heat exchanging part, and the solar heat can be recovered more efficiently by the solar heat collecting part.

In the operation method of the water heater according to the present invention, the hot water storage tank is constituted by a first sub tank, a second sub tank, a communication pipe connecting the lower portion of the first sub tank and the upper portion of the second sub tank, When giving priority to the hot water from the second sub-tank in which the heat exchanging part for heating the water stored in the heat medium heated by the solar heat collecting part is disposed inside the bottom part, Water can be injected into the lower part of the sub tank. For this reason, water can be present around the heat exchange part, and the solar heat can be recovered more efficiently by the solar heat collecting part in the second sub-tank.

It is explanatory drawing of the water heater to which the operating method of the water heater which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus which controls the operation | movement of the heat exchange part of the water heater to which the operation method of the water heater is applied, the operation of the heating source, and the hot water supply temperature. (A), (B), (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the quantity of the hot water respectively stored in a hot water storage tank in a summer temperature area | region, an intermediate temperature area | region, and a winter temperature area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the hot water storage tank which concerns on the modification of a water heater.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a water heater 10 to which a method for operating a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied includes a water inlet 11 through which water flows into a bottom portion, and hot water stored in a ceiling portion. Hot water storage tanks each having a first hot water outlet 12 to be discharged and in which a heat exchange unit 14 for heating water stored in an antifreeze liquid, which is an example of a heat medium heated by a solar heat collecting unit 13, is housed inside the bottom. 15 and the water taken out from the water intake 16 provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 15 is converted into hot water by midnight power and stored in the hot water storage tank 15 through the hot water inlet 17 provided around the ceiling of the hot water storage tank 15. For example, it has the heating source 19 provided with the heat pump unit 18. Further, the water heater 10 includes a heat medium circulation circuit 20 that circulates the antifreeze liquid between the heat exchange unit 14 and the solar heat collection unit 13, and a hot water supply circuit 21 that is connected to the first outlet 12 and supplies hot water. Have. This will be described in detail below.

The hot water storage tank 15 has a first sub-tank 22 in which the first outlet 12 is provided on the ceiling and the pouring port 17 is provided on the ceiling (or around the ceiling), and the water supply port 11 and the intake port 16 are the bottom. And a communication pipe 24 connecting the lower end portion of the first subtank 22 and the upper end portion of the second subtank 23. Yes. The amount of hot water stored in each of the first and second sub tanks 22 and 23 is, for example, 230 liters. Here, the water supply port 11 and a water supply pipe (not shown) are connected via a water conduit 27 provided with check valves 25 and 26 on both sides, respectively, and the portion between the check valves 25 and 26 in the water conduit 27. Are provided with a water supply thermistor 28 which is an example of temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of water flowing in from the water supply pipe and a pressure reducing valve 29 for adjusting the pressure of water flowing in from the water supply pipe.

Thermistors 30, 31, and 32, which are examples of temperature sensors, are arranged at a plurality of positions in the height direction of the first sub-tank 22, for example, at the ceiling and at positions 50 liters and 150 liters from the ceiling. The thermistors 33, 34, 35, and 36, which are examples of temperature sensors at a plurality of positions in the height direction of the second sub-tank 23, for example, the ceiling part, the positions of 70 liters and 140 liters from the ceiling part, and the bottom part. Are arranged respectively.

Accordingly, whether the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (first sub tank 22) is less than 50 liters or less than 150 liters from the temperature values measured by the thermistors 30, 31, 32. From the temperature measured by the thermistor 33, it can be determined whether or not the first sub tank 22 is filled with hot water (that is, the amount of hot water stored in the first sub tank 22 is 230 liters). Whether the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (that is, the first and second sub tanks 22 and 23 together) is less than 300 liters based on the temperature value measured by the thermistors 34 and 35, 370 Whether it is less than a liter can be determined.

The heating source 19 includes a heat pump unit 18 that heats water to make hot water, and a boiling pump 37 that supplies water taken out from a water intake 16 provided at a lower portion of the second sub-tank 23 to the inlet side of the heat pump unit 18. And a heat pump return pipe 39 that connects the outlet side of the heat pump unit 18 and the pouring port 17 of the first sub tank 22 to supply hot water produced by the heat pump unit 18 to the first sub tank 22. have. As a result, the water taken out from the water intake 16 provided at the bottom of the second sub-tank 23 can be made into hot water and supplied to the first sub-tank 22 via the hot water inlet 17 for storage.

Here, the heat source 19 has a second heat pump return pipe 41 for returning the hot water produced by the heat pump unit 18 to the bottom of the second sub-tank 23 via the heat pump return three-way valve 40 provided in the heat pump return pipe 39. Is provided. As a result, when the temperature of the hot water produced by the heat pump unit 18 is low, the heat pump return three-way valve 40 is switched so that the hot water produced by the heat pump unit 18 passes through the second heat pump return pipe 41 in the second sub tank 23. It can return to a bottom part, and it can prevent that the hot water in a low temperature flows in from the upper part of the 1st sub tank 22, and the hot water in the 1st sub tank 22 is stirred.

The heat medium circulation circuit 20 includes a return pipe 42 that flows the antifreeze heated by the solar heat collector 13 to the heat exchanging unit 14, and a forward pipe 43 that flows the antifreeze liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger 14 to the solar heat collector 13; An antifreeze liquid that is attached to the forward piping 43 and moves from the heat exchanging section 14 to the solar heat collecting section 13 is introduced into the accumulator tank 44 that temporarily flows in from the upper portion and temporarily flows out from the lower portion, and is attached to the outgoing piping 43 on the downstream side of the accumulator tank 44. The solar pump 45 is provided. Further, the heat medium circulation circuit 20 includes first and second reserve tanks 47 and 48 whose lower ends are connected to the accumulation tank 44 via a communication pipe 46 connected to the upper portion of the accumulation tank 44. A discharge valve 49 for discharging the antifreeze in the first and second reserve tanks 47 and 48 is provided at a portion of the communication pipe 46 that communicates with the first and second reserve tanks 47 and 48. Yes.

By connecting the accumulator tank 44 and the first and second reserve tanks 47 and 48 via the communication pipe 46, when the antifreeze liquid in the accumulator tank 44 expands, the antifreeze liquid passes through the communication pipe 46 to the first and second antifreeze liquids. It is possible to prevent the pressure of the antifreeze liquid in the heat medium circulation circuit 20 from rising. Further, when the temperature of the antifreeze liquid in the accumulation tank 44 is lowered and the antifreeze liquid contracts, the antifreeze liquid flows from the first and second reserve tanks 47 and 48 into the accumulation tank 44 through the communication pipe 46, and the heat medium The circulation circuit 20 can be filled with antifreeze.

Further, the heat medium circulation circuit 20 is connected to the solar heat collecting unit 13 by a bypass path 51 having one end connected via a solar three-way valve 50 provided in the return pipe 42 and the other end connected to the upper portion of the accumulator tank 44. And a solar return thermistor 52 which is an example of temperature detecting means provided in a return pipe 42 between the solar three-way valve 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 53 of the water heater 10 includes the temperature of the antifreeze measured by the solar return thermistor 52, and the water temperature measured by the thermistor 36 attached to the lower part of the second sub-tank 23. When the temperature difference is, for example, 7 ° C. or more, it is determined that the heat collecting operation is possible, the solar three-way valve 50 is operated, the bypass passage 51 and the return pipe 42 are disconnected, and the solar pump 45 is turned on. When the temperature difference is less than 7 ° C., for example, it is determined that the heat collecting operation is not performed and the solar three-way valve 50 is operated to bring the bypass passage 51 and the return pipe 42 into communication and the solar pump 45 is periodically A heat collection operation determination means 54 having a function of operating for a certain time (for example, 3 to 5 minutes) at (for example, 10 to 20 minutes) is provided. The heat collection operation determination means 54 can be formed, for example, by mounting a program that expresses each of the above functions on a microcomputer.

As a result, when the heat collection operation determination means 54 determines that the heat collection operation is possible, the bypass passage 51 and the return pipe 42 are disconnected from each other by the operation of the solar three-way valve 50, and the antifreeze liquid is returned to the return pipe by the operation of the solar pump 45. The water is supplied to the heat exchanging unit 14 via 42 and the water in the second sub tank 23 is heated. On the other hand, when the heat collection operation determination means 54 determines that the heat collection operation is not successful, the bypass passage 51 and the return pipe 42 communicate with each other, the solar pump 45 is periodically operated, and the antifreeze liquid is returned from the solar heat collection section 13. Circulate using a part of the solar three-way valve 50, the bypass passage 51, the accumulation tank 44, and a part of the outgoing pipe 43. Since the antifreeze is supplied to the heat exchanging unit 14 only when the heat collecting operation is possible, the antifreeze is not circulated wastefully between the solar heat collecting unit 13 and the heat exchanging unit 14. The energy saving operation of the circulation circuit 20) becomes possible.

The hot water supply circuit 21 is connected to a hot water outlet 55 connected to the first hot water outlet 12 of the ceiling portion of the first sub tank 22 and a second hot water outlet 56 provided in the ceiling portion of the second sub tank 23. A solar mixing valve (an example of a mixing valve) 58 is connected to each of the second hot water outlet pipes 57 and mixes hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet 12 and hot water discharged from the second hot water outlet 56. Further, the hot water supply circuit 21 is connected to a hot water supply pipe 59 connected to the outlet side of the solar mixing valve 58, a pressure reducing valve 29 of the water conduit 27, and a second water conduit 60 connected to an intermediate portion of the check valve 25, respectively. It has a hot water supply mixing valve 61 that mixes hot water sent through the hot water supply pipe 59 and water sent through the second water guide pipe 60, and a hot water supply pipe 62 connected to the outlet side of the hot water supply mixing valve 61. Here, the hot water supply pipe 59 and the hot water supply mixing valve 61 are connected via a check valve 63, and the second conduit pipe 60 and the hot water supply mixing valve 61 are connected via a check valve 64. The hot water supply pipe 59 is provided with a solar hot water thermistor 65 which is an example of temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 59, and the hot water supply pipe 62 measures the volume of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 62. And a hot water supply thermistor 67 which is an example of a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 62.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 53 of the water heater 10 uses the function of setting the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 62 and the temperature signals from the water supply thermistor 28 and the solar water heater thermistor 65. A hot water mixing valve controller 68 having a function of adjusting the hot water mixing valve 61 so that the temperature of hot water supplied from the pipe 62 (temperature signal from the hot water supply thermistor 67) becomes a set temperature is provided.

Further, the controller 53 of the water heater 10 supplies the hot water supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 61 via the hot water supply pipe 59 (temperature measured by the solar hot water supply thermistor 65) from the hot water supply pipe 62. A function of setting a second set temperature higher than the set temperature by a certain temperature (for example, 3 to 10 ° C.), and when the second set temperature exceeds the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 33, Adjust the solar mixing valve 58 so that the temperature (temperature measured by the solar hot water supply thermistor 65) when the hot water and the hot water from the second outlet pipe 57 are mixed becomes the second set temperature, and measured by the thermistor 33. If the hot water temperature is equal to or higher than the second set temperature, the function of adjusting the solar mixing valve 58 so that the hot water supply from the hot water discharge pipe 55 is stopped and the hot water is supplied only from the second hot water discharge pipe 57 is Having solar mixing Regulator 69 is provided. Note that the hot water mixing valve controller 68 and the solar mixing valve controller 69 can be formed, for example, by installing a program that expresses the above functions in a microcomputer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 53 of the water heater 10 uses, for example, an outside air temperature thermistor 70 that is attached to the heat pump unit 18 and is an example of a temperature measuring unit that measures the outside air temperature around the heat pump unit 18. The lowest temperature is extracted from the outside air temperature data obtained by measuring the lowest outside air temperature in a specific time zone (for example, over 24 hours) in the latest past plural days (for example, 7 days), and the temperature A is obtained. It has the temperature specific | specification part 71 provided with the function to output a signal. In addition, the temperature specific | specification part 71 can be formed by mounting the program which expresses said each function in a microcomputer, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 53 has a temperature region data storage unit 72 having a mechanism for storing temperature region data for each temperature region in which the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage tank 15 is set to be smaller as the temperature is shifted to a higher temperature side. is doing. Here, the amount of hot water stored in the temperature region data is, for example, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (first and second sub-tanks 22, 23) is set to 230 liters in the summer temperature region where the temperature A is 20 ° C. or higher. In the intermediate temperature range where A is less than 20 ° C and higher than 10 ° C, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is set to 300 liters, and in the winter temperature region where the temperature A is lower than 10 ° C, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is set to 370 liters. Has been. The temperature region data storage unit 72 can be formed, for example, by mounting a program that expresses each of the above functions on a microcomputer.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature A is inputted, the control device 53 reads the temperature region data from the temperature region data storage unit 72, sets the temperature A as the lowest temperature of the next day, and the temperature A of the next day belongs. Hot water storage amount setting with a function of selecting a temperature region B, determining the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 as a hot water storage amount C (effective hot water storage amount) corresponding to the temperature region B, and outputting a signal of the hot water storage amount C A portion 73 is provided. The hot water storage amount setting unit 73 can be formed, for example, by mounting a program that expresses each of the above functions on a microcomputer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 53 determines a hot water use start time (for example, 5:00 am) and a hot water use end time (for example, 5:00 am on the next day) in advance, and the latest past predetermined period (for example, the most recent time) Every time hot water is used between the hot water use start time and the hot water use end time for seven days, the flow rate provided in the hot water supply pipe 62 measures the amount of hot water and the hot water supply thermistor 67 provided in the hot water supply pipe 62. Measure the temperature of the hot water and calculate the amount of heat of the hot water used, and calculate and store the actual amount of heat used for the hot water used in one day by accumulating the amount of heat stored at the end of the hot water use time. An expected usage heat amount calculation unit 74 having a function of determining an expected usage heat amount based on an average value of actual usage heat amounts in the past predetermined period and a maximum value of actual usage heat amount and outputting a signal of the expected usage heat amount is provided. Here, for example, the expected amount of heat used is obtained by multiplying the average value of the actual amount of used heat by the numerical coefficient (for example, 0.3 to 0.8) to the difference between the maximum value of the actual amount of used heat and the average value of the actual amount of used heat. Obtained by adding the amount of additional heat obtained. By adding the amount of extra hot water, even if the amount of hot water used suddenly increases, it is possible to prevent hot water from running out. Note that the expected heat usage calculation unit 74 can be formed, for example, by mounting a program that expresses each of the above functions on a microcomputer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 53 includes a hot water storage amount C signal input from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73, an expected usage heat amount signal input from the predicted usage heat amount calculation unit 74, and a temperature from the thermistor 28. It has the target temperature setting part 75 provided with the function which calculates | requires the target temperature of the hot water supplied to the 1st subtank 22 using a signal, and outputs a target temperature signal.

Further, the control device 53 takes in the temperature measured by the thermistors 30 to 36 and outputs a hot water tank temperature signal measured by the thermistors 30 to 36, and a midnight power time zone in advance. The heat pump unit 18 is started to operate at the heat source operation start time set to, and hot water at the target temperature is supplied to the hot water storage tank 15 using the input target temperature signal, the hot water storage amount C signal, and the hot water storage tank temperature signal. A heat pump unit operation control unit 77 having a function of determining whether or not the hot water storage amount C has been stored and stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 18 when the hot water of the target temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank 15 by the hot water storage amount C. is doing.

Here, when the hot water storage amount C signal is not input from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73 and the predicted use heat amount calculation unit 74 is not input the target temperature setting unit 75, the target temperature setting unit 75 is supplied to the first sub tank 22. It has a function of outputting a temporary temperature signal that sets the temperature of the hot water to be supplied as a predetermined temporary temperature. Further, the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 stores the hot water of the temporary temperature in the hot water storage tank 15 in a predetermined temporary hot water storage amount when the temporary temperature signal is input without receiving the hot water storage amount C signal. A function of stopping the operation of the unit 18 is provided. The target temperature setting unit 75, the temperature measuring device 76, and the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 can be formed, for example, by installing a program that expresses each of the above functions in a microcomputer.

Subsequently, an operation method of the water heater 10 to which the operation method of the water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.
First, the water heater 10 is installed and the operation is started. At this time, the target temperature setting unit 75 does not receive the hot water storage amount C signal from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73 and also does not receive the predicted use heat amount calculation unit 74, so the target temperature setting unit 75 Outputs, to the heat pump unit operation control unit 77, a temporary temperature signal for setting the temperature of hot water supplied to the first sub tank 22 to a predetermined temporary temperature (for example, 85 ° C.). In addition, since the hot water storage amount C signal is not input from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73 to the heat pump unit operation control unit 77, the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 receives the provisional temperature signal and receives the temporary temperature hot water. The heat pump unit 18 is operated until the provisional hot water storage amount (for example, 370 liters) is stored in the hot water storage tank 15 in advance. Thereby, the hot water storage tank 15 is in a state in which hot water having a temporary temperature is stored in an amount corresponding to the temporary hot water storage amount.

When hot water at a provisional temperature stored in the hot water storage tank 15 is used, the predicted heat use amount calculation unit 74 calculates and stores the heat amount of the hot water used every time the hot water flows out from the hot water supply pipe 62, and ends use of the hot water. The actual amount of heat used for hot water used for one day is obtained by integrating the amount of heat stored when the time has elapsed. Then, when the actual use heat quantity for 7 days is obtained, the expected use heat quantity for tomorrow is determined from the actual use heat quantity obtained over the 7 days from the expected use heat quantity calculation unit 74 on the 8th day, and the signal of the expected use heat quantity is determined. Is input to the target temperature setting unit 75. On the other hand, the temperature specifying unit 71 obtains the minimum temperature from the outside temperature data of the minimum temperature measured over 7 days and sets it as the specific temperature A, and the temperature A signal is input to the hot water storage amount setting unit 73.

The hot water storage amount setting unit 73 reads the temperature region data from the temperature region data storage unit 72, compares the input temperature A with the temperature region data, selects the temperature region B corresponding to the temperature A, and enters the temperature region B. The corresponding hot water storage amount C is determined and is set as the effective hot water storage amount stored in the hot water storage tank 15.

When the hot water storage amount C is determined, the hot water storage amount setting unit 73 outputs a signal indicating the hot water storage amount C toward the target temperature setting unit 75. In the target temperature setting unit 75, the target of hot water supplied to the hot water storage tank 15 (first sub-tank 22) using the input hot water storage amount C signal, the predicted heat usage signal, and the water temperature measured by the water supply thermistor 28. The temperature is obtained, and a signal of the target temperature is output to the heat pump unit operation control unit 77.

The heat pump unit operation control unit 77 confirms that the time on the eighth day has reached the heat source operation start time, and starts the operation of the heat pump unit 18. When the heat pump unit 18 is operated, hot water having a target temperature flows from the outlet of the heat pump unit 18, and hot water gradually accumulates in the first sub tank 22 from the ceiling to the bottom. In addition, the preset temperature at the time of lighting the lamp | ramp which displays the quantity of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (1st and 2nd sub tanks 22 and 23) is 50 degreeC, for example.

When the temperature A belongs to the summer temperature range of 20 ° C. or higher, the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 receives a signal for setting the hot water storage amount C to 230 liters from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the temperature measured by the thermistor 33 of the second sub-tank 23 is 50 ° C. when the target temperature is less than 75 ° C., and the target temperature is 75 ° C. or more and less than 85 ° C. If the target temperature is 85 ° C. or higher and reaches 60 ° C., it is determined that 230 liters of hot water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (first and second sub-tanks 22 and 23). Stop operation. At this time, since the temperatures measured by the thermistors 31 to 33 are 50 ° C. or more, a lamp indicating that hot water is present at the installation positions of the thermistors 31 to 33 is turned on.

When the temperature A belongs to an intermediate temperature range of less than 20 ° C. and 10 ° C. or more, the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 receives a signal for setting the hot water storage amount C to 300 liters from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, the temperature measured by the thermistor 34 of the second sub-tank 23 is 50 ° C. when the target temperature is less than 75 ° C., and the target temperature is 75 ° C. or more and less than 85 ° C. If the target temperature is 85 ° C. or higher and reaches 60 ° C., it is determined that 300 liters of hot water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (first and second sub-tanks 22 and 23). Stop operation. At this time, a lamp indicating that hot water is present at the installation position of the thermistors 31 to 34 is turned on.

Further, when the temperature A belongs to the winter temperature range below 10 ° C., the heat pump unit operation control unit 77 receives a signal for setting the hot water storage amount C to 370 liters from the hot water storage amount setting unit 73. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, the temperature measured by the thermistor 35 of the second sub-tank 23, 50 ° C. when the target temperature is less than 75 ° C., and the target temperature is 75 ° C. or more and less than 85 ° C. When the temperature reaches 55 ° C. and the target temperature is 85 ° C. or higher, when it reaches 60 ° C., it is determined that 370 liters of hot water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 15 (first and second sub-tanks 22, 23). To stop. At this time, a lamp indicating that hot water is present at the installation position of the thermistors 31 to 35 is turned on.

Accordingly, in the morning of the ninth day (the next day), hot water having a target temperature required for the ninth day is stored in the hot water storage tank 15 by the hot water storage amount C. When hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank 15, the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 62 is set by the hot water supply mixing valve controller 68. Thereby, in the solar mixing valve controller 69, the temperature of hot water supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 61 via the hot water supply pipe 59 is a constant temperature (for example, 3 to 10) than the set temperature set by the hot water supply mixing valve controller 68. The second set temperature is set higher by (° C.). And when the 2nd preset temperature exceeds the temperature of the hot water measured with the thermistor 33, the temperature at the time of mixing the hot water from the tapping pipe 55 and the hot water from the second tapping pipe 57 (measured with the solar hot water thermistor 65). The solar mixing valve 58 is adjusted so that the temperature becomes the second set temperature. Further, when the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 33 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature, the solar mixing valve is configured so that the hot water supply from the hot water discharge pipe 55 is stopped and the hot water is supplied only from the second hot water discharge pipe 57. 58 is adjusted. Accordingly, the hot water discharged from the second hot water outlet 56 is prioritized, and when the temperature of the hot water taken out from the second hot water outlet 56 is low, the amount of hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet 12 can be increased.

FIG. 4 shows a hot water storage tank 78 according to a modification of the water heater 10.
Compared with the hot water storage tank 15, the hot water storage tank 78 is composed of a single tank 79 (capacity: 460 liters), and the hot water storage tank 78 has a second outlet at an intermediate height position on the side of the hot water storage tank 78. A feature is that a gate 80 is provided. In the tank 79, the first hot water outlet 12 is provided at the upper end, the hot water inlet 17 is provided around the ceiling, and the water supply port 11 and the water intake 16 are provided at the bottom. Furthermore, the heat exchange unit 14 is housed inside the bottom of the tank 79, and the return pipe 41 of the second heat pump is connected to the bottom of the tank 79. Further, the thermistors 30 to 35 are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions in the height direction of the tank 79, for example, at the ceiling portion and at positions of 50 liters, 150 liters, 230 liters, 300 liters, and 370 liters from the ceiling portion. A thermistor 36 is disposed at the bottom of 79.

Therefore, the method of operating the heat pump unit 18 at midnight and storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 78 (tank 79) can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the hot water storage tank 15, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
When hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank 78 (tank 79), when the set temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 62 is determined by the hot water supply mixing valve controller 68, the second set temperature is the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 33. If the temperature exceeds the temperature, the solar mixing is performed so that the temperature when the hot water from the hot water discharge pipe 55 and the hot water from the second hot water discharge pipe 57 are mixed (temperature measured by the solar hot water supply thermistor 65) becomes the second set temperature. Valve 58 is adjusted. Further, when the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 33 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature, the solar mixing valve is configured so that the hot water supply from the hot water discharge pipe 55 is stopped and the hot water is supplied only from the second hot water discharge pipe 57. 58 is adjusted. Accordingly, the hot water discharged from the second hot water outlet 80 is prioritized, and when the temperature of the hot water taken out from the second hot water outlet 80 is low, the amount of hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet 12 can be increased.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment, and the matters described in the scope of claims. Other embodiments and modifications conceivable within the scope are also included.
For example, a temperature A of 20 ° C. or higher is divided into a summer temperature region, a temperature A of less than 10 ° C. is divided into a winter temperature region, and the intermediate temperature region is divided into an intermediate period region, but depending on the region and place where the water heater is installed, The temperature A that distinguishes the temperature range and the winter temperature range can be changed.

Moreover, although the hot water storage amount was set to 370 liters for the winter temperature region, 300 liters for the intermediate period region, and 230 liters for the summer temperature region, the hot water storage amount was higher in the temperature region. If it is satisfied that the setting is so small, the amount of hot water set for the temperature region can be changed according to the lifestyle and family structure.
Furthermore, although the outside temperature data is created by measuring the minimum temperature of the outside temperature, the outside temperature data can also be created by measuring either the average temperature or the maximum temperature of the outside temperature.

10: Hot water supply machine, 11: Water supply port, 12: First hot water outlet, 13: Solar heat collecting part, 14: Heat exchange part, 15: Hot water storage tank, 16: Water intake, 17: Hot water inlet, 18: Heat pump unit , 19: heating source, 20: heating medium circulation circuit, 21: hot water supply circuit, 22: first sub tank, 23: second sub tank, 24: communication pipe, 25, 26: check valve, 27: water conduit, 28: Water supply thermistor, 29: Pressure reducing valve, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36: Thermistor, 37: Boiling pump, 38: Heat pump return piping, 39: Heat pump return piping, 40: Heat pump return three-way valve 41: second heat pump return pipe, 42: return pipe, 43: forward pipe, 44: accumulator tank, 45: solar pump, 46: communication pipe, 47: first reserve tank, 48: second pipe Serve tank, 49: Discharge valve, 50: Solar three-way valve, 51: Bypass passage, 52: Solar return thermistor, 53: Control device, 54: Heat collection operation determination means, 55: Hot water outlet pipe, 56: Second hot water outlet, 57: Second hot water outlet pipe, 58: Solar mixing valve, 59: Hot water supply pipe, 60: Second water guide pipe, 61: Hot water supply mixing valve, 62: Hot water supply pipe, 63, 64: Check valve, 65: Solar Hot water supply thermistor, 66: Flow meter, 67: Hot water supply thermistor, 68: Hot water supply mixing valve controller, 69: Solar mixing valve controller, 70: Outside temperature thermistor, 71: Temperature specifying unit, 72: Temperature region data storage unit, 73 : Hot water storage amount setting unit, 74: expected heat usage calculation unit, 75: target temperature setting unit, 76: temperature measuring device, 77: heat pump unit operation control unit, 78: hot water storage tank, 79: tank, 80: second Tap hole

Claims (5)

A water supply port through which water flows into the bottom is provided, and a first hot water outlet that delivers hot water stored in the ceiling is provided, and the water stored in the heat medium heated by the solar heat collecting unit is stored inside the bottom. A hot water storage tank in which a heat exchanging part for heating is stored, and a pouring port provided in the ceiling part of the hot water storage tank or around the hot water by using the water taken out from the water intake provided in the bottom of the hot water storage tank as a late-night power A method of operating a water heater having a heating source stored in the hot water storage tank via
Create in advance temperature range data for each temperature range where the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage tank is set to be smaller as the temperature shifts to the higher temperature side,
The temperature A is determined from the outside temperature data obtained by measuring one of the average temperature, the minimum temperature, and the maximum temperature of the outside temperature in a specific time zone in the latest past multiple days, and corresponds to the temperature A from the temperature range data. The temperature region B to be selected is selected, the hot water storage amount C corresponding to the temperature region B is determined, the heating source is operated, and the hot water at the target temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank when the hot water storage amount C is stored. An operation method of a water heater, wherein the operation of the heating source is stopped. 2. The operation method of a hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the target temperature is calculated by using an estimated usage heat amount determined from an actual usage heat amount obtained from a hot water amount used for a day in the latest past predetermined period and the hot water storage amount C. A method of operating a water heater characterized by deciding. 3. The method for operating a water heater according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of hot water and water are disposed in the hot water storage tank in a height direction, and measurement is performed using the temperature sensors. It is determined that the hot water of the hot water storage amount C has been stored in the hot water storage tank at the determined temperature. The operation method of the hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hot water storage tank includes a single tank, and a second hot water outlet is provided at an intermediate height position on a side portion of the hot water storage tank. When the hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank by connecting the second hot water outlet and the first hot water outlet via a mixing valve, the mixing valve is operated to remove the hot water from the second hot water outlet. The hot water supply operation method is characterized in that priority is given to the first hot water outlet and the amount of hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet is increased when the temperature of hot water taken out from the second hot water outlet decreases. In the operating method of the water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in the hot water storage tank, the first hot water outlet is provided in a ceiling portion, and the pouring gate is provided in the ceiling portion or the periphery thereof. A first sub-tank, a second sub-tank in which the water supply port and the water intake port are provided at the bottom and the heat exchange unit is housed inside the bottom, a lower portion of the first sub-tank, and a second sub-tank A communication pipe that connects the upper part, a second hot water outlet is provided at the upper end of the second sub-tank, and the second hot water outlet and the first hot water outlet are connected via a mixing valve. When hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank, the mixing valve is operated to prioritize hot water from the second hot water outlet, and the temperature of the hot water taken out from the second hot water outlet decreases. And the amount of hot water discharged from the first hot water outlet is increased. Operation method.

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