JP2010249372A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater, capable of achieving a high efficiency without running out of hot water by increasing or decreasing the supplied amount of hot water that can be used in consideration of the characteristic of a pattern of using hot water. <P>SOLUTION: In the water heater, a heating heat quantity determining means 3 includes a used heat quantity storage means 21 for storing, for a certain preset period of time and for each use of hot water supply, the quantity of heat used up to the previous day, together with the measured time of hot water supply measured by a time measuring means 20, the quantity of heat being measured by used heat quantity measuring means (4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 17, 18) for measuring the heat quantity of hot water supply used by users; a basic heating heat quantity computing means 22 for computing the heating heat quantity of the day based on the stored content of the used heat quantity storage means 21 and according to the average value and the deviation value of heat quantities used in units of days; a use activity identifying means 23 for identifying the kind of activity using the hot water supply, based on the heat quantity of the hot water supply for each use; and a heating heat quantity correcting means 24 for correcting the result of computing by the basic heating heat quantity computing means 22 according to the output of the use activity identifying means 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater that uses boiled hot water stored in a hot water storage tank.

  Conventionally, this type of water heater is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 4 shows a conventional water heater described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a hot water storage tank 1 and a heating means 2 for heating the water in the hot water storage tank 1 are provided, and one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the amount of heat used in each time zone is stored. The heating heat amount determining means 3 for controlling the heating means 2 is provided so that the necessary heat amount can be secured for each time zone.

JP 2007-147246 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, hot water is prevented from running out by keeping the required amount of water heated up before the corresponding time zone. However, if the usage pattern is constant every day, the amount of hot water stored and used Although the amount will match, if the irregularity is high, there will be a problem that the hot water will run out without boiling where it must be boiled, or the water will boil up and not be used. In order to avoid this, if a certain amount of margin is observed for each time zone, there is a problem that as a result, the amount of boiling is excessive and waste is increased.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a hot water supply apparatus that can increase or decrease the amount of hot water that can be used in consideration of the characteristics of the hot water usage pattern and can achieve high efficiency without causing hot water to run out. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the water heater of the present invention includes a hot water storage tank, heating means for heating the water in the hot water storage tank, boiling heat amount determination means for determining the amount of boiling heat by the heating means, A heat consumption measuring means for measuring the amount of heat used by the user for supplying hot water; and a time measuring means, wherein the boiling heat amount determining means is a predetermined period of time for use heat up to the previous day measured by the heat consumption measuring means. Based on the stored contents of the used heat amount storage means, and the average value and deviation value of the used heat amount per day, based on the stored contents of the used heat amount storage means Based on the output of the basic heating heat amount calculating means for calculating the amount of boiling heat, a usage behavior determining means for determining the type of hot water usage behavior from the amount of hot water supply for each use, and the output of the usage behavior determining means It is characterized by comprising a heating heat amount correcting means for correcting the calculation result by the basic boiling heat amount calculating means, and the basic is based on the average value and the deviation value of the total amount of hot water used in one day The amount of hot water to be boiled is determined, and the amount of hot water is increased or decreased according to the irregularity of the usage pattern.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the supply amount of the hot water which can be used in consideration of the characteristic of the utilization pattern of hot water can be increased / decreased, and the water heater which can obtain high efficiency without causing hot water shortage can be provided.

Configuration diagram of a water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic diagram of memorized and calculated values of the same amount of heat used The figure which showed typically the memory value of the use calorie | heat amount memory | storage means Configuration of a conventional water heater

  1st invention is a hot water storage tank, the heating means which heats the water of the said hot water tank, the boiling heat amount determination means which determines the amount of boiling heat by the said heating means, and the utilization heat quantity which measures the hot water use heat amount by a user Measuring means and timing means, and the heating heat amount determining means measures the amount of heat used up to the previous day measured by the utilization heat amount measuring means by the time measuring means for a predetermined period of time for each use of hot water supply. Heat amount storage means for storing together with the hot water supply time, and a basic boiling heat amount for calculating the heating heat amount for the day from the average value and the deviation value of the daily use heat amount based on the stored contents of the use heat amount storage means Based on the calculation means, the use behavior determination means for determining the type of hot water use behavior from the amount of hot water supply for each use, and the basic boiling heat amount calculation means based on the output of the use behavior determination means It consists of boiling heat amount correction means that corrects the calculation result.If the irregularity is difficult to predict, the amount of boiling water should be adjusted so that it is safe against running out of hot water. Since it contributes to efficiency improvement by increasing with respect to the basic boiling heat amount and reducing it when the irregularity is low, it is possible to perform operation control that can achieve both user-friendliness and energy-saving performance adapted to the usage pattern of the user.

  The second invention is a hot water supply means for mixing hot water in a hot water tank with hot water and supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature, a bath, and a hot water supply means for mixing hot water in a hot water tank with hot water and supplying the hot water to the bathtub, Bath replenishing means for reheating the bath by exchanging heat between the hot water in the hot water storage tank and the hot water in the bathtub, and the used heat quantity storage means includes the hot water supply means, the bath hot water supply means, and the bath reheating means. It is characterized by having a configuration that stores at least one of the used heat amounts, and it can grasp the functions installed in this type of water heater that has a different degree of effect on the efficiency as necessary, Precise prediction is possible in the calculation of the amount of heat to be raised, which improves usability and energy saving.

  The third invention is characterized in that the heating means is a heat pump cycle, and as a result of being able to apply a boiling temperature as low as possible only when the amount of hot water used is large, the maximum efficiency can be achieved. It can be drawn to the limit.

  The fourth invention is characterized in that the heat pump cycle is a supercritical refrigerant circuit that is boosted to a supercritical pressure during operation. Since the boiling temperature can be increased, the amount of heat that can be used and the hot water can be increased. Cutting resistance can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water heater in an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a hot water supply apparatus of the present invention includes a hot water tank 1, a heat pump unit 2 as a heating means for heating water in the hot water tank 1, and a calorific value measuring means for detecting the temperature of the hot water coming out of the hot water tank 1 when hot water is supplied. As a hot water storage tank hot water temperature detection means 4, a water supply flow rate detection means 5 for detecting the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the hot water storage tank 1 at the time of hot water supply, a hot water temperature detection means 6, a bathtub 7, and hot water and water supply in the hot water tank 1. A mixing valve 8 and a three-way valve 9 as bath hot water filling means for supplying hot water to the bathtub 7, bath hot water temperature detecting means 10 for the bath 7, bath hot water flow rate detecting means 11, and operation remote control 12 The bath hot water filling start switch 13 that is operated by the user and starts the hot water filling to the bathtub 7 is configured.

  In addition, a heat exchanger 14, a first circulation pump 15, and a second circulation pump 16 are provided as a bath replenishing means for exchanging heat by exchanging hot water in the hot water tank 1 and hot water in the bathtub 7. ing.

  Further, a heat exchanger inlet water temperature detecting means 17 for detecting the water temperature of the primary side inlet of the heat exchanger 14 and a heat exchanger flow rate detecting means 18 for detecting the primary flow rate of the heat exchanger 14 are provided. .

  Further, the operation remote controller 12 is provided with a bath renewal start switch 19 that is operated by the user to start the circulation pumps 15 and 16.

  The boiling heat quantity determination means 3 includes a hot water tank temperature detection means 4, a feed water flow rate detection means 5, a feed water temperature detection means 6, a bath hot water temperature detection means 10, a bath hot water flow rate detection means 11, and a heat exchanger inlet water temperature detection. The heat quantity storage means 21 that obtains the heat quantity used from the heat quantity measurement means of the means 17 and the heat exchanger flow rate detection means 18 and stores it together with the hot water supply time measured by the time measurement means 20, and the stored daily unit for the past week Of the contents stored in the used heat amount storage means 21, the basic boiling heat amount calculation means 22 for determining the amount of heat generated on the current day based on the average value and the deviation value of the used heat quantity, for each function, that is, to a hot water tap or shower Based on the determination result of the use behavior discrimination means 23 for discriminating the kind of hot water use behavior of the user based on the amount of heat of the hot water supply, bath hot water filling and bathing and the time when they were used. And a boiling heat correction means 24 for correcting the amount of heat boiling determined by the basic boiling heat calculating means 22.

  About the hot water heater comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  As a basic operation, the hot water tank 1 is filled with a lot of low-temperature water before boiling, and when the operation is started, it is sent from the heat pump outlet 26 to the heat pump unit 2 by the circulating pump 25 for boiling. The heated hot water is returned to the hot water tank 1 from the heat pump return port 27. Accordingly, hot water is stored in the hot water tank 1 sequentially from above.

  When using hot water after boiling, hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is sent from the hot water supply port 28, and this hot water is mixed with the water supplied from the water supply pipe 29 by the mixing valve 8, adjusted to the set temperature, and hot water supplied. Supplied from the stopper 30. Further, water corresponding to the amount of hot water used for hot water supply flows from the water supply port 31 at the bottom of the hot water tank 1 through the water supply pipe 29.

  When the bath hot water start switch 13 provided on the operation remote controller 12 is pressed by the user, the three-way valve 9 switches to the bath hot water side, and hot water is stored from the hot water outlet 28 in the same way as hot water use. Hot water in the tank 1 is sent, and this hot water is mixed with the feed water from the feed water pipe 29 by the mixing valve 8, adjusted to the set temperature, and supplied to the bathtub 7.

  In addition, when the bath reheating start switch 19 provided on the operation remote controller 12 is pressed by the user, the three-way valve 9 is switched to the bath reheating side and the first circulation pump 15 is operated. The second circulation pump 16 is activated, and the hot water in the hot water tank 1 and the hot water in the bathtub 7 are sent to the temporary flow path of the heat exchanger 14 through the bath follow-up port 32 of the hot water tank 1. The hot water inside is sent to the secondary flow path of the heat exchanger 14. The hot water on the primary side after the heat exchange is returned to the hot water storage tank 1 through the bath chase return port 33.

  Here, the water heater of the present embodiment contributes to energy saving by reducing the amount of hot water by determining an appropriate amount of boiling heat for the day according to how the user uses the hot water, Has a function to prevent usability deterioration.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of stored values and calculated values of the amount of heat used.

  In FIG. 2, 34 is the amount of heat used from one day before to seven days before stored in the heat usage storage means 21. The value of the total amount of heat used is obtained by multiplying the difference between the hot water tank temperature and the feed water temperature by the feed water flow rate using the outputs of the hot water tank hot water temperature detecting means 4, the feed water flow rate detecting means 5 and the feed water temperature detecting means 6. The difference between the heat exchanger inlet water temperature and the feed water temperature is multiplied by the heat exchanger flow rate using the outputs of the heat exchanger inlet water temperature detection means 17, the heat exchanger flow rate detection means 18 and the feed water temperature detection means 6. It is the total.

  The difference between the hot water tank temperature and the hot water temperature using the outputs of the hot water tank hot water temperature detecting means 4, the hot water temperature detecting means 5 and the hot water temperature detecting means 6 is multiplied by the hot water tap 30. This is the sum of the amount of hot water supplied from the bath and the amount of hot water supplied from the bath.

  The basic boiling heat amount calculation means 22 calculates a daily use heat amount average value / standard deviation 35 from the use heat amounts for the past one week. Based on this daily use heat amount average value / standard deviation 35, the average value and the standard deviation are summed as the heat amount to be heated on the day, and this is used as the basic boiling heat amount 36.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes the amount of heat used in the past week for each of the three functions of hot water tap and hot water supply to the shower, bath hot water filling, and bath chase among the contents stored in the used heat amount storage means 21. These amounts of heat are stored together with the time by the time measuring means 20 each time they are used.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a part of each stored content. Among these, the amount of heat in the bath hot water bath is obtained by multiplying the difference between the hot water tank temperature and the hot water temperature by the feed water flow rate using the outputs of the hot water tank hot water temperature detecting means 4, the hot water flow rate detecting means 5, and the hot water temperature detecting means 6. From the above, the difference between the bath hot water temperature and the hot water temperature is multiplied by the bath hot water flow rate using the outputs of the bath hot water temperature detecting means 10 and the bath hot water flow rate detecting means 11.

  Further, the usage behavior discriminating means 23 estimates the user's behavior from the used time and heat quantity, and assigns a number assigned in advance to each behavior to create a behavior discrimination value 38.

  The boiling heat amount correcting means 24 calculates a boiling heat amount correction value 39 using the action determination value 38, and increases or decreases the basic boiling heat amount 36 to determine the final heating heat amount 40 on the same day. Specifically, the behavior discrimination values 38 are compared and compared with the time of day and the amount of heat used. If the variation in the pattern is small, the boiling on that day will be smaller than the basic boiling heat amount 36 according to the value. The amount of heat to be raised 40 is corrected to improve energy saving. On the other hand, if the amount is large, the amount of heat is reduced with respect to the basic boiling heat amount 36 to reduce the risk of running out of hot water.

  At this time, when it is determined that the hot water filling is performed only on a specific day of the week or the pattern changes greatly on the weekend, the boiling heat amount correction value 39 is increased or decreased accordingly.

  As described above, the water heater of the present embodiment discriminates the use behavior from the use time and the use heat amount for each hot water supply function, based on the heating heat amount determined by the average value and standard deviation of the use heat amount for each day of the past week. However, if the usage pattern is irregular, it is increased so that it is safe against running out of hot water, and if the regularity is high, it is reduced to contribute to efficiency improvement. Operation control that can achieve both characteristics.

The refrigeration cycle of the heat pump unit 2 preferably uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant and is operated at a pressure exceeding the critical pressure. Since the boiling temperature can be increased by using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, it is possible to increase the amount of heat that can be used and to prevent the hot water from running out.

  As described above, since the water heater according to the present invention can realize a control method that achieves both high efficiency and convenience, it can be applied to a hot water storage tank of a domestic water heater as described above, as well as a heat source and a hot water tank. It can also be applied to large-scale applications such as for business use in a system having a high level of convenience for facility managers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water tank 2 Heat pump unit 3 Boiling heat amount determination means 4 Hot water tank hot water temperature detection means 5 Feed water flow rate detection means 6 Feed water temperature detection means 7 Bathtub 8 Mixing valve 9 Three-way valve 10 Bath hot water temperature detection means 11 Bath hot water flow rate detection means 14 Heat exchanger 15 First circulation pump 16 Second circulation pump 17 Heat exchanger inlet water temperature detection means 18 Heat exchanger flow rate detection means 20 Timing means 21 Utilized heat amount storage means 22 Basic boiling heat quantity calculation means 23 Utilization behavior determination means 24 Boiling heat quantity correction means

Claims (4)

Hot water storage tank, heating means for heating the water in the hot water storage tank, boiling heat amount determining means for determining the amount of boiling heat by the heating means, utilization heat amount measuring means for measuring the amount of heat used by the user for hot water supply, and timing means And the boiling heat quantity determining means stores the used heat quantity measured by the used heat quantity measuring means up to the previous day together with the hot water supply time measured by the time measuring means for a predetermined period of time for each hot water use. Based on the stored contents of the used heat amount storage means, the basic heating heat amount calculating means for calculating the heating heat amount for the day from the average value and deviation value of the used heat amount per day, Based on the output of the usage behavior determination means and the usage behavior discrimination means for discriminating the type of hot water usage behavior from the amount of hot water supply of the hot water, the calculation result by the basic boiling heat quantity calculation means is corrected Water heater, characterized in that it is composed of a boiling heat correction means that. Hot water supply means for mixing hot water in a hot water tank with hot water and supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature; Bathtub; Hot water supply means for supplying hot water in a hot water tank with hot water and supplying the bathtub; and hot water in the hot water tank; Bath replenishing means for exchanging heat by exchanging the hot water in the bathtub, and the use heat quantity storage means is at least one of the use heat quantity of the hot water supply means, the bath hot water supply means, and the bath replenishment means. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water heater is configured to store The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating means is a heat pump cycle. The water heater according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump cycle is a supercritical refrigerant circuit that is boosted to a supercritical pressure during operation.

Images