JP2011092856A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply device capable of preventing useless power consumption when a silver ion production unit runs out of the life and capable of avoiding such a malfunction that a fragment of an electrode is mixed into hot water. <P>SOLUTION: The hot water supply device detects an operation current I of the silver ion production unit 50 disposed on a hot water supply pipe 13 to a bath tub 20 and, when a detected current I is lowered to a set value, for example 5 mA or less, stops the operation of the silver ion production unit 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus that supplies hot water to a place of use.

  As a hot water supply device that supplies hot water to a place where it is used, a hot water heater equipped with a hot water storage tank that supplies hot water in the hot water storage tank to the bathtub where it is used and a silver ion generator in the hot water pipe is known. (For example, Patent Document 1).

  The silver ion generator has a pair of silver electrodes facing each other in the hot water supply pipe, and a voltage is applied between these electrodes to cause a current to flow between the electrodes via the hot water. Emits silver ions that migrate from one silver electrode to the other. This silver ion is supplied to the bathtub together with hot water. This silver ion exhibits high antibacterial power.

JP 2006-145113 A

  Both electrodes of the silver ion generator are consumed as the use proceeds and eventually no silver ions are generated. When the life of the silver ion generator expires, current continues to flow between both electrodes, and power is wasted. If it continues to be used as it is, there is a concern that the electrode breaks and the fragments are mixed into the hot water.

  The present invention takes the above circumstances into consideration, and its purpose is to prevent wasteful consumption of electric power when the silver ion generator has reached the end of its life and to avoid the problem of electrode fragments being mixed into hot water. It is to provide a hot and cold water supply device capable of performing the above.

  A hot water supply apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a silver electrode provided in a hot water supply path, and operates when the hot water is supplied to generate silver ions in the hot water. Current detecting means for detecting the operating current of the silver ion generator; and control means for stopping the operation of the silver ion generator when the detected current of the current detecting means falls below a set value.

  According to the hot water supply apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of electric power when the silver ion generator has reached the end of its life and to avoid a problem that electrode fragments are mixed into hot water.

The figure which shows the structure of each embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the hot water storage tank and its peripheral part in each embodiment. The figure which shows the principal part of the control part of the hot water supply unit in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the effect | action of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the principal part of the control part of the hot water supply unit in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the effect | action of 2nd Embodiment.

[1] First embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hot water supply unit, which is connected to a water supply source (not shown) through a water supply pipe 2. The water in the water supply pipe 2 is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 3 on the water supply pipe 2 and guided to the water supply pipe 4, and the water in the water supply pipe 4 is guided to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 through the check valve 5. A part of the water decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 3 is guided to the mixing plug 12 through the water supply pipe 6 and the check valve 7 on the water supply pipe 6.

  The mixing tap 12 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 via a hot water supply pipe 11, and the outlet of the mixing plug 12 is a hot water supply pipe (hot water supply path) 13, a hopper 14 on the hot water supply pipe 13 and silver ion generation. It is connected to the bathtub 20 via the vessel 50.

  The inlet of the first flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17 is connected to the downstream side of the location where the silver ion generator 50 is disposed in the hot water supply pipe 13 through the hot water pipe 15 and the circulation pump 16 on the hot water pipe 15. The outlet of the first flow path is connected to the bathtub 20 via the hot water pipe 18. That is, a part of the hot water supply pipe 13 connected to the bathtub 20, the hot water pipe 15, the circulation pump 16, the first flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17, and the hot water pipe 18 keep the hot water in the bathtub 20 warm (also referred to as additional cooking). ) Is formed.

  The hot water supply pipe 11 is connected to the inlet of the second flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17 via the hot water pipe 31 and the check valve 32 on the hot water pipe 31, and the outlet of the second flow path is connected to the hot water pipe 33 and The hot water storage tank 10 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 via a circulation pump 34.

  A mixing plug 37 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 11 via a hot water supply pipe 35 and a check valve 36 on the hot water supply pipe 35, and the outlet of the mixing plug 37 is used via a hot water supply pipe 38. Branch connected to bathroom shower. Water that has passed through the pressure reducing valve 3 in the water supply pipe 2 is guided to the mixing plug 37, and the water is mixed with hot water from the hot water supply pipe 35.

  The inlet of the water heat exchanger 82 of the heat source unit 80 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 via the hot water pipe 41 and the circulation pump 42 on the hot water pipe 41, and the outlet of the water heat exchanger 82 is connected to the hot water pipe 43. Is connected to the downstream side position of the circulation pump 34 in the hot water pipe 33.

  The hopper 14 has on-off valves 14a and 14b, check valves 14c and 14e, and a flow sensor (flow detection means) 14d. The flow sensor (flow detection means) 14 d detects the flow of hot water in the hot water supply pipe 13.

  The heat source unit 80 includes a heat pump refrigeration cycle that returns the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 81 to the compressor 81 via the water heat exchanger 82, the expansion valve 83, and the air heat exchanger 84, and the control unit 90. And pumps heat from the outside air, and supplies the pumped heat to the hot water of the water heat exchanger 82 (hot water led from the hot water pipe 41).

  The hot water supply unit 1 is provided with a control unit 60, and a remote control type operating device (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 70 and the control unit 90 of the heat source unit 80 are connected to the control unit 60. Remote controller 70 is installed in the vicinity of bathtub 20 and can set operating conditions for hot water supply unit 1 and heat source unit 80.

  The configuration of the hot water storage tank 10 and its peripheral part is shown in FIG. The control unit 60 is attached to the side surface of the hot water storage tank 10, and a red light emitting diode 67 and a yellow light emitting diode 68 are provided on the housing surface of the control unit 60.

The principal part of the control part 60 is shown in FIG.
The control unit 60 includes a power supply terminal 61 connected to the commercial AC power supply AC, a drive circuit 63 connected to the power supply terminal 61 via a power supply path 62 and a relay contact 65a on the power supply path 62, a main control unit 64, It has a relay 65, a current sensor (current detection means) 66, a red light emitting diode 67, a yellow light emitting diode 68, and an electrode life storage means connected to the main control section 64. The remote controller 70 and the controller 90 are connected to the main controller 64.

  The drive circuit 63 drives the silver ion generator 50. The silver ion generator 50 includes a pair of silver electrodes 51 and 52 that are opposed to each other in the hot water supply pipe 13, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes 51 and 52 from the drive circuit 63. In operation, current flows between the electrodes 51 and 52 through hot water, and accordingly, silver (Ag) ions that move from one silver electrode 51 to the other silver electrode 52 are generated. The silver ions are supplied to the bathtub 20 together with the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 13. In the hot water supply pipe 13, for example, an aluminum three-layer pipe that has been subjected to insulation treatment to prevent electric leakage is used in a section from the position where the silver ion generator 50 is disposed to at least the connection portion of the hot water pipe 15. .

  The current sensor 66 detects the current flowing from the drive circuit 63 to the silver ion generator 50, that is, the operating current I of the silver ion generator 50.

The main control unit 64 has the following means (1) to (5) as main functions.
(1) Control means for instructing the controller 90 of the heat source unit 80 to turn on and turning on the circulation pump 42 in a predetermined time zone, for example, at midnight power hours.

  (2) Control means for opening the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 when hot water supply to the bathtub 20 (including hot water and water) is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70.

  (3) Control means for operating the circulation pumps 16 and 34 when the warming of the hot water in the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70.

  (4) When the flow sensor 14d detects the flow of hot water, the relay 65 is energized to close the relay contact 65a, thereby energizing the silver ion generator 50 to operate the silver ion generator 50, When the silver ion output time Ts corresponding to the amount of hot water is exceeded, or when the flow sensor 14d stops detecting the flow of hot water, the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened. The power supply to the generator 50 is cut off to stop the operation of the silver ion generator 50. On the other hand, when the detection current I of the current sensor 66 drops to a set value, for example, 5 mA or less, the relay contact 65a is opened to open the silver Control means for stopping the operation of the ion generator 50.

  (5) When the detected current I of the current sensor 66 falls to a value higher than the set value by a predetermined value, for example, 10 mA or less, the yellow light emitting diode 68 is turned on to notify that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is near. When the detection current I of the current sensor 66 falls below the set value of 5 mA, the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on to notify that the silver ion generator 50 has expired and that the lifetime has expired. Informing means for displaying character information or image information on the display unit 71 of the remote controller 70.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the late-night power hours, the compressor 81 of the heat source unit 80 is turned on, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 81 circulates through the water heat exchanger 82, the expansion valve 83, and the air heat exchanger 84. Along with this, the circulation pump 42 is turned on, and the hot water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 flows into the water heat exchanger 82 through the hot water pipe 41 and is heated. Hot water flowing out from the water heat exchanger 82 is supplied to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 through the hot water pipe 43 and the hot water pipe 33. Thus, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 10.

  When the hot water supply to the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70, the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 are opened, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 becomes hot water pipe 11, mixing tap 12, hot water pipe 13, and silver ions. It is supplied to the bathtub 20 through the generator 50. At this time, if the flow of hot water is detected by the flow sensor 14d (YES in step 101), it is determined whether or not the electrode life is stored in the electrode life storage means (step 102). 102), the relay 65 is energized and the relay contact 65a is closed. By this closing, the drive circuit 63 operates to drive the silver ion generator 50 (step 104), and silver ions are added to the hot water supplied to the bathtub 20. By this silver ion, the antibacterial power of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 20 can be increased and the proliferation of germs can be suppressed.

When stoppage of hot water supply is instructed by the remote controller 70, or when the amount of hot water in the bathtub 20 reaches an appropriate amount and detected by a hot water sensor (not shown), the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 are closed and the bathtub is closed. Since the hot water supply to 20 is stopped and the flow sensor 14d does not detect the flow of hot water (YES in step 105), the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened. Alternatively, when the time from the start of hot water filling exceeds the silver ion output time Ts set to be an appropriate silver ion concentration (for example, 0.05 ppm) according to the hot water filling amount shown in Table 1 below. (YES in step 105), the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened. With this opening, the operation of the drive circuit 63 and the silver ion generator 50 is stopped (step 106).

  When the warming of the hot water in the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70, the circulation pumps 16 and 34 are operated, and the hot water in the bathtub 20 flows through the hot water supply pipe 13, the hot water pipe 15, and the bath heat exchanger 17. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 circulates through the hot water supply pipe 11, the hot water pipe 31, the second flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17, and the hot water pipe 33. At this time, the heat of the hot water passing through the second flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17 is transferred to the hot water in the bathtub circulation passing through the first flow path. Thus, the hot water in the bathtub 20 is kept warm.

  By the way, the silver electrodes 51 and 52 of the silver ion generator 50 are consumed and become smaller as the use proceeds, and no longer generate silver ions. As the electrodes 51 and 52 are consumed, the operating current I flowing from the drive circuit 63 to the silver ion generator 50 decreases. For example, 20 mA is set as the steady value of the operating current I. However, when the consumption progresses, it is less than 10 mA, and decreases to 5 mA or less when the service life expires.

  Therefore, when the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied to the bathtub 20 and the silver ion generator 50 is operating (NO in step 102, NO in step 105), the operating current flowing from the drive circuit 63 to the silver ion generator 50. I is detected by the current sensor 66 (step 107). Then, the detected current I is compared with the set value 10 mA (step 108).

  When the consumption of the electrodes 51 and 52 progresses and the detection current I decreases to a predetermined value of 10 mA and the condition of “5 mA <I ≦ 10 mA” is satisfied (YES in step 108, NO in step 110), the control unit in the hot water supply unit 1 60 yellow light-emitting diodes 68 are lit (step 109), and the fact that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is near is notified by the lighting of the yellow light-emitting diodes 68.

  If the consumption of the electrodes 51 and 52 further progresses and the detection current I decreases to a set value of 5 mA or less and the condition of “I ≦ 5 mA” is satisfied (YES in step 110), the electrode has a life in the electrode life storage means. Is stored (step 111). Subsequently, the yellow light emitting diode 68 of the control unit 60 is turned off and the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on (step 112), and the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened to generate the drive circuit 63 and silver ions. The operation of the device 50 is stopped (step 106).

  When the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on, it is notified that the silver ion generator 50 has expired and needs to be replaced. At the same time, the character information or image information indicating that the replacement is necessary due to the end of the life is also displayed on the display unit 71 of the remote controller 70.

  Thus, by stopping the operation of the silver ion generator 50 when the life of the silver ion generator 50 expires, the current continues to flow unnecessarily between the electrodes 51 and 52 that are consumed and no longer generate silver ions. This eliminates wasteful consumption of power. If the operation continues with the lifetime expired, there is a concern that the electrodes 51 and 52 are damaged and the fragments are mixed into the hot water supplied to the bathtub 20, but since the operation stops before that, the electrodes 51 and 52 are damaged and Accordingly, it is possible to avoid mixing of fragments. Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub 20 can be maintained in a safe and hygienic state.

  In addition, since the yellow light emitting diode 68 is informed that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is approaching, before the silver ion generator 50 expires and no longer generates silver ions, the silver ion generator 50 Can be exchanged for a new one. By this exchange, supply of silver ions to the bathtub 20 is not interrupted, and high antibacterial power against hot water supply to the bathtub 20 can always be maintained.

  Further, the location of the silver ion generator 50 in the hot water supply pipe 13 flows only when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 10 to the bathtub 20, and is removed from the heat retention channel for circulating the hot water in the bathtub 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that dirt of hot water in the bathtub 20 adheres to the silver ion generator 50 in advance.

[2] Second embodiment
Next explained is the second embodiment of the invention. Note that, in the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same components is omitted because it is duplicated.

  The hot water supply unit 1 in the second embodiment is that the current sensor (current detection means) 66, the red light emitting diode 67 and the yellow light emitting diode 68 are provided in the drive circuit 63 of the silver ion generator 50. It differs from the hot water supply unit 1 in the embodiment.

The principal part of the control part 60 in 2nd Embodiment is shown in FIG.
The control unit 60 includes a power supply terminal 61 connected to the commercial AC power supply AC, a drive circuit 63 connected to the power supply terminal 61 via a power supply path 62 and a relay contact 65a on the power supply path 62, a main control unit 64, A relay 65 connected to the main controller 64 is provided. The remote controller 70 and the controller 90 are connected to the main controller 64.

  The drive circuit 63 is provided with a current sensor (current detection means) 66 and has the red light emitting diode 67 and the yellow light emitting diode 68 to drive the silver ion generator 50.

The main control unit 64 has the following means (11) to (14) as main functions.
(11) Control means for instructing the controller 90 of the heat source unit 80 to turn on and turning on the circulation pump 42 in a predetermined time zone, for example, at midnight power hours.

  (12) Control means for opening the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 when hot water supply to the bathtub 20 (including hot water and water) is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70.

  (13) Control means for operating the circulation pumps 15 and 34 when the warming of the hot water in the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70.

  (14) When the flow sensor 14d detects the flow of hot water, the relay 65 is energized to close the relay contact 65a, thereby energizing the silver ion generator 50 to operate the silver ion generator 50; When the silver ion output time Ts corresponding to the amount of hot water is exceeded, or when the flow sensor 14d stops detecting the flow of hot water, the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened. Control means for shutting off the operation of the silver ion generator 50 by shutting off the energization to the generator 50.

On the other hand, the driving circuit 63 has the following means (15) as a main function in addition to driving the silver ion generator 50.
(15) When the detected current I of the current sensor 66 falls to a value higher than the set value by a predetermined value, for example, 10 mA or less, the yellow light emitting diode 68 is turned on to notify that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is near. When the detection current I of the current sensor 66 falls below the set value of 5 mA, the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on to inform the silver ion generator 50 that the silver ion generator 50 has expired. Means to stop energization.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the late-night power hours, the compressor 81 of the heat source unit 80 is turned on, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 81 circulates through the water heat exchanger 82, the expansion valve 83, and the air heat exchanger 84. Along with this, the circulation pump 42 is turned on, and the hot water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 flows into the water heat exchanger 82 through the hot water pipe 41 and is heated. Hot water flowing out from the water heat exchanger 82 is supplied to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 through the hot water pipe 43 and the hot water pipe 33. Thus, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 10.

  When the hot water supply to the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70, the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 are opened, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 becomes hot water pipe 11, mixing tap 12, hot water pipe 13, and silver ions. It is supplied to the bathtub 20 through the generator 50. At this time, the flow of hot water is detected by the flow sensor 14d (YES in step 201), and based on this detection, the relay 65 is energized and the relay contact 65a is closed. By this closing, the drive circuit 63 operates to drive the silver ion generator 50 (step 202), and silver ions are added to the hot water supplied to the bathtub 20. The hot water supplied to the bathtub 20 can be sterilized by the silver ions.

  When stoppage of hot water supply is instructed by the remote controller 70, or when the amount of hot water in the bathtub 20 reaches an appropriate amount and detected by a hot water sensor (not shown), the on-off valves 14a and 14b of the hopper 14 are closed and the bathtub is closed. Hot water supply to 20 is stopped. At this time, since the flow sensor 14d does not detect the flow of hot water (YES in Step 203), the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened. Alternatively, when the time from the start of hot water filling exceeds the silver ion output time Ts set so as to be an appropriate silver ion concentration (for example, 0.05 ppm) according to the hot water filling amount shown in Table 1 above (step) 203), the relay 65 is de-energized and the relay contact 65a is opened.

  With this opening, the operation of the drive circuit 63 and the silver ion generator 50 is stopped (step 204).

  When the warming of the hot water in the bathtub 20 is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 70, the circulation pumps 16 and 34 are operated, and the hot water in the bathtub 20 flows through the hot water supply pipe 13, the hot water pipe 15, and the bath heat exchanger 17. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 circulates through the hot water supply pipe 11, the hot water pipe 31, the second flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17, and the hot water pipe 33. At this time, the heat of the hot water passing through the second flow path of the bath heat exchanger 17 is transferred to the hot water in the bathtub circulation passing through the first flow path. Thus, the hot water in the bathtub 20 is kept warm.

  By the way, the silver electrodes 51 and 52 of the silver ion generator 50 are consumed and become smaller as the use proceeds, and no longer generate silver ions. As the electrodes 51 and 52 are consumed, the operating current I flowing from the drive circuit 63 to the silver ion generator 50 decreases. For example, 20 mA is set as the steady value of the operating current I. However, when the consumption progresses, it is less than 10 mA, and decreases to 5 mA or less when the service life expires.

  Therefore, when hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied to the bathtub 20 and the silver ion generator 50 is operating (YES in step 201, NO in step 203), an operating current flows from the drive circuit 63 to the silver ion generator 50. I is detected by the current sensor 66 (step 205). Then, the detected current I is compared with the set value 5 mA (step 206).

  If the detected current I is higher than the set value 5 mA (NO at step 206), then the detected current I is compared with the predetermined value 10 mA (step 207).

  When the electrodes 51 and 52 are further consumed and the detection current I decreases to a predetermined value of 10 mA and the condition “5 mA <I ≦ 10 mA” is satisfied (YES in step 207), the yellow light-emitting diode 68 of the drive circuit 63 is turned on. (Step 208) When the yellow light emitting diode 68 is turned on, it is notified that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is near.

  When the consumption of the electrodes 51 and 52 further progresses and the detection current I decreases to a set value of 5 mA or less and the condition of “I ≦ 5 mA” is satisfied (YES in Step 206), the yellow light emitting diode 68 of the drive circuit 63 is turned off. Then, the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on (step 209), and the drive circuit 63 stops supplying power to the silver ion generator 50, whereby the operation of the silver ion generator 50 is stopped (step 204).

  When the red light emitting diode 67 is turned on, it is notified that the silver ion generator 50 has expired and needs to be replaced.

  Thus, by stopping the operation of the silver ion generator 50 when the life of the silver ion generator 50 expires, the current continues to flow unnecessarily between the electrodes 51 and 52 that are consumed and no longer generate silver ions. This eliminates wasteful consumption of power. If the operation continues with the lifetime expired, there is a concern that the electrodes 51 and 52 are damaged and the fragments are mixed into the hot water supplied to the bathtub 20, but since the operation stops before that, the electrodes 51 and 52 are damaged and Accordingly, it is possible to avoid mixing of fragments. Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub 20 can be maintained in a safe and hygienic state.

  In addition, since the yellow light emitting diode 68 is informed that the life of the silver ion generator 50 is approaching, before the silver ion generator 50 expires and no longer generates silver ions, the silver ion generator 50 Can be exchanged for a new one. By this replacement, the supply of silver ions to the bathtub 20 is not interrupted, and a strong sterilizing power against hot water supply to the bathtub 20 can always be maintained.

  Further, since the drive circuit 63 is provided with a current detection means, an electrode energization stop means, and an electrode life notification means, a silver ion generation function is added to the hot water supply unit 1 without making a major change to the main control section 64. Can do.

[3] Modification
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the silver ion generator 50 is provided in the hot water supply path to the bathtub 20 has been described as an example. However, in the hot water supply path to a kitchen, a bathroom, a bathroom shower, and the like. The same can be done when the silver ion generator 50 is provided. The present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the silver ion generator 50 is provided in the supply path of tap water as well as hot water to make the tap water antibacterial.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. Some components may be deleted from all the components.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water supply unit, 2, 4, 6 ... Water supply pipe, 3 ... Pressure reducing valve, 10 ... Hot water storage tank, 11, 13, 37 ... Hot water supply pipe, 12, 36 ... Mixing stopper, 14 ... Damper, 14a, 14b ... Open / close valve , 14d ... flow sensor (flow detection means), 15, 18, 33, 41, 43 ... hot water pipe, 16, 34, 42 ... circulation pump, 17 ... bath heat exchanger, 50 ... silver ion generator, 51, 52 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Silver electrode, 60 ... Control part, 64 ... Main control part, 65 ... Relay, 66 ... Current sensor (current detection means), 80 ... Heat source unit, 81 ... Compressor, 82 ... Water heat exchanger, 84 ... Air Heat exchanger, 70 ... remote control, 90 ... control unit

Claims (5)

A silver ion generator that has a silver electrode provided in a hot water supply path and operates when the hot water is supplied to generate silver ions in the hot water;
Current detection means for detecting the operating current of the silver ion generator;
Control means for stopping the operation of the silver ion generator when the detection current of the current detection means falls below a set value,
A hot water supply device comprising: Informing means for informing that the life of the silver ion generator is near when the detected current of the current detecting means has decreased to a predetermined value higher than the set value;
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: It further comprises flow detection means for detecting the flow of hot water in the hot water supply path,
When the flow detection means detects the flow of hot water, the control means energizes the silver ion generator to operate the silver ion generator, and when the flow detection means stops detecting the flow of hot water, the silver ions The power supply to the generator is cut off to stop the operation of the silver ion generator, and the current supply to the silver ion generator is cut off when the detection current of the current detection means falls below a set value. Stop the operation of the silver ion generator,
The hot and cold water supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein It is further equipped with a hot water storage tank for storing hot water,
The supply path is a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank to a place of use,
The silver ion generator has a pair of silver electrodes that exist in the hot water supply pipe and is consumed with use, and operates when supplying hot water to generate silver ions from the electrodes into the hot water.
The hot and cold water supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein A remote control type operating device provided in the vicinity of the place of use and having a display means;
The notifying means notifies that the life of the silver ion generator is near when the detected current of the current detecting means has decreased to a predetermined value higher than the set value, and the detected current of the current detecting means When it falls below the set value, it informs that the silver ion generator is out of life,
The hot and cold water supply apparatus according to claim 2.

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