JP2011117661A - Hot water storage type water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water storage type water heater, capable of performing the optimal energy-saving operation. <P>SOLUTION: The hot water storage type water heater includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a setting means setting an amount of boiled hot water in the hot water storage tank and having a display part and an operation part. The hot water storage type water heater includes a plurality of boiling modes for setting the amount of boiled hot water in the hot water storage tank. At least one boiling mode among the plurality of boiling modes has a learning function which determines the boiled hot water amount based on the past usage. In the hot water storage type water heater, the boiling mode having the learning function is set as an initial setting of the hot water storage type water heater. After installation of the hot water storage type water heater, changing the boiling mode is prohibited until the boiled hot water amount is determined based on the learning function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a boiling mode change of a hot water storage type water heater.

  A conventional hot water storage water heater having a hot water storage tank has a learning function that learns the actual amount of hot water used by the user and automatically changes the amount of water heated in the hot water storage tank from the amount of hot water used. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, in the case of the hot water storage type hot water supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a hot water storage tank is learned by learning the actual amount of hot water used by a user during a predetermined number of days so that efficient operation can be performed without running out of hot water. The amount of hot water stored inside is changed. In addition, there are multiple modes, such as a large mode and a small mode, that boil hot water in the hot water tank, and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank is changed according to the boiling mode set by the user. . Therefore, the user himself / herself can set the hot water boiling mode according to his / her life style.

  Then, when the user uses the hot water storage type hot water heater, the initial setting of the boiling mode is set to a mode having a learning function so that the energy saving operation is performed. Therefore, after the hot water storage type water heater is installed, the boiling operation is started in a mode having a learning function.

JP 2007-139339 A

  However, since there is no learning data for learning the amount of hot water used by the user for several days after the start of use of the hot water storage type hot water heater, hot water will not run out as much as possible regardless of how the user uses it. In addition, the boiling level is set so that the initial amount of boiling water is larger.

  Normally, when the operation is started in the boiling mode having such a conventional learning function, the amount of boiling water is changed based on the actual usage (use of hot water) for several days. It takes a predetermined number of days to accumulate the data on the actual usage before the energy saving operation in which is effectively operated.

  Therefore, even if the boiling operation mode is a mode having a learning function, it takes several days to reach the amount of boiling water based on the learning data. (For example, people who use less hot water). As a result, the user manually changes to a mode in which the amount of boiling water is low before the learning function works effectively, and as a result, the user can perform energy-saving operation without using the mode with the learning function. Had the problem of not being able to.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the hot water storage type hot water supply machine which can perform the optimal energy saving driving | operation.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention is configured to set a display unit for setting a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and amount of boiling water in the hot water storage tank And a setting means having an operation unit, and a plurality of boiling modes for setting the amount of boiling water in the hot water storage tank, and at least one boiling mode among the plurality of boiling modes is based on past usage. In the hot water storage type hot water heater that is a boiling mode having a learning function for determining the amount of hot water based on the heating mode, a boiling mode having a learning function is set as an initial setting of the hot water storage type hot water heater. After installation, until the amount of boiling water is determined based on the learning function, the user is always allowed to boil based on the learning function by prohibiting the change of the boiling mode. Can be performed under operation, it is possible to realize the energy-saving operation.

  The present invention can provide a hot water storage type hot water heater capable of performing an optimum energy saving operation.

The block diagram of the hot water storage type hot water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention Screen transition diagram when changing the heating mode in the same form Screen transition diagram when changing the heating mode in the same form Initial screen in the same form

  A hot water storage water heater according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, setting means for setting the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank and having a display unit and an operation unit, And a plurality of boiling modes for setting the amount of boiling water in the hot water storage tank, and at least one of the plurality of boiling modes determines the amount of boiling water based on the past usage amount In the hot water storage hot water heater that is the boiling mode with the learning function, the boiling mode with the learning function is set as the initial setting of the hot water storage water heater, and after the hot water storage water heater is installed, based on the learning function By prohibiting the change of the boiling mode until the amount of boiling water is determined, the user can always perform the boiling operation based on the learning function. It can be achieved Ne operation.

  In the hot water storage type water heater of the second invention, in the first invention, if the boiling mode is changed before the amount of boiling water is determined based on the learning function, the boiling mode is changed on the display unit. By displaying a message indicating that the heating cannot be performed, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user why the heating mode cannot be changed, and it is possible to realize an optimal heating operation while avoiding misunderstanding of the user.

  The hot water storage type water heater of the third invention is provided with a plurality of remaining hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank, particularly in the first or second invention, and the hot water runs out according to the remaining hot water temperature detecting means. When the day reaches the predetermined number of days, even before the amount of boiling water is determined based on the learning function, by changing the boiling mode, it is possible for lifestyle users who have a large amount of hot water supply. In this case, since it can be changed by itself without waiting for determination of the amount of boiling water by the learning function, the boiling mode can be changed in accordance with a wider variety of lifestyles.

  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 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump type water heater in the present embodiment. First, a configuration diagram of a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The hot water storage type water heater in the first embodiment includes a tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 3. And the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 3 which is a heating means is stored in the hot water storage tank 2 provided in the tank unit 1. In this embodiment, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is heated by a heat pump. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other heating means such as an electric heater may be used.

  The bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 and the inlet of the heat pump unit 3 are connected by a heat source unit forward pipe 16 via a boiling pump 8, and the outlet of the heat pump unit 3 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 are connected by a heat source unit return pipe 17. Has been. In addition, a water inlet pipe 12 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 via a pressure reducing valve 11. The upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 and the hot water inlet of the mixing valve 7 are connected by a hot water supply pipe 14, and the water supply pipe 13 branched from the incoming water pipe 12 is connected to the water inlet of the mixing valve 7. The outlet of the mixing valve 7 is connected to a hot water faucet and a shower through a hot water discharge pipe 15. A hot water supply thermistor 6 and a flow rate sensor 5 are attached to the hot water discharge pipe 15.

  In addition, remaining hot water thermistors 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 2 at predetermined positions from the upper part of the tank. The remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f, the flow rate sensor 5, the hot water supply thermistor 6, the boiling pump 8, and the heat pump unit 3 are connected to the control device 18 by electric wiring.

  In addition, a remote controller 19 that is a setting unit having an operation unit for performing various settings and a display unit for displaying the operation state of the hot water storage type hot water heater is connected by wire. Of course, there is no problem even if the remote controller 19 is wirelessly connected to a hot water storage type water heater.

  Hereinafter, the remote controller 19 as setting means will be described with reference to FIG. The remote controller 19 includes a display unit 30 that displays the operation state of the hot water storage type hot water heater, and an operation unit 31 (configured by a plurality of switches in the present embodiment) for setting and operating the hot water storage type water heater. .

  The display unit 30 displays information such as a hot water supply set temperature display 39, a hot water tank remaining hot water amount display 40 indicating how much hot water is available in the hot water storage tank 2, a heating mode setting content 41, a clock 42, and the like. In addition, when an abnormality occurs, a display such as an abnormality code or notification can be displayed as necessary.

  In addition, the remaining hot water amount display 40 displays according to how much hot water is higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 45 ° C.) based on the detected temperature of the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f. In the actual hot water storage tank 2, the more water is used, the more water is used from the bottom of the tank. However, in consideration of the user's visual clarity, the remaining hot water display 40 shows that hot water decreases from the top of the tank. Is displayed.

  Note that the content displayed on the display unit 30 is not limited to the above content, and if it is a hot water storage hot water heater with a hot water filling function, a hot water storage hot water heater with a bath-related display or a heating function is provided. Then, it goes without saying that it can be changed according to the configuration of the hot water storage type water heater such as a display related to heating. In the present embodiment, the tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 3 are provided separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hot water storage in which the tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 3 are integrally configured. It may be a water heater.

  Regarding the hot water storage type water heater configured as described above, the change of the heating mode, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described.

Usually, in the case of a hot water storage type water heater having a hot water storage tank, hot water in the hot water storage tank is boiled during a time when electricity charges are low, and hot water in the hot water storage tank is used for hot water supply during the day. At present, Japanese electric power companies often set electricity prices cheaply in the midnight hours (usually from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning), and most hot water storage water heaters use midnight hours. Boiling operation is performed around the belt. In addition, since the electricity bill is set for each installation area, the electricity company is set up so that a hot water storage hot water heater is installed so that the heating operation is performed according to the power company in the installation area. can do. Of course, when the hot water runs out in the daytime, it is needless to say that it can be heated up in the daytime period.

  And at the time of a boiling operation, it is boiled to the boiling temperature determined according to the multiple heating mode provided. During the boiling operation, the boiling pump 8 is operated to send hot water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 to the heat pump unit 3, generate high temperature hot water, and return it to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. As a result, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is stored at the boiling temperature set from above.

  In addition, the hot water storage tank 2 is normally full because the water reduced to a constant pressure by the pressure reducing valve 11 is always supplied from the water inlet pipe 13. When the hot water tap is opened, the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed out by the water supply and flows into the hot water inlet of the mixing valve 7 through the hot water supply pipe 14. Further, water flows into the water inlet of the mixing valve 7 through the water supply pipe 13. Then, the controller 18 drives the mixing valve 7 so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 6 becomes the hot water temperature set by the remote controller 19, so that hot water of the set temperature is discharged from the hot water tap through the hot water outlet pipe 15. Come. When hot water is used, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is replaced with water from the bottom.

  The amount of hot water used by the user is calculated from the hot water supply temperature measured by the hot water supply thermistor 6 and the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 5 and stored in the control device 18. The control device 18 accumulates these data every hour and every day, and stores them as a daily hot water usage pattern and the amount of hot water used per day. Then, the usage data is accumulated for the most recent week. Based on the past usage data, the average hot water usage, maximum and minimum hot water usage, and daily usage of the hot water storage water heater. Learn the data necessary to determine the amount of boiling, such as the peak time and usage.

  In the present embodiment, three types of “Omakase”, “Plenty”, and “Midnight only” can be selected as the heating mode, and can be changed by operating the remote controller 19. The initial setting is “Random”, and the “Random” mode is a heating mode having a learning function. Hereinafter, each boiling mode will be described. In this embodiment, there are three types of heating modes for hot water storage water heaters, “Omakase”, “Plenty”, and “Midnight only”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of boiling modes are provided. However, there is no problem even if it has a learning function in at least one boiling mode among a plurality of boiling modes.

  First, in the “Random” mode, the boiling level is changed by learning data so that it is the most efficient and less likely to run out of hot water in accordance with the usage situation of the user. Even in the same boiling mode, there are 8 boiling levels, the higher the boiling level, the higher the boiling temperature and the higher the amount of hot water, and the lower the boiling level, the lower the boiling temperature. In addition, the amount of hot water is set to be small so that it can be flexibly adapted to boiling operation according to the amount of hot water used in each household.

  The determination of the boiling level in the “Random” mode is selected to boil up the amount of the average hot water supply used per day plus some margin at midnight. In addition, when it is determined that the necessary amount is insufficient in accordance with the peak usage time of the day, boiling is performed in the daytime to cope with the change in the usage amount.

  Next, in the “full” mode, the whole amount is boiled at the maximum boiling temperature at midnight regardless of the use state of the user. In addition, when daytime hot water is used, additional boiling operation is performed at any time without limiting daytime boiling operation, and the hot water is always stored in the hot water storage tank. Although the driving efficiency is lower than that in the “Random” mode, it is a convenient heating mode for those who have a large number of family members or who use a large amount of hot water.

  Next, the “midnight only” mode is a mode in which the entire amount is boiled at a predetermined boiling temperature only in the midnight time zone, and no additional boiling operation is performed during the daytime. That is, when the hot water runs out in the daytime, the user needs to perform the boiling operation manually without performing the additional boiling operation automatically. When using a certain amount every day at a relatively early time, this is the most economical mode. However, since the day-time boiling operation must be started manually, There is a possibility that.

  In the hot water storage type hot water heater as described above, environmental problems have become serious in recent years, and the need for reducing the hot water supply energy for home use is also increasing. In particular, in an energy-saving type device such as a heat pump water heater, in which a subsidy is issued at the time of purchase, not only economic efficiency but also highly efficient operation is required. Therefore, not only high economic efficiency but also a hot water storage type hot water heater that can perform boiling operation with high efficiency must be realized.

  If all the hot water in the hot water storage tank is boiled at a high temperature, a large amount of hot water can be used. However, the heat loss from the hot water storage tank increases and the efficiency decreases. Generally, daily hot water use peaks from the evening to the night, so for efficiency reasons, it is better to lower the boiling temperature in the middle of the night and lower the amount of boiling, and as close to the time of use as possible. It is advantageous to boil. However, since the electricity rate is set at a very low price in the midnight time zone, it becomes less economical if the amount heated up in the daytime increases. Also, the amount of hot water used in the same household changes considerably due to seasonal changes, so the amount of hot water heated up at midnight needs to change with the season.

  Thus, it is difficult for the user himself / herself to manually and manually operate the hot water storage type water heater having the hot water storage tank economically and efficiently. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the “Random” mode, the amount of hot water used in the past week is learned, and in the middle of the night, the water is heated to a level slightly higher than the average, and shortage is expected. In some cases, the most efficient and economical operation is automatically performed by additionally boiling the shortage in the evening when hot water use is increased. In addition, by continuously learning the amount of hot water used, the boiling level automatically changes according to seasonal fluctuations, enabling efficient and economical operation throughout the year.

  However, since there is no learning data at the time of use immediately after installation, it is not known which boiling level should be selected in the “Random” mode. If the hot water runs out, it will not be able to boil in a short time, and it will be very inconvenient, so the boiling level will be increased until learning after the installation is finished and the boiling level is selected. I have to make it.

  As a result, when the amount of hot water used by the user is small, a large amount of hot water still remains in the hot water storage tank even after the use of hot water on that day is finished. Also, no matter how high the boiling level is, the hot water may run out due to a large amount of temporary hot water supply after installation or the daytime boiling may increase.

In particular, immediately after the installation of the hot water storage type water heater, the user's attention to energy-saving operation is high, so if this happens, it will cause a misunderstanding that the current boiling mode may not be suitable, There are many cases where the mode is changed to another mode. In this case, even if the user continues to use the hot water storage type hot water heater, the learning function does not work effectively, the optimum boiling level is not achieved, the usability is poor, and it is not desirable from the viewpoint of energy saving.

  In order to avoid such a situation, in the present embodiment, when the heating mode is changed during the period when learning after installation is not completed, the heating mode cannot be changed on the display unit 30 of the remote controller 19. A message indicating is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display content of the display unit 30 when the boiling mode is to be changed. In the present embodiment, after the hot water storage type hot water heater is installed, the “automatic” mode having a learning function is set. If the boiling mode is changed before the boiling level is determined according to the learning function, a message indicating that the boiling mode cannot be changed is displayed.

  First, STEP1 is a screen that is displayed when an operation for changing the normal boiling mode is performed. By selecting the item “the amount of hot water to be boiled in a day” in STEP 1 at the normal time, three items, “Random”, “Plenty”, and “Midnight only” can be selected on the next screen. However, a message indicating to the user that the heating mode cannot be changed is displayed for a predetermined period after the hot water heater is installed and before the boiling level is determined by the learning function. Specifically, if the boiling mode is to be changed in STEP1, a transition is made to the screen shown in STEP2.

  In STEP 2, a message “The boiling setting cannot be changed during initial learning” is displayed to indicate to the user that the boiling mode cannot be changed. When a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses with the screen of STEP2, the screen shifts to a normal standby screen shown in STEP3.

  As described above, until the predetermined period until the boiling level is changed by the learning function, the change of the heating mode is prohibited, so the user's hot water amount is surely learned, and the boiling is based on the learned data. You can set the level.

  In the present embodiment, “prohibition of change of boiling mode” can be canceled. For example, in the case of a user who uses a large amount of hot water supply every day, a hot water outage may occur every day with the initially set amount of hot water, and a boiling operation may be performed during the day. In this case, the energy saving operation may be performed when the user changes the boiling mode before the amount of boiling water is determined based on learning. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the heating mode can be changed only when the heating mode is changed to energy saving operation.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f, which are the remaining hot water temperature detecting means provided on the side wall of the hot water storage tank 2, are used to determine whether the hot water has run out and to determine additional heating operation during the daytime. ing. For this reason, when it is determined that the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f have run out of hot water during the daytime, the daytime boiling operation is performed. For this reason, boiling operation is performed during daytime hours when the electricity rate is high compared to midnight hours, which is not economical.

Therefore, the boiling mode can be changed when the number of days when hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is determined to be out of the predetermined number of days is determined based on the temperatures detected by the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f. For example, if the boiling level is determined based on the learning function based on usage data for the past 7 days, if the daytime hot water outage occurs for 3 days by setting the predetermined number of days to 3 days It is possible to change the boiling mode freely. Note that the number of days here is only an example, and is not limited to the number of days in the present embodiment.

  In this way, by satisfying a predetermined condition, it is possible to change the heating mode according to various lifestyles by configuring so that the heating mode can be changed, and the usability is very high. In the present embodiment, the change of the heating mode is permitted in accordance with the number of days in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 has run out. However, instead of judging the remaining hot water amount, the daily usage amount is a predetermined amount. The boiling mode may be changed when the day when the usage amount is exceeded reaches a predetermined number of days.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a standby screen during learning. As shown in FIG. 4, when the heating mode is selected by the learning function, “learning” is displayed so that it can be displayed more easily to the user, thereby eliminating misunderstandings and anxieties. it can.

  The hot water storage type hot water heater according to the present invention includes an integrated heat pump type hot water heater in which a heat pump cycle and a hot water supply cycle are integrated, a separate heat pump type hot water heater configured separately, and hot water heated by a heat exchanger for hot water supply. It can be applied to various heat pump water heaters such as a direct hot water heat pump type hot water heater that can discharge hot water as it is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank unit 2 Hot water storage tank 3 Heat pump units 4a-4f Remaining hot water thermistor (remaining hot water temperature detection means)
5 Flow sensor 6 Hot water supply thermistor 8 Boiling pump 18 Control device (control means)
19 Remote control (setting means)
30 Display unit 31 Operation unit

Claims (3)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a setting means for setting the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank and having a display unit and an operation unit. A plurality of boiling modes for setting the amount of hot water, and at least one of the plurality of boiling modes is a boiling mode having a learning function for determining the amount of hot water based on a past use amount In the hot water storage type hot water heater, the boiling mode with the learning function is set as the initial setting of the hot water type hot water heater, and the amount of boiling hot water is determined based on the learning function after the hot water storage type water heater is installed. Until then, a hot water storage water heater characterized by prohibiting the change of the heating mode. The message indicating that the boiling mode cannot be changed is displayed on the display unit when the boiling mode is changed before the amount of boiling water is determined based on the learning function. Hot water storage water heater. A plurality of remaining hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank is provided, and when the number of days when the hot water runs out according to the remaining hot water temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined number of days, the amount of boiling hot water is determined based on a learning function. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the boiling mode can be changed even before the operation.