JP2013104621A - Faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a faucet device capable of controlling dry firing at a heating unit due to erroneous detection of a water flow detecting unit.SOLUTION: The faucet device 1 includes: a heating unit 10 for heating water; a water flow detection unit 20 for detecting whether the water flows into the heating unit 10; a discharging function unit 40 for discharging the water heated at the heating unit 10; and a heating controlling unit 51 for controlling a heating amount of the heating unit 10. Detection whether the water flows, which is detected by the water flow detection unit 20, is invalid in an initial state from when the water firstly has started to flow into the heating unit 10 to when predetermined standby time elapses. Furthermore, the heating controlling unit 51 halts heating operation of the heating unit 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet device including a heating unit that heats water and a water flow detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a water flow flowing into the heating unit.

  For example, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below, a sensor (water flow detection unit) that detects the presence or the flow rate of a water flow by rotating an impeller by a water flow (water pressure) is known. In an apparatus having a heating part (heater) for heating water, if water supply to the heating part is stopped for some reason, there is a possibility that airing by the heating part may occur, and a water channel that flows into the heating part It is necessary to constantly monitor the presence or absence of a water flow by providing a sensor as described above.

JP-A-6-264486 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-300541

  When the presence or absence of a water flow is detected based on the displacement of an object to be detected (impeller referred to in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2) due to the water flow (water pressure) as in the water flow detection unit, an air flow (air pressure) However, the detected body may be displaced. In the initial state such as immediately after the construction of the apparatus, the water channel is filled with air. Since this air is pushed out by the water pressure, an air flow is generated, and thus the detection object of the water flow detection unit may be displaced to cause such a false detection. When such a false detection occurs in a device that uses this type of water flow detection unit as a sensor for detecting whether water is supplied to the heating unit, water is not supplied to the heating unit. Therefore, it is determined that the supply of water continues, and there is a possibility that the heating unit will be in an empty state.

  In view of the above circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water faucet device that can suppress the heating of the heating unit due to erroneous detection of the water flow detection unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a faucet device according to the present invention includes a heating unit that heats water, a water flow detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a water flow flowing into the heating unit, and water heated by the heating unit. A discharge function unit that discharges, and a heating control unit that controls a heating amount of the heating unit, until an initial state in which a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the first water flow to the heating unit is started, The gist of the invention is that detection of the presence or absence of water flow by the water flow detection unit is invalid, and the heating operation of the heating unit is stopped by the heating control unit.

  Here, the water flow detection unit may detect the presence or absence of a water flow based on the presence or absence of rotation of an impeller that is a detection target.

  Moreover, the said waiting time is good in it being time until water is filled in the heating space of the said heating part after water flow is started.

  According to the faucet device of the present invention, in the initial state, the detection of the presence or absence of water flow by the water flow detection unit is invalid until a predetermined waiting time elapses. Even if it is displaced, the heating operation of the heating unit is not started. Therefore, it is possible to suppress heating of the heating unit during the initial operation. In a case other than the initial state (during normal use), it is considered that the water channel is filled with water, so that the detected object is hardly displaced by the air flow.

  In particular, when using a water flow detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a water flow by the presence or absence of rotation of an impeller having a simple structure, the impeller may rotate due to the air flow. No heating of the heating part occurs.

  In addition, if the waiting time is the time from the start of water flow until the heating space of the heating unit is filled with water, the heating space is filled with water after the waiting time has elapsed. It is possible to suppress the emptying of the part.

It is a block diagram showing a faucet device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the faucet apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the faucet device concerning one example of the present invention. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the heating unit provided in the faucet device shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B shows the internal structure of the water flow detection unit provided in the faucet device shown in FIG. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The faucet device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heating unit 10, a water flow detection unit 20, a discharge function unit 40, and a control unit 50. The control part 50 has the heating control part 51, the water channel control part 52, etc. which control each structure of an apparatus. In the present invention, “water” is a generic term for various fluids. That is, the present invention can be applied to fluids other than water.

  The heating unit 10 is a space in which a heater 11 is arranged in a heating space that is a space of a predetermined size and is also a water channel. The heating space in which the heater 11 is disposed is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet. The water supplied from the water source when the water source side valve (main plug) (not shown) is in the open state flows into the heating space from the water inlet and is heated by the heater 11. The heated water continuously flows out from the water outlet and is continuously discharged from the discharge function unit 40 to the outside.

  The water flow detection unit 20 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a water flow flowing into the heating unit 10 based on whether or not a detected body (movable body) provided in the water channel is displaced (moved) by the water flow. . That is, when the detected object is displaced by the water flow, it is determined that the water flow exists in the water channel, and when the detected object is not displaced, it is determined that the water flow does not exist in the water channel. The present invention can be applied to any sensor in which the detected object is displaced by the energy of the water flow, but in this embodiment, a rotatable impeller is used as the detected object in the water channel. A well-known impeller-type water flow detection unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above) is used. The impeller-type water flow detection unit 20 determines that there is a water flow in the water channel when the impeller that is the detection target is rotated, that is, displaced by the water flow (water pressure). A well-known method can be applied to detect whether or not the impeller is rotating. For example, a magnetic type that is detected by a change in a magnetic field when an impeller to which a magnetic body is fixed rotates, an optical type that is detected based on whether or not light is blocked by the rotating impeller, and the like are included.

  A temperature sensor 30 that detects the temperature of the water heated by the heating unit 10 (the temperature of water immediately before being discharged from the discharge function unit 40) is provided downstream of the heating unit 10. If the temperature of this water is below the set temperature, the heating control unit 51 drives the heating unit 10 (heater 11) or increases the output. On the other hand, if the temperature of water is more than preset temperature, the heating control part 51 will stop the heating part 10 (heater 11), or will reduce an output. That is, the heating control unit 51 performs feedback control based on the value of the temperature sensor 30 so that water at the set temperature is discharged. The temperature sensor 30 is a sensor provided on the outlet side (downstream) of the heating unit 10. However, by providing a temperature sensor on the inlet side (upstream) of the heating unit 10, the temperature sensor 30 before flowing into the heating unit 10 can be obtained. You may comprise so that the temperature of water can be measured and the amount of heating can be adjusted more correctly.

  The discharge function unit 40 is a so-called faucet that discharges water heated by the heating unit 10. The water channel connecting the heating unit 10 and the discharge function unit 40 is provided with an opening / closing function unit 60 that is a valve for opening and closing the water channel. The opening / closing function unit 60 is controlled by the water channel control unit 52. The configurations of the discharge function unit 40 and the opening / closing function unit 60 are not limited to specific ones, and various known configurations can be applied. For example, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person is provided outside the apparatus (outside the discharge function unit 40), and when the presence of a person is detected (when a hand is held over the sensor), the water channel is opened. A sensor type (electric type) can be applied. That is, the opening / closing function unit 60 can be switched between an open state and a closed state when a predetermined operation (operation) is performed, and any standby operation that can be described later can be performed.

  The faucet device 1 having such a configuration operates as follows. Here, the operation flow of the faucet device according to the present embodiment differs between the normal state and the initial state. The initial state in the present invention is a state in which air exists in the water channel on the upstream side (water source side) of the heating unit 10 after construction of the apparatus or after maintenance. The normal state is a state other than this, that is, a state where there is at least one use history after construction or maintenance of the apparatus, and the water channel on the upstream side (water source side) of the heating unit 10 is filled with water. .

  When an operation to open the closed water channel is performed, that is, when the user performs an operation to discharge water from the discharge function unit 40 (“S1” Yes in FIG. 2), the water channel control unit The open / close function unit 60 is opened by 52 and water flow is started ("S2" in FIG. 2). At the same time, it is confirmed whether or not the device is in an initial state ("S3" in FIG. 2). Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not there is a use history after the construction of the apparatus and after the maintenance. The method for confirming whether or not there is a usage history is not limited to a specific method. For example, a memory may be provided in the control unit 50 so that the use history is stored in the memory when the apparatus is first used after construction or maintenance. If there is a usage history ("S3" in FIG. 2), it is determined to be in the normal state. When the presence of the water flow is confirmed by the water flow detection unit 20 ("S4" in FIG. 2), it is determined that water is flowing into the heating unit 10, and the heating control unit 52 determines that the heating unit 10 (heater 11). ) Is driven ("S5" in FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the water flow is not confirmed by the water flow detection unit 20 (“S4” in FIG. 2), the heating unit 10 is not driven. That is, the state where driving of the heating unit 10 is stopped is maintained. The heating control unit 52 continues heating the water by the heating unit 10 as long as the presence of the water flow is confirmed by the water flow detection unit 20. As described above, in the normal state, in order to suppress the air blowing of the heating unit 10 for a long time, the water flow detection unit 20 is always monitored for the presence or absence of the water flow, and the heating unit 10 is used only when the presence of water is confirmed. To drive.

  In this state, when the user performs an operation to stop the discharge from the state in which water is being discharged from the discharge function unit 40 (“S7” in FIG. 2), the heating control unit 52 performs the water supply by the heating unit 10. Is stopped ("S6" in FIG. 2), and the water channel control unit 52 closes the open / close function unit 60 and stops water flow ("S8" in FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S3 that the current state is the initial state ("S3" in FIG. 2), a standby operation is performed. Specifically, the detection of the presence / absence of water flow by the water flow detection unit 20 is invalidated until a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as standby time) has elapsed after the first water flow to the heating unit 10 is started. The heating unit 51 is not driven by the heating control unit 51 until time elapses ("S9" in FIG. 2). That is, during the standby time, the heating operation of the heating unit 10 is stopped (prohibited) regardless of the state of the water flow detection unit 20. Even if it is determined by the water flow detection unit 20 that there is a water flow flowing into the heating unit 10, the heating unit 10 is not driven. The reason is as follows.

  The water flow detection unit 20 provided in the faucet device 1 according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of a water flow when the detection object is displaced by the water flow (water pressure). It may be displaced. It cannot be distinguished whether the detected object is displaced by the water flow or whether the detected object is displaced by the air flow. Therefore, if the heating unit 10 is driven as a whole when the detected object is displaced, the heating unit 10 is driven when there is no water flow in the heating unit 10, resulting in an empty state. There is a possibility that. Therefore, the time until the predetermined waiting time elapses after the first water flow is started is set as the time when all the air in the water channel will be pushed out, and the water flow is detected until the time elapses. The heating operation of the heating unit 10 is stopped (prohibited) regardless of the state of the unit 20. With this configuration, air heating of the heating unit 10 in the initial state is suppressed. In particular, in the impeller-type water flow detection unit 20 as in the present embodiment, some impellers are set so as to easily rotate in order to increase detection accuracy. Regardless of whether or not the car rotates, it is possible to suppress the heating of the heating unit 10.

  Here, the above “standby time” may be set to a time from when water flow is first started until the heating space of the heating unit 10 is filled with water. Calculated based on the distance of the water channel from the valve (source plug) upstream of the heating unit 10 that controls water flow to the heating unit 10 to the heating unit 10, the cross-sectional area of the water channel, the supply water pressure, the volume of the heating space, etc. Alternatively, it may be obtained by actually measuring the time after designing the apparatus. In this way, the heating space is filled with water when the waiting time has elapsed in the case where the first water flow is normally performed, so that air heating of the heating unit 10 is suppressed. Can do.

  The detection of the water flow by the water flow detection unit 20 is validated when the standby time has elapsed ("S9" in FIG. 2). That is, it progresses to S4 and it is confirmed whether a water flow exists ("S4" of FIG. 2). If the first water flow to the heating unit 10 is not normally performed due to an abnormality of a valve for controlling the water flow to the heating unit 10, the heating space is filled with water even after the standby time has elapsed. In this case, since the water flow detection unit 20 determines that there is no water flow in the water channel after the standby time has elapsed ("S4" No in FIG. 2), the heating unit 10 does not operate. . That is, in the standby operation, heating of the water by the heating unit 10 is started only when the water flow detection unit 20 determines that a water flow exists in the water channel after the standby time has elapsed.

  Hereinafter, an example (specific example) of the faucet device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, this invention is not limited to the faucet apparatus 1a concerning a following example.

  The heating part 10a is installed in the lower right part of the case 90a of the faucet device 1a. The heating unit 10a includes a heater 11a capable of heating water by energization in the fluid container 14a. A space of a predetermined size in the fluid container 14a in which the heater 11a is disposed becomes a heating space S in which the flowing water is continuously heated. The heater 11a is controlled by a control unit (heating control unit) of the faucet device 1a (not shown). The fluid container 14a is formed with a water inlet 12a through which water flows from a water source such as a water supply and a water outlet 13a through which hot water flows out. The low-temperature water supplied from the water source is heated by the heater 11a and continuously heated Can be supplied to the outside. The fluid container 14a is provided with a discharge port 15a that can be opened and closed by a discharge plug 16a. For the purpose of convenience during internal maintenance and prevention of breakage of the fluid container 14a due to water freezing in winter, the fluid container 14a Water can be discharged. The apparatus may be set to an initial state by assuming that the apparatus has been maintained when the discharge port 15a is opened. The heating unit 10a detects a temperature inside the fluid container 14a, and if the temperature exceeds a set value, the safety device 80a (temperature fuse, temperature-sensitive reed switch, Thermostat etc. can be illustrated).

  The heater 11a of the heating unit 10a is a hollow cylindrical ceramic heater. Since heating efficiency improves so that the area which the heating part 10a contacts with water is large, it is desirable to have the heating part 10a in both the inner wall surface and outer wall surface of a hollow cylindrical ceramic heater. The fluid container 14a is a substantially cylindrical container having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the heater 11a. The heater 11a is attached to the upper end of the fluid container 14a so that the central axis of the cylindrical portion is in the vertical direction. The lower end portion of the heater 11a is not in contact with the bottom surface of the fluid container 14a, and water can flow from the inside of the cylindrical portion of the heater 11a to the outside at the bottom portion of the fluid container 14a.

  The water inlet 12a is an opening at the upper end of the heater 11a. The water supplied from the water source flows into the heating space S of the heater 11a through the water inlet 12a. Water entered from the water inlet 12a at the upper end of the heater 11a flows downward in the cylindrical body of the heater 11a and reaches the lower end of the heater 11a. The water then flows upward from the bottom of the fluid container 14a toward the water outlet 13a through the space between the outer wall surface of the heater 11a and the outer wall of the fluid container 14a. Water is heated in contact with the wall surface of the heater 11a while flowing from the top to the bottom of the heater 11a and while flowing from the bottom to the top of the heater 11a. Water can be heated with efficiency.

  The heating unit 10a is installed such that the central axis of the cylindrical heater 11a is in the vertical direction, and the water flow path is in the vertical direction. A water supply port 70a is installed at the upper end of the case 90a, is connected to a water source (water supply), and supplies tap water into the faucet device 1a. The water supplied from the water supply port 70a passes through the main valve 60a (opening / closing function unit) and the water flow detection unit 20a and flows into the heating unit 10a from the water inlet 12a. The water outlet 13a of the heating unit 10a is connected to a hot water outlet 71a at the upper end of the case 90a.

  Although not shown, the downstream of the hot water outlet 71a is connected to a faucet 40a (discharge function part) of a hand-washing device that discharges water. The faucet 40a is provided with a human sensor so that it can be detected that a person holds his / her hand over the faucet 40a (the presence or absence of a person). Although not shown, an inlet temperature sensor is provided upstream of the water inlet 12a of the heating unit 10a, and a downstream temperature sensor is provided downstream of the water outlet 13a. The main valve 60a is a valve that can adjust the opening and closing of the water channel and the flow rate, and is controlled by the control unit (water channel control unit) of the faucet device 1a. The water flow detector 20a is an impeller-type water flow meter that can detect the presence or absence of a water flow. If there is a water flow, the impeller V, which is a detected body that is rotatably provided in a predetermined space (water channel), rotates. Whether or not the impeller V is rotating is detected by a known method.

  When the impeller V is rotated by the water flow, a signal indicating that the water flow is present in the water channel is transmitted to the control unit. In the normal state (steady state), the control unit (heating control unit) drives the heating unit 10a (heater 11a) only when there is a signal indicating that the water flow is present. When the impeller V is stopped and there is no signal and it is determined that there is no water flow, the heating unit 10a (heater 11a) is stopped. On the other hand, in the initial state such as after the construction of the apparatus, there is a possibility that the impeller V may rotate due to the air current. Therefore, the heating unit is not affected by the presence or absence of a signal from the water flow detection unit 20a until the standby time elapses. The heating operation of 10a (heater 11a) is stopped (prohibited).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water faucet device 10 Heating part 20 Water flow detection part 40 Discharge function part 51 Heating control part

Claims (3)

A heating section for heating water;
A water flow detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a water flow flowing into the heating unit;
A discharge function section for discharging water heated by the heating section;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating amount of the heating unit,
Until the initial state in which a predetermined waiting time elapses after the first water flow to the heating unit is started, the detection of the presence or absence of water flow by the water flow detection unit is invalid, and the heating control unit A faucet device that stops the heating operation.   The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the water flow detection unit detects the presence or absence of a water flow based on the presence or absence of rotation of an impeller that is a detection target.   The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waiting time is a time from when the water flow is started until the heating space of the heating unit is filled with water.

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