JP2013108733A - Combustion appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combustion appliance capable of announcing a warning that a period when maintenance is to be performed is coming, and capable of making a user perceive the necessity of the maintenance after announcement of the warning.SOLUTION: When a remaining period until the time of carrying out maintenance of a neutralizer in a water heater reaches a predetermined period or less, a remote controller blinks an error code (S120). When the error code is announced, a performance relating to a water heating function (for example, a tapping capacity) is decreased to degrade convenience for a user (S220 and S240). Therefore, even a user who does not actually perceive the necessity of maintenance only by blinks of the error code experiences an inconvenient condition because of a reduced tapping amount from a hot water supply faucet, and this enhances a probability that the user carries out the maintenance. An effect is expected to reduce a probability that a water heater is lead to be forcibly stopped because no maintenance is carried out.

Description

  The present invention relates to a combustion appliance that requires maintenance such as maintenance inspection and replenishment of consumables.

  Conventionally, as a combustion appliance that requires maintenance such as maintenance inspection and replenishment of consumables, for example, a latent heat recovery type water heater is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this type of latent heat recovery type water heater, acidic drain (condensed water) is generated in the vicinity of the secondary heat exchanger or in the exhaust passage. Therefore, a neutralizer is provided to neutralize this drain. . The neutralizer is filled with a neutralizing agent, and when the drain is neutralized, the neutralizing agent decreases. Therefore, maintenance (replenishment with a neutralizing agent) must be performed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of use of the water heater.

  For this reason, this type of water heater employs a mechanism that displays a warning when the replenishment time of the neutralizing agent is approaching. For example, by displaying visible information such as an error number on the remote control, It warns the user that the time to perform maintenance (replenishment of neutralizing agent) is approaching.

  If a warning is displayed, the user can check what kind of problem is occurring by looking at the instruction manual. Alternatively, if the user contacts the maintenance company and informs the company of the error number, the company can grasp what kind of problem is occurring, and can perform necessary maintenance.

JP 2009-92286 A

  However, even if the above warning is displayed, the water heater will not be immediately disabled at that time, so some users think that there is no particular problem as long as there is no actual harm, The warning may be neglected.

  For this reason, there is a possibility that it will continue to use the water heater without contacting the maintenance company, and it is time for the maintenance to be performed without proper maintenance, in which case no measures are taken. Then, the unneutralized drain will be discharged out of the instrument.

  To solve this problem, some water heaters of this type employ a mechanism that forcibly stops the operation of the hot water supply function when it is time to perform maintenance without maintenance. is there. If such measures are taken, it is possible to prevent drain that has not been neutralized from being discharged out of the device.

  However, if the operation of the hot water supply function is forcibly stopped, the hot water heater that was normally used until then will suddenly become unusable, so there will be a problem that it will be a great inconvenience for the user. there were.

  Note that such a problem is not a problem that occurs only when warning that the time for replenishment of the neutralizing agent is approaching, but maintenance and inspection of other parts (for example, maintenance inspection of the CO sensor) and other wear and tear. The same problem will occur if a warning is given about the time for these various maintenances in relation to replenishment of goods, and if the warning is ignored and the combustion appliance is forcibly stopped. In addition to hot water heaters, for example, heaters, road heating laid to prevent snow melting and freezing on roads, etc., gas and kerosene are used as fuel, fluid is heated with the combustion heat, and the heating is performed. This is also a problem that can occur in general in combustion appliances that employ a mechanism for supplying fluid.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to be able to notify a warning that the time to perform maintenance is approaching, and after the notification of such a warning, the maintenance is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a combustion appliance that allows a user to experience the necessity of the above.

Hereinafter, the configuration employed in the present invention will be described.
The combustion appliance of the present invention is a combustion appliance comprising a flow path through which a fluid to be heated flows, and a heat source unit that heats the fluid flowing through the flow path by burning fuel, If the physical quantity is a value that does not satisfy both the predetermined first condition and the predetermined second condition based on the physical quantity that changes with use, the first state where maintenance for a predetermined maintenance object is unnecessary is required. If it is determined that the physical quantity satisfies the first condition but does not satisfy the second condition, maintenance for the maintenance target is unnecessary, but maintenance is performed at a time closer to the first state. Is determined to be in the second state leading to the necessary state, and if the value satisfies both the first condition and the second condition, When the determination means determines that the user is in the third state that requires maintenance and the determination means determines that the user is in the second state, the visual information or audible information for alerting the user is notified. When it is determined by the notification unit and the determination unit that the second state is present, the heating capability of the heat source unit, the supply capability of the fluid supplied to the supply destination via the flow path, and the user Convenience reduction control means for reducing the convenience of the user by executing control to reduce at least one of the operability of the operation unit operated by the control unit when it is in the first state; An operation prohibition control means for forcibly prohibiting the operation of the heat source unit when the determination means reaches the state determined to be in the third state without performing the maintenance. And wherein the door.

  In this combustion appliance, based on the physical quantity that changes with the use of the combustion appliance, the state of the combustion appliance is in the first state that does not require maintenance for the maintenance object, and in a state that requires maintenance at a time closer to the first state. It is determined whether the current state is the second state, the third state requiring maintenance on the maintenance target, or the three states.

  The physical quantity used for this determination may be any value suitable for the determination of the time when maintenance should be performed. To give a typical example, the accumulated use time, accumulated combustion time, or accumulated water passing time of the combustion appliance, Any physical quantity suitable for estimating the maintenance timing of the maintenance target, such as the number of ignitions, the amount of combustion energy, the amount of gas supply, and the amount of gas combustion, may be used.

  And as a result of such determination, when the time to perform maintenance (for example, replacement of parts, replenishment of consumables, equipment inspection, etc.) is approaching and the second state is reached, the notification means Visual information or audible information for alerting the user is notified.

  Examples of the visible information notified by the notification means include information displayed by characters and symbols on the display device, information displayed by lighting or blinking of a warning lamp, and the like. Further, as audible information notified by the notification means, information by buzzer, chime, melody and the like can be mentioned.

  Further, in this combustion appliance, when the notification as described above is performed, the convenience lowering control means includes the heating capability of the heat source unit, the supply capability of the fluid supplied to the supply destination through the flow path, and the utilization. Use by executing control that lowers at least one of the operability of the operation unit operated by the user as compared to when in the first state (hereinafter, this control is also referred to as convenience reduction control). Reduce the convenience of the user.

  As specific examples of the convenience lowering control, various controls can be considered, and the details thereof will be described later. However, in any case, the fluid heated to the supply destination by executing the convenience lowering control. Although the function of supplying water does not become completely unusable, the heating capacity and the fluid supply capacity are lowered, or the operability is lowered. Therefore, the user will experience a decrease in convenience when using the combustion appliance.

  Therefore, according to the combustion appliance configured as described above, first, the visible information or the audible information as described above is notified, so that the user who has noticed it actually has time to perform maintenance. In the previous stage, preparation for maintenance (for example, a request to a maintenance company, etc.) can be started.

  In addition, unlike the conventional product that merely performed notification by the notification means, the heating performance, fluid supply performance, operability, etc. are reduced at the time when the above visible information or audible information is notified, To the extent that warnings are made by notifying visible information or audible information as described above, even users who neglect such warnings will experience that convenience has been reduced. Therefore, there is a possibility that the maintenance contractor may be contacted when experiencing such a decrease in convenience, leading to a situation in which it is time to perform maintenance without performing maintenance. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the unlikely event that maintenance has not been carried out, it is time to carry out maintenance, and when the third state is reached, the operation prohibition is forcibly prohibited by the operation prohibiting means. Control is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the combustion appliance in a state where necessary maintenance has not been performed from being continuously used.

  By the way, in the combustion appliance of the present invention, various methods can be considered as the determination means of the determination means. For example, the physical quantity increases or decreases with the use of the combustion appliance. The determination means determines that the physical quantity is in the first state until the physical quantity changes from one of the numerical ranges having a predetermined first threshold value as a boundary to the other, and the physical quantity is the first quantity. After changing from one of the numerical ranges bounded by one threshold value to the other, the second state is maintained until changing from one numerical value range bounded by a predetermined second threshold value to the other. If the physical quantity changes from one of the numerical ranges having the second threshold value as a boundary to the other, it may be determined that the third state is established.

  In this case, the first threshold value is arbitrarily set in consideration of the relationship between the physical quantity adopted as the determination target and the timing when the notification of visible information or audible information is started. The second threshold value is arbitrarily set in consideration of the relationship between the physical quantity adopted as the determination target and the time when maintenance should be performed.

Next, some specific examples of convenience reduction control means that can be employed in the combustion appliance of the present invention will be described.
In the combustion appliance of the present invention, it is preferable that the convenience reduction control means performs control to vary the actual supply capacity within a range that is less than or equal to the designed supply capacity. As control for changing the fluid supply capability, control for reducing the fluid supply capability than normal, control for shaking the fluid supply capability (control for destabilizing), and the like can be considered. Or if a user feels that it is not a normal state, you may perform control which raises the fluid supply capability rather than usual.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when the second state is reached, the fluid supply capability changes to a state different from the normal state, so that it is impossible to supply the fluid in a state exactly the same as the normal state. Therefore, to the extent that warning is given by notifying information by the notification means, even a user who neglects such warning can experience that the convenience has decreased due to fluctuations in the fluid supply capacity. As a result, there is a possibility of contacting the maintenance contractor as an opportunity, so that it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance, and the combustion appliance is forcibly stopped. It is possible to reduce the possibility of being lost.

  Moreover, the combustion appliance of this invention WHEREIN: The said convenience fall control means may perform control which fluctuates the temperature of the fluid after the heating by the said heat-source part. As control for changing the temperature of the fluid after heating, control for lowering the temperature of the fluid after heating, control for swinging the temperature of the fluid after heating (control for making it unstable), and the like can be considered. Or if a user feels that it is not a normal state, you may perform control which raises the temperature of the fluid after a heating.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when the second state is reached, the temperature of the fluid after being heated by the heat source unit changes to a state different from the normal state, so that the fluid cannot be supplied at the temperature set by the user. Therefore, even if a user who neglects such a warning to the extent that a warning is given by notifying information by the notification means, if the user feels that convenience has been reduced due to fluctuations in the fluid temperature. As a result, there is a possibility of contacting the maintenance company as an opportunity, so that it is possible to suppress the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance, and the combustion appliance will be forcibly stopped. The possibility can be reduced.

  Moreover, the combustion appliance of this invention WHEREIN: The said convenience fall control means may perform control which fluctuates the flow volume of the said fluid. As control for changing the flow rate of the fluid, control for decreasing the flow rate of the fluid, control for changing the flow rate of the fluid (control for making the flow unstable), and the like can be considered. Alternatively, if the user feels that it is not in a normal state, control for increasing the flow rate of the fluid may be performed.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when the second state is reached, the fluid flow rate changes to a state different from the normal state, so that it is not possible to supply the fluid at the same flow rate as in the normal state. For this reason, even if a user who neglects such a warning is to notify the information by the notification means, if the convenience is reduced due to fluctuations in the fluid flow rate, this is triggered. As a result, it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance and reduce the possibility that the combustion equipment will be forcibly stopped. can do.

  Further, in the combustion appliance of the present invention, the convenience reduction control means is configured to increase the number of operations required until the operation is received by the operation unit for the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit, and the operation The control unit may perform at least one control among the controls for swinging the number of operations required until the operation unit receives the command.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when the second state is reached, a state in which the number of operations required until the operation by the user is received by the operation unit increases or a state in which the number of operations is fluctuated occurs. As a result, it is necessary to carry out the operation several times and the operability is lowered. For this reason, even if a user who neglects such a warning by notifying information by the notification means, if convenience is reduced due to an increase in the number of operations, this is triggered. As a result, it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance and reduce the possibility that the combustion equipment will be forcibly stopped. can do.

  Further, in the combustion appliance of the present invention, the convenience reduction control means includes a control for reducing the luminance of the display unit on which information to be confirmed by a user during operation on the operation unit is displayed, and the luminance of the display unit Of the control for swinging, at least one of the controls may be performed.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when the second state is reached, the brightness of the display unit decreases or the brightness of the display unit fluctuates, and it is difficult for the user to check the display contents before and after the operation. The operability is reduced. For this reason, even if a user who neglects such a warning to the extent that the information is notified by the notification means, if convenience is reduced due to a decrease in luminance of the display unit, it As a result, there is a possibility of contacting a maintenance contractor, so that it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance, and the combustion equipment may be forcibly stopped. Can be reduced.

  In the combustion apparatus of the present invention, the convenience reduction control means increases a delay time required for the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit to be accepted by the operation unit after the operation is actually performed. At least one of the control and the control that fluctuates the delay time required from when the operation is actually performed until it is received by the operation unit may be performed.

  According to such a combustion appliance, when it reaches the second state, it becomes a state in which a delay time required until the operation unit receives the operation after it is actually performed, or a state in which fluctuation occurs in the delay time, It becomes difficult for the user to confirm whether or not the operation is accepted, and the operability is lowered. Therefore, to the extent that warning is given by notifying information by the notification means, even for a user who neglects such warning, convenience increases due to an increase in delay time until the operation is accepted. If it decreases, there is a possibility that the maintenance contractor may be contacted at the opportunity, so that it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance, and the combustion appliance is forced The possibility of being stopped can be reduced.

Explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of a water heater. (A) is a flowchart which shows a maintenance time confirmation process, (b) is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of convenience fall control. (A) is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of convenience fall control, (b) is a flowchart which shows the 3rd example of convenience fall control. (A) is a flowchart showing a fourth example of convenience reduction control, (b) is a flowchart showing a fifth example of convenience reduction control.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with some specific examples.
[1] First embodiment [Structure of water heater]
As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water heater 1 cited as an example of the combustion appliance of the present invention includes a hot water supply portion 1A for supplying hot water to a hot water outlet such as a hot water tap 2 and a bathtub 3, and heat insulation or hot water in the bathtub 3. A heat retaining unit 1B that performs reheating and a control unit 1C that controls the operation of the hot water supply unit 1A and the heat retaining unit 1B are provided.

  In this water heater 1, the hot water supply section 1A has a combustion chamber 12A, and in the combustion chamber 12A, burners 13A to 13C, a primary heat exchanger 14A, a secondary heat exchanger 14B, a spark plug 15A, and a frame rod. 16A etc. are arranged. The heat retaining unit 1B has a combustion chamber 12B, and a burner 13D, a heat exchanger 14C, a spark plug 15B, a frame rod 16B, and the like are disposed in the combustion chamber 12B. The spark plugs 15A and 15B are connected to the igniter 15C, respectively.

  The primary heat exchanger 14A is a heat exchanger that mainly recovers sensible heat from the high-temperature exhaust gas generated by the combustion in the burners 13A to 13C, and the secondary heat exchanger 14B is the primary heat exchanger 14A. It is a heat exchanger that mainly recovers latent heat from the exhaust gas whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange.

  In the secondary heat exchanger 14B, heat is further taken from the exhaust having a relatively high relative humidity, so that the water vapor in the exhaust is condensed and drain (condensed water) is generated. Therefore, a drain drain pipe 17A is provided to discharge this drain, and a neutralizer 17B is provided at the downstream end of the drain drain pipe 17A. The neutralizer 17B is provided to neutralize acidic drain containing nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides. A neutralizer (for example, neutralizing drain) is provided inside the neutralizer 17B. , Calcium carbonate).

  The water heater 1 includes a fan motor 18A and a fan 18B, and is configured to supply air into the combustion chambers 12A and 12B by rotationally driving the fan 18B by the fan motor 18A. Exhaust tops 19A and 19B are provided on the upper portions of the combustion chambers 12A and 12B, and the exhaust chambers 12A and 12B can be exhausted through the exhaust tops 19A and 19B. The combustion chambers 12A and 12B are provided with overheat prevention devices 20A and 20B that forcibly stop the operation of the water heater 1 by fusing when the surroundings are in an abnormally high temperature state.

  Moreover, the water heater 1 is provided with the gas supply pipe | tube 21 used as the gas supply path to the burners 13A-13D. The gas supply pipe 21 includes a main pipe 23 whose upstream end is connected to a gas supply source (for example, a city gas pipe or a propane gas pipe) and branch pipes 24A to 24D branched from the main pipe 23 into a plurality of branches. It is configured. In the hot water supply unit 1A, nozzles 25A to 25C are provided at the downstream ends of the branch pipes 24A to 24C, and the gas can be supplied to the burners 13A to 13C via the nozzles 25A to 25C. Further, in the heat retaining section 1B, a nozzle 25D is provided at the downstream end of the branch pipe 24D, and gas can be supplied to the burner 13D through the nozzle 25D.

  In the gas supply pipe 21, the main pipe 23 is provided with an original gas solenoid valve 27 and a gas proportional valve 28. The branch pipes 24A to 24C are provided with burner switching electromagnetic valves 29A to 29C, and the branch pipe 24D is provided with a gas electromagnetic valve 29D.

  Furthermore, the water heater 1 is provided with the following various water flow pipes. First, the hot water supply section 1A branches from the middle of the flow path of the water supply pipe 31 and the water supply pipe 31 that forms the water inlet to the secondary heat exchanger 14B, the hot water pipe 33 that forms the water outlet from the primary heat exchanger 14A, and the water supply pipe 31. A bypass pipe 35 that communicates with the hot water discharge pipe 33 and a branch pipe 37 that branches from the middle of the flow path of the hot water discharge pipe 33 and extends toward the heat retaining section 1B are provided.

  On the other hand, the heat retaining section 1B includes a bath return pipe 41 that forms a bath return channel that returns the hot water in the bathtub 3 to the heat exchanger 14C, and a bath that provides a bath channel from the heat exchanger 14C to the bathtub 3. A pipe 43 is provided, and the bath return pipe 41 and the bath-bound pipe 43 form a circulation flow path that returns from the bathtub 3 to the bathtub 3 through the heat exchanger 14C. The branch pipe 37 of the hot water supply unit 1A described above communicates with the flow path of the bath return pipe 41.

  Among these water pipes, the water supply pipe 31 has an upstream end connected to a water supply source (for example, a water pipe), and in the middle of a flow path from the upstream end side to the downstream end side of the water supply pipe 31. , A strainer 51 for filtering water flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side in order from the upstream end side, a hot water supply amount sensor 53 for detecting the amount of water flowing in the water supply pipe 31, and a water amount control for increasing / decreasing the amount of water flowing in the water supply pipe 31 A motor 55, an incoming water temperature detection thermistor 57 that detects the temperature of water flowing to the primary heat exchanger 14A, and the like are provided. In addition, a freeze prevention heater 59 is provided in the middle of such a waterway.

  The hot water discharge pipe 33 has a downstream end connected to a hot water discharge location (a location where the hot water tap 2 is present in the present embodiment), and an upstream end in the middle of the flow path from the upstream end side to the downstream end side of the hot water discharge tube 33. The first hot water temperature detection thermistor 61 for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing out from the primary heat exchanger 14A in order from the side, the temperature of the hot water being detected downstream from the junction of the hot water pipe 33 and the bypass pipe 35. A double hot water temperature detection thermistor 63, a water drain plug 65 with a relief valve, and the like are provided. The bypass pipe 35 is provided with a bypass control motor 67 that controls increase / decrease of the amount of water flowing through the bypass pipe 35.

  The branch pipe 37 is a pipe that forms a hot water supply path to the bath return pipe 41 on the downstream side with the hot water discharge pipe 33 side as the upstream side, and in the middle of the flow path from the upstream end side to the downstream end side of the branch pipe 37. , A dropped water electromagnetic valve 71 that is opened when hot water is supplied to the bathtub 3 via the branch pipe 37, a dropped water amount sensor 73 that detects the amount of water flowing through the branch pipe 37, and a check valve that prevents backflow in the branch pipe 37. 75A, 75B, etc. are provided.

  Further, the branch pipe 37 is provided with an edge cut-off valve 77, which is upstream from the flow path that should be downstream from the branch pipe 37 due to a decrease in water pressure on the water supply side (water supply pipe 31 side). When a negative pressure that sucks up water into the flow path to be formed is generated, the edge cut-off valve 77 is opened to prevent water from flowing back through the branch pipe 37.

  The bath return pipe 41 is attached to the bathtub 3 on the upstream end side via the bath adapter 81, and the temperature of hot water flowing from the bathtub 3 is in the middle of the flow path from the upstream end side to the downstream end side of the bath return pipe 41. A bath return hot water temperature detection thermistor 82 for detecting water, a circulation pump 83 for pumping hot water from the upstream side to the downstream side in the bath return pipe 41, and a water flow for detecting that water (hot water) has flowed through the bath return pipe 41. A switch 84, a pressure sensor 85 for detecting the pressure in the bath return pipe 41, and the like are provided.

  Incidentally, when the hot water in the bathtub 3 is pressure-fed to the heat exchanger 14C, the bath return pipe 41 is a pipe having the upstream end on the bus adapter 81 side and the downstream end on the heat exchanger 14C side as described above. When hot water is supplied to the bathtub 3 through the branch pipe 37, the hot water flows in the opposite direction from the junction of the bath return pipe 41 and the branch pipe 37 toward the bus adapter 81 side.

  The bath-side pipe 43 is attached to the bathtub 3 at the downstream end side via the bath adapter 81, and hot water is supplied in the middle of the flow path from the upstream end side to the downstream end side of the bath-end pipe 43 when hot water is detected. An air-fired safety device 87 for forcibly stopping the apparatus 1 and a hot water temperature detecting thermistor 88 for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing out from the heat exchanger 14C are provided.

  In addition, in the water heater 1, the control unit 1C is disposed in the bathroom, a controller 93 for controlling the operation state of the hot water function and the heat retaining function, a hot water remote controller 95 disposed outside the bathroom, and the bathroom. And a bath remote control 97.

  The controller 93 incorporates a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The various sensors described above (the frame rods 16A and 16B, the incoming water temperature detection thermistor 57, the first hot water temperature detection thermistor 61, And the information from the second hot water temperature detection thermistor 63, etc., and the above-described various solenoid valves (original gas solenoid valve 27, gas proportional valve 28, burner switching solenoid valves 29A to 29C, gas solenoid valve 29D, drop-in) The operation of various motors (fan motor 18A, water amount control motor 55, bypass control motor 67), circulation pump 83, igniter 15C, and the like is controlled.

  Both the hot water supply remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 are provided with an input unit that receives an input operation from the user and a user interface such as an output unit that displays information and outputs sound to the user, and information input from the input unit is received. In addition to being transmitted to the controller 93, information output and audio output are performed from the output unit based on information transmitted from the controller 93.

[Operating state during hot water operation]
Next, the outline | summary is demonstrated about the operating state of the water heater 1 when a user performs hot water supply operation. When the user opens the hot water tap 2, the water flowing in from the water inlet goes to the primary heat exchanger 14 </ b> A through the hot water supply amount sensor 53 and the secondary heat exchanger 14 </ b> B. At this time, the hot water supply amount sensor 53 outputs a signal having a frequency corresponding to the flow velocity. When the controller 93 senses that this signal has reached the specified frequency, the controller 93 controls the fan motor 18A to control the fan 18B. Rotate.

  After the fan 18B rotates and the pre-purge operation is performed, the original gas solenoid valve 27, the burner switching solenoid valve 29A, the burner switching solenoid valve 29B, and the burner switching solenoid valve 29C are simultaneously opened, and the gas proportional valve 28 is slowly ignited. It becomes operation | movement and gas is supplied to burner 13A-13C. At the same time, the igniter 15C is activated and continuously discharges from the spark plug 15A to ignite the burners 13A to 13C. After ignition, when the flame is detected by the frame rod 16A and it is confirmed that it is burning, the slow ignition operation is terminated.

  When the slow ignition operation is finished, the proportional control is subsequently started. When there is a difference between the hot water temperature detected by the second hot water temperature detection thermistor 63 and a set temperature arbitrarily set by the user, the controller 93 determines that there is a difference, and the burner switching solenoid valve 29A and the burner switching The amount of gas is continuously changed by the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 29B and the burner switching solenoid valve 29C and the gas proportional valve 28 to keep the tapping temperature constant. In addition, since the water amount is adjusted to an appropriate amount by the water amount control motor 55, the maximum amount of hot water is always secured. At this time, a signal is sent from the controller 93 to the fan motor 18A in accordance with the change in the gas amount by the gas proportional valve 28, whereby the relationship between the gas amount and the air amount is always kept constant.

  When the user closes the hot-water tap 2 in the situation where the hot water supply is performed as described above, the frequency signal from the hot-water supply amount sensor 53 disappears, so the controller 93 includes the original gas solenoid valve 27 and the burner switching solenoid valve. 29A, the burner switching solenoid valve 29B and the burner switching solenoid valve 29C are closed to extinguish the fire, and the post purge operation is started. Thereafter, when the post-purge operation times out, the fan 18B stops.

[Operating state during bath operation]
Next, the outline | summary is demonstrated about the operating state of the water heater 1 when a user performs bath operation. When the user presses the automatic switch of the hot water remote controller 95 or the bath remote controller 97, the dropped water electromagnetic valve 71 is turned on, the hot water quantity sensor 53 is turned on, and the hot water combustion operation is started. Hot water is supplied to the bathtub 3 through the check valves 75A and 75B and the dropped water amount sensor 73. Thereafter, when the water amount detected by the dropped water amount sensor 73 becomes the set water amount, the dropped water electromagnetic valve 71 is turned off, the hot water supply amount sensor 53 is turned off, and hot water combustion is stopped.

  Next, the circulation pump 83 is activated to start circulating hot water. The circulation of hot water is detected by a water flow switch 84. At this time, if the temperature sensed by the bath return hot water temperature detection thermistor 82 is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the controller 93 controls the fan motor 18A to rotate the fan 18B. When the fan 18B rotates and a signal of the rotational speed is transmitted to the controller 93, the original gas solenoid valve 27 and the gas solenoid valve 29D are then opened, and the igniter 15C is activated simultaneously with the supply of gas to the burner 13D. Then, the spark plug 15B is continuously discharged.

  When the burner 13D is ignited, flame is detected by the frame rod 16B, the operation of the igniter 15C is stopped, and heating of the bath is started. When the hot water in the bath being circulated by the circulation pump 83 reaches the set temperature, the temperature is sensed by the thermistor 82 for detecting the temperature of the hot water returned to the bath, the burner 13D is extinguished, and the circulation pump 83 is stopped. Then, a notification buzzer is sounded to inform the boiling.

  When the reheating combustion as described above is stopped and the interval time until the bath water temperature is confirmed thereafter, only the circulation pump 83 is operated to circulate hot water in the bath. At this time, if the temperature of the bath is lower than the set temperature, retreating is performed. Thereafter, if the bath temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature, the operation of the circulation pump 83 stops there, and the circulation pump 83 is activated after the interval time has elapsed, and the same operation as described above is repeated. These series of operations are stopped when the hot water supply remote control 95 or the bath remote control 97 automatic switch is pressed.

[Convenience reduction control]
Next, convenience reduction control executed in the water heater 1 will be described. The convenience reduction control described below is control executed by the controller 93. When the convenience reduction control is executed, other controls executed in parallel in the controller 93 (for example, hot water supply control, remote control, etc.) .) Is changed.

  More specifically, when the water heater 1 starts operating, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the controller 93 executes a maintenance time confirmation process, in which the cumulative usage amount to be maintained is the first. It is determined whether or not the threshold value is exceeded (S110).

  Various maintenance targets in S110 can be considered, and any of these various maintenance targets may be arbitrarily determined as the determination target in S110. In this embodiment, the neutralizer 17B is given as an example of the maintenance target, and when the accumulated usage amount of the neutralizer 17B reaches the first threshold value or more, it is determined that the time to perform maintenance is approaching. Will be described.

  Since the neutralizer 17B is in a use state when drain is discharged, and the drain discharge amount has a correlation with the gas combustion amount, in this embodiment, the gas combustion amount is measured and accumulated. Based on the accumulated value, the determination in S110 is performed. More specifically, the neutralizer filled in the neutralizer 17B needs to be replaced when the gas combustion amount reaches a predetermined amount after the start of use of the neutralizer 17B. A% of the amount of gas combustion that requires replacement of the agent (where A is a constant not less than 0 and less than 100, 90 in this embodiment) is adopted as the first threshold value, and the determination in S110 is made. Do.

  If it is determined in S110 that the cumulative usage amount subject to maintenance is less than the first threshold (S110: NO), the process returns to S110 to continue monitoring the cumulative usage amount subject to maintenance. On the other hand, when it is determined in S110 that the accumulated usage amount for maintenance is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S110: YES), the controller 93 blinks the error number on the remote control (hot water supply remote control 95 and bath remote control 97). (S120).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the accumulated usage amount to be maintained is equal to or greater than a second threshold value (S130). In the present embodiment, a gas combustion amount that requires replacement of the neutralizing agent is employed as the second threshold value. That is, if a negative determination is made in S130, the situation where the neutralizing agent should be replaced immediately has not been reached, but if an affirmative determination is made in S130, a situation where the neutralizing agent should be replaced immediately has been reached. Yes.

  Therefore, when a negative determination is made in S130 (S130: NO), the controller 93 executes convenience reduction control (S140). Since several specific examples of the convenience reduction control can be considered, first, FIG. 2B shows a first example of the convenience reduction control.

  When the convenience reduction control shown as the first example is started, the controller 93 determines whether or not it is the first adjustment of the maximum hot water discharge capacity (S210). In S210, when S140 shown in FIG. 2A is executed for the first time, an affirmative determination is made (S210: YES), and in this case, the controller 93 sets the current maximum hot water discharge capacity (designed maximum hot water discharge capacity) × B. (B is a constant satisfying “0 <B <1” and is 0.9 in the present embodiment) (S220), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S220 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state during hot water supply operation", but the maximum hot water at that time The capacity is in a state of lowering than the designed maximum hot water output capacity of the water heater 1 (in this embodiment, it is reduced by 10%).

  When the convenience reduction control is terminated, the process returns to S130 in FIG. 2A, and thus the convenience reduction control is executed again while a negative determination is made in S130. In this case, when the convenience reduction control is started, in S210, since it is not the adjustment of the first maximum hot water discharge capacity (S210: NO), the controller 93 determines whether or not a predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous maximum hot water discharge capacity adjustment. Is determined (S230). At the time when S230 is executed for the first time, normally, since the predetermined combustion time has not elapsed since the previous maximum hot water discharge capacity adjustment (S230: NO), the convenience reduction control is terminated as it is. As a result, the process returns to S130 of FIG.

  Thereafter, while the negative determination is made in S130, the convenience reduction control is executed again, and while the negative determination is made in S230, the process returns to S130 again. Until the cumulative amount of use exceeds the second threshold (S130: YES), whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous maximum hot water discharge capacity adjustment (S230: YES), or until any situation occurs S130 to S140 and S210 to S230 are repeated to wait.

  If the predetermined combustion time elapses after the previous maximum hot water discharge capacity adjustment during the standby (S230: YES), the current maximum hot water discharge capacity is set to (previous maximum hot water discharge capacity) × B (where B is “ It is a constant that satisfies 0 <B <1 ”(0.9 in this embodiment)) (S240), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S240 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state at the time of hot water supply operation". The capacity is further reduced from the previous maximum hot water discharge capacity (in this embodiment, the capacity is further reduced by 10%).

  Thereafter, S130 to S140 and S210 to S230 as described above are repeated to stand by, and S240 is executed each time a predetermined combustion time elapses, and the maximum hot water discharge capacity decreases by 10%. It will be. On the other hand, if the accumulated usage of the maintenance target reaches the second threshold value or more while repeating the above-described steps S130 to S140 and S210 to S230 (S130: YES), FIG. Proceed to S150. In this case, the controller 93 executes hot water supply function forced stop control (S150), and ends this process. When S150 is executed, the hot water supply function of the water heater 1 is not activated thereafter.

  In the convenience reduction control described above, for the sake of simplicity of the flowchart, an example is shown in which S240 is executed whenever an affirmative determination is made in S230. However, a condition different from S230 is satisfied. S240 may be executed after further determining whether or not it exists. If a more specific example is given, for example, it will be determined whether or not the maximum hot water discharge capacity has reached a predetermined lower limit with the execution of S240, and if the maximum hot water discharge capacity has reached the lower limit, Even if an affirmative determination is made in S230, it may be limited not to execute S240. Alternatively, the number of times S240 is executed may be counted, and if the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S230, it may be limited not to execute S240. If these restrictions are added, it is possible to avoid an excessive decrease in the maximum hot water discharge capacity.

[effect]
According to the hot water heater 1 as described above, when the remaining period until the time at which the neutralizer 17B should be maintained becomes less than a predetermined period, the hot water remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 (in accordance with the present invention) are performed in S120. This corresponds to an example of the notification means in FIG. Therefore, the user who notices it can start preparations for maintenance (for example, a request to a maintenance company, etc.) before the time at which maintenance should be performed actually arrives.

  Further, in the hot water heater 1, when the error number is notified as described above, the controller 93 executes the convenience reduction control, and the performance related to the hot water supply function (maximum in the case of the present embodiment, in S220 and S240). The convenience of the user is reduced by reducing the (watering capacity) (the controller 93 that executes the convenience reduction control corresponds to an example of the convenience reduction control means in the present invention). Therefore, even if a user who does not contact the maintenance contractor simply by blinking the error number in S120, if the amount of hot water discharged from the hot water tap 2 is reduced by S220 and S240, the user who has experienced that Therefore, it is expected that some abnormality may occur in the water heater 1, and the possibility of contacting the maintenance company is expected to increase.

  Furthermore, although the amount of hot water discharged from the hot-water tap 2 decreases until S150 is executed, the hot water supply function does not stop immediately, so “the control equivalent to S150 is performed without executing the control equivalent to S140. Unlike the “hot water heater to be executed”, the possibility of sudden inconvenience to the user due to a sudden stop of the hot water supply function can be reduced.

[2] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second and subsequent embodiments are different from the first embodiment in the specific contents of the convenience lowering control, but are the same as the first embodiment in other points. The detailed description will be focused on the differences in form, and the common parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Convenience reduction control]
Also in the second embodiment, when a negative determination is made in S130 of FIG. 2A (S130: NO), the controller 93 executes convenience reduction control (S140). However, in the second embodiment, the second example shown in FIG. 3A is executed as the convenience reduction control.

  When the convenience reduction control shown as the second example is started, the controller 93 determines whether or not the adjustment of the first hot water temperature is performed (S310). In S310, when S140 shown in FIG. 2A is executed for the first time, an affirmative determination is made (S310: YES), and in that case, the controller 93 sets the current hot water temperature (remote control set temperature) × C (where C Is a constant that satisfies “0 <C <1” (0.95 in this embodiment)) (S320), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S320 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state during hot water operation". Is lower than the temperature set by the hot water remote controller 95 or the bath remote controller 97 (in this embodiment, it is reduced by 5%). More specifically, for example, when the remote control set temperature is 40 ° C., the hot water temperature is adjusted to 40 ° C. × 0.95 = 38 ° C. after the execution of S320, and the hot water temperature is set by the remote control. 2 ° C. lower than temperature.

  When the convenience reduction control is terminated, the process returns to S130 in FIG. 2A, and thus the convenience reduction control is executed again while a negative determination is made in S130. In this case, when the convenience lowering control is started, in S310, since it is not the first hot water temperature adjustment (S310: NO), the controller 93 determines whether or not a predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous hot water temperature adjustment. (S330). At the time when S330 is executed for the first time, usually, since the predetermined combustion time has not elapsed since the last adjustment of the hot water temperature (S330: NO), the convenience reduction control is terminated as it is. As a result, the process returns to S130 of FIG.

  Thereafter, while the negative determination is made in S130, the convenience reduction control is executed again, and while the negative determination is made in S330, the process returns to S130 again. Whether the cumulative amount of use becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold (S130: YES), whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous tapping temperature adjustment (S330: YES), or until either situation occurs -S140 and S310-S330 are repeated and it waits.

  If a predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous adjustment of the hot water temperature during the standby (S330: YES), the current hot water temperature is (the previous hot water temperature) × C (where C is “0 <C It is a constant that satisfies <1 ”and is adjusted to 0.95 in this embodiment) (S340), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S340 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state at the time of hot water supply operation". Is in a state where the temperature is further lowered from the previous tapping temperature (in this embodiment, it is further reduced by 5%). More specifically, for example, if the previous tapping temperature is 38 ° C., the tapping temperature is adjusted to 38 ° C. × 0.95 = 36.1 ° C. after the execution of S340. Is 3.9 ° C. lower than the remote control set temperature.

  Thereafter, S130 to S140 and S310 to S330 as described above are repeated to stand by, and S340 is executed each time a predetermined combustion time elapses, and the tapping temperature decreases by 5%. become. In addition, while repeating the above-mentioned S130 to S140 and S310 to S330 and waiting, if the cumulative usage amount to be maintained reaches the second threshold value or more (S130: YES), FIG. The process proceeds to S150, and the following behavior is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the convenience reduction control described above, for the sake of simplifying the flowchart, an example is shown in which S340 is executed whenever an affirmative determination is made in S330, but a condition different from S330 is satisfied. S340 may be executed after further determining whether or not it exists. To give a more specific example, for example, it is determined whether or not the hot water temperature has reached a predetermined lower limit value (for example, 20% reduction of the remote control set temperature) with the execution of S340, and the hot water temperature is lower limit value. Then, even if an affirmative determination is made in S330, it may be limited so that S340 is not executed. Alternatively, the number of times that S340 is executed may be counted, and if that number reaches a predetermined upper limit, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S330, it may be limited so that S340 is not executed. If these restrictions are added, it is possible to avoid an excessive decrease in the tapping temperature.

[effect]
Even in the water heater 1 as described above, since the error number blinks on the hot water remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 (corresponding to an example of the notification means in the present invention) as in the first embodiment, maintenance should be performed. You can start preparing for maintenance at an early stage.

  Further, in the hot water heater 1, when the error number notification as described above is performed, the controller 93 executes the convenience reduction control, and the performance related to the hot water supply function (in the case of the present embodiment, the hot water supply) is performed by S320 and S340. By reducing the temperature, the convenience of the user is reduced (the controller 93 that executes the convenience reduction control corresponds to an example of the convenience reduction control means in the present invention). Therefore, even if the user who does not contact the maintenance company only by blinking the error number in S120, if the temperature of the hot water is lowered by S320 and S340, the user who has experienced it can enter the water heater 1. It is expected that some sort of abnormality may have occurred, and the possibility of contacting a maintenance company will increase.

  Further, although the hot water temperature is lowered, the hot water supply function is not immediately stopped as in the first embodiment. Therefore, “a water heater that executes the control corresponding to S150 without executing the control corresponding to S140”. In contrast, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the hot water supply function suddenly stops and the user is inconvenienced.

[3] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[Convenience reduction control]
Also in the third embodiment, when a negative determination is made in S130 of FIG. 2A (S130: NO), the controller 93 executes convenience reduction control (S140). However, in the third embodiment, the third example shown in FIG. 3B is executed as the convenience reduction control.

  When the convenience lowering control shown as the third example is started, the controller 93 determines whether or not the first hot water temperature range is changed (S410). In S410, when S140 shown in FIG. 2A is executed for the first time, an affirmative determination is made (S410: YES). In that case, the controller 93 determines from the remote control set temperature (remote control set temperature) × D (where D is A constant satisfying “0 <D <1” (0.95 in the present embodiment) is set as the current hot water temperature range, and the hot water temperature is changed within the hot water temperature range (S420), thereby reducing convenience. End control.

  After this step S420 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state at the time of hot water supply operation". The range is the range of (remote controller set temperature) × D from the set temperature in hot water remote controller 95 or bath remote controller 97, and the hot water temperature fluctuates within that range. More specifically, for example, when the remote control set temperature is 40 ° C., after the execution of S420, the tapping temperature range is from 40 ° C. to 40 ° C. × 0.95 = 38 ° C. The tapping temperature fluctuates within the range.

  When the convenience reduction control is terminated, the process returns to S130 in FIG. 2A, and thus the convenience reduction control is executed again while a negative determination is made in S130. In this case, when the convenience lowering control is started, in S410, since it is not the first change in the hot water temperature range (S410: NO), the controller 93 determines whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous change in the hot water temperature range. It is determined whether or not (S430). At the time when S430 is executed for the first time, normally, since the predetermined combustion time has not elapsed since the last change of the hot water temperature range (S430: NO), the convenience reduction control is terminated as it is. As a result, the process returns to S130 of FIG.

  Thereafter, while the negative determination is made in S130, the convenience reduction control is executed again, and while the negative determination is made in S430, the process returns to S130 again. Until the cumulative amount of use becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold (S130: YES), whether the predetermined combustion time elapses after the previous change in the tapping temperature range (S430: YES), or until any situation occurs Repeats S130 to S140 and S410 to S430 and waits.

  If the predetermined combustion time elapses after changing the last hot water temperature range during such standby (S430: YES), from the remote control set temperature (last hot water temperature range lower limit) × D (where D is “ A constant satisfying 0 <D <1 and in this embodiment, 0.95.) Is set as a current hot water temperature range, and the hot water temperature is changed within the hot water temperature range (S440), thereby reducing convenience. Exit.

  After this S440 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the section “Operating state during hot water supply operation” described above. The lower limit of the range is in a state that is further lower than the lower limit of the last tapping temperature range (in this embodiment, it is further reduced by 5% of the previous time). Explaining with more specific examples, for example, when the last lower temperature range of the hot water is 38 ° C, after the execution of S440, the lower temperature range of the hot water temperature is changed to 38 ° C × 0.95 = 36.1 ° C. Thus, the temperature of the tapping water is changed within the range of 40 ° C to 36.1 ° C.

  Thereafter, S130 to S140 and S410 to S430 as described above are repeated and the standby is continued, and S440 is executed every time the predetermined combustion time elapses, and the lower limit of the tapping temperature range is decreased by 5%. I will go. In addition, while repeating the above-described S130 to S140 and S410 to S430 and waiting, if the cumulative usage amount to be maintained reaches the second threshold value or more (S130: YES), FIG. The process proceeds to S150, and the following behavior is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the convenience reduction control described above, for the sake of simplifying the flowchart, an example is shown in which S440 is executed whenever an affirmative determination is made in S430, but a condition different from S430 is satisfied. S440 may be executed after further determining whether or not it exists. To give a more specific example, for example, it is determined whether or not the lower limit of the hot water temperature range has reached a predetermined lower limit value (for example, a 20% decrease in the remote control set temperature) with the execution of S440, and the hot water temperature range If the lower limit has reached the lower limit, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S430, it may be limited so that S440 is not executed. Alternatively, the number of times S440 is executed may be counted, and if the number reaches a predetermined upper limit, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S430, it may be limited so that S440 is not executed. If these restrictions are added, it is possible to avoid the hot water temperature range from fluctuating excessively to the low temperature side.

[effect]
Even in the water heater 1 as described above, since the error number blinks on the hot water remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 (corresponding to an example of the notification means in the present invention) as in the first embodiment, maintenance should be performed. You can start preparing for maintenance at an early stage.

  Further, in the hot water heater 1, when the error number notification as described above is performed, the controller 93 performs the convenience reduction control, and the performance related to the hot water supply function (in the case of the present embodiment, the hot water supply) is performed by S420 and S440. By reducing the temperature stability, the convenience of the user is reduced (the controller 93 that executes the convenience reduction control corresponds to an example of the convenience reduction control means in the present invention). Therefore, even if the user who does not contact the maintenance company only by blinking the error number in S120, the tapping temperature fluctuates by S420 and S440, and the fluctuation range expands in the low temperature direction. It is expected that the user who has experienced this will think that some abnormality may have occurred in the water heater 1, and the possibility of contacting the maintenance company will increase.

  Further, although the hot water temperature fluctuates, the hot water supply function does not immediately stop as in the first embodiment, so that “a water heater that executes the control equivalent to S150 without executing the control equivalent to S140”. In contrast, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the hot water supply function suddenly stops and the user is inconvenienced.

[4] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
[Convenience reduction control]
Also in the fourth embodiment, when a negative determination is made in S130 of FIG. 2A (S130: NO), the controller 93 executes convenience reduction control (S140). However, in the fourth embodiment, the fourth example shown in FIG. 4A is executed as the convenience reduction control.

  When the convenience reduction control shown as the fourth example is started, the controller 93 determines whether or not the initial maximum hot water supply flow rate is adjusted (S510). In S510, when S140 shown in FIG. 2A is executed for the first time, an affirmative determination is made (S510: YES), and in that case, the controller 93 sets the current maximum hot water supply flow rate (designed maximum hot water supply flow rate) × E. (However, E is a constant that satisfies “0 <E <1” and is 0.9 in this embodiment.) (S520), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S520 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the above-mentioned "Operating state during hot water supply operation", but the maximum hot water supply at that time The flow rate becomes lower than the designed maximum hot water supply flow rate (in this embodiment, it is reduced by 10%).

  When the convenience reduction control is terminated, the process returns to S130 in FIG. 2A, and thus the convenience reduction control is executed again while a negative determination is made in S130. In this case, when the convenience reduction control is started, in S510, since it is not the first adjustment of the maximum hot water supply flow rate (S510: NO), the controller 93 has determined whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous adjustment of the maximum hot water supply flow rate. It is determined whether or not (S530). When S530 is executed for the first time, since the predetermined combustion time has not normally elapsed since the previous maximum hot water supply flow rate adjustment (S530: NO), the convenience reduction control is terminated as it is. As a result, the process returns to S130 of FIG.

  Thereafter, while the negative determination is made in S130, the convenience reduction control is executed again, and while the negative determination is made in S530, the process returns to S130 again. Until the cumulative amount of use becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold (S130: YES), whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous maximum hot water supply flow rate adjustment (S530: YES), or until any situation occurs S130 to S140 and S510 to S530 are repeated to wait.

  If a predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous maximum hot water supply flow rate adjustment during such standby (S530: YES), the current maximum hot water flow rate is set to (previous maximum hot water flow rate) × E (where E is “ It is a constant that satisfies 0 <E <1 ”(0.9 in this embodiment)) (S540), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S540 is executed, when the user opens the hot-water tap 2, the water heater 1 operates as described in the section “Operating state during hot water supply operation”, but the maximum hot water supply at that time The flow rate is further lowered from the previous maximum hot water supply flow rate (in this embodiment, the flow rate is further reduced by 10%).

  Thereafter, S130 to S140 and S510 to S530 as described above are repeated and the standby is continued, and S540 is executed each time a predetermined combustion time elapses, and the maximum hot water supply flow rate decreases by 10%. It will be. In addition, while repeating the above-mentioned S130-S140 and S510-S530 and waiting, if the accumulated usage amount of a maintenance object reaches more than a 2nd threshold value (S130: YES), FIG. 2 (a). The process proceeds to S150, and the following behavior is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the convenience reduction control described above, for the sake of simplifying the flowchart, an example is shown in which S540 is executed each time an affirmative determination is made in S530, but a condition different from S530 is satisfied. S540 may be executed after further determining whether or not there is. To give a more specific example, for example, it is determined whether or not the maximum hot water supply flow rate has reached a predetermined lower limit value with the execution of S540, and if the maximum hot water supply flow rate has reached the lower limit value, then, Even if an affirmative determination is made in S530, it may be limited not to execute S540. Alternatively, the number of times S540 is executed may be counted, and if the number reaches a predetermined upper limit, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S530, it may be limited so that S540 is not executed. If these restrictions are added, it is possible to avoid an excessive decrease in the maximum hot water supply flow rate.

[effect]
Even in the water heater 1 as described above, since the error number blinks on the hot water remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 (corresponding to an example of the notification means in the present invention) as in the first embodiment, maintenance should be performed. You can start preparing for maintenance at an early stage.

  In addition, in the hot water heater 1, when the error number notification as described above is performed, the controller 93 executes the convenience reduction control, and the performance related to the hot water supply function (maximum in the case of the present embodiment, in S520 and S540). By reducing the (hot-water supply flow rate), the convenience of the user is reduced (the controller 93 that executes the convenience reduction control corresponds to an example of the convenience reduction control means in the present invention). Therefore, even if a user who does not contact the maintenance contractor simply by blinking the error number in S120, if the maximum hot water supply flow rate is reduced by S520 and S540, the user who has experienced that will have the water heater 1 It is expected that some sort of abnormality may have occurred, and the possibility of contacting a maintenance company is expected to increase.

  Further, although the maximum hot water supply flow rate is decreased, the hot water supply function is not immediately stopped as in the first embodiment. Therefore, “a water heater that executes the control equivalent to S150 without executing the control equivalent to S140” Unlike the case, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a situation where the hot water supply function suddenly stops and the user is inconvenienced.

[5] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
[Convenience reduction control]
Also in the fifth embodiment, when a negative determination is made in S130 of FIG. 2A (S130: NO), the controller 93 executes convenience reduction control (S140). However, in the fifth embodiment, the fifth example shown in FIG. 4B is executed as the convenience reduction control.

  When the convenience reduction control shown as the fifth example is started, the controller 93 determines whether or not the first operation count is changed (S610). In S610, when S140 shown in FIG. 2A is executed for the first time, an affirmative determination is made (S610: YES), and in that case, the controller 93 starts from the number of operations required until the remote controller switch operation is accepted from one time. Change to twice (S620), and the convenience reduction control is terminated.

  After this S620 is executed, when the user performs a switch operation of the remote controller thereafter, the switch operation is not accepted by one operation, and the switch operation is accepted if the same switch operation is performed twice in succession. It becomes a state.

  When the convenience reduction control is terminated, the process returns to S130 in FIG. 2A, and thus the convenience reduction control is executed again while a negative determination is made in S130. In this case, when the convenience reduction control is started, in S610, it is not the first change in the number of operations (S610: NO), the controller 93 determines whether or not a predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous change in the number of operations. Is determined (S630). When S630 is executed for the first time, since the predetermined combustion time has not normally elapsed since the previous change in the number of operations (S630: NO), the convenience reduction control is terminated as it is. As a result, the process returns to S130 of FIG.

  Thereafter, while the negative determination is made in S130, the convenience reduction control is executed again, and while the negative determination is made in S630, the process returns to S130 again. Whether the cumulative amount of use exceeds the second threshold (S130: YES), whether the predetermined combustion time has elapsed after the previous change in the number of operations (S630: YES), or until either situation occurs -S140 and S610-S630 are repeated and it waits.

  If the predetermined combustion time elapses after the previous operation count change during such standby (S630: YES), the current operation count is changed to (previous operation count) +1 (S640). End the decrease control. After S640 is executed, when the user performs a switch operation on the remote controller, the switch operation is not accepted even when the user performs the same number of operations as before the execution of S640. The operation is ready.

  Thereafter, S130 to S140 and S610 to S630 as described above are repeated and the standby is continued, and S640 is executed each time a predetermined combustion time elapses, and the number of operations increases by one. become. In addition, while repeating the above-mentioned S130 to S140 and S610 to S630 and waiting, if the cumulative usage amount to be maintained reaches the second threshold value or more (S130: YES), FIG. The process proceeds to S150, and the following behavior is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the convenience reduction control described above, an example in which S640 is executed each time an affirmative determination is made in S630 is shown for the sake of simplicity of the flowchart. However, a condition different from that of S630 is satisfied. S640 may be executed after further determining whether or not it exists. To give a more specific example, for example, it is determined whether or not the number of operations required to receive an operation with the execution of S640 has reached a predetermined upper limit, and if the number of operations has reached the upper limit. Thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S630, it may be limited not to execute S640. Alternatively, the number of times S640 is executed may be counted, and if the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value, thereafter, even if an affirmative determination is made in S630, it may be limited so that S640 is not executed. If such restrictions are added, it is possible to avoid an excessive increase in the number of operations required until operation reception.

[effect]
Even in the water heater 1 as described above, since the error number blinks on the hot water remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 (corresponding to an example of the notification means in the present invention) as in the first embodiment, maintenance should be performed. You can start preparing for maintenance at an early stage.

  Further, in the hot water heater 1, when the error number notification as described above is performed, the controller 93 executes the convenience reduction control, and the operability is reduced by S620 and S640 (in the case of the present embodiment, The convenience of the user is reduced by increasing the number of switch operations of the remote controller (the controller 93 that executes the convenience reduction control corresponds to an example of the convenience reduction control means in the present invention). Therefore, even if the user who does not contact the maintenance company only by blinking the error number in S120, if the number of operations is increased by S620 and S640, the user who has experienced it will enter the water heater 1. It is expected that some sort of abnormality may have occurred, and the possibility of contacting a maintenance company will increase.

  Furthermore, although the number of times of remote control switch operation increases, the hot water supply function does not stop immediately as in the first embodiment. Therefore, “the control equivalent to S150 is executed without executing the control equivalent to S140. Unlike the “hot water heater”, the possibility of sudden inconvenience to the user due to the sudden stoppage of the hot water supply function can be reduced.

[6] Other Embodiments Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various other forms.

  For example, the second embodiment shows an example in which the tapping temperature decreases, the third embodiment shows an example in which the tapping temperature is fluctuated while the lower limit value of the tapping temperature range is lowered, and further, the first embodiment, the first embodiment, In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment, the same configuration as that of the second embodiment is illustrated from the viewpoint of gradually changing, but the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment are also the third embodiment. Similarly, it may be configured such that fluctuations occur.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment, an example in which the hot water discharge capacity is reduced is shown. However, the lower limit value of the hot water discharge capacity is decreased without changing the upper limit value of the hot water discharge capacity, and the lower limit value is changed from the upper limit value. Within a range, you may comprise so that a tapping capacity may be fluctuate | varied.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, an example in which the hot water supply flow rate is decreased is shown. However, the lower limit value of the hot water supply flow rate is decreased without changing the upper limit value of the hot water supply flow rate, and the upper limit value is within the range of the lower limit value. The hot water supply flow rate may be varied.

In addition, if it is felt that the user is not in a normal state, control for increasing the hot water supply capacity, control for increasing the hot water supply temperature, control for increasing the hot water supply flow rate, and the like may be performed.
In the fifth embodiment, an example in which the number of switch operations is increased is shown. However, the upper limit value of the switch operation number is increased without changing the lower limit value of the switch operation number, and the upper limit value is changed from the lower limit value. You may comprise so that the frequency | count of switch operation may be fluctuated within the range.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the neutralizer 17B was mentioned as an example of a maintenance object, maintenance objects other than the neutralizer 17B may be sufficient. Examples of notifications related to maintenance objects other than the neutralizer 17B include, for example, an example in which a malfunction of the thermistor (not a serious malfunction such as disconnection, but a moderate malfunction), a maintenance inspection time of the water heater 1 (for example, An example of notifying the arrival of a CO sensor maintenance check) can be given. In addition to this, although it is not necessary to forcibly stop the hot water supply function immediately, it is considered that all the objects for which it is preferable to perform early maintenance can be applied to the present invention.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, in S230, S330, S430, S530, and S630, all of the determination conditions are whether or not a predetermined combustion time has elapsed. Whether or not to use the passage of the combustion time as a determination condition in performing notification regarding the object is also arbitrary. For example, the determination may be performed under time conditions other than the combustion time, and depending on the maintenance target, the use time of the water heater, the number of times of switching on / off the combustion, the water passage time, and the like may be used as the determination conditions. Further, any physical quantity suitable for measuring or estimating a change over time, a change over time, or a decrease in consumables, such as a combustion energy amount or a gas supply amount, may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given with some specific examples as the configuration for making the user feel the necessity of maintenance, but various configurations other than the above can be considered. If a more specific example is shown, for example, when the water heater is provided with a display unit that displays information about the water heater, the convenience lowering control means includes a control for reducing the luminance of the display unit, and A means for performing at least one control among the controls for swinging the luminance of the display unit may be employed.

  In such a water heater, when the notification by the notification means is reached, control for lowering operability is executed, and the brightness of the display unit is reduced, or the brightness of the display unit is fluctuated. Thus, it becomes difficult for the user to check the display contents before and after the operation, and the operability is lowered. For this reason, even if a user who neglects such a warning to the extent that the information is notified by the notification means, if convenience is reduced due to a decrease in luminance of the display unit, it As a result, there is a possibility of contacting the maintenance contractor, so that it is possible to prevent the time when maintenance should be performed without performing maintenance.

  In addition, if the water heater is provided with an operation unit that is operated by the user when the user gives a command to the water heater, the convenience lowering control unit may operate the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit. Control for increasing the delay time required from when the operation is actually performed until it is received by the operation unit, and control for shaking the delay time required for the operation unit to be received after the operation is actually performed You may employ | adopt the means to perform.

  According to such a water heater, when the notification by the notification means is reached, the control for reducing the operability is executed, and the delay time required until the operation unit accepts the operation increases. Or a state in which fluctuation occurs in the delay time, and it becomes difficult for the user to confirm whether or not the operation is accepted, and the operability is lowered. Therefore, to the extent that warning is given by notifying information by the notification means, even for a user who neglects such warning, convenience increases due to an increase in delay time until the operation is accepted. If it decreases, there is a possibility of contacting the maintenance company with this as an opportunity, so that it is possible to suppress the time when maintenance should be performed without maintenance.

  In addition, the water heater includes a display unit that displays information related to the water heater, and the convenience reduction control unit controls the blinking cycle of the display unit as control for reducing performance or operability related to the hot water supply function. At least one of the control for shortening and the control for swinging the blinking cycle of the display unit may be performed.

  According to such a water heater, when the notification by the notification means is reached, the blinking cycle of the display unit is shortened or the blinking cycle of the display unit fluctuates. Therefore, if convenience is reduced due to shortening of the blinking cycle of the display unit or fluctuation of the blinking cycle of the display unit, there is a possibility of contacting the maintenance company as a trigger, It is possible to suppress the time when maintenance should be performed without maintenance.

  In addition, the water heater includes an operation unit that is operated by the user when the user gives a command to the water heater, and the convenience lowering control unit is configured to reduce performance or operability related to the hot water supply function. As for the predetermined operation performed in the operation unit, among the control for increasing the volume of the reception sound output accompanying the operation, and the control for swinging the volume of the reception sound output accompanying the operation, At least one of the controls may be performed.

  According to such a water heater, when the notification by the notification means is reached, the volume of the reception sound output accompanying the operation increases or the volume of the reception sound fluctuates. . For this reason, if the convenience is reduced due to an increase in the volume of the reception sound or a change in the volume of the reception sound, there is a possibility that the maintenance contractor may be contacted at that time. It is possible to suppress the time when maintenance should be performed without being performed.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although 1st embodiment-5th embodiment and other embodiment were each demonstrated separately, the structure demonstrated individually by each embodiment may employ | adopt two or more sets simultaneously. . For example, both the amount of hot water and the temperature of the hot water may be decreased, or both of them may be shaken.

  In the embodiment described above, an example of notifying the user that the remaining period until the time when the maintenance should be performed has become a predetermined value or less by displaying an error number as visible information for alerting. Although shown, such notification can also be notified by visible information other than the error number. For example, a warning lamp may be turned on or blinking to notify that the remaining period until the maintenance should be performed is less than or equal to a predetermined value. In addition to visible information, audible information can also be used for notification, a buzzer sound or a melody is output as a warning sound, and a notice is given that the remaining period until the time when maintenance should be carried out is below a predetermined level. Also good.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the water heater was illustrated as an example of a combustion appliance, combustion appliances other than a water heater may be used, for example, a heating machine, road heating laid in order to prevent snow melting and freezing on a road, etc. The present invention can be applied to a combustion instrument that employs a mechanism that uses gas or kerosene as a fuel, heats the fluid with the combustion heat, and supplies the heated fluid.

  In the above embodiment, the hot water supply remote controller 95 and the bath remote controller 97 are illustrated as examples of the operation unit. However, a combustion appliance without a remote control (for example, a type in which the heat source unit and the operation unit are configured as an integrated structure). The present invention can also be adopted in a combustion appliance).

  Furthermore, the control method for lowering the temperature is not particularly limited, and for example, by fixing the number of burners and reducing the gas supply amount, the heat generation amount is suppressed and the fluid temperature is lowered. Alternatively, by reducing the number of burners to be ignited, the amount of heat generated may be suppressed and the temperature of the fluid may be lowered. Moreover, when performing such fine adjustment of temperature, you may perform control which makes a burner light or extinguish intermittently. Or you may reduce temperature by stopping hot water supply temporarily or intermittently, continuing water supply.

  Further, the upper limit time for performing such control may be determined, and when the upper limit time is reached, the convenience reduction control may be stopped. On the contrary, the convenience reduction control may not be performed until the upper limit time comes.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water heater, 1A ... Hot water supply part, 1B ... Thermal insulation part, 1C ... Control part, 2 ... Hot water tap, 3 ... Bathtub, 12A, 12B ... Combustion chamber, 13A to 13D ... burner, 14A ... primary heat exchanger, 14B ... secondary heat exchanger, 14C ... heat exchanger, 15A, 15B ... spark plug, 15C ... igniter, 16A, 16B ... frame rod, 17A ... drain drain pipe, 17B ... neutralizer, 18A ... fan motor, 18B ... fan, 19A, 19B ... exhaust top, 20A, 20B ... Overheat prevention device, 21 ... Gas supply pipe, 23 ... Main pipe, 24A-24D ... Branch pipe, 25A-25D ... Nozzle, 27 ... Original gas solenoid valve, 28 ...・ Gas proportional valve, 29A, 29B, 29C ... burner switching power Valve, 29D ... Gas solenoid valve, 31 ... Water supply pipe, 33 ... Hot water pipe, 35 ... Bypass pipe, 37 ... Branch pipe, 41 ... Bath return pipe, 43 ... Pipe for bath, 51 ... Strainer, 53 ... Hot water quantity sensor, 55 ... Water quantity control motor, 57 ... Thermistor for detecting incoming water temperature, 59 ... Freezing prevention heater, 61 ... No. Thermistor for detecting the first hot water temperature, 63 ... Thermistor for detecting the second hot water temperature, 65 ... Water drain plug with a relief valve, 67 ... Bypass control motor, 71 ... Water drop solenoid valve, 73 .... Dropped water amount sensor, 75A ... Check valve, 77 ... Edge cut valve, 81 ... Bath adapter, 82 ... Thermistor for detecting bath return hot water temperature, 83 ... Circulation pump, 84 ... Water flow switch, 85 ... Pressure Sensor, 87 ... sky burning safety device, 88 ... bath bound hot water temperature detection thermistor, 93 ... controller, 95 ... hot water supply remote control, 97 ... bath remote control.

Claims (8)

A combustion instrument comprising a flow path in which a fluid to be heated flows, and a heat source unit that heats the fluid flowing in the flow path by burning fuel,
If the physical quantity is a value that does not satisfy both the predetermined first condition and the predetermined second condition based on the physical quantity that changes with the use of the combustion appliance, maintenance for a predetermined maintenance object is unnecessary. If it is determined that the physical quantity is in the first state and the physical quantity satisfies the first condition but does not satisfy the second condition, maintenance for the maintenance target is not necessary, A third state in which maintenance is required for the maintenance target if it is determined that the second state reaches a state in which maintenance is required at a near time, and the value satisfies both the first condition and the second condition. Determining means for determining that
Informing means for informing the user of visible information or audible information for alerting when it is determined by the determining means to be in the second state;
When it is determined by the determination means that the state is the second state, the heating capability of the heat source unit, the supply capability of the fluid supplied to the supply destination through the flow path, and the user are operated. Convenience reduction control means for reducing the convenience of the user by executing a control that reduces at least one of the operability of the operation unit as compared to when in the first state;
An operation prohibition control means for forcibly prohibiting the operation of the heat source unit when the determination means reaches the state determined to be in the third state in a state where the maintenance is not performed. Burning appliances. The physical quantity is a value that increases or decreases with the use of a combustion appliance,
The determination means determines that the physical quantity is in the first state until the physical quantity changes from one of the numerical ranges having a predetermined first threshold as a boundary, and the physical quantity is the first threshold. After changing from one of the numerical ranges bounded by the value to the other, until it changes from one of the numerical ranges bounded by the predetermined second threshold value to the other, it is determined to be in the second state. Furthermore, if the physical quantity changes from one of the numerical ranges having the second threshold value as a boundary to the other, it is determined that the third state is established. The combustion appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The said convenience fall control means performs control which fluctuates an actual supply capability within the range used as the design supply capability or less about the supply capability of the said fluid. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Burning appliances. The combustion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the convenience lowering control unit performs control to change a temperature of the fluid after being heated by the heat source unit. The combustion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the convenience reduction control unit performs control to vary a flow rate of the fluid. The convenience reduction control means is necessary to increase the number of operations required until the operation is received by the operation unit, and to receive the operation by the operation unit, for a predetermined operation performed by the operation unit. The combustion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the control operations for swinging the number of operations is performed. The convenience lowering control means is at least one of control for reducing the luminance of the display unit on which information to be confirmed by a user during operation on the operation unit is displayed, and control for swinging the luminance of the display unit The combustion appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein control is performed. The convenience lowering control unit is configured to increase a delay time required for the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit to be received by the operation unit after the operation is actually performed, and the operation is actually performed. The combustion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the controls for swinging a delay time required for the operation unit to be received after the operation is performed is performed.

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