JP2014020726A - Hot water storage type water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water storage type water heater capable of reliably suppressing occurrence of hot water shortage and keeping efficiency of boiling operation by heating means high, while minimizing the number of collection ports through which return heat source water returning from a use-side heat exchanger for heating a heated object to a hot water storage tank is collected into a hot water storage tank, and eliminating a need for a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the return heat source water.SOLUTION: A hot water storage type water heater 100 includes; control means (a control part 70) for selecting either heat source water upside-return operation with which the heat source water taken out of an upside region of a hot water storage tank 10 leads via an use-side heat exchanger 22 and then flows into the upside region of the hot water storage tank 10, or heat source water downside-return operation with which the heat source water taken out of the upside region of the hot water storage tank 10 leads via the use-side heat exchanger 22 and then flows into the downside region of the hot water storage tank 10, on the basis of required heating capability.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage type water heater.

  A hot water storage tank for storing hot water boiled by heating means such as a heat pump unit and a use side heat exchanger for heating an object to be heated (for example, bathtub water sent from a bathtub) were taken out from the hot water storage tank. A hot water storage type hot water heater capable of heating the object to be heated by performing a heating operation of returning hot water as a heat source water to a hot water storage tank via a use side heat exchanger is widely used.

  In such a hot water storage type hot water heater, a plurality of recovery ports for returning the heat source water that returns to the hot water storage tank and returns to the hot water storage tank into the hot water storage tank at different positions in the height direction after the heat exchange in the use side heat exchanger is completed. A tank temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is provided near each recovery port, and a return temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the return heat source water is provided in the return heat source water piping. When returning the return heat source water from the heat exchanger to the hot water storage tank, the control means responds to the temperature of the return heat source water detected by the return temperature sensor and the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank detected by the tank temperature sensor. A technique for controlling the flow rate adjustment valve so that the return heat source water is recovered to the hot water storage tank through a plurality of recovery ports has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-271163 A JP 2009-47321 A

  In the hot water storage type water heater disclosed in the above publication, the return heat source water is distributed at a predetermined distribution ratio to the temperature stratification on both sides of the return heat source water closest to the temperature of the return heat source water in the hot water storage tank. It avoids mixing with high-temperature water at the top of the tank and low-temperature water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank as much as possible to prevent a decrease in high-temperature hot-water supply capacity and to maintain high operating efficiency of the heat pump unit during boiling operation. However, in the hot water storage type hot water heater of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to provide a large number of recovery ports with different positions in the height direction in the hot water storage tank, the structure and piping configuration of the hot water storage tank are complicated. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the return heat source water. For this reason, when realizing the hot water storage type hot water heater disclosed in the above publication, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is high.

  In addition, if the temperature of the return heat source water is a medium temperature that is less than the temperature that can be used for hot water supply, even if the hot water is returned to the same temperature region in the hot water storage tank and stored, it is not reused for hot water supply. In many cases, it does not contribute to efficiency improvement. In such a case, the medium-temperature water remaining in the hot water storage tank enters the heat pump unit during the next boiling operation, thereby causing a reduction in efficiency of the heat pump unit.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a recovery port for recovering the heat source water returning from the use-side heat exchanger for heating the object to be heated back to the hot water storage tank in the hot water storage tank. While reducing the number as much as possible and eliminating the need for a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the return heat source water, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of hot water and to maintain the efficiency of the heating operation by the heating means high. An object is to provide a hot water storage type hot water heater.

  The hot water storage type hot water heater according to the present invention includes a heating means capable of heating water to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank capable of storing the upper layer side hot water and the lower layer side water in a stacked state, an object to be heated, and a heat source. Use side heat exchanger that heats the object to be heated by exchanging heat with water, and hot water taken from the upper area of the hot water storage tank is sent as heat source water to the usage side heat exchanger and passes through the usage side heat exchanger The heat source water is returned to the upper area of the hot water storage tank, and the hot water extracted from the upper area of the hot water storage tank is sent to the use side heat exchanger as the heat source water. Based on the means to perform the heat source water lower return operation that causes the passed heat source water to flow into the lower area of the hot water storage tank and the required heating capacity, which is the required heating capacity when heating the object to be heated, Either operation or heat source water lower return operation Control means for selecting the one in which having a.

  According to the present invention, the number of recovery ports for collecting the return heat source water returning to the hot water storage tank from the use side heat exchanger for heating the object to be heated is reduced as much as possible, and the temperature of the return heat source water is reduced. While eliminating the need for a temperature sensor for detection, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of hot water and to keep the efficiency of the heating operation by the heating means high. In particular, even when the temperature of the return heat source water is a medium temperature that is less than the temperature that can be used for hot water supply, the return heat source water is mixed with the hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank by performing the upper return heating operation. Since the temperature can be raised above the available temperature, the heat of the return heat source water can be effectively reused for hot water supply, and the amount of intermediate temperature water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank is not increased. It can be kept high.

It is a block diagram which shows the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the boiling operation in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the bathtub heating operation | movement by the heat source water upper return operation | movement in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the bathtub heating operation | movement by the heat source water lower part return operation in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control action of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the value of the request | requirement heating capability set with respect to each of automatic heat retention mode, 1st reheating mode, and 2nd reheating mode.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hot water storage type water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment includes a hot water storage tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 60 configured to use a heat pump cycle. The hot water storage tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 60 are connected to each other through a heat pump inlet pipe 41, a heat pump outlet pipe 42, and an electric wiring (not shown). Further, the hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a control unit 70 (control means). Operations of various valves, pumps and the like provided in the hot water storage tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 60 are controlled by a control unit 70 electrically connected thereto. The control unit 70 is connected to a user interface device such as a remote control device installed in a bathroom or kitchen so as to communicate with each other. Hereinafter, each component of the hot water storage type water heater 100 will be described.

  The heat pump unit 60 functions as a heating means for heating (boiling) the water guided from the hot water storage tank unit 1. The heat pump unit 60 includes a compressor 61, a heating heat exchanger 62, an expansion valve 63, and an air heat exchanger 64 connected in a ring shape with a refrigerant circulation pipe 65 to constitute a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle). The boiling heat exchanger 62 is for exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation pipe 65 constituting the heat pump cycle and the water guided from the hot water storage tank unit 1. The heat pump outlet temperature sensor 66 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the high-temperature water generated by being heated by the boiling heat exchanger 62, and is provided in the heat pump outlet pipe 42. In order to obtain high-temperature water by the heat pump unit 60, it is preferable that the heat pump cycle is operated at a pressure exceeding the critical pressure using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes the following various parts and piping. The hot water storage tank 10 is for storing hot water. A water supply pipe 2 for supplying water from an external water source such as a water supply is connected to a water supply port 14 provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 via a pressure reducing valve (not shown). A second tank upper pipe 44 is connected to the first upper port 15 provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10. The hot water supply pipe 3 for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water heater is branched from the second tank upper pipe 44. The hot water supply pipe 3 is a pipe through which hot water supplied to a hot water supply destination such as a faucet, a shower, and a bathtub 50 passes. When hot water is used at the hot water supply destination, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is taken out from the first upper port 15 and sent to the hot water supply destination through the hot water supply pipe 3. In the hot water storage tank unit 1, high temperature water led out from the hot water storage tank 10 to the hot water supply pipe 3 and low temperature water supplied from a water supply branch pipe (not shown) branched from the water supply pipe 2 are mixed. A mixing valve (not shown) for adjusting the hot water supply temperature may be further provided. In that case, a hot water mixing valve for supplying hot water to the bathtub 50 and a general hot water mixing valve for supplying hot water to a shower, a faucet or the like may be provided.

  Hot water (hot water) generated by heating using the heat pump unit 60 flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the first upper port 15, and low temperature water from the water supply pipe 2 flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the water supply port 14. By doing so, temperature stratification is formed in the hot water storage tank 10 so that the upper layer side is at a high temperature and the lower layer side is at a low temperature so that hot water can be stored. In order to detect the temperature distribution of hot water in the hot water storage tank 10, a plurality of hot water temperature sensors 11, 12 are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 10 at different height positions. In the illustrated configuration, two hot water storage temperature sensors 11 and 12 are provided, but three or more hot water storage temperature sensors may be provided. These hot water storage temperature sensors 11 and 12 detect the temperature of hot water at a predetermined height in the hot water storage tank 10, respectively. The control unit 70 can calculate the amount of stored hot water (heat storage amount) in the hot water storage tank 10 based on the temperature distribution in the height direction in the hot water storage tank 10 acquired by the hot water storage temperature sensors 11 and 12. Based on the amount of stored hot water, the start and stop of the hot water boiling operation in the hot water storage tank 10 by the heat pump unit 60 is controlled.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a circulation pump 21 and a use side heat exchanger 22. The circulation pump 21 is a pump for circulating hot water through various pipes. The use-side heat exchanger 22 uses hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 10 or the heat pump unit 60 as heat source water, and heat-exchanges the heat source water and the object to be heated to heat the object to be heated. It is. The bathtub water circulation circuit 51 is arranged so that hot water (tub water) derived from the bathtub 50 is returned to the bathtub 50 via the use-side heat exchanger 22. In the middle of the bathtub water circulation circuit 51, a secondary-side circulation pump 52 for circulating the bathtub water, and a bathtub outlet-side temperature sensor 53 that detects the temperature of the bathtub water that leaves the bathtub 50 and travels toward the use-side heat exchanger 22. And the bathtub entrance side temperature sensor 54 which detects the temperature of the bathtub water which goes out of the utilization side heat exchanger 22 and goes to the bathtub 50 is installed. As described above, in the present embodiment, as the secondary side configuration of the use side heat exchanger 22, the bathtub water circulation circuit 51 that circulates the bathtub water in the bathtub 50 is provided, and the bathtub water is supplied from the use side heat exchanger 22. Although what is heated is demonstrated to an example, the utilization side heat exchanger in this invention may heat to-be-heated objects other than bathtub water (for example, circulating water for heating, etc.).

  Next, valves and piping provided in the hot water storage tank unit 1 will be described. The hot water tank unit 1 includes a first three-way valve 31 (first flow path switching means), a second three-way valve 32 (second flow path switching means), and a four-way valve 33 (third flow path switching means). Means). The first three-way valve 31 and the second three-way valve 32 each have a flow path switch having two inlets (a port and b port) through which hot water flows and one outlet (c port) through which hot water flows out. It is a means, and it is comprised so that a hot water path | route can be switched so that hot water may flow in from either a port or b port. The four-way valve 33 is a flow path switching means having two inlets (b port and c port) through which hot water flows and two outlets (a port and d port) through which hot water flows out. , Ba route, dd route, and cd route are configured to be switchable.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a tank lower pipe 40, a first tank upper pipe 43, a second tank upper pipe 44, a lower return pipe 45, a use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46, and a use side heat exchanger. A primary outlet pipe 47, a bypass pipe 48, and an upper return pipe 49 are provided.

  The tank lower pipe 40 is a flow path that connects the first lower port 16 provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 and the a port of the first three-way valve 31. The heat pump inlet pipe 41 is a flow path that connects the c port of the first three-way valve 31 and the inlet side (water inlet) of the heat pump unit 60. The heat pump outlet pipe 42 is a flow path that connects the outlet side (outlet opening) of the heat pump unit 60 and the c port of the four-way valve 33. The first tank upper pipe 43 is a flow path that connects the second upper port 18 provided in the upper region (region above the middle) of the hot water storage tank 10 and the a port of the second three-way valve 32. . The second tank upper pipe 44 is a flow path that connects the first upper port 15 of the hot water storage tank 10 and the b port of the second three-way valve 32. The lower return pipe 45 is a flow path that connects the a port of the four-way valve 33 and the second lower port 17 provided in the lower region (region below the middle) of the hot water storage tank 10. The use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46 is a flow path that connects the c port of the second three-way valve 32 and the primary side inlet of the use side heat exchanger 22. The use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47 is a flow path that connects the primary side outlet of the use side heat exchanger 22 and the b port of the first three-way valve 31. The bypass pipe 48 is a flow path that branches off from the heat pump inlet pipe 41 on the downstream side of the circulation pump 21 and is connected to the b port of the four-way valve 33. The upper return pipe 49 is a flow path that branches off from the heat source side flow path connection portion 34 provided in the middle of the second tank upper pipe 44 and is connected to the d port of the four-way valve 33.

  In the present embodiment, the hot water storage tank 10 has a body portion formed in a cylindrical shape, a top portion formed in a substantially bowl shape, and a bottom portion formed in a substantially bowl shape. The second upper port 18 is provided in the top region of the hot water storage tank 10, and the first lower port 16, the second lower port 17 and the water supply port 14 are provided in the bottom region.

  In the hot water storage type water heater 100 of this embodiment, the first three-way valve 31 is controlled according to the operation state shown in FIGS. It is designed to switch between forms. More specifically, the “first flow path configuration” that can be selected by the first three-way valve 31 is a flow path configuration (ac path) that allows the tank lower pipe 40 to communicate with the heat pump inlet pipe 41. The “second flow path configuration” is a flow channel configuration (bc path) in which the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47 communicates with the heat pump inlet pipe 41.

  Further, in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the second two-way valve 32 is controlled according to the operation state shown in FIGS. It is used by switching between the channel forms. More specifically, the “first flow path configuration” that can be selected by the second three-way valve 32 is a flow path configuration that allows the first tank upper pipe 43 to communicate with the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46. (Ac route). The “second flow path configuration” is a flow channel configuration (bc path) in which the second tank upper pipe 44 communicates with the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46.

  Furthermore, in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the four-way valve 33 is controlled in accordance with the operation states shown in FIGS. It is used by switching between the channel forms. More specifically, the “first flow path form” that can be selected by the four-way valve 33 is a flow path form (cd path) that allows the heat pump outlet pipe 42 to communicate with the upper return pipe 49. The “second flow path configuration” is a flow channel configuration (bd path) in which the bypass pipe 48 communicates with the upper return pipe 49. The “third flow path configuration” is a flow channel configuration (ba route) in which the bypass pipe 48 communicates with the lower return pipe 45.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention during a boiling operation. The boiling operation (hot water storage operation) is an operation for increasing the amount of stored hot water (heat storage amount) in the hot water storage tank 10 by using the heat pump unit 60 to boil the water in the hot water storage tank 10 into hot water. During the heating operation, the first three-way valve 31 is connected so that the a port and the c port communicate with each other and the b port is closed (that is, the first flow path configuration of the first three-way valve 31 is selected. To be controlled). As a result, the tank lower pipe 40 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the flow path from the user side heat exchanger 22 is shut off with the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47 side closed. Further, during the heating operation, the four-way valve 33 is selected such that the c port and the d port are in communication and the a port and the b port are closed (that is, the first flow path configuration of the four-way valve 33 is selected. Controlled). Thereby, the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the upper return pipe 49 communicate with each other, and the flow path to the second lower port 17 of the hot water storage tank 10 is blocked with the lower return pipe 45 and the bypass pipe 48 side closed.

  In the boiling operation, the first three-way valve 31 and the four-way valve 33 are controlled as described above, whereby the tank lower pipe 40, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the heat pump outlet pipe 42, the upper return pipe 49, and the second tank. It is executed by operating the circulation pump 21 and the heat pump unit 60 in a state where a boiling circuit is formed by the upper pipe 44. As a result, the low temperature water flowing out from the first lower port 16 of the hot water storage tank 10 is guided to the heat pump unit 60 via the tank lower pipe 40, the first three-way valve 31, the circulation pump 21 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41. After being heated in the boiling heat exchanger 62, it becomes high-temperature water and passes through the heat pump outlet pipe 42, the four-way valve 33, the upper return pipe 49, and the second tank upper pipe 44, and the first storage tank 10. The water flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper port 15 and is stored. By performing such boiling operation, high temperature water is stored in the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper layer portion, and this high temperature water layer gradually thickens and is grasped by the hot water storage temperature sensor. When the amount of stored hot water (heat storage amount) in the hot water storage tank 10 exceeds a predetermined amount, the boiling operation is stopped.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram at the time of a bathtub heating operation by the heat source water upper return operation in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the heat source water upper return operation, the hot water taken out from the second upper port 18 of the hot water storage tank 10 is sent as heat source water to the use side heat exchanger 22 to exchange heat with the bath water, and the heat source water after heat exchange is the first. In this operation, the bath water is heated by flowing into the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper port 15. At the time of this heat source water upper return operation, the second three-way valve 32 communicates with the a port and the c port, and the b port is closed (that is, the first flow path configuration of the second three-way valve 32). To be selected). As a result, the first tank upper pipe 43 and the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46 communicate with each other, and the second tank upper pipe 44 side is closed to flow from the first upper port 15 of the hot water storage tank 10. The road is blocked. Further, the first three-way valve 31 communicates with the b port and the c port, and the a port is closed (that is, the second flow path configuration of the first three-way valve 31 is selected). To be controlled). Thereby, the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the flow path from the first lower port 16 of the hot water storage tank 10 is blocked with the tank lower pipe 40 side closed. . Further, the four-way valve 33 is controlled so that the b port and the d port communicate with each other and the a port and the c port are closed (that is, the second flow path configuration of the four-way valve 33 is selected). Is done. As a result, the bypass pipe 48 and the upper return pipe 49 communicate with each other, the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the lower return pipe 45 are closed, and the flow path from the heating heat exchanger 62 and the second lower port of the hot water storage tank 10 are closed. The flow path to 17 is blocked.

  The heat source water upper return operation is performed by operating the circulation pump 21 in a state where the first three-way valve 31, the second three-way valve 32, and the four-way valve 33 are controlled as described above. As a result, the heat source water flowing out from the second upper port 18 of the hot water storage tank 10 passes through the first tank upper pipe 43, the second three-way valve 32, and the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46. It is guided to the heat exchanger 22 and exchanges heat with the bath water to become medium-temperature water (water whose temperature has been reduced by exchanging heat with the bath water). The heat source water that has become the medium temperature water is used on the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47, the first three-way valve 31, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the bypass pipe 48, the four-way valve 33, the upper return pipe 49, and the second tank. It flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the first upper port 15 via the upper pipe 44. On the other hand, in the path on the bathtub 50 side, the hot water stretched on the bathtub 50 circulates in the bathtub water circulation circuit 51 by operating the secondary circulation pump 52. As a result, the heat of the heat source water flowing on the primary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 is transmitted to the bathtub water flowing on the secondary side of the use side heat exchanger 22, and the hot water stretched in the bathtub 50 is warmed.

  In the heat source water upper return operation, medium temperature heat source water is not allowed to flow into the lower region of the hot water storage tank 10, so the temperature of the low temperature water stored in the lower region of the hot water storage tank 10 is not increased, and during the boiling operation It becomes possible to keep the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 60 low, and the efficiency of the boiling operation can be kept high. Further, in the heat source water upper return operation, the medium temperature heat source water returning from the use side heat exchanger 22 flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the first upper port 15 and is mixed with the hot water stored in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 10. . Even if the temperature of the intermediate temperature heat source water returning from the use side heat exchanger 22 is lower than the temperature (for example, 45 ° C.) that can be used for hot water supply, the temperature is sufficiently higher than the low temperature water supplied from the water supply pipe 2. High and has a calorific value. When the heat source water upper return operation is performed, the medium temperature heat source water returning from the use-side heat exchanger 22 is mixed with the hot water stored in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 10, and the mixed hot water is used for hot water supply. Since it becomes more than the temperature which can be utilized, it becomes possible to supply hot water from the hot water supply pipe 3 to the hot water supply destination. As described above, according to the heat source water upper return operation, the amount of heat of the intermediate temperature heat source water returning from the use side heat exchanger 22 can be effectively reused for hot water supply to the hot water supply destination. Can be improved. However, in the heat source water upper return operation, the temperature of the hot water stored in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 10 is lowered, so the temperature of the heat source water flowing on the primary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 is lowered and used. It will cause the fall of the capability (heating capability) which transfers heat to the bathtub water which flows through the secondary side of the side heat exchanger 22.

  In the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the first upper port 15 of the hot water storage tank 10 is an inlet through which heat source water in the heat source water upper return operation and high temperature water in the boiling operation flow into the hot water storage tank 10. Therefore, the number of hot water outlets / outlets provided in the hot water storage tank 10 can be reduced, and the structure can be simplified.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram at the time of a bathtub heating operation by a heat source water lower portion returning operation in hot water storage type water heater 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the heat source water lower return operation, the hot water taken out from the first upper port 15 of the hot water storage tank 10 is sent as heat source water to the use side heat exchanger 22 to exchange heat with bathtub water, and the heat source water after heat exchange is second In this operation, the bath water is heated by flowing into the hot water storage tank 10 from the lower port 17. During this heat source water lower return operation, the second three-way valve 32 is such that the b port and the c port communicate with each other so that the a port is closed (that is, the second flow path of the second three-way valve 32). Controlled so that the form is selected). As a result, the second tank upper pipe 44 and the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46 communicate with each other, and the first tank upper pipe 43 side is closed and the flow from the second upper port 18 of the hot water storage tank 10 is closed. The road is blocked. Further, the first three-way valve 31 communicates with the b port and the c port, and the a port is closed (that is, the second flow path configuration of the first three-way valve 31 is selected). To be controlled). Thereby, the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the flow path from the first lower port 16 of the hot water storage tank 10 is blocked with the tank lower pipe 40 side closed. . Further, the four-way valve 33 is controlled so that the a port and the b port communicate with each other and the c port and the d port are closed (that is, the third flow path configuration of the four-way valve 33 is selected). Is done. As a result, the bypass pipe 48 and the lower return pipe 45 communicate with each other, the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the upper return pipe 49 side are closed, and the flow path from the heating heat exchanger 62 and the first upper port of the hot water storage tank 10 are closed. The flow path to 15 is blocked.

  The heat source water lower return operation is executed by operating the circulation pump 21 in a state where the first three-way valve 31, the second three-way valve 32, and the four-way valve 33 are controlled as described above. As a result, the heat source water flowing out from the first upper port 15 of the hot water storage tank 10 passes through the second tank upper pipe 44, the second three-way valve 32, and the user side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46. It is guided to the heat exchanger 22 and exchanges heat with the bath water to become medium-temperature water (water whose temperature has been reduced by exchanging heat with the bath water). The heat source water that has become the intermediate temperature water is supplied via the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47, the first three-way valve 31, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the bypass pipe 48, the four-way valve 33, and the lower return pipe 45. It flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the two lower ports 17. On the other hand, the operation of the path on the bathtub 50 side is the same as described above.

  In the heat source water lower return operation, since the medium temperature heat source water flows into the lower region of the hot water storage tank 10, the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 60 during the boiling operation is higher than that after the heat source water upper return operation. Higher and lower operating efficiency. However, in the heat source water lower return operation, the temperature of the hot water stored in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 10 is not lowered, so the temperature of the heat source water flowing on the primary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 is maintained and heated. It becomes possible to transfer heat to the bathtub water flowing on the secondary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 without causing a decrease in capacity.

  In the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, one circulating pump 21 can be used in common in the above-described boiling operation, heat source water upper return operation, and heat source water lower return operation. The number of devices can be reduced, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.

  Further, in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide three or more recovery ports for allowing the heat source water to flow into the hot water storage tank 10, and the number of hot water outlets and outlets formed in the hot water storage tank 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the first upper port 15 serving as an inlet for flowing the heat source water after heat exchange into the hot water storage tank 10 during the heat source water upper return operation is provided during the heat source water upper return operation. By being at a position higher than the second upper port 18 serving as an outlet for taking out the heat source water from the hot water storage tank 10, there are the following advantages. Hot water has the property that the density increases as the temperature decreases. The heat source water taken out from the second upper port 18 during the heat source water upper returning operation is subjected to heat exchange by the use side heat exchanger 22 and the temperature is lowered to decrease the density, and then the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied from the first upper port 15. Flows in. For this reason, by setting the first upper port 15 higher than the second upper port 18, the heat source water (medium temperature water) flowing in from the first upper port 15 diffuses downward due to the density difference during the heat source water upper return operation. However, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is sufficiently mixed with the hot water to reach a temperature that can be used for hot water supply. Thereby, it can prevent reliably that the heat source water which flowed in from the 1st upper part opening | mouth 15 forms an intermediate temperature water layer, without mixing with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10. FIG. For this reason, the medium temperature heat source water returned from the use side heat exchanger 22 during the heat source water upper return operation can be suitably reused for hot water supply.

  The hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment includes a hot water temperature setting means, a hot water temperature setting means, a hot water temperature setting means, and a hot water temperature setting means that allow the user to arbitrarily set the temperature and hot water amount when the hot water is applied to the bathtub 50. Automatic hot water filling function that automatically fills the bathtub 50 with hot water according to the temperature and hot water set by the hot water filling amount setting means, and automatic hot water filling that allows the user to perform automatic hot water filling at any time The bath heating operation is automatically performed to keep the temperature of the hot water (tub water) stretched on the bathtub 50 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time after the hot water is stretched on the bathtub 50 by the operating means and automatic hot water filling. The function of performing the automatic heat retention mode (first heating operation mode) and the temperature of the hot water stretched in the bathtub 50 up to the temperature set by the hot water temperature setting means (hereinafter referred to as “bath set temperature”) Do A function for executing the one reheating mode (second heating operation mode), a first reheating operation means capable of executing the first reheating mode at any time by the user, and the first reheating mode. A function of executing the second reheating mode (third heating operation mode) set to have a high heating capacity by increasing the number of revolutions of the circulation pump 21, and a second reheating operation at any time by the user Second repelling operation means capable of executing the mode. The user uses a user interface device such as a remote control device installed in a bathroom or kitchen, for example, to set the temperature and amount of hot water in the bathtub 50 described above, automatic hot water filling, first reheating mode, and second reheating mode. Can be commanded.

  Next, the operation of the hot water storage type water heater 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of hot water storage type water heater 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, a state in which hot water is stretched in the bathtub 50 is considered as a precondition. As a general concrete example, the user can set the automatic hot water filling machine 100 by operating the automatic hot water filling operation means after arbitrarily setting the hot water filling temperature setting means and the hot water filling amount setting means. The hot water that can be used for bathing is applied. From this state, when the bather takes a bath or when time elapses, the hot water in the bathtub 50 is deprived of heat by the bather and the outside air, and the temperature drops. Thereafter, when the next bather tries to bathe, it is necessary to heat again depending on the degree of decrease in the bath temperature.

  As described above, the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment automatically heats the bathtub water before the bathtub temperature greatly decreases, and the function of performing the reheating mode for raising the lowered bathtub temperature. And a function to execute an automatic heat insulation mode. In particular, in the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the first reheating mode that is the normal reheating mode is used as the reheating mode so that the temperature of the lowered bathtub temperature is increased depending on the degree of the decrease in the bathtub temperature. The user can select either the mode or the second reheating mode in which the heating capacity (the heating amount per hour for the bathtub water in the use-side heat exchanger 22) is higher than the first reheating mode. When the user desires normal rebirth, the user selects the first rebirth mode. On the other hand, when the reduction width of the bath temperature is large (for example, 10 ° C. lower than the bath set temperature) or when it is necessary to shorten the time for raising the temperature to the bath set temperature, a high heating capacity is required. The user selects the second chasing mode. Conversely, there may be a case where the heating capacity may be low, as in the case where the decrease in the bath temperature is small (for example, 1 ° C. lower than the bath set temperature). For example, in the case of the automatic warming mode, the secondary side circulation pump 52 is periodically operated, the current bathtub temperature is detected by the bathtub outlet side temperature sensor 53, and the decrease with respect to the bathtub set temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. In such a case, since the bathtub heating operation is automatically performed, the decrease in the bathtub temperature is small. For this reason, the heating capability may be low in the automatic heat retention mode.

  In view of the above-described matters, in the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the required heating capacity (in the use-side heat exchanger 22) in advance for each of the automatic warming mode, the first reheating mode, and the second reheating mode. Heating amount per hour required) is set and stored in the control unit 70. FIG. 6 is a table showing the required heating capacity values set for each of the automatic warming mode, the first reheating mode, and the second reheating mode. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the required heating capacity in the automatic heat insulation mode is 1.5 kW, the required heating capacity in the first reheating mode is 5 kW, and the required heating capacity in the second reheating mode is 15 kW. , Each set. In the present embodiment, the three heating operation modes of the automatic warming mode, the first reheating mode, and the second reheating mode can be selectively performed, but the number of heating operation modes is limited to three. Instead, two or more heating operation modes may be selectively implemented.

  The control unit 70 controls the heating capacity by adjusting the head of the circulation pump 21 or the secondary side circulation pump 52 according to the driving rotational speed during the execution of the heat source water upper return operation or the heat source water lower return operation. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the control operation executed by the control unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 70 determines whether or not to start the bathtub heating operation (step S201). In this step 201, when the automatic heat retention mode is being implemented, first, the secondary side circulation pump 52 is driven, the bathtub water is circulated, and the current bathtub temperature is detected by the bathtub outlet side temperature sensor 53, When the current bathtub temperature is lower than the bathtub set temperature set by the hot water temperature setting means by a predetermined temperature or more, the start of the bathtub heating operation is determined, and the process proceeds to step S202. In step 201, when the execution instruction of the first reheating mode or the second reheating mode is received from the user, the operation of detecting the current bathtub temperature is omitted and the start of the bathtub heating operation is determined. You may transfer to step S202.

  In step S202, the control unit 70 performs a procedure of selecting either the heat source water upper return operation or the heat source water lower return operation (step S202). As described above, the heat source water upper return operation can maintain the efficiency of the heat pump unit 60 during the boiling operation higher than the heat source water lower return operation. However, in the heat source water upper return operation, since the medium temperature heat source water flows into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10, the hot water storage temperature in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 is lowered. It tends to be low. Moreover, in order to avoid that the hot water storage temperature of the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 falls largely, it is desirable not to make the heating capability of the heat source water upper return operation too high.

  In view of the above matters, in the present embodiment, a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as “heat source water upper return operation threshold value”) is set as an upper limit of the heating capacity of the heat source water upper return operation. The heating capacity of the heat source water upper return operation includes the heat source water circulation flow rate Qh determined from the head of the circulation pump 21 and the pressure loss of the flow path during the heat source water upper return operation, and the heat source flowing out from the second upper port 18 of the hot water storage tank 10. Bath water circulation flow rate Qc determined from the temperature of the water, the head of the secondary side circulation pump 52 and the pressure loss of the secondary side flow path, the temperature of the bathtub water drawn from the bathtub 50, and the heat of the use side heat exchanger 22 It can be calculated based on the exchange efficiency. A value equal to or less than the value of the heating capacity of the heat source water upper return operation calculated in this way is determined as the heat source water upper return operation threshold. The heat source water upper return operation threshold value may be set at the time of design and stored in the control unit 70 in advance, or calculated based on the current temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature sensor 11 and the bathtub outlet side temperature sensor 53. It may be set according to the heating capacity of the heat source water upper return operation. In the following description, it is assumed that the heat source water upper return operation threshold is set to 2 kW, for example.

  In step S202, the above-mentioned heat source water upper return operation threshold is compared with the required heating capacity. If the required heating capacity exceeds the heat source water upper return operation threshold, the heating capacity necessary for the heat source water upper return operation is output. It judges that it cannot be performed, selects and implements the heat source water lower part return operation (step S205). For example, when the execution instruction of the first reheating mode is received from the user, the required heating capacity (5 kW) of the first reheating mode exceeds the heat source water upper return operation threshold (2 kW). Select bottom return operation. Similarly, when the execution instruction of the second reheating mode is received from the user, the required heating capacity (15 kW) of the second reheating mode exceeds the heat source water upper return operation threshold (2 kW). Select the bottom return operation.

  On the other hand, when the automatic heat retention mode is being implemented, the required heating capacity (1.5 kW) is equal to or lower than the heat source water upper return operation threshold (2 kW). Thus, in step S202, when the required heating capacity is equal to or less than the heat source water upper return operation threshold, the heat source water upper return operation can be handled in terms of the heating capacity. In this embodiment, in this case, the process proceeds to a determination as to whether or not the heat source water top return operation is possible (step S203). “The heat source water upper return operation is possible” means, for example, “the hot water storage temperature in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 (detected temperature of the hot water storage temperature sensor 11) is sufficiently higher than the detected temperature of the bathtub outlet side temperature sensor 53”. Can be a judgment condition. If it is determined in step S203 that the heat source water upper return operation is possible, the heat source water upper return operation is selected and executed (step S204). In contrast, if it is determined in step S203 that the heat source water upper return operation is not possible, the heat source water lower return operation is selected and executed (step S205). However, in the present invention, the determination in step S203 may be omitted and the heat source water upper return operation may be selected.

  According to the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment described above, since the heat source water upper return operation can be selected when the required heating capacity is equal to or less than the heat source water upper return operation threshold, from the use side heat exchanger 22 Even when the temperature of the heat source water that returns to the hot water storage tank 10 is medium temperature that is less than the temperature that can be used for hot water supply, the heat source water is mixed with the hot water at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 to exceed the temperature that can be used for hot water supply. By doing so, the amount of heat of the heat source water returned from the use side heat exchanger 22 can be effectively reused. Further, according to the heat source water upper return operation, the temperature of the low-temperature water stored in the lower region of the hot water storage tank 10 is not increased, and the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 60 is kept low during the boiling operation. Therefore, the efficiency of the heating operation can be kept high. In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the required heating capacity exceeds the heat source water upper part return operation threshold value, the heat source water lower part return operation having a high heating capacity can be selected, so that the required heating capacity is surely satisfied. Can do. Further, according to the present embodiment, when high heating capacity is required, the heat source water upper return operation can be avoided, so that a large amount of medium-temperature water surely flows into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10. It is possible to avoid this, and it is possible to reliably prevent the hot water storage temperature at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 from dropping to a temperature lower than the temperature that can be used for hot water supply (that is, hot water shortage).

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the required heating capacity is set in advance for each heating operation mode of the automatic heat retaining mode, the first reheating mode, and the second reheating mode. The required heating capacity may be determined by the control unit 70 based on the temperature of the object to be heated (tub water) before heating. That is, since it is considered that a higher heating capacity is required as the temperature of the heated object before heating is lower, the temperature of the heated object before heating (in this embodiment, the temperature detected by the bath outlet side temperature sensor 53). The required heating capacity can be appropriately set by determining the required heating capacity by the control unit 70 so that the required heating capacity becomes higher as the value is lower.

When the required heating capacity is determined by the control unit 70, the required heating capacity may be calculated with higher accuracy as follows. The required heating capacity can be calculated by dividing the total amount of heat required to heat the object to be heated to the target temperature by the target time until the temperature of the object to be heated is raised to the target temperature. Here, the bath set temperature (target temperature) set by the hot water temperature setting means is Ts, and the secondary side circulation pump 52 is operated before starting the reheating, so that the bath is drawn into the secondary side flow path. Let Ttci be the temperature detected by the side temperature sensor 53 (temperature of the object to be heated before heating), and Vs be the set amount of hot water set by the hot water amount setting means (total amount of hot water in the bathtub 50). In this case, the total amount of heat E required to heat the bathtub water in the bathtub 50 to the bathtub set temperature is calculated by the following equation.
E = (Ts−Ttci) × Vs (1)

Further, in order to make the time until completion of reheating within a range acceptable by the user, a predetermined time Tc (eg, 1200 seconds = 20 minutes) is set as a target time (time limit) until completion of renewal. Set in advance. The required heating capacity H is calculated by dividing the total amount of heat E by a predetermined time Tc as shown in the following equation.
H = E / Tc = {(Ts−Ttci) × Vs} / Tc (2)

  The control unit 70 compares the required heating capacity H calculated as described above with a heat source water upper return operation threshold (for example, 2 kW), and when the required heating capacity H is equal to or lower than the heat source water upper return operation threshold, You may make it select a water top return driving | operation. According to such control, the heat source water upper return operation can be selected and executed on condition that the time until completion of reheating falls within an appropriate time. Opportunities for selecting the part return operation can be increased, and the energy efficiency can be further improved.

Further, in the present invention, during the execution of the heat source water upper return operation, the control unit 70 calculates the actual heating capacity exhibited in the use-side heat exchanger 22, and the calculated actual heating capacity and The required heating capacity may be compared, and it may be determined whether or not to switch to the heat source water lower return operation based on the comparison result. The actual heating capacity F (per unit time) exhibited in the use side heat exchanger 22 is, for example, the temperature of the bath water after heat exchange (after heating) detected by the bath inlet side temperature sensor 54. The temperature of the bath water before heat exchange (before heating) detected by the bath outlet side temperature sensor 53 is set to Ttci, and a flow rate sensor (not shown) provided in the bath water circulation circuit 51 or the secondary side circulation is set to Ttco. If the bathtub water circulation flow rate per unit time detected based on the number of rotations of the pump 52 is Qc, it can be calculated by the following equation.
F = (Ttco−Ttci) × Qc (3)

  Alternatively, the control unit 70 replaces the use of the above formula (3) with the temperature of the heat source water before heat exchange (before heat dissipation) in the use side heat exchanger 22 and the heat in the use side heat exchanger 22. The actual heating capacity F may be calculated based on the temperature of the heat source water after replacement (after heat dissipation) and the flow rate of the heat source water.

  The control unit 70 calculates the actual heating capacity F as described above during the execution of the heat source water upper return operation, and when the calculated actual heating capacity F becomes less than the required heating capacity, You may make it switch to a lower part return driving | operation. Thereby, as long as the actual heating capacity F can satisfy the required heating capacity, the heat source water upper return operation can be continued, so that the chances of selecting the heat source water upper return operation excellent in energy saving can be increased. Energy efficiency can be further improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the heat source water upper return operation and the heat source water lower return operation are described as the bathtub heating operation. However, the hot water storage type water heater of the present invention is other than the above. The bathtub heating operation may be further executable. For example, the heat pump unit 60 heats the hot water as heat source water to the use side heat exchanger 22 to exchange heat with bathtub water, and the heat source water after heat exchange flows into the water inlet of the heat pump unit 60. The operation of reheating and recirculating may be executed as another bathtub heating operation, or the hot water for the bathtub 50 may be executed as another bathtub heating operation.

1 hot water storage tank unit, 2 water supply piping, 3 hot water supply piping, 10 hot water storage tank,
11, 12 Hot water storage temperature sensor, 14 Water supply port, 15 First upper port, 16 First lower port,
17 Second lower port, 18 Second upper port, 21 Circulation pump, 22 User side heat exchanger,
31 First three-way valve, 32 Second three-way valve, 33 Four-way valve, 34 Heat source side flow path connection part,
40 Tank lower piping, 41 Heat pump inlet piping, 42 Heat pump outlet piping,
43 First tank upper pipe, 44 Second tank upper pipe, 45 Lower return pipe,
46 Usage side heat exchanger primary side inlet piping, 47 Usage side heat exchanger primary side outlet piping,
48 Bypass piping, 49 Upper return piping, 50 bathtub, 51 Bath water circulation circuit,
52 secondary side circulation pump, 53 bathtub outlet side temperature sensor, 54 bathtub inlet side temperature sensor,
60 heat pump unit, 61 compressor, 62 heat exchanger for boiling,
63 expansion valve, 64 air heat exchanger, 65 refrigerant circulation piping,
66 heat pump outlet temperature sensor, 70 control unit, 100 hot water storage hot water supply machine

Claims (9)

Heating means capable of generating water by heating water;
A hot water storage tank capable of storing the upper layer side water and the lower layer side water in a stacked state;
A use side heat exchanger that heats the object to be heated by exchanging heat between the object to be heated and the heat source water;
The upper part of the heat source water that sends hot water taken out from the upper area of the hot water storage tank as the heat source water to the use side heat exchanger and allows the heat source water that has passed through the use side heat exchanger to flow into the upper area of the hot water storage tank Means for performing the return operation;
The lower part of the heat source water that sends hot water taken out from the upper area of the hot water storage tank as the heat source water to the use side heat exchanger and allows the heat source water that has passed through the use side heat exchanger to flow into the lower area of the hot water storage tank Means for performing the return operation;
Control means for selecting one of the heat source water upper return operation and the heat source water lower return operation based on a required heating capacity that is a required heating capacity when heating the object to be heated;
Hot water storage type water heater equipped with.   The hot water storage type hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control means selects the heat source water lower return operation when the required heating capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A plurality of heating operation modes prepared in advance as modes for performing the operation of heating the object to be heated can be selectively performed,
The required heating capacity is preset for each of the plurality of heating operation modes,
The control means selects either the heat source water upper return operation or the heat source water lower return operation based on the required heating capacity of the heating operation mode to be performed among the plurality of heating operation modes. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1 or 2. A required heating capacity determining means for determining the required heating capacity based on the temperature of the object to be heated before being heated by the use side heat exchanger;
The hot water storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means selects one of the heat source water upper return operation and the heat source water lower return operation based on the required heating capacity determined by the required heating capacity determination means. Type water heater. The required heating capacity for determining the required heating capacity based on the total amount of heat necessary for heating the heated object to the target temperature and the target time until the temperature of the heated object is raised to the target temperature. A determination means,
The hot water storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means selects one of the heat source water upper return operation and the heat source water lower return operation based on the required heating capacity determined by the required heating capacity determination means. Type water heater. During the execution of the heat source water upper return operation, comprising actual heating capacity calculation means for calculating the actual heating capacity that is exhibited in the use side heat exchanger,
The control means compares the required heating capacity and the actual heating capacity calculated by the actual heating capacity calculation means when performing the heat source water upper return operation, and based on the comparison result The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it is determined whether or not to switch to the heat source water lower portion returning operation.   The actual heating capacity calculation means includes the temperature of the object to be heated or the heat source water before and after heat exchange in the user side heat exchanger, and the object to be heated or the heat source circulating in the user side heat exchanger. The hot water storage type hot water heater according to claim 6, wherein the actual heating capacity is calculated based on a flow rate of water.   The position of the inlet through which the heat source water that has passed through the use-side heat exchanger in the heat source water upper return operation flows into the hot water storage tank is an outlet that takes out the heat source water from the hot water storage tank in the heat source water upper return operation. The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hot water storage type water heater is at a position higher than the position.   The hot water storage type hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the use side heat exchanger heats bathtub water sent from a bathtub as the heated object.

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