JP2014025597A - Storage water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage water heater that has a function to heat water in a bathtub while supplying air to the bathtub and can improve service lives of components such as a compressor by suppressing increase in start/stop frequency of a heat pump unit.SOLUTION: A storage water heater includes a microbubble generating device capable of generating microbubbles in bathwater. When generation of microbubbles is requested, microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generating device while the bathwater is circulated in a water circulation circuit to supply the microbubbles to a bathtub (bubble supply operation). When the temperature of the bathwater is lowered during the bubble supply operation, reheating operation is performed in conjunction with the bubble supply operation (bubble reheating operation). At this time, when heating operation by a heat pump unit is being executed, heat pump direct reheating operation is selected as the reheating operation. When the heating operation is not being executed, hot water storage reheating operation is selected.

Description

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

  Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water supply apparatus capable of supplying air to hot water in a bathtub. This water heater has an oxygen enricher that can supply air containing oxygen at a higher concentration than the atmosphere (oxygen-enriched air), and replenishes the oxygen-enriched air mixed in the recirculation circuit. It is configured to be able to perform oxygen operation for more jetting.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a hot water supply device that heats a bathtub by exchanging heat between high-temperature hot water heated by a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger of a heat pump and bathtub water flowing through a reheating heat exchanger. ing.

JP-A-2005-55101 JP 2005-42985 A

  In the case of the conventional hot water storage type hot water heater having a function of supplying air to the bathtub as in Patent Document 1 described above, the hot water in the bathtub is cooled at the same time as the air is supplied because the hot water in the bathtub is cooled. It is assumed that the system has a function to do this. At this time, as in Patent Document 2 described above, when the water in the bathtub is directly heated by the heat pump unit, the heat pump unit is repeatedly started and stopped each time air is supplied, and the compressor and the like are configured. There is a problem that the proof stress of the parts is reduced. Further, as a means for heating the hot water in the bathtub when supplying air, it is also conceivable to use the hot water in the hot water storage unit to heat the hot water in the bathtub. However, in the case where the boiling operation is performed when the hot water of the hot water storage unit is used to heat the hot water of the bathtub, it is necessary to stop the boiling operation and then heat the hot water of the bathtub. The situation in which the heat pump unit is frequently started and stopped cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a hot water storage hot water heater having a function of heating the water in the bathtub while supplying air to the bathtub, the number of start and stop of the heat pump unit is increased. An object of the present invention is to provide a hot water storage type water heater that can suppress and improve the life of components such as a compressor.

  The hot water storage type water heater according to the present invention includes a hot water storage tank capable of storing hot water, a heat pump capable of heating water, water taken from the hot water storage tank being sent to the heat pump, and hot water generated by being heated by the heat pump to the hot water storage tank. The heating means for performing the boiling operation to return, the heat exchanger that heats the low-temperature water flowing on the secondary side using the high-temperature water flowing on the primary side, and the bath water derived from the bathtub 2 in the heat exchanger A water circulation circuit that returns to the bathtub via the secondary side, a microbubble generator that is provided in the middle of the water circulation circuit and can generate microbubbles in the bath water, and a water circulation circuit when a microbubble generation request is issued The micro-bubble supplying means for supplying micro-bubbles to the bathtub by generating micro-bubbles while circulating the bath water in the bath, and the hot water taken out from the upper part of the hot water tank while circulating the bath water in the water circulation circuit Heat exchange The first heating means for heating the bath water by returning it to the hot water storage tank through the primary side of the hot water and the hot water generated by heating with the heat pump while circulating the bath water in the water circulation circuit of the heat exchanger The second heating means for heating the bath water by returning to the heat pump through the primary side, and when the heating request for the bath water is issued, either the first heating means or the second heating means And heating control means for heating the bath water by selecting one of them, and when the heating request is made during the period when the boiling operation is being performed, the heating control means The bath water is heated by selecting the heating means, and when the bath water heating request is issued during the period when the boiling operation is not executed, the bath water is heated by selecting the first heating means. It is.

  According to the present invention, in a hot water storage type water heater having a function of heating the water in the bathtub while supplying air to the bathtub, the life of components such as a compressor is improved by suppressing an increase in the number of start / stop times of the heat pump unit. It becomes possible to make it.

It is a block diagram of the hot water storage type water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the boiling independent operation | movement of the hot water storage type water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the bubble supply operation | movement of the hot water storage type hot water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram in case the heat pump direct reheating operation is performed at the time of fine bubble supply operation | movement as a bubble reheating operation of the hot water storage type water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram when the hot water storage reheating operation is performed at the time of micro bubble supply operation | movement as the bubble reheating operation of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the routine of the bubble chasing operation performed in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the remote control of the hot water storage type water heater in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  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 of a hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A hot water storage type water heater 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a hot water storage tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 60 configured to use a heat pump cycle. The two units 1 and 60 are connected by a heat pump inlet pipe 41 and a heat pump outlet pipe 42. The hot water storage tank unit 1 has a control unit 70 built therein. 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. 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 low temperature water led 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 low-temperature water led from the hot water storage tank unit 1. The HP outlet side thermistor 66 is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the high-temperature water 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.

  On the other hand, the hot water storage tank unit 1 incorporates the following various parts and piping. The hot water storage tank 10 is for storing hot water. A hot water supply pipe 2 for supplying city water is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10, and a hot water supply pipe 3 for supplying the stored hot water to the outside of the hot water heater is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10. ing. In addition, the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 60 is introduced into the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper part of the tank, and the low temperature water is introduced from the lower part of the tank through the water supply pipe 2, thereby Hot water is stored so that a temperature difference occurs in the lower part. Moreover, the remaining hot water thermistors 11 and 12 for detecting the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 10 at different mounting heights. Based on the temperature distribution acquired by the remaining hot water thermistors 11 and 12, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is grasped, and 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. Is done.

  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 to be described later in the hot water storage tank unit 1. The use side heat exchanger 22 is a heat exchanger for heating the secondary side bath water using the primary high temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 10 or the heat pump unit 60. The use side heat exchanger 22 is installed in the middle of the bathtub water circulation circuit 51. Further, 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 thermistor 53 for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water discharged from the bathtub 50 are installed. Has been.

  A microbubble generator 80 is installed on the downstream side of the use side heat exchanger 22 in the bathtub water circulation circuit 51. The microbubble generator 80 is configured as a device that generates microbubbles by mixing the air supplied from the air tube 83 and the bathtub water circulating through the bathtub water circulation circuit 51 and supplies the microbubbles to the downstream side of the apparatus. At the end of the air tube 83, an air solenoid valve 81 for switching between inflow and stop of air is provided. Further, a check valve 82 is installed in the middle of the air tube 83 to prevent a backflow from the microbubble generator 80 toward the air solenoid valve 81. In addition, since the thing with various structures is already well-known about the microbubble generator 80, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, valves and piping provided in the hot water storage tank unit 1 will be described. The hot water tank unit 1 has a three-way valve 31 and a four-way valve 32. The three-way valve 31 is a flow path switching means having two inlets (a port and b port) through which hot water flows and one outlet (c port) through which hot water flows out. Either the a port or the b port The hot water path can be switched so that hot water flows in from the water. The four-way valve 32 is a flow path switching means having two inlets (b port and c port) through which hot water flows in and two outlets (a port and d port) through which hot water flows out. , A-b route, a-c route, and cd route are configured to be switchable.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a tank lower pipe 40, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the heat pump outlet pipe 42, a tank upper pipe 43, a tank return pipe 44, a use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 45, a use side heat. An exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 and a bypass pipe 47 are provided.

  More specifically, the tank lower pipe 40 is a flow path connecting the first lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 and the a port of the three-way valve 31, and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 is connected to the c port of the three-way valve 31 and the heat pump unit. The heat pump outlet pipe 42 is a flow path connecting the outlet side of the heat pump unit 60 and the c port of the four-way valve 32, and the tank upper pipe 43 is a four-way valve 32. The tank return pipe 44 connects the a port of the four-way valve 32 and a return port provided between the central portion and the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 10. It is a flow path. The use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 45 branches from between the hot water storage tank upper part of the tank upper pipe 43 and the four-way valve 32 and is connected to the primary side inlet of the use side heat exchanger 22. The use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 is a flow path that connects the primary side outlet of the use side heat exchanger 22 and the b port of the three-way valve 31. Further, the bypass pipe 47 is a flow path branched from the heat pump inlet pipe 41 and connected to the b port of the four-way valve 32. The circulation pump 21 is installed between the connection portion with the bypass pipe 47 on the heat pump inlet pipe 41 and the three-way valve 31.

  Next, the operation | movement operation performed in the hot water storage type water heater 100 in Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. In the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the three-way valve 31 is controlled according to the operation state shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 below, and between the following first and second flow path configurations. The hot water passage in the hot water storage tank unit 1 is switched and used. More specifically, the “first flow path configuration” that can be selected by the three-way valve 31 means that the first lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 and the heating heat exchanger 62 connect the tank lower pipe 40 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41. The “second flow path configuration” means that the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 and the heating heat exchanger 62 are connected via the heat pump inlet pipe 41. It is a flow path form that communicates.

  Furthermore, in the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the four-way valve 32 is controlled according to the operation state shown in FIGS. The hot water flow path in the hot water storage tank unit 1 is switched and used. More specifically, the “first flow path configuration” that can be selected by the four-way valve 32 means that the heating heat exchanger 62 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 are connected via the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the tank upper pipe 43. It is a flow path form in communication, and the “second flow path form” is a flow path form in which the bypass pipe 47 and the tank return pipe 44 communicate with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention at the time of a single heating operation. Note that the boiling-only operation here refers to a heating operation (boiling means) for boiling water in the hot water storage tank 10 by using the heat pump unit 60 independently. At the time of this single heating operation, the three-way valve 31 is controlled so that the first flow path configuration is selected. Accordingly, the tank lower pipe 40 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the flow path from the usage side heat exchanger 22 is blocked by closing the usage side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 side. Moreover, at the time of a boiling independent operation, the four-way valve 32 is controlled so that the said 1st flow path form is selected. Thereby, the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the tank upper pipe 43 communicate with each other, and the flow paths on the tank return pipe 44 side and the bypass pipe 47 side are closed.

  The boiling-up single operation is executed by starting the operation of the circulation pump 21 and the heat pump unit 60 in a state where the three-way valve 31 and the four-way valve 32 are controlled as described above. As a result, the low-temperature water flowing out from the first lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 is guided to the heat pump unit 60 via the tank lower pipe 40, the three-way valve 31, the circulation pump 21 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41, and heat exchange for boiling is performed. After being heated in the vessel 62 to become hot water, it flows into the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 through the heat pump outlet pipe 42, the four-way valve 32 and the tank upper pipe 43 and is stored. By performing such boiling-up single operation, high temperature water is stored from the upper layer inside the hot water storage tank 10, and this high temperature water layer gradually becomes thicker.

  Next, the bubble supply operation performed in the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram at the time of foam supply operation of hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In addition, the foam supply operation here is an operation (microbubble supply means) for causing the user during bathing to feel comfort by supplying microbubbles to the bath water. This foam supply operation is started by opening the air solenoid valve 81 while circulating the bath water. Thereby, the micro bubble hot water supply apparatus 80 generates micro bubbles and supplies them to the bathtub 50. Note that the bubble supply operation is instructed to be turned ON / OFF by a remote controller or the like from the user.

  Next, the bubble chasing operation performed in hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. In addition, a bubble chasing operation here is the operation | movement which supplies a micro bubble to bathtub water, performing the chasing operation of bathtub water. When the micro bubbles are supplied to the bathtub water by the micro bubble hot water supply device 80, the temperature of the bathtub water is lowered by mixing the air. In view of this, the hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has a reheating function for heating the bathtub water, and when the temperature of the bathtub water is lower than the set temperature during the foam supply operation, the reheating operation is performed. If the temperature of the bathtub water becomes higher than the set temperature, the chasing operation is stopped and only the micro bubble supply operation is performed. Thereby, the temperature fall of the bath water by bubble supply operation | movement can be avoided.

  The hot water storage type water heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention performs a direct reheating operation using the heat pump unit 60 as a reheating operation during the bubble reheating operation (second heating means). And hot water reheating operation (first heating means) using hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 are configured to be executable. Hereinafter, each reheating operation at the time of the microbubble supply operation will be described in order.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram in the case where the heat pump direct reheating operation is performed during the micro bubble supply operation as the bubble reheating operation of the hot water storage hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The heat pump direct reheating operation here is an operation in which high-temperature water boiled using the heat pump unit 60 and bathtub water are heat-exchanged in the use-side heat exchanger 22 to heat the bathtub water. That is. When the temperature of the bath water is lowered by the microbubble supply operation, the heat pump direct reheating operation is started. During this direct heat pumping operation, the three-way valve 31 is controlled so that the second flow path configuration is selected. As a result, the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the flow path on the tank lower pipe 40 side is closed. Further, during direct heat pump operation, the four-way valve 32 is controlled so that the first flow path configuration is selected. Thereby, the heat pump outlet pipe 42 and the tank upper pipe 43 communicate with each other, and the flow paths on the tank return pipe 44 side and the bypass pipe 47 side are closed.

  The direct heat pumping operation is executed by starting the operation of the circulation pump 21 and the heat pump unit 60 with the three-way valve 31 and the four-way valve 32 controlled as described above. As a result, the medium-temperature water flowing out from the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 is led to the heat pump unit 60 via the three-way valve 31, the circulation pump 21, and the heat pump inlet pipe 41, and is heated for heating. Heated at 62. The high-temperature water that has become hot due to heat exchange is led to the use-side heat exchanger 22 via the heat pump outlet pipe 42, the four-way valve 32, and the tank upper pipe 43, and is heat-exchanged with the bath water to become medium-temperature water. 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 high-temperature water flowing through the primary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 is transmitted to the hot water flowing through the secondary side of the use side heat exchanger 22, and the hot water stretched in the bathtub 50 is warmed.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram in the case where the hot water reheating operation is performed during the micro bubble supply operation as the bubble reheating operation of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The hot water reheating operation referred to here is an operation in which the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 and the bathtub water are heat-exchanged by the use side heat exchanger 22 and the bathtub water is heated. . When the temperature of the bathtub water decreases due to the microbubble supply operation, the hot water reheating operation is started. During this hot water reheating operation, the three-way valve 31 is controlled so that the second flow path configuration is selected. As a result, the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46 and the heat pump inlet pipe 41 communicate with each other, and the tank lower pipe 40 side is closed and the flow path from the first lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 is blocked. In addition, during the hot water reheating operation, the four-way valve 32 is controlled so that the second flow path configuration is selected. Thereby, the circulation pump 21 and the tank return pipe 44 communicate with each other through the bypass pipe 47, and the flow paths on the heat pump outlet pipe 42 side and the tank upper pipe 43 side are closed.

  The hot water reheating operation is executed by starting the operation of the circulation pump 21 and the secondary circulation pump 52 in a state where the three-way valve 31 and the four-way valve 32 are controlled as described above. In addition, in this hot water storage reheating operation state, the operation of the heat pump unit 60 is stopped. As a result, the high temperature water flowing out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 is guided to the use side heat exchanger 22 via the tank upper pipe 43 and the use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 45, and between the hot water and the bath water. Heat exchange takes place at. The intermediate temperature water generated by the heat exchange passes through the use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 46, the three-way valve 31, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the circulation pump 21, the bypass pipe 47, the four-way valve 32, and the tank return pipe 44. The hot water storage tank 10 is returned to the hot water storage tank 10 through a return port provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10. According to such a circulation path, since hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is used, intermediate hot water is generated in the hot water storage tank 10. 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 high-temperature water flowing through the primary side of the use side heat exchanger 22 is transmitted to the hot water flowing through the secondary side of the use side heat exchanger 22, and the hot water stretched in the bathtub 50 is warmed.

  As described above, in the hot water storage type water heater 100 according to the first embodiment, when the user requests the bubble chasing operation, the bubble chasing operation using the heat pump direct chasing operation and the hot water chasing operation are performed. Any one of the bubble chasing operation using can be selected and executed. Here, in the heat pump unit 60, a load is applied to components such as the compressor 61 when the operation starts and stops. For this reason, in the heat pump unit 60, it is preferable from the viewpoint of the lifetime of the component parts that the number of operation start / stop times is smaller.

  Therefore, in hot water storage type water heater 100 according to the first embodiment, the reheating operation to be selected when the request for the bubble reheating operation is issued is selected according to the operation state of heat pump unit 60. Specifically, when a request for a bubble reheating operation is issued during a period in which the heat pump unit 60 is in operation, such as in a boiling operation, the heat pump direct recharging operation is selected and executed. When a request for a bubble chasing operation is issued during a period of not being operated, the hot water chasing operation is selected and executed. Thereby, since the situation where the start and stop of the heat pump unit 60 is performed when performing the bubble chasing operation can be avoided, the number of start and stop of the heat pump unit 60 is effectively suppressed to protect the components. Is possible.

  Next, specific processing of the bubble chasing operation in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of the bubble chasing operation executed in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the routine shown in FIG. 6, first, the routine of the bubble chasing operation is started (step S1). Here, specifically, for example, it is started when the user instructs execution of the bubble chasing operation from a remote controller or the like.

  Next, the control unit 70 operates the secondary side circulation pump 52 to draw hot water from the bathtub 50 to the bathtub outlet side thermistor 53. Then, it is determined whether or not the bathtub temperature measured by the bathtub outlet side thermistor 53 is less than a value obtained by subtracting the predetermined temperature A from the temperature (set temperature) set by the remote controller or the like (step S2). Note that the predetermined value A is a hysteresis for preventing the hunting operation from being hunted, and is set to a temperature (for example, −1 ° C.) such that the bath temperature is not significantly different from the set temperature.

  As a result of the process of step S2, if the establishment of bathtub temperature <set temperature−predetermined temperature A is not recognized, it is determined that the reheating operation is unnecessary because the bathtub temperature is somewhat warm, and the process proceeds to the next step. Only the microbubble supply operation is performed (step S3). Here, specifically, the foam supply operation shown in FIG. 3 is executed. And if the micro bubble supply operation | movement by step S3 is performed, it will transfer to step S2 again and the reheating determination | judging decision | availability determination by bathtub temperature will be performed again. Therefore, according to the process of said step S2-S3, only the micro bubble supply operation | movement of the said step S3 is implemented until the bathtub temperature becomes less than the value which subtracted the predetermined temperature A from preset temperature.

  On the other hand, as a result of the process of step S2, if it is recognized that bathtub temperature <set temperature-predetermined temperature A is established, it is determined that a chasing operation is necessary because the bathtub is cold, and the process proceeds to the next step. Then, it is determined whether or not the heat pump unit 60 is operating (step S4). The operation of the heat pump unit 60 includes, for example, the above-described boiling-only operation. As a result of the process of step S4, when it is determined that the heat pump unit 60 is in operation, the micro bubble supply operation and the heat pump direct chasing operation are performed in order to perform the bubble chasing operation without stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 60. (Step S5). On the other hand, if it is determined that the heat pump unit 60 is not in operation as a result of the process of step S4, the micro bubble supply operation and the hot water storage retreat operation are performed so as to perform the bubble repelling operation while the operation of the heat pump unit 60 is stopped. Is performed (step S6). Accordingly, the number of times the heat pump unit 60 starts and stops does not increase due to the start-up operation in the bubble-up operation.

  Next, a determination is made to stop the chasing operation (step S7). Here, specifically, it is determined whether or not the bathtub temperature is lower than the set temperature. As a result, when it is recognized that the bath temperature <the set temperature is established, it is determined that the reheating operation is still necessary, and this step is repeatedly executed until the bath temperature ≧ the set temperature. On the other hand, if the establishment of the bath temperature <the set temperature is not recognized in step S7, it is determined that the bath is sufficiently warmed, the process proceeds to the next step, and the reheating operation that has been performed is stopped. Only the microbubble supply operation is continuously executed (step S8). After the processing of step S8, the routine returns to step S2 and this routine is repeatedly executed. In step S8, when stopping the direct heat pump operation, it is preferable to shift to the boiling-only operation without stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 60. Thereby, it is possible to shift to the boiling operation without stopping the operation of the heat pump unit 60. When the stop of the bubble chasing operation is requested based on the remote control instruction or the set time, this routine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the hot water storage type water heater 100 of the first embodiment, it is possible to perform the bubble chasing operation without increasing the number of times the heat pump unit 60 starts and stops. Thereby, the lifetime of components, such as a compressor of the heat pump unit 60, can be extended and the hot water heater with high convenience can be provided.

  By the way, in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, although the heat pump cycle was made into the supercritical heat pump cycle from which the pressure of a refrigerant | coolant becomes more than a critical pressure, of course, the heat pump cycle below a general critical pressure may be sufficient. In this case, chlorofluorocarbon, ammonia, or the like may be used as the refrigerant.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment is characterized in that a bubble chasing operation and a chasing operation that does not generate bubbles (hereinafter, “single chasing operation”) are realized by one operation switch.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a remote controller of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The remote controller 90 includes a display unit 91 that indicates an operation state, and an operation switch 92 that allows the user to instruct the tank unit to perform a bubble chasing operation or a single chasing operation. In the remote controller 90, when the operation switch 92 is kept pressed for a period of time less than a predetermined time B (for example, 3 seconds), the bubble chasing operation is performed and the button is continuously pressed for a period of time longer than the predetermined time B (for example, 3 seconds). In such a case, the function is set so that the single chasing operation is performed. According to such a configuration, since one operation switch 92 can have two or more functions, the number of operation switches can be reduced and an inexpensive configuration can be achieved. In addition, since the bubble chasing operation and the single chasing operation are similar functions, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-use water heater by arranging the function in the switch.

  In the water heater of the second embodiment described above, the function to be assigned to one operation switch 92 is exemplified by the bubble chasing operation and the single chasing operation. However, the bubble feeding operation and the bubble chasing without chasing are used. A combination of whispering operation or a combination of foam supply operation and single chasing operation may be used.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 3, when the temperature of the bathtub is lower than the predetermined value C during the bubble chasing operation, the heat pump direct chasing operation that is the bathtub heating operation without performing the micro bubble supply operation or It is characterized in that it performs a hot water retreat operation. If the predetermined value C is, for example, 30 ° C., which is 5 ° C. lower than the lower limit value 35 ° C. that can be set as the hot water temperature, the bath temperature ≦ predetermined that the establishment of the predetermined value C is recognized as not bathing Can be assumed. The bubble chasing operation is basically instructed by the user during bathing, but may be operated in a state where the hot water in the bathtub is cooled and not bathed due to an erroneous operation. is assumed. Therefore, in the water heater according to the present embodiment, even when a request for the bubble chasing operation is issued, the execution of the micro bubble supply operation is restricted when the establishment of the bathtub temperature ≦ the predetermined value is recognized. Therefore, only the driving operation will be executed. Thereby, since the water of a bathtub can be heated without reducing the temperature of a bathtub unnecessarily, a user-friendly water heater can be provided.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the fourth embodiment, when there is no hot water in the tank unit 1 (for example, when the detected temperature of the upper remaining hot water thermistor 11 is less than 45 ° C.), even if the bubble chasing operation is instructed, It is characterized in that only the foam supply operation is performed while the single boiling operation is performed. According to such operation, a certain level of comfort can be given to the user taking a bath by supplying microbubbles to the bathtub, and hot water is stored in the tank unit 1 by a single boiling operation. Since it is possible to recover from the cut-off state, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use water heater.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank unit 10 Hot water storage tank 22 Use side heat exchanger 50 Bathtub 51 Secondary side circulation piping (water circulation circuit)
60 Heat pump unit 70 Control unit 80 Microbubble generator 90 Remote control 92 Operation switch 100 Hot water storage type water heater

Claims (5)

A hot water storage tank capable of storing hot water,
A heat pump capable of heating water;
Boiling means for performing a boiling operation for sending water taken out from the hot water storage tank to the heat pump and returning hot water generated by the heat pump to the hot water storage tank;
A heat exchanger for heating the low temperature water flowing on the secondary side using the high temperature water flowing on the primary side;
A water circulation circuit for returning the bath water derived from the bathtub to the bathtub through the secondary side of the heat exchanger;
A microbubble generator provided in the middle of the water circulation circuit and capable of generating microbubbles in bath water;
When a generation request for microbubbles is issued, microbubble supply means for supplying microbubbles to the bathtub by generating microbubbles with the microbubble generator while circulating bath water in the water circulation circuit;
First heating for heating the bath water by circulating the bath water in the water circulation circuit and returning the hot water taken out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank to the hot water storage tank via the primary side of the heat exchanger. Means,
Second heating means for heating the bath water by circulating the bath water in the water circulation circuit and returning the hot water heated and generated by the heat pump to the heat pump via the primary side of the heat exchanger When,
A heating control means for heating the bath water by selecting one of the first heating means and the second heating means when a bath water heating request is issued;
The heating control means selects the second heating means to heat the bath water when the bath water heating request is issued during the period when the boiling operation is being performed, and the boiling operation is performed. When the bath water heating request is issued during a period in which the bath water is not executed, the first hot water is selected to heat the bath water. The heating control means includes
Means for detecting the bath water temperature of the bathtub during the supply of microbubbles by the microbubble supply means;
Means for issuing a bath water heating request when the bath water temperature is lower than a predetermined set temperature;
The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1, comprising: Means for detecting the bath water temperature of the bathtub;
When the bath water temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, limiting means for limiting the supply of microbubbles by the microbubble supply means;
The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:   The apparatus further comprises means for restricting heating of the bath water by the heating control means and performing a boiling operation by the boiling means when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is a predetermined amount or less. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It further includes a remote control with an operation switch for inputting a driving request,
When the bath water heating request, the micro-bubble generation request, and any two of these two simultaneous requests are the time during which the operation switch is continuously pressed is a predetermined time or more, and the predetermined time The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the hot water storage type hot water heaters is assigned to each of the cases.

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