JP2014190544A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient water heater enabling adjustment to an appropriate flow rate without adjusting the flow rate manually.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to a hot water supply terminal; a flow regulating valve installed in the hot water supply path; a storage part for storing a predetermined voice pattern related to an operation of the flow regulating valve; a voice sensing part for sensing voice of a user; and a control part for performing control of the flow regulating valve associated with the predetermined voice pattern when the voice of the user sensed by the voice sensing part and the predetermined voice pattern stored in the storage part correspond to each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater.

  Conventionally, in waterworks, there are a flow rate adjustment valve capable of setting a plurality of flow rates and a water tap device that allows a user to select and use a desired flow rate from a plurality of flow rates arbitrarily set in advance by an operation unit. (For example, patent document 1).

JP 2003-49462 A

  However, it is troublesome for the user to manually change the flow rate by operating the operation unit, and the usability is not good.

  For example, when a user uses a faucet for washing or a shower, the flow rate to be discharged may change from moment to moment, and it is cumbersome for the user to frequently adjust the faucet or shower flow rate. is there.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the hot water heater with the high convenience which can adjust to a suitable flow volume, without adjusting a flow volume manually.

  The present invention provides a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to a hot water supply terminal, a flow rate adjusting valve provided in the hot water supply path, a storage unit for storing a predetermined voice pattern related to the operation of the flow rate adjusting valve, and detecting a user's voice And a flow rate adjustment associated with the predetermined voice pattern when the user's voice detected by the voice detection unit matches the predetermined voice pattern stored in the storage unit. And a control unit for controlling the valve.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly convenient water heater that can be adjusted to an appropriate flow rate without manually adjusting the flow rate.

The lineblock diagram showing the example of the indirect heating type hot water supply machine concerning a 1st embodiment is shown. The lineblock diagram showing the example of the hot-water supply machine of the tank hot-water system concerning the modification of a 1st embodiment is shown. The external view of the remote control which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. 1 shows a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The screen of the remote controller which concerns on Example 1 is shown. The screen of the remote controller which concerns on Example 1 is shown. 1 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart according to Embodiment 2. FIG. The screen of the remote controller which concerns on Example 3 is shown. The screen of the remote controller which concerns on Example 3 is shown. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart according to a third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater according to the first embodiment is an electric water heater, a hot water storage tank 12 that stores hot water, and a heat pump unit 13 that is a heat source that heats water for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 12. Water supply from a water supply source (for example, a water pipe 19) is supplied to the water heater via a pipe 20. Specifically, the hot water heater heats low temperature water supplied from a water supply source by the heat pump unit 13 to generate hot water, and stores the generated hot water in the hot water storage tank 12. That is, the water heater is configured to include a tank unit 16 including a hot water storage tank 12 and a heat pump unit 13.

  In addition, the hot water heater includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 14 that heats low temperature water from the water pipe 19 by exchanging heat with hot water in the hot water storage tank 12 to generate hot water for hot water supply. In this case, the hot water storage tank 12 functions as a storage tank that stores hot water as a heat medium that exchanges heat with low-temperature water. In addition, the hot water heater includes a follow-up heat exchanger 18 that heats the bath water derived from the bathtub 15 by exchanging heat with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 12. Further, the water heater comprehensively controls the entire water heater in accordance with a remote controller (remote control device) 6 operated by a user to perform hot water feeding, chasing, hot water supply, etc., and operation commands from the remote controller 6. The main body side control board 10 is provided. Note that there are two types of remote controllers 6 for bathing and kitchen use. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to separately describe the remote controller 6 for the bathroom and the kitchen, they are referred to as the bathroom remote controller 6a and the kitchen remote controller 6b.

  In addition, the hot water supply apparatus includes a hot water supply path for supplying hot water heated to the hot water supply terminal, hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 12 for the bathtub water taken out from the bathtub 15 (in this case, functions as a heat medium), and additional water. And a follow-up path that exchanges heat with the intake heat exchanger 18 and returns it to the bathtub 15.

  The hot water supply path includes a general hot water supply path 21 for supplying hot water to a general hot water supply terminal (faucet, shower, etc., in this embodiment, the mixing plug 17) and a hot water path for supplying hot water to the bathtub terminal provided in the bathtub. included. Moreover, as a supply source of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply path, a hot water storage tank 12 for storing hot water as well as an external water supply source such as a water pipe 19 and well water can be considered.

  In addition, the flow rate at the time of hot water supply is controlled by a flow rate adjustment valve 31 arranged in the middle of the general hot water supply path 21, and the flow rate can be changed by an instruction from the main body side control board 10.

  In addition, the hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a so-called hot water supply heat exchanger 14 that heats low temperature water from the water pipe 19 by exchanging heat with hot water in the hot water storage tank 12 to generate hot water for hot water supply. Although it is an indirect heating type water heater, the present invention is not limited to this, and low temperature water from the water pipe 19 as shown in FIG. 2 is mixed with hot water in the hot water storage tank 12 by the mixing valve 36 to generate a predetermined temperature. A so-called tank hot water supply type water heater may be used, or a gas water heater without a tank may be used.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the water heater will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration for performing communication between the main body side control board 10 and the remote controller 6.

  A water heater, a main body-side control board 10 provided in the water heater, and a remote controller 6 that performs data communication between the main body-side control board 10 and remotely operates the water heater are configured as main parts. The

  The main body side control board 10 has a main body side control unit 7 for controlling the operation of each part of the water heater such as the flow rate adjustment valve 31 and a main body side storage unit 8 for storing control data in the main body side control unit 7. And the communication part 9 for communication with the board | substrate exterior is provided as a main part.

  On the other hand, the remote controller 6 includes an operation unit 4 for performing an artificial operation, a display unit 5 for informing various kinds of information by display, a speaker 35 for informing various kinds of information by sound, and sound detection for detecting a user's sound. The main part includes a part 34, a remote controller 1 for controlling the operation, a remote controller 2 for storing a predetermined sound pattern, and a communication part 3 for communicating with the main body control board 10. Yes. The voice detection unit 34 includes a microphone 33 and a voice analysis unit 32. FIG. 3 is an external view of the remote controller 6.

  Next, the water heater according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As an operation example in this water heater, an operation of moving the flow rate adjustment valve 31 by voice recognition will be described. This water heater has a flow rate adjustment valve associated with a predetermined voice pattern when the voice of the user detected by the voice detector 34 matches the predetermined voice pattern stored in the remote control side storage unit 2. 31 is controlled. The remote control side storage unit 2 stores in advance typical audio data relating to a predetermined audio pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the user starts hot water supply from a faucet or a shower, it is detected that hot water is being supplied by a flow rate sensor (not shown) (S1). When the user gives an instruction by voice during hot water supply (S2), for example, when it says "Weak", the voice signal is input to the remote controller 1 via the microphone 33 and the voice analyzer 32 of the remote controller 6. . In response to this, the remote control unit 1 collates with the standard data stored in advance in the memory unit remote control data storage means 2 (S3). When there is corresponding audio data (S4), the corresponding operation is transmitted to the main body side control unit 10 (S5). Specifically, an instruction for reducing the flow rate is transmitted from the remote controller 6 to the main body side control board 10 by communication. If there is no corresponding voice data, it waits until a voice instruction is given again.

  The main body side control unit 7 of the main body side control board 10 operates the flow rate adjustment valve 31 according to the content received from the remote controller 6 to adjust the flow rate (S6). In the case of an instruction for reducing the flow rate, the main body side control unit 7 drives the flow rate adjustment valve 31 in the direction to close the valve opening, thereby reducing the flow rate. On the contrary, when receiving an instruction for increasing the flow rate, the main body side control unit 7 drives the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to open the valve opening, thereby increasing the flow rate.

  As a result, there is no need for manual operation even when the user is washing things and his hands are occupied, or when his head is washed in the shower. . At this time, the content of the voice instruction is not limited to “weak” when the flow rate is reduced, but a plurality of types of words for reducing the flow rate such as “low” and “less” are registered as voice data. deep. Similarly, in the case of increasing the flow rate, a plurality of types of words for increasing the flow rate, such as “high”, “strong”, and “many”, are registered as voice data. Thereby, even if the word used for a user differs, operation | movement is attained and it becomes possible to provide the water heater which can respond to many users.

  Next, conditions for moving the flow rate adjustment valve 31 by voice recognition will be described as an operation example in the water heater. The location where this operation is used is at the time of hot water supply such as a faucet from the kitchen or a shower in the bath. When the instruction transmitted to the terminal is simultaneously satisfied (S8), the flow rate can be changed (S9). As a result, even when voice recognition is judged unnecessarily, it does not operate in a state where hot water is not supplied, so that it is possible to prevent an operation when the user does not intend.

  The remote controller 6 is configured to be set so as to prohibit the flow rate adjustment valve 31 from being controlled using a microphone. This will be described with reference to FIG. The user can set whether or not to use this operation by an operation from the remote controller 6 (S10). Specifically, an item is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 5, and the setting is validated by pressing the enter key in “Use voice recognition”. Thereby, it can be made effective only when the user wants to use it, and usability for the user can be improved. Note that the condition for moving the flow rate adjustment valve 31 by voice recognition in this way may be an AND condition with the hot water supply flow rate presence / absence condition.

  In addition, in the screen shown in FIG. 6, the voice recognition on the side remote control 6a side and the kitchen remote control 6b side can be individually set, so that it can be made effective only in one place. Can be used.

  In addition, as a method of prohibiting the flow rate adjustment valve 31 from being controlled, a method in which the voice analysis unit 32 blocks input of a voice signal from the microphone 33 or a voice analysis by the voice analysis unit 32 is performed. Or a method in which the remote control unit 1 does not perform processing such as collation of voice and voice pattern or transmission of instructions regarding flow rate adjustment to the main body side control board 10, or the main body side control unit 7 causes the flow rate adjustment valve 31. For example, a method that does not give a command to the device can be considered.

  Next, a water heater according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the water heater according to the second embodiment, at least one of the remote controllers is configured to be set so as to prohibit the flow rate adjustment valve 31 from being controlled using a microphone provided in another remote controller. Such a function is a so-called lock function that rejects / prohibits input, and is generally known as a child lock. This lock function can be set from the kitchen remote controller 6b attached to the kitchen side. When the lock function is set, the operation of the bath remote controller 6a attached to the bath can be prohibited. Specifically, when the enter key of the kitchen remote control 6b is pressed and held for 3 seconds, the lock is set. When the key operation of the bathroom remote control 6a is performed in the set state, the fact that the lock is being displayed on the bathroom remote control 6a, and It is notified by voice.

  Next, as an operation example in this water heater, a voice recognition function during locking will be described with reference to FIG. In the state where the lock is set (S11), even if the voice recognition function is enabled (S12) by the individual setting described in the first embodiment, the voice recognition function is not operated (S13). . This makes it possible to prevent the child from accidentally using voice recognition in the bath in consideration of the intention that the user has set the lock, and avoids unnecessary flow rate fluctuations. .

  Next, a water heater according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the water heater according to the third embodiment, when the flow rate variation by the voice recognition described in the first embodiment is performed (S14), the other remote controller 6 is notified that the flow rate variation has been performed (S15). . Specifically, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed to notify that the current flow rate is fluctuating. Thereby, when the user is using hot water supply, it can know that the flow volume has fluctuated although it was not intended, and it can respond. Further, from there, the remote controller 6 displays a screen on which it is possible to select whether or not to stop the flow rate variation operation currently being performed (S16). Specifically, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed so that the user can select by a predetermined key operation (S17). When not canceling, nothing is done, and when “stop” is selected, the flow rate fluctuation operation is stopped and the flow rate adjusting valve 31 is returned to the original valve opening (S18). As a result, the other user can be prevented from being unusable due to flow rate fluctuations. More specifically, for example, when flow rate fluctuation by voice recognition is performed during hot water supply from the kitchen remote controller 6b, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the bath remote controller 6a. Further, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the remote controller 6a from there, and the flow rate fluctuation can be selected to be canceled. In the case of cancellation, the flow rate fluctuation can be stopped.

  The water heater according to the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the remote controller-side controller 1 that compares the user's voice detected by the voice detector 34 with a predetermined voice pattern stored in the remote controller-side storage 2, and the flow rate adjustment valve 31. Although an example has been described in which the main body side control unit 7 that performs control is provided separately, the present invention is not limited to this, and a series of controls may be performed by one control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control side control part, 2 ... Remote control side memory | storage part, 3, 9 ... Communication part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... Remote controller, 6a ... Full remote control, 6b ... Kitchen remote control, 7 ... Main body side Control unit, 8 ... Main body side data storage unit, 10 ... Main body side control board, 12 ... Hot water storage tank, 13 ... Heat pump unit, 14 ... Hot water supply heat exchanger, 15 ... Bathtub, 16 ... Tank unit, 17 ... Mixing plug, 18 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS ... Additional heat exchanger, 21 ... General hot water supply path, 25 ... Accumulator, 28 ... Hot water supply circulation pump, 29 ... Hot water supply temperature sensor, 30 ... Tank upper temperature sensor, 31 ... Flow rate adjustment valve, 32 ... Voice analysis unit, 33 ... Microphone, 34 ... Audio detector, 35 ... Speaker

Claims (4)

A hot water supply route for supplying hot water to the hot water supply terminal,
A flow rate adjusting valve provided in the hot water supply path;
A storage unit for storing a predetermined voice pattern related to the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve;
A voice detector that detects the user's voice;
Control for controlling the flow rate adjustment valve associated with the predetermined voice pattern when the voice of the user detected by the voice detection unit matches the predetermined voice pattern stored in the storage unit And a hot water heater. The voice detection unit includes a microphone and a voice analysis unit,
A remote controller having the microphone;
The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller is configured to be prohibited from being controlled using the microphone. The voice detection unit includes a microphone and a voice analysis unit,
A plurality of remote controllers having the microphone;
The at least one of each of the remote controllers is configured to be configurable to prohibit the flow control valve from being controlled using the microphone provided in another remote controller. The listed hot water heater. A notifying unit for notifying that control of the flow regulating valve is performed;
The water heater according to claim 1, further comprising a remote controller having the microphone and the notification unit.