JP2014194307A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a water heater capable of improving convenience for a user who enters a room for the purpose of bathing.
The present invention provides an entry detection means for detecting that a user has entered a bathroom, a bath water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of bathtub water in a bathtub arranged in the bathroom, A notification terminal installed in the bathroom and a bathtub water heating means for heating the bathtub water to a predetermined temperature, and when the entry detection means detects entry into the bathroom, the bathtub water heating means The heating operation is started, and the notification terminal notifies information indicating a current state with respect to a completion state of the heating operation.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater.

  Many common water heaters are provided with a so-called memorial function for heating the bath water to a predetermined temperature. In order to enhance the convenience of such a water heater, it is provided with an entry detection means for detecting that a user has entered the bathroom, and when the entry detection means detects entry into the bathroom, the bathtub water heating means Some start a water heating operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-210117 A

  By the way, since the user performs bathing in the bathtub or washing the body in the bathroom, the setup is greatly influenced by the temperature state of the bathtub water. For example, if the bathtub water is at an appropriate temperature, it is possible to immediately take a bath in the bathtub, but if the bathtub water is low in temperature, the body must be washed first and the bathing in the bathtub must be delayed. Thus, after entering the room, the user becomes interested in the state of the bathtub water. Therefore, it cannot be said that the convenience is sufficiently high just by starting the heating operation of the bath water with the user entering the bathroom.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the water heater which can improve the convenience for the user who entered the room for the purpose of bathing.

  The present invention provides an entry detection means for detecting that a user has entered the bathroom, a bathtub water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of bathtub water in the bathtub arranged in the bathroom, and installed in the bathroom. And a bath water heating means for heating the bath water to a predetermined temperature, and when the entrance detection means detects entry into the bathroom, the bath water heating means starts a bath water heating operation. And the said alerting | reporting terminal alert | reports the information showing the present state with respect to the completion state of heating operation, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water heater which can improve the convenience for the user who entered the room for the purpose of bathing is realizable.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of the water heater concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the hot water supply operation of the water heater of 1st Embodiment with a thick line. It is a circuit diagram which shows the hot water filling circuit of the water heater of 1st Embodiment with a thick line. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit of the reheating of the water heater of 1st Embodiment with a thick line. It is an external view which shows the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the memory information alerting | reporting screen displayed on the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the memory information alerting | reporting screen displayed on the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the memory information alerting | reporting screen displayed on the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the memory information alerting | reporting screen displayed on the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the memory information alerting | reporting screen displayed on the bath remote control of the water heater of 1st Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a water heater S according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
<Overall configuration of water heater S>
As shown in FIG. 1, a water heater S according to the first embodiment includes a pipe 7 that is supplied with water from a water supply pipe 22 and a heat pump unit 8 that heats low-temperature tap water supplied from the pipe 7. A hot water storage tank 1 for storing hot water heated by the heat pump unit 8, a hot water filling circuit 2Y for supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 to the bathtub 2 disposed in the bathroom, and tap water from the water pipe 22 Is heated by exchanging heat with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 to generate hot water for hot water supply, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is heated by exchanging the hot water from the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 with the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1. Reheating heat exchanger 24 and reheating circuit 2P which is a bath water heating means for deriving bathtub water stretched in bathtub 2 and reheating it with reheating heat exchanger 24 and returning it to bathtub 2 (FIG. 4). (Indicated by thick lines) The bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 operated by the user to perform the above and the like, and the controller 16 that comprehensively controls the entire water heater S according to the operation commands from the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 are configured. Yes.
<Outline of operation of water heater S>
As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater S introduces tap water supplied from the water pipe 22 into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pressure reducing valve 6 and the pipe 23 from the pipe 7, and is introduced into the hot water storage tank 1. The tap water is introduced into the heat pump unit 8 through the pipe 32, the three-way valve 33, and the pipe 34, heated by the gas cooler of the heat pump unit 8 to make hot water, and this hot water is introduced into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 35. .

  The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 is used to supply the use location, for example, the bathtub 2 or the like through various pipes, to supply hot water from the mixing tap 19, or to replenish the bathtub water in the bathtub 2. ing.

When hot water is supplied from the mixing tap 19 in the hot water heater S, tap water supplied from the water pipe 22 is passed through the pipe 7 in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 as shown by a thick line in FIG. Heated hot water is supplied to the mixing plug 19 through the pipe 36, the accumulator 39 and the pipe 40.
As shown in the thick line in FIG. 3 representing the hot water filling mode, the hot water filling to the bathtub 2 is taken out of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 from the first outlet 10 at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 and passed through the pipes 41 and 54. While leading to one mixing valve 14, tap water in the water pipe 22 is introduced into the first mixing valve 14 via the pipe 7 and the pressure reducing valve 6, and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 1 and the water pipe 22 are introduced by the first mixing valve 14. The hot water is adjusted by the degree of mixing with the tap water, and the hot water filling of the bathtub 2 is performed.

  The reheating of the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 is for reheating the hot water (warm water) or water in the bathtub 2 disposed in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1, as shown by the thick line in FIG. Circulation is performed in the heat exchanger 24, and the reheating is performed by indirectly heating the reheating heat exchanger 24 with the hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank 1.

Hereinafter, the structure of each part of the water heater S will be described in detail.
<Heat pump unit 8>
The heat pump unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 absorbs the external heat with a refrigerant such as expanded low-temperature carbon dioxide, and then heats it with the refrigerant compressed to a high temperature and the low-temperature water from the hot water storage tank 1 flowing through the pipe 34. It is a device that exchanges and heats low-temperature water.
The heat pump unit 8 repeatedly expands and compresses the refrigerant, absorbs heat from the outside and heats the low-temperature water, and a circulation pump (not shown) that circulates the low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 1 flowing through the pipe 34. And.

  The heat pump includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a gas cooler (not shown) that heats the low-temperature water by exchanging heat between the compressed high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature water from the hot water storage tank 1, and decompresses the refrigerant by expanding the pressure. And an endothermic device that absorbs the heat of the outside air to the refrigerant whose pressure has been reduced and reduced in temperature.

The circulation pump pumps the low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipes 32 and 34, passes the gas cooler of the heat pump and heats it, and then returns the heated hot water to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 35. .
<Hot water storage tank 1>
In the hot water storage tank 1 shown in FIG. 1, tap water from the water pipe 22 is introduced through the pipe 7, the pressure reducing valve 6, and the pipe 23, and the water in the hot water storage tank 1 is supplied with the pipe 32, the three-way valve. 33 and the pipe 34 are led to the heat pump unit 8 and heated by the gas cooler of the heat pump to become hot water, and then led to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 35 and stored in the hot water storage tank 1.

  The temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 becomes higher as it goes from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction, that is, the temperature distribution becomes relatively low, medium and high as it goes from the lower part to the upper part in the hot water storage tank 1. For example, the temperature inside the hot water storage tank 1 is about 90 ° C. and the middle portion is about 50 ° C. In addition, the warm water in the intermediate part of the vertical direction in the hot water storage tank 1 is called intermediate warm water.

In the hot water storage tank 1, a plurality of temperature sensors 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in the vertical direction are arranged from the upper part to the lower part, and these temperature sensors 48, A detection signal indicating the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 detected by 49, 50, 51, 52 is output to the controller 16 and used for controlling the water heater S.
<Water filling circuit 2Y>
A hot water filling circuit 2 </ b> Y shown in FIG. 1 is a circuit for supplying hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 to the bathtub 2 and filling the bathtub 2 with hot water.

  This hot water filling circuit 2Y guides the hot water at the upper part of the hot water tank 1 to the first mixing valve 14 through the pipe 54 branched from the pipe 41 connected to the first outlet 10 at the upper part of the hot water tank 1. In the mixing valve 14, it is mixed with tap water that has passed through the pipe 7, the pressure reducing valve 6, and the pipe 23 from the water pipe 22, and is disposed downstream of the first mixing valve 14 and is controlled to be opened. The first path passing through the pipes 29b and 29a and the second path connected to the pipe 3 through the pipe 29b, the branch part 30, the pipe 25, the pump 27, and the circulation mixing valve 31 In this configuration, the bath 2 is filled with hot water.

Here, the piping 29a is connected to the reheating entrance 2i of the bathtub 2, and the piping 3 is connected to the retreating outlet 2o of the bathtub 2, via the retreating entrance 2i and the retreating exit 2o. The hot water filling is performed.
<Heat exchanger 4 for hot water supply>
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a hot water supply operation of the water heater S of the first embodiment by a bold line.

  The hot water supply heat exchanger 4 shown in FIG. 2 is supplied from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 by a hot water supply circulation pump 18 that is controlled to operate when tap water is supplied to the controller 16 from the tap water 22 and the pipe 7. This is a device for performing hot water supply by supplying heat to the mixing plug 19 by heating and exchanging heat with the hot water that is derived and heating the tap water to a predetermined temperature.

  The mixing plug 19 is used, for example, for supplying hot water or for showering in a bathroom.

  At the time of hot water supply, the tap water introduced from the water pipe 22 through the pipe 7 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 is supplied by the hot water supply circulation pump 18 from the first outlet 10 at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 41 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. After being heated by the hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank 1 introduced into the hot water tank 1, the hot water is supplied as hot water to the mixing plug 19 through the pipe 36, the accumulator 39 and the pipe 40.

On the other hand, in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the hot water that is cooled by exchanging heat with tap water and is discharged from the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 is returned to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 42 and the hot water supply circulation pump 18. .
<Hot water supply circulation pump 18>
The hot water supply circulation pump 18 shown in FIG. 1 uses an inverter circuit (not shown) of the controller 16 so that the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 37 in the pipe 36 is set by the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46. Thus, the rotation speed is freely controlled.

That is, when the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 37 is lower than the hot water temperature set by the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46, the controller 16 circulates the hot water circulation pump 18 that circulates the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1. When the hot water temperature is higher than the hot water temperature set by the bath remote controller 45 or the kitchen remote controller 46, the controller 16 increases the hot water temperature. The hot water supply circulation pump 18 is controlled so as to reduce the amount of heat applied to the tap water by lowering the rotational speed of the circulation pump 18 and lower the hot water supply temperature.
<Reheating heat exchanger 24>
The reheating heat exchanger 24 shown in FIG. 1 has, on the inlet 24i side, a pipe 29a, a pipe 25, a pump 27, a circulation mixing valve 31, and a pipe 58 from which the bath water in the bathtub 2 is led out. On the outlet 24o side, a pipe 26 is connected to which the bathtub water heated and chased after being exchanged with the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 in the reheating heat exchanger 24 is returned to the bathtub 2.
<Turning circuit 2P>
The reheating circuit 2 </ b> P indicated by the thick line in FIG. 4 is a circuit for retreating the bathtub water stretched on the bathtub 2.

  At the time of reheating, the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 is led out from the reheating entrance 2i of the bathtub 2 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, and is connected to the retreating entrance 2i. The reheating outlet 2o connected to the piping 3 through the pump 27, the circulation mixing valve 31, the piping 58, the reheating heat exchanger 24, the piping 26, and the piping 3 disposed in the high-temperature hot water above the hot water storage tank 10. It is comprised so that it may return to the bathtub 2 via.

  The low-temperature bath water in the bathtub 2 is indirectly heat-exchanged with the high-temperature hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 in the reheating heat exchanger 24 so that the reheating is efficiently performed in a short time. It is configured.

Here, the temperature sensor 56 detects the temperature of the hot water before reheating through the pipe 29a so that the reheating temperature becomes the reheating set temperature set by the user with the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46. At the same time, the temperature sensor 59 detects the temperature of the hot water passing through the pipe 26 after the reheating, and inputs each detection signal to the controller 16. Then, in the controller 16, a pump that circulates the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 to the reheating heat exchanger 24 until the temperature sensor 56 detects that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 has reached the set temperature of the user. 27, the operation is controlled to continue the chasing mode. Then, when the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 reaches the set temperature of the user, the operation of the pump 27 is stopped and the reheating mode is ended.
<Bathroom remote control 45, kitchen remote control 46>
The bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 are devices that allow the user to perform input operations to perform hot water filling, chasing, hot water supply, etc., with the hot water heater S, and are disposed in the bath remote controller 45 or kitchen disposed in the bathroom. Kitchen remote control 46 and the like.

  The bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 are a hot water filling mode for filling the bathtub 2, a reheating mode for reheating the bathtub water in the bathtub 2, a hot water supply mode for supplying hot water from the mixing tap 19, and the like. Can be selected, and the temperature of hot water at the time of hot water filling, the temperature of hot water at the time of reheating, the temperature of hot water at the time of hot water supply, etc. can be set.

  The bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 are electrically connected to the controller 16 in a wired or wireless manner, and an input operation to the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 by the user is input to the controller 16 as an operation signal. Yes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the bath remote controller 45 includes notification means such as a display unit 61 and a speaker 62, and thus functions as a notification terminal. In addition, the bath remote controller 45 includes a room entry detecting unit that detects that a user has entered the bathroom. This entry detection means is constituted by a camera 63. However, the room entry detection means is not limited to this, and various known sensors such as an infrared sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a vibration sensor can be used.
<Controller 16>
The controller 16 is a control device that electronically controls the water heater S, and is a microcomputer that performs control according to signals detected by various sensors such as the bath remote controller 45, the kitchen remote controller 46, and the temperature sensor 48. And an input interface such as an amplifier circuit and an A / D converter circuit for converting detection signals detected by the bath remote controller 45, kitchen remote controller 46, various sensors and the like into input signals suitable for the microcomputer 3, and control from the microcomputer An output interface such as a drive circuit for driving an actuator such as a hot water supply circulation pump 18 or a relay drive circuit in accordance with an output signal of the signal is configured.

This controller 16 controls various actuators such as the solenoid valve 28, the hot water supply pump 27, the circulation pump 18 and the heat pump unit 8 of the hot water heater S according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) of the microcomputer, and fills the hot water. In this mode, various modes such as chasing, hot water supply and the like are controlled.
<< Details of operation of piping system of water heater S >>
Next, the operation | movement detail of the piping system of the water heater S is demonstrated.
<Storage of hot water in hot water storage tank 1>
The tap water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 1 as shown by the arrow along the thick line in FIG. 1, for example, the tap water in the water pipe 22 is supplied by a water pressure of 6 to 8 kg / cm 2. By being introduced into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 23 and the check valve 20 after being led to the pressure reducing valve 6 from the pipe 7 and reduced to a predetermined pressure, for example, about 2 kg / cm 2 in the pressure reducing valve 6. Done. The check valve 20 plays a role in preventing the backflow of tap water from the hot water storage tank 1 to the water pipe 40 side.
The tap water introduced into the hot water storage tank 1 is introduced into the heat pump unit 8 through the pipe 32, the three-way valve 33, and the pipe 34, and heated by a gas cooler (not shown) of the heat pump unit 8 as hot water. It is introduced into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 35 and stored in the hot water storage tank 1.
<Hot water supply mode from the mixer tap 19>
Next, hot water supply from the mixing plug 19 in the hot water heater S will be described with reference to FIG. As shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, the water heater S includes a circulation circuit in which hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 circulates through the hot water heat exchanger 4, and hot water from the mixing plug 19 is used for hot water heat exchange. Using the vessel 4, the tap water is heated by heat exchange between the tap water from the water pipe 22 and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 1.

  When the user uses the bath remote controller 45 to select the hot water supply mode, for example, a hot water supply mode selection signal is input to the controller 16, the hot water circulation pump 18 is operated by the signal from the controller 16, and the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 is operated. 2 is led out from the first outlet 10 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the pipe 41, and the hot water heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with low-temperature tap water to lower the temperature. Hot water is returned to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 42.

A check valve 43 in the middle of the path from the first take-out port 10 of the hot water storage tank 1 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 serves to prevent natural circulation of the hot water storage tank 1, and the outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The check valve 44 in the middle of the path from the hot water storage tank 1 to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 serves to prevent the back flow of hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 when the hot water supply circulation pump 18 is replaced.
When hot water is supplied using the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, tap water from the water pipe 22 is introduced into the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the pipe 7 by the water pressure, and is heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. The hot tap water is supplied to one side of the mixing plug 19 through the pipe 36, the hot water supply temperature sensor 37, the hot water supply flow rate sensor 38, the accumulator 39, and the pipe 40. And in the mixing plug 19, a user mixes the tap water from the water pipe 22 connected to the other side of the mixing plug 19 and the supplied hot water, and adjusts the temperature of the hot water supply.

Note that the accumulator 39 has a hot water remaining in the accumulator 39 in order to prevent an overshoot phenomenon in which hot water blows out from the faucet of the mixing tap 19 when the hot water flow rate is about 2 to 3 liters / min. It is arranged to mix with water and cool to an appropriate temperature.
The temperature of the hot water supplied to the mixing tap 19 from the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 of the hot water storage tank unit 5 is the temperature of hot water detected by the tank top temperature sensor 47 using the controller 16 in the hot water storage tank unit 5, Based on the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 53 of the tap water going from the pipe 22 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 through the pipe 7, the flow rate detected by the hot water flow sensor 38, etc., the kitchen remote controller 46 and the bath remote controller 45 The rotational speed of the hot water supply circulation pump 18 is controlled so that the predetermined hot water supply temperature is set, and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 1 that flows through the primary side that imparts heat to the tap water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 is controlled. The flow rate is controlled.
According to this structure, since the high water pressure of the tap water from the water pipe 22 can be utilized, for example, a shower on the third floor is possible, and a pressure reducing valve and a negative pressure breaking valve can be dispensed with. In addition, by introducing tap water depressurized via the pressure reducing valve 6 into the hot water storage tank 1 to provide a sealed hot water supply system, parts such as a cistern tank, an overflow switch, and a level switch are unnecessary, and the system is simplified. At the same time, hygiene concerns are eliminated, and noise during water supply is also eliminated.
<Water filling mode for bathtub 2>
Next, the hot water filling to the bathtub 2 in the water heater S will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a hot water filling circuit of the water heater S by a thick line. When the user selects the hot water filling mode with the kitchen remote control 46 and the bath remote control 45, the hot water filling to the bathtub 2 is performed in the water heater S. When the hot water filling mode is selected by the user using the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46, a hot water filling mode selection signal is input from the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 to the controller 16, and the normally closed type is controlled by the controller 16. The solenoid valve 28 is controlled to open, and the first mixing valve 14 and the circulation adjustment valve 31 are controlled to the hot water filling mode.

When the electromagnetic valve 28 is controlled to be opened, the tap water supplied from the water pipe 22 is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 6 and supplied to the hot water storage tank 1 through the pipe 23 as shown in FIG. The hot hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is pushed out from the first outlet 10 at the top of the hot water storage tank 1. Then, the hot water pushed out from the first outlet 10 is guided to the first mixing valve 14 through the pipe 54 branched from the pipe 41 as shown by the thick line in FIG. A first path that passes through the pipes 29b and 29a through the electromagnetic valve 28 that is mixed with the tap water passing through the pressure reducing valve 6 and the pipe 23 from the pipe 7 connected to And the pipe 29b, the pipe 25 branched from the pipe 29b, the pump 27, and the second path that continues to the pipe 3 through the circulating mixing valve 31, and hot water is supplied to the bathtub 2 and filled with hot water. Is done.
Here, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 2 is controlled by the controller 16 so that the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor 56 becomes a predetermined bath temperature set by the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46. .

  That is, the temperature sensor 56 detects the temperature of hot water passing through the pipe 29a during hot water filling so that the temperature of the hot water filling becomes the hot water setting temperature set by the user using the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46. A detection signal of the detected temperature is input to the controller 16, and the controller 16 compares the temperature set by the user with the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 56, and the hot water storage tank 1 in the first mixing valve 14 is equalized. To adjust the mixing ratio between the hot water from the water and the tap water supplied from the pipe 23 or the like.

  The amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 2 is detected by the flow rate sensor 55, the flow rate detection signal is input to the controller 16, and the controller 16 calculates the predetermined hot water amount. The amount is controlled, and when the predetermined amount of hot water is reached, the solenoid valve 28 is closed and the supply of hot water is stopped.

  Further, the water level of the bathtub 2 is detected by the water level sensor 57 to detect the pressure of the hot water in the pipe 25, and this detection signal is input to the controller 16, where the controller 16 calculates the water level by the head and the like to reach a predetermined set water level. Thus, the solenoid valve 28 and the like are controlled.

In this way, the bathtub 2 is filled with water through the pipe 25 on the downstream side of the branch point 30 of the pipe 29b, the circulation adjusting valve 31, and the pipe 3 on the downstream side of the pipe 26 on the outlet side of the reheating pipe. Thus, the hot water filling is performed with two pipes together with the hot water filling from the pipe 29 a, and the hot water filling is performed with a constant water pressure via the pressure reducing valve 6. Therefore, for example, the hot water filling time can be set to about 13 minutes with a set temperature of 42 ° C. and 200 liters of hot water, and the hot water filling time can be shortened by about 7 minutes compared to the conventional case.
<Chance mode>
Next, reheating of the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 in the hot water heater S will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the reheating of the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 is performed using a reheating heat exchanger 24. In the reheating heat exchanger 24, the pipe 25 from the bathtub 2, the pump 27, the circulation mixing valve 31, and the pipe 58 are connected to the inlet 24i side, and the pipe 26 returning to the bathtub 2 is connected to the outlet 24o side. It is connected. When using the reheating heat exchanger 24, the pump 27 is driven by the controller 16, and the bath water is introduced into the reheating heat exchanger 24 through the circulation mixing valve 31 from the pipe 25. In the heat exchanger 24, heat is exchanged between the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 and the introduced bath water.

  When the user selects the reheating mode with the kitchen remote controller 46 and the bath remote controller 45, the hot water of the bathtub 2 is reheated in the water heater S. That is, when the reheating mode is selected by the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46, a reheating mode selection signal is input from the bath remote controller 45 and the kitchen remote controller 46 to the controller 16, and the bath water of the bathtub 2 is controlled by the controller 16. Is circulated through the reheating heat exchanger 24, and the circulation mixing valve 31 is controlled to the reheating mode.

  As shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, the bath water in the bathtub 2 is supplied from the reheating entrance 2 i of the bathtub 2 by the pump 27 that operates according to the command of the controller 16, the pipe 29 a, the branch part 30, the pipe 25, the pump 27, It is led to the reheating heat exchanger 24 through the circulation mixing valve 31 and the pipe 58, and in the reheating heat exchanger 24, heat is exchanged with the hot water at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 to be heated and reheated. After being made, it returns to the bathtub 2 through the piping 26 and the piping 3 and the reheating outlet 2o of the bathtub 2.

  Here, the bath water led to the reheating heat exchanger 24 is overheated and reheated in the reheating heat exchanger 24 through heat exchange with the hot water at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1. A large amount of heat is given to the bathtub water, enabling efficient reheating.

  In this case, since the reheating heat exchanger 24 is disposed in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1, at the start of reheating, in order to prevent high-temperature hot water from being supplied to the bathtub 2, The temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 59 for detecting the temperature of the heated high-temperature water flowing out from the reheating heat exchanger 24 and the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 56 for detecting the return temperature are input to the controller 16. In the controller 16, the opening degree of the circulating and mixing valve 31 is predicted so that the temperature of the heated bath water returned to the bathtub 2 is 60 ° C. or less, and the opening degree of the circulating and mixing valve 31 is controlled. Thus, the temperature sensors 56 and 59 function as bath water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bath water.

  According to this configuration, at the start of reheating, the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 59 that detects the temperature of the heated hot water flowing out from the reheating heat exchanger 24 and the temperature sensor 56 that detects the return temperature. Based on the temperature detection signal, the opening degree of the circulating mixing valve 31 is controlled so that the temperature of the heated bath water returned to the bath 2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. It is possible to prevent the high-temperature water staying at 24 from being discharged directly to the bathtub.

Further, by circulating the hot water in the bathtub 2 to the reheating heat exchanger 24, heat is indirectly exchanged with the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1, and the hot water in the bathtub 2 is discharged. By providing a circulation circuit that performs reheating, it is possible to prevent heat from being wasted from the reheating heat exchanger 24 during reheating and to prevent waste of heat energy.
<Automatic chasing mode>
In addition, the hot water heater S has an automatic reheating mode in which reheating is automatically performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied in order to keep the temperature of the bath water at an appropriate temperature.

  One of the predetermined conditions for performing the automatic reheating is when the temperature of the bathtub water is equal to or lower than a predetermined reheating start temperature lower than the set temperature. The temperature of the bath water is detected by drawing the bath water into the water heater S at a predetermined timing (for example, at a predetermined time interval) in a state where the circulation mixing valve 31 is switched to the bypass side bypassing the reheating heat exchanger 24. This is performed by detecting the temperature with the sensor 56. At this time, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56 is higher than the predetermined reheating start temperature, the temperature detection operation is terminated as it is, and the bath water heating operation is not performed. On the other hand, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature lower than the set temperature, the circulating and mixing valve 31 is also opened to the side of the reheating heat exchanger 24 and the bath water is heated. Such chasing can be referred to as an automatic warming chasing function. Note that whether or not to operate the automatic heat retention function can be set using the bath remote controller 45 or the kitchen remote controller 46.

There are other predetermined conditions for performing automatic chasing, which is when the entry detection means detects entry into the bathroom. In this case, when the entry detection means detects entry into the bathroom, the bath water is drawn into the water heater S in a state in which the circulation mixing valve 31 is switched to the bypass side bypassing the heat exchanger 24 for reheating, and the temperature This is performed by detecting the temperature with the sensor 56. At this time, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56 is higher than the predetermined reheating start temperature, the temperature detection operation is terminated as it is, and the bath water heating operation is not performed. On the other hand, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature lower than the set temperature, the circulating and mixing valve 31 is also opened to the side of the reheating heat exchanger 24 and the bath water is heated. Such chasing can be referred to as an entry detection chasing function. Whether or not each of the room entry detection and tracking functions is operated can be set using the bath remote controller 45 or the kitchen remote controller 46. In addition, when performing chasing with the room entry detection chasing function, in addition to the heating operation, the notifying terminal reports information indicating the current state with respect to the completed state of the heating operation. This memorial information notification will be described in detail below.
<Memorial information notification>
There are various types of information representing the current state with respect to the completion state of the heating operation, one of which is time information based on the time required for heating by the bath water heating means. If such time information is notified, the user can easily plan for subsequent actions, and for example, another operation such as washing the body before completion of the memorial service can be performed.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the memorial completion time is displayed on the screen as time information. In this way, by displaying the completion time on the remote control device 45 while the automatic warming operation is performed in accordance with the signal generated by the room entry detection means, the user can clearly grasp the completion time of the memorialization. It is possible to improve convenience for a user who acts based on time. For example, if the user is acting in conjunction with the operation time of public transportation, or if the user is acting in conjunction with the viewing time of a TV program or the like, the information on the completion time of such commemoration is given to the user. Very useful. Furthermore, if the current time is displayed together with the tracking completion time, the convenience can be further improved when the user does not grasp the current time. For example, if the current time is subtracted from the tracking completion time, the time required to complete the tracking can be grasped.

  Further, as the time information, the remaining time required for completion of the tracking as shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed. In this way, the remaining time is displayed in a countdown manner, which makes it easier for the user to grasp the remaining time more intuitively.

  Moreover, as time information, as shown in FIG. 8, a time change may be displayed with a figure. This time information is information indicating the progress to the completion of heating by the bathtub water heating means, and the user can sensuously grasp how far the whole has progressed based on visual information. it can. Specifically, the left side is started and the right side is completed, and the progress rate of the overall chase time is represented by a bar in the square. The bars increase as time passes, and all the bars are displayed together with completion. To be displayed. As a result, the user can easily perceive completion with visual information and can easily grasp the progress rate of the whole.

  Moreover, the temperature information based on the temperature of bathtub water may be sufficient as the information showing the present state with respect to the completion state of heating operation. As the temperature information, it is preferable to display the temperature change in a graphic form as shown in FIG. This temperature information is information indicating the progress up to the completion of heating by the bathtub water heating means, and the user can sensuously grasp how far the whole has progressed based on visual information. it can. Specifically, the starting temperature is displayed on the left side and the target temperature is displayed on the right side, and the progress rate of the temperature in the bathtub is indicated by a bar in the square during that time, and the bar increases as time passes. , So that all bars are displayed when completed. This makes it possible for the user to recognize the progress from the start temperature to the end temperature with visual information, and to know how much the current temperature in the bathtub is based on the left and right temperatures and the position of the bar. This is convenient for the user.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, time information and temperature information may be displayed simultaneously as information indicating the current state with respect to the completion state of the heating operation.

  The completion may be notified by voice or notification sound so that the user can clearly recognize that the memorial operation has been completed. Specifically, there are a method of notifying with a voice such as “pickup has been completed” or a method of sounding a sensibly easy-to-understand notification sound such as “pippy” when the memorial is completed. Thereby, the user can recognize by hearing and can easily know the completion of the memorial operation even in a situation where visual judgment cannot be made. In addition, it may be notified in combination with the notification method on the screen, and by making a sound or a notification sound simultaneously with the display of the screen, even if one of them cannot be determined, it can be recognized by the other. Become.

  Further, not only completion but also notification that the progress rate can be known may be used by using voice or the like. Specifically, the user can recognize the remaining time by hearing by announcing “3 minutes until the end of chasing” or the like by voice.

  As described above, according to the water heater according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience for the user who enters the room for the purpose of bathing.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the case where the hot water filling time was shortened using the piping used for reheating was illustrated and demonstrated, if it is a plurality of piping, hot water filling will be performed using other pipes. It is also possible. Moreover, although the piping which fills up the bathtub 2 illustrated the case of two piping used for reheating, if it is plurality, the number will not be limited.

  As mentioned above, although the electric water heater of this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning, the structure is suitably comprised. Can be changed.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a heat pump water heater has been described as an example of a water heater, but the present invention can also be applied to an electric water heater that heats water in a tank with the heat of a heater, It can be applied not only to electric water heaters that generate electricity using electricity like these heat pump water heaters and electric water heaters, but also to water heaters that generate hot water using the combustion heat of fuel such as gas and oil. it can.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the entrance detection means which detects that the user entered the bathroom, the bathtub water temperature detection means which detects the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub arrange | positioned in a bathroom, and the bathroom Although an example in which all of the installed notification terminals are integrally provided as the bath remote controller 45 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the entrance detection means, the bath water temperature detection means, and the notification terminal include They may be provided separately, some of them may be provided together in one device, and other parts may be provided separately from this device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water storage tank, 2 ... Bathtub, 4 ... Heat exchanger for hot water supply, 6 ... Pressure reducing valve, 8 ... Heat pump unit, 14 ... First mixing valve, 18 ... Hot water circulation pump, 19 ... Mixing plug, 22 ... Water pipe, 24 ... Reheating heat exchanger, 27 ... Pump, 28 ... Solenoid valve, 31 ... Circulating and mixing valve, 37 ... Hot water temperature sensor, 38 ... Hot water flow sensor, 45 ... Bath remote control, 55 ... Bath flow sensor, 56 ... Temperature Sensor, 57 ... Water level sensor, 59 ... Temperature sensor, 61 ... Display unit, 62 ... Speaker, 63 ... Camera, 2P ... Turning circuit, 2Y ... Water filling circuit, S ... Water heater

Claims (4)

An entry detection means for detecting that a user has entered the bathroom;
Bathtub water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub arranged in the bathroom;
A notification terminal installed in the bathroom;
A bath water heating means for heating the bath water to a predetermined temperature;
When the entry detection means detects entry into the bathroom, the bathtub water heating means starts a bath water heating operation, and the notification terminal notifies information indicating a current state with respect to the completion state of the heating operation. A water heater characterized by.   The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the information is time information based on a time required for heating by the bathtub water heating means.   The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the information is temperature information based on a bath water temperature.   The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the information is progress information until completion of heating by the bathtub water heating means.