JP2014238247A - Storage water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage water heater that can prevent shortage of hot water while promoting leveling of an electric power load.SOLUTION: A storage water heater includes: a hot water storage tank 8 for storing hot water; an HP unit 7 for heating water to generate hot water; a control section 36 for controlling boiling-up operation for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 by operating the HP unit 7; means for setting peak cut for prohibiting the boiling-up operation in a peak time zone including a peak of electric power demand; means for storing history of heat quantity delivered from the hot water storage tank 8 in the peak time zone as use heat quantity history; and means for calculating heat quantity required in the peak time zone as necessary heat quantity on the basis of the use heat quantity history. When the peak cut is set, the control section 36 boils up hot water of the necessary heat quantity prior to starting of the peak time zone.

Description

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

  Hot water storage water heaters that store hot water heated by heating means such as heat pumps in hot water storage tanks and use hot water taken out of hot water storage tanks to hot water sources such as bathtubs, showers, kitchen and washroom faucets are widely used. It has been.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a water heater that prohibits boiling in a time zone when electric power reaches a peak.

JP 2002-277058 A

  However, if boiling is simply prohibited during a time period when the power reaches a peak, hot water may run out during that time period.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water storage type water heater capable of preventing hot water shortage while leveling an electric load.

  The hot water storage type water heater according to the present invention includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for heating the water to generate hot water, and a control means for controlling the heating operation for operating the heating means to store the hot water in the hot water storage tank. And a peak cut setting means for setting a peak cut that prohibits boiling operation in a peak time zone including a peak of power demand, and a history of the amount of heat discharged from the hot water storage tank in the peak time zone is used as a usage heat amount history A calorie history storage means, and a calorific value calculation means for calculating a calorific value required in the peak time zone as a necessary calorie based on the calorie consumption history, and the control means when the peak cut is set Is to boil the required amount of hot water prior to the start of the peak time period.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the hot water storage type hot water supply machine which can prevent hot water shortage, aiming at leveling of electric power load can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the hot water storage type water heater based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the boiling operation of the hot water storage type hot water heater which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time passage of the day when the normal mode is set, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water used. It is a figure which shows the time passage of one day when the saving mode is set, the amount of hot water storage of a hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water supply used. It is a figure which shows the time passage of one day when the normal mode is set, and the amount of boiling. It is a figure which shows the time passage of one day and the amount of boiling up when the saving mode is set.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A hot water storage type water heater 35 shown in FIG. 1 includes a tank unit 33, a heat pump unit (hereinafter referred to as an HP unit) 7 that heats hot water using a heat pump cycle, and a remote controller that performs operation operation command and setting value change operations. 44. The HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected to each other via an HP outgoing pipe 14, an HP return pipe 15, and an electric wiring (not shown). A control unit 36 is built in the tank unit 33. Operations of various valves, pumps, and the like provided in the tank unit 33 and the HP unit 7 are controlled by a control unit 36 electrically connected thereto. The control unit 36 has a storage function for storing various information in the tank unit 33 in association with time. The stored information includes, for example, the heat quantity of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8, the heat quantity of hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 8, and the heat quantity of hot water boiled up by a boiling operation described later. In addition, these calorie | heat amount information is good also as converting into the amount of hot water of the predetermined temperature (for example, 40 degreeC), and memorize | storing it. The control unit 36 corresponds to the control means of the present invention. The control unit 36 and the remote controller 44 are connected to be able to communicate with each other. Although not shown, the remote controller 44 is equipped with a display unit for displaying information such as the state of the hot water storage water heater 35, an operation unit such as a switch operated by the user, a speaker, a microphone, and the like.

  The HP unit 7 functions as a heating means for heating the low temperature water led from the hot water storage tank 8 provided in the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 connects the compressor 1, the water refrigerant heat exchanger 3, the expansion valve 4, and the air heat exchanger 6 in a ring shape with a refrigerant pipe 5 to constitute a heat pump cycle. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 is for exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 5 and the low-temperature water led from the tank unit 33.

  On the other hand, the tank unit 33 incorporates the following various parts and piping. The hot water storage tank 8 is for storing hot water. A third water supply pipe 9 c is connected to a water inlet 8 a provided at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8. Water supplied from a water source such as water supply is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve 31 and then flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the third water supply pipe 9c. A hot water supply pipe 21 for supplying hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 to the outside of the hot water storage type water heater 35 and a hot water supply pipe 13 are connected to the hot water introduction outlet 8d provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8. Has been. Note that hot water heated by the HP unit 7 flows into the hot water storage tank 8 from the hot water introduction outlet 8d and low temperature water from the third water supply pipe 9c flows from the water introduction port 8a to Hot water is stored so that there is a temperature difference between the lower part and the lower part. A plurality of hot water temperature sensors 42 and 43 are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 8 at different mounting heights. By detecting the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 using these hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 (the amount of remaining hot water) is grasped, and the hot water heated by the HP unit 7 is stored in the hot water storage tank. The start and stop of the boiling operation stored in 8 is controlled.

  The tank unit 33 includes a heat source pump 12 and a bath heat exchanger 20. The heat source pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot water through various pipes to be described later in the tank unit 33, and is provided on the HP outgoing pipe 14. The bath heat exchanger 20 uses the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 or the HP unit 7 to heat the water to be heated on the secondary side (tub circulating water, heating circulating water, etc.). It is an exchanger. In the present embodiment, as a secondary side configuration of the bath heat exchanger 20, an explanation will be given by taking a bath piping 27 and a bath returning piping 28 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 30 as an example. The bath heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bath return pipe 27 and the bath return pipe 28. In addition, a bath circulation pump 29 for circulating the bath water, a bath return temperature sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the bath water discharged from the bath 30, in the middle of the bath piping 27 and the bath return piping 28, A bath temperature sensor 37 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after the heat exchange from the bath heat exchanger 20 is installed.

  The three-way valve 11 is a flow path switching means having a and b ports through which hot water flows and a c port through which hot water flows out, and the flow path configuration between two paths, that is, a-c and b-c. It is configured to be switchable. The four-way valve 18 is a flow path switching means having b and c ports through which hot water flows and a and d ports through which hot water flows out, and has four paths, that is, ab, ac, bd, It is comprised so that a flow path form can be switched between cd.

  The tank unit 33 includes a water outlet port pipe 10, a hot water introduction pipe 20 a, a first bypass pipe 16, a hot water outlet pipe 20 b, and a second bypass pipe 17. The water outlet port pipe 10 is a flow path that connects the water outlet port 8 b provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 and the a port of the three-way valve 11. The HP outgoing pipe 14 is a flow path that connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 and the inlet side of the HP unit 7. The HP return pipe 15 is a flow path that connects the outlet side of the HP unit 7 and the c port of the four-way valve 18. The hot water supply pipe 13 is a flow path that connects the d port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water introduction outlet 8 d above the hot water storage tank 8. The first bypass pipe 16 is a flow path that connects the a port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water inlet 8 c provided between the central part and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8. The hot water introduction pipe 20 a is a flow path that branches from the middle of the hot water supply pipe 13 and is connected to the primary side inlet of the bath heat exchanger 20. The hot water outlet pipe 20 b is a flow path that connects the primary side outlet of the bath heat exchanger 20 and the b port of the three-way valve 11. The second bypass pipe 17 is a flow path that branches from between the heat source pump 12 and the inlet side of the HP unit 7 in the HP outgoing pipe 14 and is connected to the b port of the four-way valve 18.

  Further, the tank unit 33 includes a first water supply pipe 9 a, a second water supply pipe 9 b, a hot water supply mixing valve 22, a bath mixing valve 23, a first hot water supply pipe 24, and a second hot water supply pipe 25. One end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as a water supply, and the other end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to the second water supply pipe 9b and the third water supply pipe 9c via the pressure reducing valve 31, thereby supplying water. A conduit 9 is configured. The second water supply pipe 9b is branched from the middle and connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23, respectively. Further, the hot water supply pipe 21 is branched from the middle and connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23, respectively. In the middle of the second hot water supply pipe 25, there are provided a solenoid valve 26 for opening and closing the second hot water supply pipe 25, and a flow sensor 45 for detecting the flow of hot water passing through the second hot water supply pipe 25.

  The hot water mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 adjust the flow rate ratio between the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 21 and the low temperature water supplied from the second water supply pipe 9b so that the user can control the remote control 44. The hot water having the set temperature set in step 1 is generated, and flows into the first hot water supply pipe 24 and the second hot water supply pipe 25, respectively. The hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is supplied from a first hot water supply pipe 24 to a faucet (not shown) such as a shower or currant used by a user via a hot water tap 34. On the other hand, the hot water adjusted to the set temperature by the bath mixing valve 23 is supplied from the second hot water supply pipe 25 to the bathtub 30 via the bath solenoid valve 26, the bath flow sensor 45, the bath feed pipe 27, and the bath return pipe 28. Is done.

  The three-way valve 11 is provided in the tank unit 33 between a flow path form in which the water outlet pipe 10 and the HP forward pipe 14 communicate with each other and a flow path form in which the hot water outlet pipe 20b and the HP forward pipe 14 communicate. Switch the hot water path. The four-way valve 18 includes a flow path form in which the HP return pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 13 communicate with each other, a flow path form in which the HP return pipe 15 and the first bypass pipe 16 communicate with each other, a first bypass pipe 16 and a second flow path. The flow path of hot water in the tank unit 33 is switched between the flow path form in which the bypass pipe 17 communicates and the flow path form in which the hot water supply pipe 13 and the second bypass pipe 17 communicate with each other.

  Next, the operation of the hot water storage type water heater according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the hot water storage type water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention at the time of boiling operation. The boiling operation referred to here is an operation in which hot water heated using the HP unit 7 is stored in the hot water storage tank 8. During the heating operation, the three-way valve 11 is controlled so that the a port and the c port communicate with each other and the b port is closed. As a result, the water outlet pipe 10 and the HP outgoing pipe 14 communicate with each other, and the flow path from the bath heat exchanger 20 is shut off with the hot water outlet pipe 20b side closed. Further, during the boiling operation, the four-way valve 18 is controlled so that the c port and the d port communicate with each other and the a port and the b port are closed. As a result, the HP return pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 13 communicate with each other, and the flow path to the hot water inlet 8c of the hot water storage tank 8 is shut off by closing the first bypass pipe 16 side.

  The boiling operation is executed by starting the operation of the heat source pump 12 and the HP unit 7 with the three-way valve 11 and the four-way valve 18 being controlled as described above. As a result, the low temperature water flowing out from the water outlet 8b of the hot water storage tank 8 is guided to the HP unit 7 via the water outlet pipe 10, the three-way valve 11, the HP forward pipe 14, and the heat source pump 12, and the water refrigerant heat After being heated in the exchanger 3 to become high-temperature water, it flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the HP return pipe 15, the four-way valve 18 and the hot water supply pipe 13 from the hot water introduction outlet 8 d of the hot water storage tank 8. It is done. By performing such a boiling operation, high temperature water is stored from the upper layer inside the hot water storage tank 8, and the high temperature water layer gradually becomes thicker.

  The hot water storage type water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a normal mode for performing a normal boiling operation, and a saving mode for performing a boiling operation that secures a necessary amount of hot water by avoiding a boiling operation in a peak time zone. The two operation modes are provided. In addition, the peak time zone here is a time zone in which power consumption (power demand) becomes a peak in the whole society, and is a time zone in which it is socially required to suppress power consumption. Therefore, the peak time zone is also a time zone in which the power unit price is set higher than other time zones. As a method for setting the peak time zone, for example, information on the peak time zone issued from an electric power company or the like is acquired via the Internet or smart grid, and the control unit 36 automatically sets the peak time zone using the acquired information. To set. Further, the peak time zone may be set by the user directly inputting to the remote controller 44 or the like. The user can arbitrarily switch between the normal mode and the saving mode by operating the remote controller 44. Hereinafter, the normal mode and the saving mode will be described in detail.

  In the normal mode, the control unit 36 learns the daily hot water usage from the stored history information, and for the next day predicted by learning during the midnight power hours (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning) when the electricity rate is low. A boiling operation is performed in which the hot water storage tank 8 stores an amount sufficient to cover the hot water use load. Further, in the normal mode, when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference hot water storage amount in a time zone (daytime time) other than the midnight power time zone, the control unit 36 adds a predetermined amount or a predetermined time Perform boiling operation. Here, the reference hot water storage amount is an amount that causes hot water shortage without catching up with the hot water supply usage load even when the boiling operation is performed, and is set based on, for example, a history of past hot water supply usage.

  On the other hand, in the saving mode, the control unit 36 performs a peak cut that prohibits the additional boiling operation described above in the peak time zone. In the saving mode, the controller 36 additionally boils the amount of hot water consumption (heat amount) predicted during the peak time zone in the hot water storage tank 8 in the time zone before reaching the peak time zone. Hereinafter, a specific example is given and it demonstrates in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the passage of time in one day, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water used when the normal mode is set. In this figure, the line graph indicates the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the bar graph indicates the amount of hot water used. The amount of hot water stored and the amount of hot water used in the hot water storage tank are obtained by converting the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank and the amount of heat used for hot water supply into 40 ° C. hot water, respectively. In the example shown in this figure, the use of hot water is concentrated in the morning (6 to 8), noon (11:00 to 13:00), and night (17:00 to 21:00), and the amount of use tends to increase. . When the normal mode is set, the additional boiling operation is performed when the hot water storage amount becomes equal to or less than the reference hot water storage amount regardless of the time zone. For this reason, in the example shown in the figure, the boiling operation is performed in the peak time zone (for example, from 13:00 to 16:00), the electric charge becomes high, and the power load becomes high.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the passage of time in one day, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water used when the saving mode is set. Also in this figure, the line graph indicates the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the bar graph indicates the amount of hot water used. When the saving mode is set, first, the history of the amount of heat (the amount of heat used) of the hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 8 in the past predetermined period (for example, two weeks) stored in the control unit 36 (hereinafter, referred to as “the saving mode”). Reference is made to the heat consumption history. Next, based on the usage heat history, the usage heat amount used during the peak time zone is calculated every day, and the maximum value is calculated as the required heat amount (hereinafter, required heat amount) in the next peak time zone. . Then, the heating operation is controlled so that the heating of the necessary heat amount is completed before the peak time period starts. In the diagram shown in FIG. 4, the boiling operation in the peak time zone is not necessary because the boiling operation is performed before 13:00 in the peak time zone. As a result, boiling in a time zone with a high electricity bill is eliminated, and the user's electricity bill is reduced. In addition, since the amount of power used in peak hours is reduced, it is possible to meet social demands to reduce the power load.

  In the above-described example, the amount of heat used during the past peak time period is calculated and the maximum value is used as the required heat amount. However, the calculation of the required heat amount is not limited to this. That is, if the amount of heat used during the peak time zone of the day is predicted, for example, the amount of heat used during the peak time zone during a predetermined period may be calculated and the average value may be used as the required heat amount. .

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, the necessary heat amount necessary for the peak time zone of the day is calculated based on the history of the used heat amount used during the peak time zone. In the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment, the necessary amount of heat required for the peak time zone of the day is calculated based on the history of the amount of heat boiled during the peak time zone. Hereinafter, a specific example is given and it demonstrates in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the passage of time in one day and the amount of boiling when the normal mode is set. In the example shown in this figure, the use of hot water concentrates in the morning (6am to 8am), noon (11am to 13pm), and night (17:00 to 21:00), and the amount used tends to increase. . When the normal mode is set, the additional boiling operation is performed when the hot water storage amount becomes equal to or less than the reference hot water storage amount regardless of the time zone. For this reason, in the example shown in the figure, the boiling operation is performed in the peak time zone (for example, from 13:00 to 16:00), the electricity bill is increased, and the power load is also increased.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the passage of time and the amount of boiling when the saving mode is set. The boiling amount is obtained by converting the amount of heat supplied to the hot water storage tank by the boiling operation (hereinafter referred to as boiling heat amount) into a hot water amount of 40 ° C. When the saving mode is set, first, a history of heating heat amount (hereinafter referred to as boiling heat history) stored in the control unit 36 in the past predetermined period (for example, two weeks) is referred to. Next, based on the boiling heat amount history, the amount of heat heated during the peak time zone is calculated every day, and the maximum value is calculated as the required heat amount in the next peak time zone. Note that, when the saving mode is set, the boiling operation in the peak time zone is prohibited by the peak cut, and therefore only the history of the day when the normal mode was set is used here. Then, the heating operation is controlled so that the heating of the necessary heat amount is completed before the peak time period starts. In the diagram shown in FIG. 6, the boiling operation in the peak time zone is not required by performing the boiling operation before 13:00 in the peak time zone. As a result, boiling in a time zone with a high electricity bill is eliminated, and the user's electricity bill is reduced. In addition, since the amount of power used in peak hours is reduced, it is possible to meet social demands to reduce the power load.

  In the above-described example, the amount of boiling during the past peak time period is calculated and the maximum value is used as the required amount of boiling. However, the calculation of the required amount of boiling is not limited to this. That is, if the amount of boiling during the peak time period of the day is predicted, for example, the amount of boiling during the peak period during the predetermined period is calculated and the average value is used as the required heat amount. Also good.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 3 includes a notification function (notification means) for notifying the user when it is determined that hot water runs out. More specifically, the control unit 36 detects the amount of heat (remaining hot water amount) in the hot water storage tank during the peak time period, and the remote controller 44 when it is determined that the detected amount of heat (remaining hot water amount) is equal to or less than a predetermined reference hot water storage amount. The display shows that the amount of heat is insufficient. Moreover, you may comprise so that further alerting may be performed with respect to a user by sounding a warning sound in addition to the display on a display part. Accordingly, the user can arbitrarily select whether to continue the peak cut or to avoid running out of hot water, thereby improving usability.

7 HP unit (heating means), 8 hot water storage tank, 35 hot water storage type water heater, 36 control section (control means)

Claims (6)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water,
Heating means for heating the water to produce hot water;
Control means for operating the heating means to control boiling operation for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank;
Peak cut setting means for setting a peak cut that prohibits the boiling operation in a peak time zone including a peak of power demand;
Use heat amount history storage means for storing a history of the amount of heat discharged from the hot water storage tank during the peak time period as a use heat amount history;
A required heat amount calculating means for calculating a heat amount required in the peak time zone as a required heat amount based on the use heat amount history,
When the peak cut is set, the control means is a hot water storage type hot water heater that heats up the required amount of hot water prior to the start of the peak time period.   The hot water storage hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein the required heat amount calculating means calculates, as the required heat amount, a maximum value during a determination period of the amount of heat discharged from the hot water storage tank during the peak time period based on the use heat amount history. Machine.   The hot water storage type hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein the necessary heat amount calculating means calculates an average value during a determination period of the amount of heat discharged from the hot water storage tank during the peak time period as the necessary heat amount based on the use heat amount history. Machine. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water,
Heating means for heating the water to produce hot water;
Control means for operating the heating means to control boiling operation for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank;
Peak cut setting means for setting a peak cut that prohibits the boiling operation in a peak time zone including a peak of power demand;
Boiling heat amount history storage means for storing a history of the amount of heat boiled by the boiling operation as the boiling heat amount history during the peak time period;
A required heat amount calculating means for calculating a heat amount required in the peak time zone as a required heat amount based on the boiling heat amount history,
When the peak cut is set, the control means is a hot water storage type hot water heater that heats up the required amount of hot water prior to the start of the peak time period.   The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 4, wherein the required heat amount calculating means calculates, as the required heat amount, a maximum value during a determination period of the amount of heat heated during the peak time period based on the boiling heat amount history. . A remaining hot water calorific value detecting means for detecting the remaining hot water calorific value in the hot water storage tank;
A display unit for displaying an operation status of the hot water storage water heater;
A warning sound generator that emits a warning sound in response to the occurrence of an abnormality,
When the peak cut is being set and the remaining hot water heat amount is equal to or less than a reference value in the peak time zone, the display unit displays that the heat amount is insufficient and warns from the warning sound generation unit. A notification means for emitting sound;
The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

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