JP2015135222A - water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater capable of preventing a person from falling into a bathtub before taking a bath.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: a hot water filling circuit for filling hot water to a bathtub; human detection means for detecting a person in the bathtub; alarm means for giving an alarm when the human detection means has detected a person before a hot water filling operation; a control device for controlling the hot water filling circuit based on the detection result of the human detection means. Also, it includes: the hot water filling circuit for filling hot water to the bathtub; the human detection means for detecting a person in the bathtub; the alarm means for giving an alarm when the human detection means has detected a person during the hot water filling operation; the control device for controlling the hot water filling circuit based on the detection result of the human detection means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water heater for a bath having a human detection function.

  Conventionally, when using a human detection means when taking a bath, if it is determined that there is no movement for a certain period of time, it will recognize that a person has drowned in the bathtub and raise an alarm, or open an automatic drain valve There is a technology to take hot water out of the bathtub (Patent Document 1)

JP 2003-123162 A

  However, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of accidents in which infants fall into the bathtub and drown when hot water is poured into the bath. Recently, an increasing number of households can start hot water operation even when they are not at home using the bath reservation function and external operation terminals (for example, HA terminal and HEMS (Home Energy Management System)). ing. In this case, there is a problem that an accident before taking a bath cannot be prevented even though an accident when taking a bath after completion of hot water can be prevented.

  This invention solves the above problems, and it aims at providing the water heater which can prevent drowning in the bathtub before taking a bath.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the water heater of the present invention includes a hot water beam circuit that applies hot water to a bathtub, a person detection means that detects a person in the bathtub, and the person detection means detects a person before the filling operation. In this case, an alarm means for issuing an alarm and a control device for controlling the hot water beam circuit based on a detection result of the human detection means are provided.

  A hot water beam circuit for hot water to the bathtub; a human detection means for detecting a person in the bathtub; an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the human detection means detects a person during hot water operation; And a controller for controlling the hot water beam circuit based on the detection result of the human detection means.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether there is a person or a pet in the bathtub before or during hot water. For example, if hot water is not started or if hot water is being used, the hot water can be interrupted to prevent the amount of hot water in the bathtub from increasing even though there are people in the bathtub.

The block diagram of the water heater of one Example Selection screen for hot water interruption displayed on the remote control device Hot water safety function setting screen displayed on the remote control device The figure which shows the control flow of the water heater of one Example. Explanatory drawing of HEMS including the water heater of one Example.

  Embodiments of the water heater according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the specific structure of the following examples.

  The hot water supply apparatus of Example 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 1 as an example. As shown here, the hot water storage type water heater with a bath reheating function of this embodiment includes a tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 2 that are usually installed outdoors, and a remote control device 9 that is installed in a kitchen or bathroom. The high temperature water is generated from the low temperature water by the heat pump unit 2, and the generated high temperature water is stored in the hot water storage tank 3 in the tank unit 1. In addition, the tank unit 1 is provided with a control device 94 composed of a microcomputer and its electronic control parts. The remote control device 9, temperature sensors 41 and 81, water level sensor 66, hot water temperature sensor 67 in the bathtub, and flow switch 68 are provided. In response to commands and detection signals from the flow sensor 82 and the like, the devices such as the electric mixing valves 4 and 8, the reheating pump 7, and the bath pump 65 are controlled. In addition, although the water heater which produces | generates high temperature water with the heat pump unit 2 is illustrated here, it may replace with the heat pump unit 2 and may produce | generate high temperature water using an electric heater and combustion gas.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the water heater of the present embodiment may be configured to control the water heater 1 by an operation from a portable device (external terminal 51) such as a mobile phone or a tablet device. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which the HEMS device 52 receives a command given by wireless communication from the external terminal 51, transmits the command to the control device 94 in the tank unit 1 via the remote control device 9, and starts hot water. Here, as an example, HEMS is taken as an example, but a configuration may be adopted in which a command from external terminal 51 is given to remote control device 9 via a device having an HA terminal.

  The hot water storage tank 3 is supplied with low-temperature water from a water supply source through a water supply pipe 31 connected to the lower part thereof. Moreover, the high temperature water that has come out of the hot water discharge pipe 32 at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 is mixed with the low temperature water by the electric mixing valves 4, 8, and becomes hot water having a desired temperature set by the remote control device 9. And supplied to the bathtub 5. As is apparent from the figure, since hot water supply pressure is constantly applied in the hot water storage tank 3, hot water can be supplied to the hot water supply terminal 42 and the bathtub 5 without using a pump or the like.

  First, the hot water circuit of the water heater of the present embodiment will be described. The hot water circuit is a circuit for supplying hot water to the bathtub 5, hot water passing through a hot water supply pipe 34 branched from a hot water supply pipe 32 connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3, and bath water supply pipe branched from a water supply pipe 31. After the low-temperature water having passed through 35 is mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio by the electric mixing valve 8 and becomes hot water having a desired temperature set by the remote control device 9, the electromagnetic valve 83, the check valve 84, and the reheating This is a circuit that passes through the heat exchanger 6, the outgoing pipe 64, and the outgoing connecting pipe 62 in order, and reaches the bathtub 5.

  A temperature sensor 81 for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water circuit and a flow rate sensor 82 for detecting the flow rate supplied to the bathtub 5 are provided on the downstream side of the electric mixing valve 8. The control device 94 controls the mixing ratio of the electric mixing valve 8 so that the temperature detected at 81 becomes the temperature commanded by the remote control device 9.

  Furthermore, a two-way electromagnetic valve 83 is provided, and when hot water is started, the electromagnetic valve 83 is opened and at the same time, the supply of hot water to the bathtub 5 is started. After the electromagnetic valve 83 is opened, hot water is poured into the bathtub 5 from the two directions of the return pipe 63 and the forward pipe 64. In addition, a check valve 84 is provided to prevent the backflow of sewage.

  Next, the bath circuit of the water heater of this embodiment will be described. The bath circulation path is a circulation path for collecting cold hot water in the bathtub 5 and returning it to the bathtub 5 after being heated, and the hot water accumulated in the bathtub 5 is connected to the return connection pipe 61 of the adapter 51 and the bath. After passing through the pump 65 and the return pipe 63, the reheating heat exchanger 6 is reached. After being heated by the reheating heat exchanger 6, the recirculation pipe 64 and the forward connection pipe 62 of the adapter 51 are sequentially passed to the bathtub 5. It is a return circuit.

  In order to realize reheating, the high temperature side circuit of the reheating heat exchanger 6 is configured to be supplied with high temperature water in the hot water storage tank 3, and the hot water after heat exchange is disposed below the hot water storage tank 3. It is comprised so that it may return to a part. The reheating pump 7 is disposed in the high temperature side circuit, and the reheating pump 7 is driven, so that the high temperature water in the hot water storage tank 3 is conveyed to the reheating heat exchanger 6.

  On the other hand, the low-temperature circuit of the reheating heat exchanger 6 is configured to be supplied with the cold hot water in the bathtub 5 so that the warmed bath water after the heat exchange is returned to the bathtub 5 again. It is configured. The return pipe 63 is provided with a bath pump 65 that is a conveying means for circulating hot water in the bathtub 5. When the bath pump 65 is driven, the hot water in the bathtub 5 is returned to the return pipe 63. It is sucked in, flows through the reheating heat exchanger 6, flows into the outgoing pipe 64, and is returned to the bathtub 5 again.

  The return connecting pipe 61 is provided with a water level sensor 66 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 5, a hot water temperature sensor 67 for detecting hot water temperature in the bathtub 5, and a flow switch 68. Between the reheating heat exchanger 6, a flow switch 68 for detecting the flow of water in the bath circulation path is provided.

  In the hot water storage type water heater configured as described above, first, the control flow of the hot water beam of the hot water storage type water heater and the subsequent heat retaining operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the operation when the function of the human detection means 93 is turned on will be described, and the description at the time of OFF when the operation is the same as the conventional one will be omitted.

  When a hot water operation start command is issued (S402), it is determined whether or not there is a person in the bathroom using the person detecting means 93 (S403).

  When there is a reaction in the person detecting means 93 and it is determined that there is a person in the bathroom, the hot water driving operation is suspended (S404) and an alarm is issued from the remote control device 9 (S405). Accordingly, even if an infant or pet is in the bathroom, the adult can be urged to evacuate the infant, and the infant can be prevented from drowning by the hot water beam. Although not shown in FIG. 4, when the adult who has heard the alarm confirms safety in the bathtub 5, the remote controller 9 may perform a predetermined operation to immediately start the hot water operation.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the hot water operation start command is issued by the external terminal 51 (S406). When the hot water operation is started by a command from the external terminal 51, the remote control device 9 notifies the external terminal 51 that there is a person or a pet in the bathtub 5 and that the hot water is not started (S407). Thereby, the user can recognize that he / she has not started the hot water operation and the cause thereof, and can take another countermeasure. At this time, the image of the camera device of the remote control device 9 may be transmitted to the external terminal 51, or the call device of the remote control device 9 is used to transmit the video from the external terminal 51 such as a mobile phone via the remote control device 9. You may be able to listen to the sound in the bathroom or talk to the bathroom. Thereby, the landlord can know more accurate information of the invader in the bathroom, and can further suppress the approach to the bathtub 5. Although not shown in FIG. 4, when a user who confirms information from the camera device or the communication device on the external terminal 51 confirms safety in the bathtub 5, by performing a predetermined operation on the external terminal 51, It is good also as a structure which can start hot water operation immediately.

  On the other hand, when the hot water operation is started by a command from the remote control device 9, S407 is omitted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the state in which the person detecting means 93 detects a person or the like continues for a predetermined time (S408). When the state continues for a predetermined time or longer, the hot water operation is terminated (S409, S421).

  Further, when no person or the like is detected in S403, or when no person or the like is detected within a predetermined time in S408, there is no problem even if hot water is applied to the bathtub 5, so the hot water operation is performed. Is started (S410). The hot water operation ends when the amount of hot water in the bathtub 5 reaches a predetermined amount, but the description of the conventional control of ending the hot water when the amount of hot water reaches a predetermined amount is omitted. And

  Next, as shown in S411, the person detecting means 93 is operating even during hot water operation, and it is determined whether or not a person or the like has entered the bathtub 5, and the person detecting means 93 does not react. Continue the hot water operation as it is.

  On the other hand, when there is a reaction in the human detection means 93 during the driving operation, the hot water driving operation is interrupted (S412) and an alarm is issued from the remote control device 9 (S413). In this way, when an infant or pet enters the bathroom during the hot water driving operation, an alarm is generated before approaching the bathroom, thereby suppressing the approach to the bathtub 5 and falling into the bathtub 5 It is possible to prevent drowning by such as.

  Furthermore, when the automatic drain valve 95 is provided in the drainage part of the bathtub 5, the hot water in the bathtub 5 is automatically drained (S414). As a result, when infants or pets enter the bathroom, even if hot water has already accumulated in the bathroom, it is prevented from drowning by falling into the bathtub 5 by draining immediately. It becomes possible to do.

  Next, similarly to S406, it is determined whether the hot water operation start command is issued by the external terminal 51 (S415). When the hot water operation is started by a command from the external terminal 51, the remote control device 9 notifies the external terminal 51 that a hot water beam has been interrupted because a person or pet has entered the bathtub 5 (S416). Thus, the user can recognize that the hot water operation has been interrupted and the cause thereof, and can take another action. At this time, the image of the camera device of the remote control device 9 may be transmitted to the external terminal 51, or the call device of the remote control device 9 is used to transmit the video from the external terminal 51 such as a mobile phone via the remote control device 9. You may be able to listen to the sound in the bathroom or talk to the bathroom. Thereby, the landlord can know more accurate information of the invader in the bathroom, and can further suppress the approach to the bathtub 5.

  Thereafter, a screen for selecting whether or not to continue hot water is displayed on the screen of the remote control device 9 (S417). Specifically, the hot water driving operation is resumed only when the screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed and “OK” is pressed in order to continue (S418, S419). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed without pressing “OK”, the hot water operation is stopped as it is (S420).

  This makes it possible to prevent drowning by falling into the bathtub 5 by stopping the hot water operation when an infant or pet enters the bathroom during the hot water operation. At the same time, when safety is confirmed, the hot water operation can be restarted as appropriate.

  Next, the water heater of Example 2 will be described. Note that the description of the points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, as a general rule, the water heater that can perform all the operations shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated. However, in a home where there are no infants or pets, the implementation of any one of FIG. 4 (for example, S414) may not be preferable. is there. Therefore, in the water heater of Example 2, the entire series of processes shown in FIG. 4 or an arbitrary process selected by the user among the series of processes can be turned on / off.

  Specifically, the operation of the first embodiment is performed when the user operates the display unit 91 of the remote control device 9 shown in FIG. As a result, the user can use it with the function only when there is an infant or pet at home, and it is judged that there is a danger, and there is no infant or pet in the user's house. When it is unnecessary, the function can be cut off, and it is possible to operate according to the family form of each user.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which all the functions shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment can be invalidated collectively, but the application target of the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the user selects It is possible to specify and disable any function (eg, S406, S407, S414, S415, S416) that has been performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank unit 2 Heat pump unit 3 Hot water storage tank 5 Bathtub 6 Reheating heat exchanger (bath heating means)
9 Remote control device (operation means)
61 Return Connection Pipe 62 Outward Connection Pipe 63 Return Pipe 64 Outward Pipe 67 Bathtub Hot Water Temperature Sensor 93 Person Detection Means 94 Control Device 95 Automatic Drain Valve

Claims (8)

A hot water circuit for hot water to the bathtub,
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the bathtub;
An alarm means for issuing an alarm when the person detecting means detects a person before the filling operation;
A control device for controlling the hot water beam circuit based on the detection result of the human detection means;
A water heater characterized by comprising: In the water heater according to claim 1,
The hot water heater is characterized in that when the alarm means issues an alarm, the start of hot water operation is suspended. A hot water circuit for hot water to the bathtub,
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the bathtub;
Alarm means for issuing an alarm when the person detecting means detects a person during hot water operation;
A control device for controlling the hot water beam circuit based on the detection result of the human detection means;
A water heater characterized by comprising: The water heater according to claim 2,
When the alarm means issues an alarm, the hot water operation is interrupted. The water heater according to claim 4,
Furthermore, an automatic drain valve for automatically draining hot water in the bathtub under the control of the control device is provided,
A hot water supply machine for automatically draining hot water in the bathtub after interrupting hot water operation. In the water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The hot water operation start command to the hot water circuit is started based on a command from a portable device,
When the alarm means issues an alarm, the portable water device notifies the portable device that the alarm has been issued. The water heater according to claim 6,
Furthermore, it has a camera device or a communication device,
When the alarm means issues an alarm, the hot water heater is characterized in that either video information passed through the camera device or audio information passed through the call device is transmitted to the portable device. In the water heater according to claim 7,
A hot water supply machine capable of starting hot water to the bathtub by a command from the portable device.