JP2015143578A - water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater capable of ensuring the purge of residual neutralized condensate water while suppressing supply of the air to a drainage pump.SOLUTION: A water heater comprises: a combustion burner 10; and a heat exchanger for heating water using heat of flue gas from the combustion burner 10, the heat exchanger including a main heat exchanger unit (sensible heat exchanger unit) and a sub-heat exchanger unit (latent heat exchanger unit). Condensate water produced in the sub-heat exchanger unit is neutralized in a neutralizer, accumulated in a drain tank, and then discharged by a drainage pump 56. Control means 82 includes drainage-speed calculation means 86 calculating a drainage speed of the neutralized condensate water using a detection signal of water level detection means 60; and additional-drainage-time calculation means 88 calculating additional drainage time on the basis of a residual water quantity of the neutralized condensate water after drainage operation and the calculated drainage speed, and the control means 82 controls the drainage pump 56 to perform purge operation for this additional drainage time after the drainage operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater that generates hot water using heat of combustion exhaust gas from a combustion burner.

  A water heater that generates hot water by heat exchange with combustion exhaust gas from a combustion burner is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This water heater was connected to the combustion burner, the heat exchanger and drain pan disposed above the combustion burner, the water supply flow path connected to the inflow side of the heat exchanger, and the outflow side of the heat exchanger And a tapping channel. The heat exchanger includes a main heat exchanger section (sensible heat exchanger section) disposed on the lower side of the drain pan, and a sub heat exchanger section (latent heat heat exchanger section) disposed on the upper side of the drain pan. Including. The drain pan is connected to a condensed water channel for draining condensed water, and a neutralizer (for example, filled with calcium carbonate), a drain tank and a drain pump are disposed in the condensed water channel. Yes. The drain tank is provided with an upper limit water level detection sensor for detecting the upper limit water level and a lower limit water level detection sensor for detecting the lower limit water level.

  In this water heater, heat exchange is performed in the main heat exchanger and the sub heat exchanger to generate hot water, and the generated hot water is discharged through a hot water flow path. On the other hand, the condensed water condensed by the supercooling of the combustion exhaust gas falls to the drain pan and then flows to the neutralizer through the collection channel, and the condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer is stored in the drain tank.

  When the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank reaches the upper limit water level, the drain pump is operated based on the signal from the upper limit water level detection sensor, and the drain operation is performed. This drain pump causes the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank to flow into the condensed water flow. It drains through a channel (so-called drain channel). When the neutralized condensed water is lowered to the lower limit water level, the drainage operation is terminated based on the signal from the lower limit water level detection sensor, and the purge operation is performed. In this purge operation, the drainage pump is activated and the neutralized condensed water remaining in the drain flow path is drained, and by performing the purge operation in this way, the residual neutralized condensed water in the drain flow path is reduced, Precipitation of calcium component is suppressed.

JP 2009-264708 A

  In such a water heater, the neutralized residual water remaining between the drain tank and the drain pump is drained at the initial stage of the purge operation, but at the end of the purge operation, the residual water disappears. The air in the drain tank is supplied to the drainage pump, and the remaining neutralized condensed water is purged along with this air flow.

  However, when using a canned motor pump (pump that keeps the bearing lubricated by a carrier medium such as neutralized residual water) as a drainage pump, the drainage pump is used when the neutralized residual water runs out and air is sent. May be in an idle operation state, and there is a risk of pump sticking failure due to bearing baking.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a water heater that can reliably purge residual neutralized condensed water while suppressing the supply of air to a drainage pump.

The water heater according to claim 1 of the present invention should be heated to a combustion burner, a heat exchanger for heating water using heat of combustion exhaust gas from the combustion burner, and the heat exchanger A water supply channel for supplying water, and a hot water flow channel for discharging hot water heated by the heat exchanger,
The heat exchanger has a main heat exchanger portion disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a sub heat exchanger portion disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas,
In relation to the auxiliary heat exchanger, a drain pan for collecting the condensed water generated in the auxiliary heat exchanger, and a neutralizer for neutralizing the condensed water collected by the drain pan, A drain tank for storing the condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer, a drain passage for discharging the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and a drainage pump disposed in the drain passage; And a control means for controlling the drain pump and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and the drain pump is operated to drain and the drain tank The neutralized condensed water accumulated in the drainage is drained through the drain channel,
The control means uses a detection signal of the water level detection means to calculate the drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water, the remaining amount of neutralized condensed water after the drainage operation, and the drainage speed calculation means And an additional drainage time calculating means for calculating an additional drainage time based on the calculated drainage speed by
The control means purges the neutralized condensed water remaining in the drain tank through the drain flow path by purging the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the draining operation.

In the hot water heater according to claim 2 of the present invention, a combustion burner, a heat exchanger for heating water using heat of combustion exhaust gas from the combustion burner, and heating to the heat exchanger A water supply passage for supplying water to be supplied, and a tapping channel for tapping water heated by the heat exchanger,
The heat exchanger has a main heat exchanger portion disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a sub heat exchanger portion disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas,
In relation to the auxiliary heat exchanger, a drain pan for collecting the condensed water generated in the auxiliary heat exchanger, and a neutralizer for neutralizing the condensed water collected by the drain pan, A drain tank for storing the condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer, a drain passage for discharging the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and a drainage pump disposed in the drain passage; And a control means for controlling the drain pump and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and the drain pump is operated to drain and the drain tank The neutralized condensed water accumulated in the drainage is drained through the drain channel,
In relation to the drain tank, a water supply passage for supplying water to the drain tank is further provided. A water supply opening / closing valve is provided in the water supply passage, and the water supply opening / closing valve is opened. Water is supplied to the drain tank through the flow path,
The control means uses a detection signal of the water level detection means to calculate the drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water, the remaining amount of neutralized condensed water after the drainage operation, and the drainage speed calculation means And an additional drainage time calculating means for calculating an additional drainage time based on the calculated drainage speed by
The control means purges the neutralized condensed water remaining in the drain tank through the drain flow path by purging the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the draining operation.

In the water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention, the water level detection means includes an upper limit water level detection sensor for detecting an upper limit water level of the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank, and a neutralized condensed water in the drain tank. A lower limit water level sensor for detecting the lower limit water level, and the control means further includes a drainage operation timer means for timing the drainage operation time of the drainage pump,
When the upper limit water level detection sensor detects the upper limit water level of the condensed water, the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drainage operation, and then the lower limit water level detection sensor detects the lower limit water level of the neutralized condensed water. Then, the control means ends the drainage operation of the drainage pump, the drainage operation timer means counts the drainage operation time of the drainage pump, and the drainage speed calculation means counts from the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level. The drainage speed is calculated on the basis of the volume of the neutralized condensed water and the drainage operation time counted by the drainage operation timer means.

  Moreover, in the water heater according to claim 4 of the present invention, the control means includes memory means for storing the additional drainage time, and the additional drainage time calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means is The additional discharge time stored in the memory means and used as the operation time of the purge operation of the drainage pump is used.

  In the water heater according to claim 5 of the present invention, the control means includes drainage interval timer means for counting an elapsed time from the drainage operation of the drainage pump last time, and the drainage interval timer means is predetermined. When the drain interval time is measured, the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drain operation and the purge operation.

  Moreover, in the water heater according to claim 6 of the present invention, a drainage operation unit for draining condensed water is provided in relation to the control means, and when the drainage operation unit is drained, The control means operates the drain operation pump to perform the drain operation and the purge operation.

  In the water heater according to claim 7 of the present invention, the water supply flow path is provided with a flow rate detection means for detecting a flow rate of water supplied through the water supply path, and the control means is configured to perform the drainage operation. During or after the drainage operation, the water supply opening / closing valve is opened to supply a predetermined amount of water into the drain tank, and then the water supply opening / closing valve is closed, and the drainage pump is operated or the drainage pump is operated. The drainage operation and the purge operation are performed.

  In the water heater according to claim 8 of the present invention, the control means includes a drain interval timer means for counting an elapsed time from the drain operation of the drain pump last time, and the drain interval timer means is the When the predetermined drain interval time is measured, the control means opens the water supply on-off valve to supply water into the drain tank, and then the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drain operation and The purge operation is performed.

  Furthermore, in the water heater according to claim 9 of the present invention, a drainage operation unit for draining condensed water is provided in relation to the control means, and when the drainage operation unit is drained, The control means is characterized in that the water supply on / off valve is opened to supply water into the drain tank through the water supply flow path, and then the drainage pump and the purge operation are performed by operating the drainage pump.

0 According to the hot water supply device of the first aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger includes a main heat exchanger portion disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas. An auxiliary heat exchanger portion disposed therein, and a drain pan for collecting the condensed water in relation to the auxiliary heat exchanger, and for neutralizing the condensed water collected by the drain pan. Neutralizer, drain tank for storing condensed water neutralized by neutralizer, drain passage for discharging neutralized condensed water stored in drain tank, and drainage disposed in drain passage The condensed water collected in the drain pan is neutralized by the neutralizer and then stored in the drain tank, and the stored neutralized condensed water is drained by the drain pump. Drained through. The control means for controlling the drainage pump includes a drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water using the detection signal of the water level detection means, and the drainage speed and the remaining amount of neutralized condensed water. And the additional drainage time calculating means for calculating the additional drainage time after the drainage operation using, so that the additional drainage time can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the neutralization condensed water remaining in the drain tank or the like can be purged substantially by performing the purge operation of the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the drainage operation. Further, in this purge operation, the drain pump does not rotate idly, and it is possible to prevent a failure due to sticking of the drain pump (that is, seizure of the bearing). The residual water amount of the neutralized condensed water is an amount obtained by adding the residual amount remaining in the drain tank and the residual amount remaining in the flow path from the drain tank to the drain pump.

  Moreover, according to the hot water supply device of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the hot water supply device of the first aspect, in relation to the drain tank for storing the neutralized condensed water, Since the water supply flow path is provided and the water supply opening / closing valve is provided in the water supply flow path, by opening the water supply open / close valve, water is supplied to the drain tank to reduce the concentration of the neutralized condensed water for cleaning. be able to. The control means for controlling the drainage pump includes drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of neutralized condensed water using the detection signal of the water level detection means, and additional after drainage operation using this drainage speed. Since the additional drainage time calculating means for calculating the drainage time is included, the additional drainage time can be accurately calculated. Therefore, the neutralization condensed water remaining in the drain tank or the like can be purged substantially by performing the purge operation of the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the drainage operation.

  Moreover, according to the water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention, the water level detection means for detecting the water level in the drain tank includes the upper limit water level detection sensor for detecting the upper limit water level of the neutralized condensed water, and the neutralization condensation. It has a lower limit water level sensor that detects the lower limit water level, and the drainage rate calculation means calculates the drainage rate based on the volume from the upper limit level to the lower limit level and the drainage operation time measured by the drainage operation timer. Even if the drainage resistance varies depending on the piping construction at the place where the vessel is installed, it is possible to accurately calculate the drainage rate of neutralized condensate, and by using this drainage rate, it is possible to accurately calculate the additional drainage time for purging operation it can. Moreover, since the calculation of this drainage speed is performed using the detection signals from the upper limit water level detection sensor and the lower limit water level detection sensor, it can be performed without providing a dedicated detection sensor.

  According to the water heater of claim 4 of the present invention, the additional drainage time calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means is stored in the memory means, and is stored in the memory means as the operation time of the drain pump purge operation. Therefore, the purge operation after the calculation of the additional drainage time can be easily controlled.

  Further, according to the water heater according to claim 5 of the present invention, when the drain interval timer means measures a predetermined drain interval time (for example, about 30 days), the control means operates the drain pump to perform drain operation and Since the purge operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the neutralized condensed water from being stored in the drain tank for a long period of time, thereby avoiding a condition that is likely to cause a fixing failure of the drainage pump.

  Moreover, according to the water heater according to claim 6 of the present invention, since the drainage operation unit is provided in relation to the control means, the drainage operation can be performed by draining the drainage operation unit at an arbitrary timing. The pump can be operated to perform drainage operation and purge operation. For example, the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank can be drained by operating the drainage operation unit before trial operation or disconnecting the power source.

  Moreover, according to the hot water heater of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the flow rate detecting means is provided in the water supply channel, and the water supply opening / closing valve is opened during the drainage operation (at or after the start of the drainage operation) or after the drainage operation. Since a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the drain tank, the concentration of neutralized condensate in the drain tank decreases, and the neutralized condensate that has been reduced in concentration is drained. The drain pump can be washed with water. In addition, when supplying water during drainage operation, washing can be performed without stopping the drainage pump, and neutralized condensed water can be drained and washed in a short time. Moreover, when supplying water after drainage operation, the density | concentration of the neutralized condensed water in a drain tank falls greatly, and it can wash | clean a drainage pump more cleanly.

  According to the water heater of the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the drainage interval timer means measures a predetermined drainage interval time (for example, about 30 days), the control means opens the water supply on-off valve and opens the drain tank. Since the water is supplied to the inside, the inside of the drain tank can be washed. Further, after this water supply, the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drain operation and the purge operation, so that it is possible to prevent neutralized condensed water from being stored in the drain tank for a long period of time.

  Furthermore, according to the water heater according to claim 9 of the present invention, a drainage operation part is provided in relation to the control means, and when the drainage operation part is drained at an arbitrary timing, the water supply opening / closing valve is opened. Since the water is supplied into the drain tank, the drain tank can be cleaned. Further, after this water supply, the drainage pump is operated to perform the drainage operation and the purge operation, so that the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank can be drained.

Sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the water heater according to this invention simply. Sectional drawing which shows the neutralizer of the water heater of FIG. 1, a drain tank, and a drain pump. The block diagram which shows simply the control system of the water heater of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 1st drainage operation | movement in the control system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 2nd drainage operation | movement in the control system of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the neutralizer, drain tank, and drainage pump in 2nd Embodiment of the water heater according to this invention. The block diagram which shows simply the control system of the water heater of FIG. The flowchart which shows a part of flow of the 1st drainage operation | movement in the control system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the remaining part of the 1st drainage operation | movement in the control system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 2nd drainage operation | movement in the control system of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water heater according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, the illustrated water heater 2 includes a hot water supply body 4, a combustion chamber 6 is disposed in the hot water supply body 4, and an exhaust gas extending laterally (leftward in FIG. 1) at the upper end of the combustion chamber 6. A flow path 8 is provided. A combustion burner 10 is disposed below the combustion chamber 6, and a gas supply flow path 12 is connected to the combustion burner 10, and a gas on / off valve 14 is provided in the gas supply flow path 12. When the gas on-off valve 14 is opened, the fuel gas is supplied to the combustion burner 10 through the gas supply passage 12, and the combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the combustion burner 10 flows upward in the combustion chamber 6 and is exhausted. It is discharged to the outside through the flow path 8.

  A heat exchanger 16 and a drain pan 18 are disposed above the combustion burner 10 in the combustion chamber 6. The drain pan 18 has a plate shape and is disposed at the middle in the vertical direction of the heat exchanger 16. The heat exchanger 16 is located at the main heat exchanger portion 20 (exposure) located below the drain pan 18 (combustion burner 10 side). A heat heat exchanger section) and a sub heat exchanger section 22 (latent heat exchanger section) positioned on the upper side of the drain pan 18 (opposite to the combustion burner 10). A water supply flow path 24 constituted by, for example, a water supply pipe is connected to the inflow side of the heat exchanger 16, in this embodiment, the upstream end of the auxiliary heat exchanger section 22. Further, a hot water flow path 28 composed of, for example, a hot water pipe is connected to the outflow side of the heat exchanger 16, in this embodiment, the downstream end of the main heat exchanger section 20. A valve 26 is provided. In addition, a bypass flow path 30 is connected between the water supply flow path 24 and the hot water flow path 28, and a distribution valve 31 is disposed at a connection portion between the bypass flow path 30 and the hot water flow path 28. When the hot water on / off valve 26 is opened, water from a water pipe or the like is supplied to the heat exchanger 16 through the water supply passage 24. While water flows through the heat exchanger 16, the sub heat exchanger section 22 absorbs the latent heat by heat exchange with the combustion exhaust gas, and the main heat exchanger section 20 heats the combustion exhaust gas. The sensible heat is absorbed by the exchange, warmed by the heat exchange to become warm water, and the warm water flows through the hot water flow path 28. The distribution valve 31 mixes the hot water flowing through the hot water flow path 28 and the water flowing through the bypass flow path 30 to generate hot water having a desired temperature, and the hot water whose temperature has been adjusted passes through the hot water flow path 28, for example, a bathtub 78 ( Figure 1) etc.

  The drain pan 18 is connected to a collecting flow path 34 for guiding condensed water to the neutralizer 32, and the condensed water condensed in the auxiliary heat exchanger section 22 flows down to the drain pan 18 and is collected. It is fed to the neutralizer 32 through the collection channel 34. The neutralized condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer 32 flows into the drainage unit 38 through the feed passage 36 as drain water, and is drained from the drainage unit 38 through the drain passage 40 as described later.

  In this embodiment, the neutralizer 32 and the drainage unit 38 are configured separately, the neutralizer 32 is built in the hot water supply body 4, and the drainage unit 38 is provided outside the hot water supply body 4. The neutralizer 32 and the drainage unit 38 may be integrally configured as, for example, a neutralization unit, and the neutralization unit may be built in the hot water supply body 4.

  Next, the neutralizer 32 and the drainage unit 38 provided in the hot water supply main body 4 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The neutralizer 32 includes a neutralization housing 42, and the inside of the neutralization housing 42 is partitioned into first and second neutralization chambers 46 and 48 by an intermediate partition wall 44. The first and second neutralization chambers 46 and 48 are filled with a neutralizing agent (for example, calcium carbide) (not shown) for neutralizing the condensed water, and their bottoms communicate with each other through the communication opening 50. Has been. Further, the drainage unit 38 includes a drain tank 52 for storing drain water, and neutralized condensed water is accommodated in a storage space 54 in the drain tank 52.

  A collecting flow path 34 is connected to the inflow portion of the neutralizer 32, and condensed water from the drain pan 18 is fed to the first neutralization chamber 46 of the neutralizing housing 42 through the collecting flow path 34. Further, one end side of the supply flow path 36 is connected to the second neutralization chamber 48 of the neutralization housing 42, and the other end side is connected to the drain tank 52, and the first and second neutralization chambers 46, The condensed water neutralized while flowing through 48 is stored in the storage space 54 of the drain tank 52 through the supply passage 36.

  The drain channel 40 is connected to the drain part of the drain tank 52, and neutralized condensed water (also referred to as “drain water” in this specification) in the storage space 54 is drained through the drain channel 40. A drain pump 56 is disposed in the drain passage 40, and the neutralized condensed water (that is, drain water) stored in the drain tank 52 is drained by the drain pump 56.

  In this embodiment, a water level detection means 60 for detecting the level of condensed water is provided in the drain tank 52. The illustrated water level detection means 60 includes a lower limit water level detection sensor 62 for detecting the lower limit water level and an upper limit water level detection sensor 64 for detecting the upper limit water level. The lower limit water level detection sensor 62 is for detecting the lower limit water level in the drain tank 52, that is, that the neutralized condensate has been drained, and includes a ground electrode 68 and a low level detection electrode 70 extending to the bottom of the storage space 54. Composed. The upper limit water level detection sensor 64 is for detecting the upper limit water level of the drain tank 52, that is, that neutralized condensate is stored, and includes a high level detection electrode 72 provided at the upper end of the storage space 54, and The ground electrode 68 is used.

  When the high level detection electrode 72 detects neutralized condensed water due to an increase in the level of neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52, the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 indicates that the neutralized condensed water has accumulated in the drain tank 52. Detect. In addition, when the low level detection electrode 70 stops detecting neutralized condensed water due to a decrease in the level of neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52, the lower limit water level detection sensor 62 causes the neutralized condensed water accumulated in the drain tank 52 to be detected. Detects that drained.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply body 4 is disposed outdoors and attached to, for example, the outer wall 74 of an apartment house, and the drain flow path 40 (drain pipe) from the hot water supply body 4 is, for example, the outer wall 74 and the bathroom wall 76 are extended to the vicinity of the drainage port 80 of the bathtub 78, and the neutralized condensed water from the drain tank 52 is drained from the drainage port 80 through the drain channel 40.

  The water heater 2 is controlled by a control system shown in FIG. The control system for controlling the water heater 2 includes a control means 82 composed of, for example, a microprocessor. The control means 82 is an operation control means 84, a drainage speed calculation means 86, an additional drainage time calculation means 88, a drainage operation timer. Means 90, purge operation timer means 92 and drain interval timer means 94 are included. The operation control means 84 controls the operation of the combustion burner 10, the gas on / off valve 14, the hot water on / off valve 26, and the distribution valve 31 as described above, and controls the operation of the drain pump 56 as described later. The drainage speed calculation means 86 calculates the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water (drain water) as will be described later, and the additional drainage time calculation means 88 calculates the additional drainage time as will be described later. The drain operation timer means 90 counts the drain operation time of the drain pump 56, the purge operation timer means 92 counts the purge operation time of the drain pump 56, and the drain interval timer means 94 sets the previous drain time. The elapsed time from the drain operation of the pump (that is, the drain water drain operation) is counted.

  The control means 82 further includes a first memory means 96 (fixed memory means) for registering various data and a second memory means 98 (update memory means) for storing various data. In the first memory means 96, there is data on the drainage volume (that is, the volume of drain water from the upper limit water level detected by the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 to the lower limit water level detected by the lower limit water level detection sensor 62) and the residual volume (ie The drain water remaining at the bottom of the drain tank 52 after the drainage operation and the data regarding the volume of drain water remaining in the flow path between the drain tank 52 and the drain pump 56 are registered. The second memory means 98 stores drainage operation time data, additional drainage time data, drainage interval time data, and the like.

  Further, a drainage operation unit 100 is provided in relation to the control means 82, and a drainage switch 102 is provided in the drainage operation unit 100. The drain switch 102 is manually operated when the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is forcibly drained. Signals from the water level detection means 60 and the drainage operation unit 100 are sent to the control means 82 and controlled as follows based on these signals.

  Next, control by the above-described control system will be described. The control when the drain tank 52 is filled with neutralized condensed water (drain water), that is, the flow of the first draining operation will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. The neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is detected by the water level detection means 60 (the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 and the lower limit water level detection sensor 62) (step S1). When the condensed water from the drain pan 18 flows into the neutralizer 32 through the collection channel 34, it is neutralized by the neutralizer 32 and then flows into the drain tank 52 through the feed channel 36. When the water level rises and reaches the upper limit water level due to the inflow of the neutralized condensed water, the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 detects the upper limit water level, proceeds from step S2 to step S3, and outputs a signal from the upper limit water level detection sensor 64. Based on this, the drainage operation of the drainage pump 56 is started. That is, the operation control means 84 operates the drain pump 56 (step S4), and neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is drained through the drain passage 40 by the action of the drain pump 56. Further, when this drainage operation is started, the timing of the drainage operation timer means 90 is started (step S5).

  And if the water level falls and it falls to a minimum water level by the drainage of neutralized condensed water, the minimum water level detection sensor 62 will detect this minimum water level, and will progress from step S6 to step S7. As a result, the drainage pump 56 stops operating, the drainage operation timer means 90 finishes timing (step S8), the timed drainage operation time data is stored in the second memory means 98, and the drainage operation timer means 90 thereafter The drainage operation of the drainage pump 56 is completed after resetting (step S9).

  When the drainage operation is thus completed, an additional drainage time is calculated (step S10). The drainage speed calculation means 86 includes a volume W1 of the drain tank 52 from the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level (that is, the volume of neutralized condensed water from the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level) and a time count T1 of the drainage operation timer means 90 (that is, The drainage speed S (S = W1 / T1) is calculated based on the drainage operation time), and by calculating in this way, the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water can be accurately determined even when drainage resistance differs depending on the piping construction at the site. Can be calculated. The volume W1 (that is, the drainage volume data in the drainage operation) is known in advance at the design stage and registered in the first memory means 96, so the data registered in the first memory means 96 is used. Further, since the drainage operation time data is stored in the second memory means 98, the data stored in the second memory means 98 is used.

  Next, the additional drainage time is calculated using the drainage speed S (step S11). The additional drainage time calculation means 88 is a drainage water remaining amount W2 of the drain tank 52 (specifically, an amount remaining at the bottom of the drain tank 52 and a drain flow path between the drain tank 52 and the drain pump 56). 40) and an additional drainage time T2 (T2 = W2 / S) based on the drainage rate S calculated by the drainage rate calculation means 86, and the calculated additional drainage time data is Stored in the second memory means 98.

  When the additional drainage time is thus calculated, the additional drainage operation of the drainage pump 56 is performed (step S12). That is, the drainage pump 56 is actuated to discharge the neutralized condensed water remaining in the drain tank 52 (step S13), and the purge operation timer means 92 starts measuring time with the start of the drainage (step S14). When the purge operation timer means 92 is up, the process proceeds from step S15 to step S16, the operation of the drain pump 56 is stopped, and the purge operation timer means 92 is reset (step S17). As a result, the drainage of the residual water in the drain tank 52 is completed and the additional drainage operation, that is, the purge operation is terminated (step S18), the neutralized condensed water drainage is terminated (step S19), and then the process returns to step S1. The detection of the water level of the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is resumed, and the above operation is repeatedly performed. By purging the drain pump 56 over the additional drain time in this manner, the residual amount of neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 can be reliably purged, and the drain pump 56 is in an idling state during the purge operation. (Rotating without neutralized condensed water).

  In the control flow of this embodiment, steps S1 to S19 are repeatedly performed, so that the drainage speed and the additional drainage time are calculated for each drainage operation of the drainage pump 56, but this is not necessarily configured. There is no need, and after the additional drainage time is calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means 88 and stored in the second memory means 98, it is registered in the second memory means 98 as the additional drainage calculation time. An additional drainage time may be used, and when configured in this way, step S10 and step S11 are omitted, and the control can be simplified.

  In this control system, when the drain interval timer means 94 measures a predetermined drain interval (for example, about 20 to 40 days, for example, is set to 30 days) or manually operates the drain switch 102, The second draining operation is performed as follows.

  Referring mainly to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the drainage of the neutralized condensed water is completed as described above, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22, and the drain interval timer means 94 starts measuring time. When the drain switch 102 is operated, the process proceeds from step S23 to step S3 in FIG. 4 through step S24, and the drain operation and purge operation of the drain pump 56 are performed as described above. In this manner, the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 can be forcibly drained by draining the drain switch 102. Note that the additional drainage time data registered in the second memory means 98 is used for the additional operation time in the purge operation at this time.

  Further, Step S23 and Step S24 are repeatedly performed until the drain interval timer means 94 measures a predetermined drain interval. When the drainage interval timer means 94 measures the drainage time interval, the process proceeds from step S23 to step S25. After the drainage interval timer means 94 is reset, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG. As in the case of operating, the drainage operation and the purge operation of the drainage pump 56 are performed. Thus, since the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is drained when a predetermined drainage time interval has elapsed from the previous neutralized condensed water drainage, the neutralized condensed water has accumulated in the drain tank 52 over a long period of time. It can be prevented from becoming a state.

  Next, a second embodiment of the water heater will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, a configuration different from the first embodiment described above will be described. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  6 and 7, in the second embodiment, a water supply passage 112 for supplying water to the drain tank 52 is provided in association with the drain tank 52, and a water supply opening / closing valve is provided in the water supply passage 112. 114 is arranged. Therefore, when the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is opened, water is supplied to the drain tank 52 through the water supply passage 112.

  In relation to this, the control means 82A includes neutralized condensed water determination means 116. The neutralized condensed water determination means 116 determines whether the upper limit water level of the drain tank 52 is due to neutralized condensed water. When the upper limit water level is reached when the feed water on-off valve 114 is closed, the neutralized condensed water is determined. If the upper limit water level is reached when the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is open, it is determined that the water is not neutralized condensed water. Other configurations of the water heater of the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, control by the control system in the second embodiment will be described. The control when the drain tank 52 is filled with neutralized condensed water (drain water), that is, the flow of the first draining operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 is detected by the water level detection means 60 (the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 and the lower limit water level detection sensor 62) (step S31). And if the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 detects this upper limit water level, it will progress to step S33 from step S32, and it will be determined whether this upper limit water level is based on neutralization condensed water. That is, the neutralized condensed water determination means 116 determines that the upper limit water level is due to the neutralized condensed water because the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is held in the closed state, and proceeds to step S34 to perform the drain operation by the drain pump 56. The operation flow of the drainage operation and the subsequent drainage speed and additional drainage time, that is, the operations from step S34 to step SS42 are substantially the same as the operations from step S3 to step S11 in the first embodiment. The additional drainage time calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means 88 is registered in the second memory means 98 as additional drainage time data (step S43).

  When the drainage operation by the drainage pump 56 is completed in this way, water supply through the water supply channel 112 is then started (step S44). The water supply opening / closing valve 114 is opened (step S45), water is supplied to the drain tank 52 through the water supply flow path 114, and the process returns to step S32. And if the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 detects an upper limit water level by water supply, the neutralized condensed water determination means 116 will determine again whether this upper limit water level is based on neutralized condensed water (step S33). In this case, since the upper limit water level has been reached with the water supply opening / closing valve 114 opened, the neutralized condensed water determination means 116 determines that the upper limit water level is not due to the neutralized condensed water (in other words, the upper limit water level due to the water supply). The process proceeds from step S32 to step S46 via step S33 (see FIG. 9). Thus, the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is closed, and the water supply to the drain tank 52 is completed (step 47).

  When the water supply to the drain tank 52 is completed, the drainage operation of the drain pump 56 is resumed, and the supplied water is drained. That is, the drain pump 56 is operated to drain the water in the drain tank 52 (step S49), and when the water level falls to the lower limit water level, the process proceeds from step S50 to step S51, and the drain pump 56 is deactivated. The drainage operation ends (step S52). After this water supply, the additional drainage time data is calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means 88 and registered in the second memory means 98. Therefore, after that, the registered additional drainage time data is used. Therefore, operations for that purpose (that is, operation of the drainage operation timer means 90, calculation of drainage speed by the drainage speed calculation means 86, calculation of additional drainage time by the additional drainage time calculation means 88, etc.) are omitted. The

  Then, after this drainage operation, an additional drainage operation of the drainage pump 56 is started (step S53). At the start of this additional drainage operation, the additional drainage time data registered in the second memory means 98 is read (step S54), and the drainage pump 56 is purged during the read additional drainage time. Done. That is, the drain pump 56 is actuated to drain residual water remaining in the drain tank 52, and this drainage is performed for an additional drainage time, and the flow of such an additional drainage operation (purge operation), that is, step S55 to step S55. The operation of S61 is substantially the same as the operations of Step S7 to Step S19 in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, in addition to the above-described effects, water is fed to the drain tank 52 after draining the neutralized condensed water, so that the inside of the drain tank 52 is washed cleanly by the supplied water, Further, since the cleaning liquid is purged so as not to remain in the drain tank 52, the inside of the drain tank 52 can be kept in a very clean state.

  Next, mainly referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the drain interval timer means 94 measures a predetermined drain interval (for example, set to about 20 to 30 days), or manually operates the drain switch 102. The control at that time, that is, the flow of the second drainage operation will be described.

  When the drainage of the neutralized condensed water is completed as described above, the process proceeds from step S71 to step S72, the drain interval timer means 94 starts timing, and if the drain switch 102 is operated during this timing, the process proceeds from step S73 to step S74. Then, the process proceeds to step S75. Further, steps S73 and S74 are repeatedly performed until the drain interval timer means 94 counts the predetermined drain interval. When the drain interval timer means 94 measures the drain time interval and the time is up, the process proceeds from step S73 to step S76, and after the drain interval timer means 94 is reset, the process proceeds to step S75.

  If it progresses to step S75, the water supply through the water supply flow path 112 will be started. When the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is opened and water is supplied to the drain tank 52 through the water supply passage 112 (step S77), the water level of the neutralized condensed water in the drain tank 52 rises and reaches the upper limit water level by this water supply. Then, the process proceeds from step SS78 to step S79, where the water supply opening / closing valve 114 is closed and the water supply through the water supply flow path 112 is completed (step S80).

  When the water supply is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S48 in FIG. 9, and the drainage operation and the purge operation of the drainage pump 56 are performed as described above. By controlling in this way, the same effect as described above is achieved, and when the predetermined drainage time interval has passed since the last neutralized condensate drainage (and drainage switch 102 is drained), the drain tank Since water is added into the water 52, the concentration of the neutralized condensed water is reduced by this water, and the inside of the drain tank 52 can be washed by diluting the neutralized condensed water in this way.

  In the second embodiment, the supply of water through the water supply flow path 112 is performed until the upper limit water level detection sensor 64 detects the upper limit water level. The amount of water supplied through the water supply channel 112 may be controlled according to the elapsed time from the 56 drainage operation. In this case, drainage interval timing means for counting the elapsed time from the previous drainage operation is provided, and flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the feedwater channel 112 is provided in the feedwater channel 112. Then, the water supply on / off valve 114 is operated and controlled based on the detected flow rate of the flow rate detecting means so that the amount of water supply corresponds to the time interval timed by the drainage interval time measuring means, for example, timed by the drainage interval time measuring means. Control is performed so that the amount of water supply increases (or decreases) as the time interval increases (or decreases). About this water supply amount, you may make it supply a predetermined amount regardless of the elapsed time from the last drainage operation.

  In the second embodiment, water supply is performed after the drain tank 52 is full and the drainage operation is performed. Instead of such a configuration, the water supply opening / closing valve is provided at the start of the drainage operation by the drainage pump 56. 114 may be opened to supply water, or the water supply on-off valve 114 may be opened to start water supply after the drainage operation is started. A predetermined amount of water may be supplied.

  In the second embodiment, water is supplied after the drain tank 52 is full and the drainage operation is performed, and the drain interval timer means 94 counts a predetermined drain interval (and the drain switch 102 is drained). However, it is not necessary to carry out water supply in both of these cases, and a predetermined drainage time interval has elapsed after the drainage operation has ended or since the last neutralized condensate drainage (and drainage switch 102). The water supply may be performed only at one of the times when the operation is performed.

  Further, in this second embodiment, the drainage operation and the purge operation are performed after the water supply is performed when the drainage interval timer means 94 times the predetermined drainage time interval (and the drainage switch 102 is drained). Instead of such a control operation, the drain interval timer means 94 counts the predetermined drain interval time (and drains the drain switch 102), and then supplies the water after the drain operation and then drains and purges. You may make it drive | work.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the water heater according to this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation thru | or correction | amendment are possible without deviating from the scope of this invention.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, both the function of performing drainage when the drainage interval timer means 94 measures a predetermined drainage time interval and the function of performing drainage when the drainage switch 102 is drained. However, it is not necessary to provide these two functions, and only one of these two functions may be adopted.

2 Water heater 16 Heat exchanger 18 Drain pan 20 Main heat exchanger (sensible heat exchanger)
22 Sub-heat exchanger (latent heat exchanger)
32 Neutralizer 38 Drain unit 52 Drain tank 56 Drain pump 60 Water level detection means 62 Lower limit water level detection sensor 64 Upper limit water level detection sensor 82, 82A Control means 86 Drainage speed calculation means 88 Additional drainage time calculation means 90 Drainage operation timer means 92 Purge Operation timer means 94 Drainage interval timer means 100 Drainage operation unit 114 Water supply on-off valve 116 Neutralized condensed water judgment means

Claims (9)

A combustion burner, a heat exchanger for heating water using the heat of combustion exhaust gas from the combustion burner, a water supply passage for supplying water to be heated to the heat exchanger, and the heat A tapping channel for tapping water heated by the exchanger,
The heat exchanger has a main heat exchanger portion disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a sub heat exchanger portion disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas,
In relation to the auxiliary heat exchanger, a drain pan for collecting the condensed water generated in the auxiliary heat exchanger, and a neutralizer for neutralizing the condensed water collected by the drain pan, A drain tank for storing the condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer, a drain passage for discharging the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and a drainage pump disposed in the drain passage; And a control means for controlling the drain pump and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and the drain pump is operated to drain and the drain tank The neutralized condensed water accumulated in the drainage is drained through the drain channel,
The control means uses a detection signal of the water level detection means to calculate the drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water, the remaining amount of neutralized condensed water after the drainage operation, and the drainage speed calculation means And an additional drainage time calculating means for calculating an additional drainage time based on the calculated drainage speed by
The hot water heater is characterized in that the control means purges the neutralized condensed water remaining in the drain tank through the drain flow path by purging the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the drainage operation. A combustion burner, a heat exchanger for heating water using the heat of combustion exhaust gas from the combustion burner, a water supply passage for supplying water to be heated to the heat exchanger, and the heat A tapping channel for tapping water heated by the exchanger,
The heat exchanger has a main heat exchanger portion disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a sub heat exchanger portion disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas,
In relation to the auxiliary heat exchanger, a drain pan for collecting the condensed water generated in the auxiliary heat exchanger, and a neutralizer for neutralizing the condensed water collected by the drain pan, A drain tank for storing the condensed water neutralized by the neutralizer, a drain passage for discharging the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and a drainage pump disposed in the drain passage; And a control means for controlling the drain pump and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the neutralized condensed water stored in the drain tank, and the drain pump is operated to drain and the drain tank The neutralized condensed water accumulated in the drainage is drained through the drain channel,
In relation to the drain tank, a water supply passage for supplying water to the drain tank is further provided. A water supply opening / closing valve is provided in the water supply passage, and the water supply opening / closing valve is opened. Water is supplied to the drain tank through the flow path,
The control means uses a detection signal of the water level detection means to calculate the drainage speed calculation means for calculating the drainage speed of the neutralized condensed water, the remaining amount of neutralized condensed water after the drainage operation, and the drainage speed calculation means And an additional drainage time calculating means for calculating an additional drainage time based on the calculated drainage speed by
The hot water heater is characterized in that the control means purges the drainage pump remaining in the drain tank through the drain flow path by purging the drain pump for the additional drainage time after the drainage operation. The water level detection means has an upper limit water level detection sensor for detecting an upper limit water level of neutralized condensed water in the drain tank and a lower limit water level sensor for detecting a lower limit water level of neutralized condensed water in the drain tank, The control means includes drainage operation timer means for timing the drainage operation time of the drainage pump,
When the upper limit water level detection sensor detects the upper limit water level of the condensed water, the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drainage operation, and then the lower limit water level detection sensor detects the lower limit water level of the neutralized condensed water. Then, the control means ends the drainage operation of the drainage pump, the drainage operation timer means counts the drainage operation time of the drainage pump, and the drainage speed calculation means counts from the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drainage speed is calculated based on a volume amount of the neutralized condensed water and the drainage operation time measured by the drainage operation timer means.   The control means includes a memory means for storing the additional drainage time, the additional drainage time calculated by the additional drainage time calculation means is stored in the memory means, and the purge operation of the drainage pump is performed. The hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional discharge time stored in the memory means is used as the time.   The control means includes drainage interval timer means for counting an elapsed time from the drainage operation of the drainage pump of the previous time, and when the drainage interval timer means counts a predetermined drainage interval time, the control means includes the drainage pump. The hot water heater according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein the drainage operation and the purge operation are carried out by operating a gas generator.   In connection with the control means, a drain operation part for draining condensed water is provided, and when the drain operation part is drained, the control means operates the drain operation pump to perform the drain operation. The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the purge operation is performed.   The water supply channel is provided with a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of water supplied through the water supply channel, and the control means opens the water supply opening / closing valve during the drainage operation or after the drainage operation. The water supply on / off valve is closed after a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the drain tank, and the drainage operation and the purge operation are performed by the drainage pump being operated or by operating the drainage pump. The water heater according to claim 2.   The control means includes drainage interval timer means for counting an elapsed time from the drainage operation of the drainage pump last time, and when the drainage interval timer means counts the predetermined drainage interval time, the control means The valve is opened to supply water into the drain tank, and then the control means operates the drain pump to perform the drain operation and the purge operation. The water heater described in 1. In connection with the control means, a drainage operation unit for draining condensed water is provided, and when the drainage operation unit is drained, the control unit opens the water supply on-off valve and opens the water supply The water heater according to any one of claims 2, 7, and 8, wherein water is supplied into the drain tank through a flow path, and then the drain pump and the purge operation are performed by operating the drain pump.

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