JP2018134621A - Sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect whether hot cathode filaments 18a, 18b are sufficiently preheated or not in a sterilization device equipped with a sterilization lamp 18 having the hot cathode filaments 18a, 18b, a microcomputer 20 for outputting a command signal for lighting the sterilization lamp 18, and an inverter circuit 21 for lighting the sterilization lamp 18 after preheating when the microcomputer 20 begins outputting the command signal for lighting, and to inhibit the hot cathode filaments 18a, 18b from being continuously used in a state of insufficient preheating by automatically dealing with an abnormal state where the preheating is insufficient.SOLUTION: A microcomputer 20 determines whether a sterilization lamp 18 turns on or not based on a predetermined standard and carries out a predetermined treatment to an abnormal state where a preheating time between beginning of output of a command signal for lighting and lighting of the sterilization lamp 18 is less than a predetermined threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus that can be suitably used as a hot water sterilization apparatus that is attached to a circulation pipe for hot water replenishment in a bath, a hot water supply pipe, and the like and that sterilizes hot water flowing through the pipe.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, a hot water sterilization apparatus that performs sterilization by irradiating ultraviolet light to hot water flowing in a circulation pipe when keeping warm or reheating hot water in a bathtub. Has been developed.

  A fluorescent tube type hot cathode tube is widely used as a germicidal lamp that performs ultraviolet irradiation. The hot cathode tube is driven to light by an inverter circuit. It is known that the cathode filament provided in the hot cathode tube has a longer life due to increased scattering of the emitter of the filament during lighting unless preheating is performed before lighting. Therefore, an inverter circuit is configured to perform preheating by flowing a preheating current through the hot cathode filament for a predetermined preheating time before the hot cathode tube is turned on (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-284029 A JP 2007-66629 A

  However, due to a failure of a circuit element for setting the preheating time, the preheating time of the filament may be shorter than the setting time, or lighting may be started with little preheating. Since the hot cathode tube is lit even if the filament is not sufficiently preheated, the life of the hot cathode tube may be significantly shortened if it is continuously used in a state where the preheating is not sufficiently performed.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to detect whether or not the preheating of the hot cathode filament is sufficiently performed, and when the preheating is not performed sufficiently, the abnormal time process is automatically performed, so that the preheating is sufficiently performed. The purpose is to suppress the continuous use in a state where it is not performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  That is, the present invention provides a sterilization lamp having a hot cathode filament, a control unit that outputs a lighting command signal of the sterilization lamp, and preheating of the hot cathode filament when the control unit starts outputting the lighting command signal. In a sterilization apparatus comprising a sterilization lamp driving circuit that turns on the sterilization lamp after being performed, the control unit determines whether the sterilization lamp is lit based on a predetermined determination condition, If the time from the start of the output of the lighting command signal to the determination that the sterilization lamp is turned on is less than a predetermined threshold value, a predetermined abnormality process can be executed.

  According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, when the output of the lighting command signal is started at the normal time, the sterilization lamp is turned on after the sterilization lamp driving circuit performs preheating for a predetermined time. On the other hand, when the sterilization lamp is turned on without sufficient preheating due to a failure of the sterilization lamp drive circuit or the like, the preheating time from the start of output of the lighting command signal to the sterilization lamp lighting determination is less than the threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the continuous use in a state where the predetermined abnormal process is executed by the control unit and preheating is not sufficiently performed.

  In the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the abnormality process may be a process of notifying that the preheating operation of the sterilization lamp driving circuit is abnormal (Claim 2). According to this, when the preheating time is insufficient, a notification that the preheating operation is abnormal is performed, so it is possible to automatically notify the user or maintenance staff that preheating is not sufficient. It is possible to suppress the continuous use in a state where the preheating is not sufficiently performed by prompting for repair. Note that the mode of notification may be appropriate, for example, a buzzer or a display device provided in the sterilization apparatus may be used for notification, or a remote display device connected to the sterilization apparatus in a communicable manner, Notification can also be made using a buzzer or the like. In addition, the “notification that the preheating time is abnormal” may be, for example, an error code indicating that the preheating time is abnormal without displaying any operation, or any abnormality First, a buzzer or a display indicating that a problem has occurred, and a predetermined operation for confirming the error content can be performed to display an error code or the like indicating that the preheating time is abnormal .

  In addition, the control unit includes a storage unit and is configured to be capable of outputting a predetermined preheating time extension command signal to the sterilization lamp driving circuit, and the abnormality processing is performed by the preheating operation of the sterilization lamp driving circuit. It is a process of storing information indicating an abnormality in the storage means, and the control unit outputs the preheating time extension command signal if the information is not stored in the storage means at least when the lighting command signal is output. If it is not output but the information is stored in the storage means, the preheating time extension command signal is output, and the sterilization lamp drive circuit does not output the preheating time extension command signal from the control unit. The circuit may be configured such that the preheating time is longer than that at the time of input (Claim 3). According to such a configuration, when the sterilization lamp driving circuit is normal, information indicating that the preheating operation is abnormal is not stored in the storage means, and the control unit does not output the preheating time extension command signal. A lighting command signal is output, and the sterilization lamp is driven to light after the hot cathode filament is sufficiently preheated by the sterilization lamp driving circuit. On the other hand, when the preheating time of the hot cathode filament becomes less than the threshold due to a failure of the preheating time setting circuit portion of the sterilizing lamp driving circuit, the control unit stores information that the preheating operation of the sterilizing lamp driving circuit is abnormal. Store in the means. Thereafter, when the extinction condition of the sterilization lamp is satisfied, the control unit stops outputting the lighting command signal, and thereby the sterilization lamp is extinguished. When the lighting command signal for the next lighting of the sterilizing lamp is output, since the information is stored in the storage means, the control unit also outputs a preheating time extension command signal to the sterilizing lamp driving circuit. Then, the sterilization lamp driving circuit turns on the sterilization lamp after preheating for a longer time than when the preheating time extension command signal is not input. Thereby, when sufficient preheating is not performed due to failure of some circuit elements or the like, it is possible to switch to the operation in the preheating time extension mode.

  In the sterilization apparatus having such a configuration, the control unit outputs the preheating time extension command signal, but if the preheating time of the hot cathode filament is less than the threshold, the sterilization lamp driving circuit It may be configured to execute a notification process to the effect that the preheating operation is abnormal. According to this, when it is attempted to extend the preheating time by switching to the operation in the preheating time extension mode, a notification that the preheating operation is abnormal is issued when sufficient preheating time is not secured. As a result, it is possible to automatically notify users and maintenance personnel that preheating is not sufficient despite attempts to extend the preheating time automatically. It is possible to suppress the continuous use in a state that is not performed.

  The sterilization apparatus according to the present invention further includes a lighting detection circuit that outputs a lighting detection signal to the control unit based on an output signal of an optical sensor that detects light emitted from the sterilizing lamp that is lit. The unit may be configured to determine that the sterilization lamp is lit based on a lighting detection signal output from the lighting detection circuit. According to this, the light emitted from the sterilized lamp that is lit is directly detected by the optical sensor, and the control unit performs lighting determination based on the lighting detection signal. The preheating time until the sterilization lamp is turned on can be measured more accurately.

  Further, a lighting detection circuit that outputs a lighting detection signal based on a current value supplied to the hot cathode filament to the control unit, the control unit based on the lighting detection signal output by the lighting detection circuit. It may be configured to determine that the germ lamp is turned on (Claim 6). That is, since the current value at the time of preheating the hot cathode filament is different from the current value when the sterilizing lamp is turned on, for example, it is turned on when it is detected that the current value satisfies the condition for lighting the sterilizing lamp. By configuring the lighting detection circuit to generate and output the detection signal, it is possible to make a lighting determination without attaching the light sensor to the sterilization lamp, and wiring for connecting the control unit and the light sensor, etc. Therefore, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, the said control part may be comprised so that it may determine that the said germicidal lamp lighted based on the electric current waveform supplied to the said hot cathode filament (Claim 7). According to this, the change of the current waveform at the moment when the sterilization lamp is lit from the state in which the hot cathode filament is preheated, and the current that satisfies the sterilization lamp lighting condition when the sampling value of the current waveform (that is, the current current value) The control unit can determine whether the sterilization lamp is turned on based on whether or not the value is reached. The current waveform can be acquired by the control unit by a conventionally known appropriate method. For example, the current value supplied to the hot cathode filament is converted into a voltage value by a current transformer, and this voltage value is converted to A of the control unit. The input voltage value can be input to the / D input port and the control unit can sample the input voltage value.

  The sterilization lamp driving circuit includes a resonance circuit that lights the sterilization lamp and an inverter circuit that outputs an AC voltage to the resonance circuit, and the inverter circuit receives a lighting command signal from the control unit. Then, by outputting an alternating voltage with a frequency deviating from the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, a preheating current is passed through the hot cathode filament to preheat the hot cathode filament, and then an alternating voltage with the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit is output. A high voltage may be applied to the hot cathode filament (electrode) to light the sterilization lamp. More preferably, the inverter circuit sets the frequency of the AC voltage output at the start of preheating to a predetermined preheating start frequency that deviates from the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, and brings the frequency of the output AC voltage close to the resonance frequency with a predetermined gradient. Thus, the sterilization lamp can be turned on after the preheating time corresponding to the gradient. In such a configuration, the preheating current during preheating gradually increases (or decreases) from the start of preheating to the time of lighting. In addition, when the sterilization lamp is turned on, the low-impedance sterilization lamp is connected in parallel to the capacitor of the resonance circuit and is not in the resonance state. Therefore, the inductor of the resonance circuit acts as a ballast to limit the current. As a result, the current supplied to the hot cathode filament at the start of lighting rapidly decreases. Therefore, the lighting detection circuit detects that the current value when the frequency of the AC voltage has reached the vicinity of the resonance frequency and generates and outputs a lighting detection signal, or the current supplied to the hot cathode filament. By causing the control unit to acquire the waveform and detecting the steep falling of the current waveform at the time of lighting, the lighting determination can be accurately performed with a relatively simple circuit configuration.

  According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, when the sterilization lamp is lit without sufficient preheating due to a failure of the sterilization lamp drive circuit or the like, from the output start of the lighting command signal to the sterilization lamp lighting determination Since the preheating time is less than the threshold value, a predetermined abnormality process is executed by the control unit, thereby suppressing the continuous use in a state where the preheating is not sufficiently performed.

It is an operation principle figure of the hot water supply device with a sterilization function as a sterilization device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram of the sterilization apparatus. It is a wave form diagram of the lighting command signal at the time of the UV lamp lighting start of the germicidal device, a current detection voltage waveform, and a germicidal lamp drive current waveform. It is a circuit diagram of the sterilizer concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram of the disinfection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a hot water supply device 1 with a sterilization function as a hot water sterilization device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The hot water supply device 1 supplies purified water such as tap water to a hot water tap as a water supply source. The main hot water supply path 2 that realizes the hot water supply function, the hot water supply path 3 that realizes the reheating hot water supply function that reheats the hot water in the bathtub using the hot water in the bathtub as a water supply source, and then returns to the bathtub. For example, a hot water supply passage 4 for supplying hot water from the main hot water supply passage 2 to the hot water supply passage 3 is provided. The configuration and operation of the main hot water supply path 2 and the hot water supply path 4 for pouring are well known in the art and will not be described in detail.

  The reheating hot water supply path 3 is mainly composed of a return path 6 and a forward path 7 piped between a circulation adapter of a bathtub (not shown) and the reheating heat exchanger 5 in order to realize a reheating function. It is configured by a circulating circuit, and the bath water filled in the bathtub can be reheated to a predetermined temperature and heated. That is, the hot water from the bathtub is supplied to the heat exchanger 5 for remedy through the return path 6 by the operation of the circulation pump 8, and the hot water from the bathtub is heated by the heat exchanger 5 for remedy by the combustion heat generated in the combustion burner 9. It is configured to be reheated by being exchanged and heated, and the hot water after reheating is returned to the bathtub via the forward path 7 so that the temperature of the hot water passing through the return path 6 reaches the predetermined target temperature. It has become.

  The circulation pump 8 is interposed in one of the return path 6 and the forward path 7 (return path 6 in the illustrated example). The return path 6 is provided with a water flow switch 10 that detects a flow and outputs a detection signal to a microcomputer 20 (control unit) to be described later, and a return temperature sensor 11 that detects the temperature of bathtub hot water passing through the return path 6. It has been. The outgoing path 7 is provided with an outgoing temperature sensor 12 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after reheating.

  Further, a UV unit containing a UV lamp 18 (sanitizing lamp) is provided in the middle of the return path 6, and the bathtub hot water is irradiated by ultraviolet rays irradiated by the UV lamp 18 when the bathtub hot water passes through the UV unit. Can be sterilized. In the case of performing the sterilization operation, by operating the circulation pump 8 without causing the combustion burner 9 to perform the combustion operation, the hot water in the bathtub is circulated in the circulation circuit, and the UV lamp 18 is turned on to turn on the inside of the bathtub. Although sterilization of hot water is performed, sterilization by the UV lamp 18 can also be performed during reheating and heating (including the time of bath automatic heat insulation operation).

  The UV unit is provided with a phototransistor 19 as an optical sensor for detecting the lighting of the UV lamp 18, receiving ultraviolet light emitted from the UV lamp 18 that is lit, and generating and outputting a voltage output signal by photoelectric conversion. The voltage output signal of the phototransistor 19 is input to a microcomputer 20 to be described later, so that the microcomputer 20 can determine whether or not the UV lamp 18 is turned on.

  Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 1 is a gas supply line for supplying fuel gas to the hot water supply combustion burner 14 and the supplementary combustion burner 9, and the gas supply line 13 includes an original gas solenoid valve. A plurality of capacities for switching the combustion capacities of the reheating solenoid valve 16 and the hot water supply combustion burner 14 for switching whether or not to supply fuel gas to the SV, the gas proportional valve 15 and the combustion combustion burner 9 A switching valve 17 is provided.

  Moreover, the hot water supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer 20 (microcomputer) as a control unit for controlling each hot water supply operation by the main hot water supply path 2, the reheating hot water supply path 3, and the pouring hot water supply path 4. Yes. The microcomputer 20 is mounted on the control board B1, and on the control board B1, various sensors including the water flow switch 10, the return temperature sensor 11, and the forward temperature sensor 12, the circulation pump 8, the original gas solenoid valve SV, and the proportionality are provided. An input / output interface circuit (not shown) for various actuators including the valve 15, the repelling solenoid valve 16, and the capacity switching valve 17 is mounted.

  Further, the hot water supply apparatus 1 includes a power supply unit P1, a UV controller board B2 (sterilization lamp driving board) that generates an AC voltage for lighting and driving the UV lamp 18 and outputs the AC voltage to the UV lamp 18 via a wire harness. Are provided as a unit separate from the control board B1, and a commercial AC power source is connected to the power supply unit P1 and the UV controller board B2 as a main power source via a leakage breaker B3. The power supply unit P1 supplies a predetermined power supply voltage (for example, 15V power supply voltage) to the control board B1. On the control board B1, a regulator for stepping down the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit P1 to a low voltage (for example, 5V) is provided, and the low voltage can be used as a power supply voltage for the microcomputer 20 or the like.

  FIG. 2 mainly shows the circuit configuration of the UV controller board B2. On the UV controller board B2, a power supply circuit P2 composed of an insulating converter (preferably a flyback converter) that generates a constant voltage controlled 100V DC power supply voltage from a commercial AC power supply and outputs it to the high-voltage power supply line VT100; An inverter circuit 21 (sterilization lamp driving circuit) that generates and outputs an AC voltage for driving the germicidal lamp from the 100 V DC power supply voltage is mounted.

  The inverter circuit 21 converts and outputs a high-frequency to low-frequency sterilization lamp driving AC voltage from the 100 V DC power supply voltage. The inverter circuit 21 includes an inverter bridge 22 (half bridge in the illustrated example) formed by bridge-connecting a plurality of switching elements, and a gate driver that outputs a drive pulse signal that is PWM-controlled to the switching elements that constitute the inverter bridge 22. And a frequency setting circuit 24 for setting the switching frequency of the driving pulse signal (that is, the driving voltage and driving current frequency of the UV lamp 18).

  The power supply voltage for the operation of the gate driver 23 is also required separately from the 100V DC power supply voltage. In this embodiment, a DC 15V power supply voltage is also generated from the power supply circuit P2 and output to the low voltage power supply line VT15. The 15V power supply voltage is converted into a 12V power supply voltage via a sterilization lamp ON / OFF circuit 31 and a constant voltage control circuit 32 (three-terminal regulator, etc.) and output to the control power supply voltage line VT12. 23 is supplied as a power source. The above power supply voltage values are only examples, and can be designed as appropriate voltage values.

  The sterilization lamp ON / OFF circuit 31 can be configured by an appropriate switching element such as an FET or a transistor. When the lighting command signal (for example, a High signal) is supplied from the microcomputer 20 on the control board B1, the sterilization lamp ON / OFF circuit 31 operates. Thus, the constant voltage control circuit 32 generates and outputs the 12V power supply voltage to operate the gate driver 23. However, when the lighting command signal is not supplied (for example, the microcomputer output is a Low signal), the constant voltage control circuit 32 operates to shut off the 12V power supply voltage. Is not output, and the gate driver 23 does not operate.

  A sterilization lamp drive current output section of the inverter circuit 21 is connected to a resonance circuit composed of hot cathode filaments 18a and 18b of both poles of the UV lamp 18, an inductor L, and capacitors C4 and C5. Is configured so that the UV lamp 18 is lit when the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (for example, 60 kHz) is reached. Since the UV lamp 18 itself is turned on after lighting and the impedance of the resonance circuit is lowered, the sterilization lamp driving current at the start of lighting becomes the largest as shown in FIG. Is stable after lighting with a drive current value corresponding to the impedance of the resonant circuit after lighting, the power supply voltage of the inverter circuit 21 (that is, 100 V), and the frequency of the driving voltage (that is, the switching frequency of the inverter circuit 21). To do.

  In the present embodiment, the inductor L of the resonance circuit is provided between the inverter bridge 22 and the primary coil of the current transformer 33. Note that the primary coil of the current transformer 33 for detecting the sterilization lamp driving current can also be used as the inductor L of the resonance circuit. The capacitor C4 is connected between the bipolar filaments 18a and 18b, and the capacitor C5 is connected between the negative electrode 18b and the ground T-GND.

  The output current of the current transformer 33 is rectified by the diode bridge 34 and supplied to the load resistor RL, and a current detection voltage Va proportional to the germicidal lamp driving current is generated in the load resistor RL.

  The current detection voltage Va is input to the disconnection detection circuit 35. The disconnection detection circuit 35 is configured to output a disconnection detection signal to the microcomputer 20 when the current detection voltage becomes less than a predetermined threshold. Thereby, it can be detected that the drive current does not flow through the UV lamp 18 due to the disconnection of the electrodes 18a and 18b of the UV lamp 18, and the microcomputer 20 is driven even though the lighting command signal is output. When it is detected that the filaments 18a and 18b of the UV lamp 18 are disconnected, it is possible to stop the sterilization operation and output a notification command to the remote controller that the disconnection has occurred.

  The frequency setting circuit 24 of the inverter circuit 21 according to the present embodiment includes an RC series circuit including a resistor R1 and first and second capacitors C1 and C2 connected in parallel. The pulse waveform output from the RT terminal is input to the input side of the RC series circuit, and the voltage output by the integration operation of the RC series circuit is input to the CT terminal of the gate driver 23. The gate driver 23 is configured to perform a switching operation when the output voltage of the RC series circuit rises to a predetermined threshold value. The switching frequency, that is, the driving voltage and the driving current of the UV lamp 18 are determined according to the time constant of the RC series circuit. The frequency is set.

  The RC series circuit of the present embodiment is configured such that the time constant can be adjusted by gradually turning on a switching element Q1 (pnp-type transistor in the illustrated example) connected in series to the second capacitor C2. Thus, the switching frequency of the gate driver 23 can be adjusted. That is, since the second capacitor C2 is disabled when the switching element Q1 is cut off, the time constant is set to τ1 = R1 × C1 by the resistor R1 and the first capacitor C1, and at this time, the switching frequency Becomes 100 kHz, for example, and a drive current corresponding to the frequency flows through the current transformer 33. On the other hand, when the switching element Q1 is turned on, the second capacitor C2 is activated, and the time constant τ2 = R1 × (C1 + C2) is set, the switching frequency is slowed down to, for example, 60 kHz, and the driving current flowing through the resonance circuit is large. Become. When the switching element Q1 is in a semi-conducting state, the time constant of the RC series circuit is an intermediate value from τ1 to τ2 depending on the degree of conduction.

  A control voltage adjustment circuit is connected to the control terminal (base) of the switching element Q1. The control voltage adjusting circuit includes a Zener diode ZD, a capacitor C3, and a load resistor R2 connected in series between the control power supply voltage line VT12 and the ground T-GND in order, and the control terminal of the switching element Q1 is a capacitor C3. And a load resistor R2 are connected via a backflow prevention diode D1. The Zener diode ZD has a cathode connected to the power supply side, and applies a constant voltage to the positive electrode side of the capacitor C3. Therefore, when a lighting command signal is output from the microcomputer 20 and a power supply voltage is supplied to the control power supply voltage line VT12, the capacitor C3 is charged by the power supply voltage. The time constant of the RC series circuit composed of the capacitor C3 and the load resistor R2 is set so that the capacitor C3 is charged in about 1 to 2 seconds. The initial charge of the capacitor C3 is relatively low in the load resistor R2. A large charging current flows, a relatively large voltage is generated across the load resistor R2, the voltage is applied to the control terminal of the switching element Q1, and the switching element Q1 is cut off. As a result, the switching frequency of the gate driver 23 becomes a preheating frequency (for example, 100 kHz) as shown in FIG. 3, and a relatively small driving current corresponding to the frequency flows to the current transformer 33, and the switching current corresponding to this driving current is obtained. A current detection voltage Va is generated. Further, the hot cathode filaments 18a and 18b of the UV lamp 18 are preheated by the relatively small driving current.

  Thereafter, as the charging of the capacitor C3 proceeds, the magnitude of the charging current gradually decreases, and the voltage across the load resistor R2 gradually decreases accordingly, so that the switching element Q1 is gradually turned on. Go. As a result, the switching frequency of the gate driver 23 gradually decreases, and the drive current flowing through the current transformer 33 gradually increases as shown in FIG. 3, and the current detection voltage Va gradually increases. When the switching element Q1 becomes almost conductive, the switching frequency becomes the resonance frequency (for example, 60 kHz), and the UV lamp 18 starts to light. Here, the time from the start of voltage supply to the control power supply voltage line VT12 to the start of lighting of the UV lamp 18 is the preheating time of the hot cathode filaments 18a and 18b, and the normal preheating time is about 1 to 2 seconds. The circuit constants of the control voltage adjustment circuit are set so as to be an appropriate value.

  The microcomputer 20 operates in the sterilization operation mode when a sterilization operation start command is issued from a remote controller (not shown), and operates in the sterilization operation stop mode when a sterilization operation stop command is issued. The sterilization operation stop mode is a mode in which the lighting operation control of the sterilization lamp 18 is not performed.

  In addition, the remote control is used when a sterilization operation start operation is performed, or when a sterilization operation reservation set time is reached, or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the completion of hot water application in connection with hot water operation. When the sterilization operation start condition is satisfied, a sterilization operation start command is output to the microcomputer 20. In addition, when the sterilization operation stop operation is performed, or when the sterilization operation continuation set time has elapsed from the sterilization operation reservation setting time, or after the sterilization operation start command related to the hot water operation, the predetermined time is output. When the predetermined sterilization operation stop condition is satisfied when the time has elapsed, a sterilization operation stop command is output to the microcomputer 20. The sterilization operation reservation setting time and the sterilization operation continuation setting time can be set by a user operation. For example, the sterilization operation is started at 0:00 and the sterilization operation is continued for 6 hours. Setting is possible. In addition, the sterilization operation continuation setting time is configured not to be able to set a long time exceeding 6 hours, for example, in a normal setting operation, and is longer than 6 hours by a special operation such as a long press operation of an appropriate operation button. A time operation mode can be set.

  The remote controller can also be configured to be able to set the scheduled end time of the sterilization operation. When the scheduled end time of the sterilization operation is set, the sterilization is performed for a predetermined lighting setting time (for example, 30 minutes). After the lighting operation of the lamp 18 is performed at least once, a sterilization operation start time that allows the sterilization operation to be terminated at the scheduled end time is calculated, and a sterilization operation start command is output at the calculated time. It can also comprise. Further, the remote controller can function as a simple input / output device related to operation, display, etc., and the microcomputer 20 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 can execute the above-described sterilization operation start control and end control of the remote controller. It is also possible to make the remote control function as the control unit of the present invention.

  During operation in the sterilization operation mode, the microcomputer 20 outputs an sterilization lamp lighting command signal (for example, a High signal) for turning on the inverter circuit 21 and a removal control for turning off the inverter circuit 21. It can be configured to intermittently and automatically switch to an off control state in which a fungus lamp turn-off command signal (for example, a Low signal) is output. For example, in the sterilization operation mode, the lighting operation of the sterilization lamp 18 is performed in units of a predetermined lighting setting time (for example, 30 minutes), and after turning on for the lighting setting time, an interval of a predetermined extinction setting time (for example, 90 minutes) The lighting operation can be performed intermittently at intervals. The initial values of the lighting setting time and the lighting setting time can be stored in advance in appropriate storage means such as a nonvolatile memory provided in the microcomputer 20 or the remote controller.

  Furthermore, the microcomputer 20 of this embodiment starts the output of the sterilization lamp lighting command signal and then determines the hot cathode filaments 18a and 18b until it is determined that the UV lamp 18 is lit based on the output voltage of the phototransistor 19. If the preheating time is less than a predetermined threshold (for example, 1 second), it is determined that the UV lamp 18 is lit even though the preheating of the filament is insufficient, and predetermined abnormality processing is executed. It is configured as follows.

  The predetermined abnormal process may be any process, for example, a process of notifying that the preheating operation of the inverter circuit 21 is abnormal by an LED display device, a buzzer device, or the like provided in the control board B1. Alternatively, it may be a process of notifying the remote control or remote monitoring server that the preheating operation of the inverter circuit 21 is abnormal.

  According to the hot water supply device 1 with the sterilization function of this embodiment, the preheating time from the start of the output of the sterilization lamp lighting command signal from the microcomputer 20 to the lighting of the UV lamp 18 is monitored, and the preheating time is sufficient. If it is not, it is possible to suppress the use of the UV lamp 18 from being continued in a state where the UV lamp 18 is not sufficiently preheated, and to prevent the UV lamp 18 from being disconnected early.

  FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and different configurations and effects are obtained. Will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the phototransistor 19 and the disconnection detection circuit in the first embodiment are not provided, and the current detection voltage Va generated in the load resistor RL is input to a predetermined A / D of the microcomputer 20 via the isolation amplifier 36. The microcomputer 20 samples the input voltage at a predetermined sampling timing so that the waveform of the current detection voltage Va shown in FIG. 3, that is, the driving current waveform of the UV lamp 18 can be monitored by the microcomputer 20. Yes. The microcomputer 20 is configured to determine that the UV lamp 18 is disconnected and to perform a predetermined disconnection notification process when the current detection voltage Va does not rise after the start of the output of the lighting command signal of the UV lamp 18 and remains almost 0V. it can.

  Further, after the microcomputer 20 starts outputting the lighting command signal, when the peak value of the waveform of the current detection voltage Va indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 3 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, “the UV lamp 18 is normally turned on”. Is determined. If a steep current detection voltage drop indicated by reference sign B in FIG. 3 is detected, it can be determined that the drive current waveform has sharply dropped due to the start of lighting.

  In addition, a load resistor R3 for extending the preheating time is connected in series to the load resistor R2 constituting the control voltage adjusting circuit of the frequency adjusting circuit 24 of the inverter circuit 21, and a switching element is connected to the bypass circuit bypassing the resistor R3. Q2 (MOS FET in the illustrated example) is provided. The switching element Q2 operates to shut off when the microcomputer 20 outputs a preheating time extension command signal (for example, a High signal) from a predetermined output port, whereby the combined resistance value of the two load resistors R2 and R3 and the capacitance of the capacitor C3 Therefore, the time for charging the capacitor C3 becomes longer and the preheating time is extended. On the other hand, when the microcomputer 20 does not output the preheating time extension command signal (the output port is Low output, etc.), the switching element Q2 is turned on to bypass the preheating time extension load resistor R3, and the capacitance of the load resistor R2 and the capacitor C3. Since the time constant determined by and becomes smaller, the preheating time becomes shorter. The microcomputer 20 is configured not to output a preheating time extension command signal in the initial setting.

  Further, the microcomputer 20 includes appropriate storage means such as a nonvolatile memory, and the time from the start of the output of the lighting command signal to the determination that the light is turned on based on the driving current waveform of the UV lamp 18 as described above. Is less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 1 second), an abnormal time process is executed in which information indicating that the preheating operation is abnormal is stored in the storage means. When executing the abnormal process, it is not necessary to perform notification or sterilization operation restriction, but it may be performed.

  When the abnormality processing is executed, the UV lamp 18 is turned on as usual for 30 minutes, once the UV lamp 18 is turned off and the UV lamp 18 is turned on again after the interval period, and once sterilized. When the operation mode is ended and the UV lamp 18 is turned on in the next sterilization operation mode, the microcomputer 20 stores the information indicating that the preheating operation is abnormal in the storage means. A preheating time extension command signal is output when the output is started.

  As a result, the preheating time is extended as compared to when the preheating time extension command signal is not input, and a sufficient preheating time of about 1 to 2 seconds is secured.

  Further, when the microcomputer 20 of the present embodiment detects that the preheating time is less than a predetermined threshold even though the preheating time extension command signal is output, the microcomputer 20 as in the abnormal process in the first embodiment, A notification process to the effect that the preheating operation of the inverter circuit 21 is abnormal can be performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and different configurations and effects are obtained. Will be described.

  Also in this embodiment, the phototransistor of the first embodiment is not provided, and it can be determined that the UV lamp 18 is turned on based on the current detection voltage value Va, that is, the driving current value of the UV lamp 18. Yes. That is, the inverter circuit 21 of the present embodiment includes a lighting detection circuit 40 that detects lighting of the UV lamp 18 based on peak detection of the current detection voltage Va. The lighting detection circuit 40 is mainly composed of a comparator 41 composed of an operational amplifier, and a reference voltage set by a voltage dividing circuit composed of a resistor R4 and a resistor R5 is inputted to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 41. The non-inverting input terminal is connected to the positive terminal of the load resistor RL via the resistor R6 and the backflow prevention diode D2, to the output terminal of the comparator 41 via the resistor R7, and to the ground T− via the resistor R8. Each is connected to GND.

  In the initial state, the comparator 41 is in a low output state, and therefore the resistor R7 and the resistor R8 are connected in parallel to the ground. Therefore, the current detection voltage Va is combined with the resistor R6 and the resistors R7 and R8. A voltage divided by the resistance value is input to the non-inverting input terminal. When the current detection voltage Va rises, the input voltage at the non-inverting input terminal also rises. When the voltage value of the current detection voltage Va becomes a value corresponding to the peak of the current waveform at the start of lighting of the UV lamp 18, the input at the non-inverting input terminal. The voltage exceeds the reference voltage. When the reference voltage of the current waveform voltage Va is exceeded, the comparator 41 becomes High output. Once the output of the comparator 41 becomes High, a voltage obtained by dividing the High output voltage by the resistors R7 and R8 is input to the non-inverting input terminal, and the input voltage is maintained at a voltage higher than the reference voltage. doing.

  When the UV lamp 18 is turned on and operates at a lighting current smaller than the resonance current peak, the voltage value of the current waveform voltage Va is lower than that at the peak, but once the output of the comparator 41 becomes High, this state is reached. Therefore, even after the UV lamp 18 is lit, a lighting detection signal (High signal in the above embodiment) indicating that the UV lamp 18 is lit can be continuously output from the comparator 41.

  Therefore, the lighting detection signal output from the lighting detection circuit 40 can be input to the digital input port of the microcomputer 20, which can simplify the circuit design and perform a sampling operation for detecting the lighting on the microcomputer 20. It is not necessary to allow the processing power of the microcomputer 20 to be increased.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the design can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, although the UV unit is provided in the reheating hot water supply path 6 in the above embodiment, a UV unit may be provided in the middle of the main hot water supply path 2 or the hot water supply path 4, or in the case of a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus. Can also be equipped with a UV unit in the hot water storage tank or its hot water supply path. Moreover, it is applicable to various sterilization apparatuses other than for hot water sterilization. Further, the sterilization lamp driving circuit may include a lighting inverter and a preheating inverter separately.

1 Disinfection device 18 Disinfection lamp (UV lamp)
18a, 18b Hot cathode filament 20 Control unit (microcomputer)
21 Disinfection lamp drive circuit (inverter circuit)
40 lighting detection circuit

Claims (7)

  A sterilization lamp having a hot cathode filament, a control unit that outputs a lighting command signal of the sterilization lamp, and the sterilization after preheating the hot cathode filament when the control unit starts outputting the lighting command signal In a sterilization apparatus including a sterilization lamp driving circuit for lighting a lamp, the control unit determines whether the sterilization lamp is lit based on a predetermined determination condition, and outputs a lighting command signal. A sterilization apparatus configured to execute a predetermined abnormality process if the time from the start until it is determined that the sterilization lamp is lit is less than a predetermined threshold.   The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality process is a process of notifying that a preheating operation of the sterilization lamp driving circuit is abnormal. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a storage unit and is configured to be capable of outputting a predetermined preheating time extension command signal to the sterilization lamp driving circuit,
The abnormal time process is a process of storing in the storage means information indicating that the preheating operation of the germicidal lamp drive circuit is abnormal,
The control unit does not output the preheating time extension command signal if the information is not stored in the storage unit at least when the lighting command signal is output, but if the information is stored in the storage unit, the preheating is not performed. Configured to output a time extension command signal,
The sterilization lamp driving circuit is configured so that when the preheating time extension command signal is input from the control unit, the preheating time is longer than that when the preheating time is not input.   The sterilization apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit outputs the preheating time extension command signal, but if the preheating time of the hot cathode filament is less than the threshold value, the sterilization lamp is output. A sterilization apparatus configured to execute a notification process to the effect that the preheating operation of the drive circuit is abnormal.   The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lighting detection signal based on an output signal of an optical sensor that detects light emitted from the sterilized lamp that is lit is output to the control unit. A sterilization apparatus, further comprising a circuit, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the sterilization lamp is lit based on a lighting detection signal output from the lighting detection circuit.   The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a lighting detection circuit that outputs a lighting detection signal based on a current value supplied to the hot cathode filament to the control unit, wherein the control unit A sterilization apparatus configured to determine that the sterilization lamp is lit based on a lighting detection signal output from a lighting detection circuit.   The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the sterilization lamp is turned on based on a current waveform supplied to the hot cathode filament. A sterilization apparatus characterized by.

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