JP2019128105A - Instantaneous hot water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an instantaneous hot water discharge device capable of enhancing energy-saving performance more.SOLUTION: A stored hot water temperature control part 47 which controls the temperature of hot water in a hot water storage tank 21 of an instantaneous hot water discharge device 20 is configured to: determine, in hot water discharging by a hot water discharging plug 1b executed in a plurality of time zones obtained by sectioning one day, target stored hot water temperatures in the respective time zones on the basis of detection data on a temperature Tin and a flow rate of water supplied to the instantaneous hot water discharge device 20 detected respectively with a temperature sensor 34 and a flow rate sensor 35 in a predetermined period right after opening of a hot water discharge plug 1b in hot water discharging by the hot water discharge plug 1b executed in the time zones in the past; and control the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 to the determined target stored hot water temperatures.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an immediate pouring device.

  Conventionally, as seen in, for example, Patent Document 1, when a hot water tap (calant) at the end of a hot water supply pipe is opened, the hot water heated by the heat source of the hot water heater reaches the hot water tap at the end before the hot water reaches the hot water tap at the end. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank near the plug is mixed with the hot water supplied from the heat source machine through the hot water supply pipe, and the hot water is discharged from the hot water tap, so that the hot water can be discharged immediately after the hot water tap is opened. There is known an immediate hot water supply apparatus that can perform the operation.

  In this immediate hot water pouring device, not being in hot water pouring of other hot water pouring taps other than the hot water pouring tap connected to the immediate hot water pouring device, and after the previous hot water pouring in any of the hot water pouring taps, a predetermined time has elapsed. A process of detecting the volume of the hot water supply piping from the heat source machine to the mixing control valve of the immediate hot water discharge device is executed under the condition that the temperature of the hot and cold water is cold, and learning of the hot water supply piping volume based on the detected hot water supply piping volume Update the value.

  In this case, in the process of detecting the hot water supply pipe volume, a predetermined rise in temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water discharge device after the hot water discharge pipe is opened (the hot water heated by the heat source machine is immediately hot water discharge device) The hot water supply pipe volume is detected by integrating the detected value of the flow rate of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water supply device until an increase due to reaching ().

  Then, using the learning value of the hot water supply pipe volume and the detected value of the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply pipe, the target value of the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is determined, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is the target value Activate the heater to control.

JP 2001-124356 A

  In the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the target value of the temperature (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a storage water temperature) of hot and cold water in the storage water tank is determined by adapting to the volume of hot water supply piping from the heat source machine to the immediate hot water discharge device. However, the target value of the hot water storage temperature is the value in the hot water supply pipe from the heat source device to the immediate hot water supply device at the start of hot water supply from the hot water tap connected to the immediate hot water supply device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an immediate hot water tap). It is determined on the premise that the temperature of the hot and cold water is a uniform constant temperature.

  On the other hand, the hot water supply pipe from the heat source unit to the immediate hot water supply device usually has a part of the upstream end side also serving as the hot water supply pipe of another hot water tap. For this reason, when hot water at another hot water outlet is being carried out immediately before the start of hot water at the immediate hot water outlet, the temperature of part of hot water and water of the hot water supply piping from the heat source machine to the immediate water outlet is When hot water is started at the hot water tap, the temperature is already sufficiently higher than the temperature of the hot water on the downstream end side of the hot water supply pipe.

  And in such a case, with the technique seen in the said patent document 1, the heat storage amount of the hot water in a hot water storage tank will become excess. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the energy saving performance of the immediate hot water pouring device is impaired.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this background, and it aims at providing the instant hot-water apparatus which can improve energy-saving performance further.

  According to various studies by the inventor of the present invention, the use form of the hot water at each hot water tap such as a kitchen, a washroom, and a bathroom in each dwelling unit is unique to each of a plurality of time zones in a day. Prone to patterns.

  For example, when focusing on tapping water at a predetermined tapping valve, in a certain time zone, immediately before tapping water at the tapping valve, the frequency at which tapping by another tapping valve is performed is high, and another In a time zone, prior to pouring water at the predetermined tapping valve, pouring water at another tapping valve is often not performed for a while, and so on, and so on. The usage pattern of hot water at other hot water taps before is likely to be a unique pattern for each time zone.

  As a result, when immediate pouring is performed with the above-mentioned predetermined tapping valve, the heat quantity of the hot water remaining in the hot water supply pipe to the tapping valve tends to be different depending on the time zone when the predetermined tapping valve is tapping.

Therefore, the immediate hot water supply apparatus of the present invention has a hot water supply tank for connecting hot water heated by the heat source device to the hot water tap from the heat source device, and a hot water storage tank connected to the hot water tap at a position near the hot water tap. Immediately after opening the hot-water tap, hot water in the hot water storage tank, or hot water in the hot water storage tank and hot water supplied from the heat source device via the hot water supply pipe is mixed with the hot water tap. An immediate hot water supply device for hot water from
A target hot water temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is determined for each of a plurality of time zones that divide the day, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank in each time zone is determined accordingly. A hot water storage temperature control unit for controlling the target hot water temperature,
A temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor that respectively detect an incoming water temperature that is a temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe and an incoming water flow rate that is a flow rate of the hot water;
The hot water storage temperature control unit is configured to set the target hot water storage temperature in each of the time zones at a predetermined time immediately after opening the hot water tap when the hot water is discharged by the hot water tap performed in the time zone in the past. It is constituted so that it may be determined based on each detection data of the incoming water temperature detected by the flow rate sensor and the incoming water flow rate (first invention).

  According to the first invention, for each of a plurality of time zones that divide the day, the target hot water storage temperature in each time zone is in the past when hot water is discharged from the hot water tap that has been executed in the time zone. It is determined based on the respective detection data of the incoming water temperature and the incoming water flow rate detected in a predetermined period immediately after opening the hot water tap.

  Here, the detection data of the incoming water temperature and the incoming water flow rate in a predetermined period immediately after opening of the hot water tap in each time zone is the hot water remaining in the hot water supply pipe before the hot water at the hot water tap. The amount of heat is reflected. This is because the product of the detected value of the incoming water temperature and the detected value of the incoming water flow rate (or a value proportional to the product) is the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water outlet per unit time. Because it is equivalent to

  And the calorie | heat amount of the hot water remaining in the hot water supply pipe before the hot water at the hot water tap in each time zone tends to depend on the usage form of the hot water in the time zone. For this reason, by determining the target hot water storage temperature for each time zone as described above, the amount of heat remaining in the hot water supply pipe before taking out the hot water at the hot water tap is taken into account, depending on the type of hot water used in each time zone. In this manner, the target hot water storage temperature can be determined.

  As a result, the hot water storage tank before the start of the hot water discharge at the hot water tap so that the amount of heat stored in the hot water in the hot water storage tank can be prevented as much as possible when hot water is discharged from the hot water tap at each time zone. It becomes possible to heat the hot and cold water inside.

  Therefore, according to 1st invention, it becomes possible to improve further the energy-saving performance of an instant hot-water supply apparatus.

  In the first invention, for a predetermined period immediately after the tap is opened, the temperature of the incoming water detected by the temperature sensor is supplied from the heat source device to the hot water supply pipe after the tap is opened. It is preferable to include at least a first period that is a period until the temperature is raised to a temperature equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature that is set to a value equal to or lower than a hot water supply target temperature that is a target value of hot water temperature (second invention).

  According to this, after the tap has been opened, it is possible to supply hot water having a temperature equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature supplied from the heat source device side through the hot water supply pipe to the tap. The target hot water storage temperature can be determined by reflecting the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water supply apparatus in the first period corresponding to the period.

  Therefore, after the tap has been opened, hot water is continuously discharged from the tap in a period until the hot water having a temperature equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature can be supplied to the tap. It is possible to appropriately determine the target hot water storage temperature so that hot water of a quantity of heat that can be stored in the hot water storage tank.

  In the second invention, the first period may be the same period as the predetermined period. Further, the first predetermined temperature may be the same temperature as the hot water supply target temperature.

  In the said 2nd invention, the said hot water storage temperature control part is the average temperature of the hot water supplied from the said hot water supply piping in the said 1st period in the said time slot | zone based on the said detection data in the said each time slot | zone. A representative value of the average incoming water temperature and a representative value of the total amount of incoming water that is the total amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe in the first period are set, and at least the representative value of the total incoming water amount is based on the volume of the hot water storage tank. In the case where the target hot water storage temperature is determined using the representative value of the total amount of incoming water and the representative value of the average incoming water temperature (third invention).

  Here, the case where the representative value of the total amount of incoming water in each time zone is larger than the volume of the hot water storage tank means that the hot water tap is in the first period after opening of the hot water tap in the time zone. The amount of hot water discharged from the hot water tank is predicted to be larger than the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  In this case, the target hot water storage temperature in the time period is determined by using the representative value of the total amount of incoming water and the representative value of the average incoming water temperature, thereby determining the target hot water storage temperature after opening the tap. In the first period, while maintaining the temperature of the hot water obtained by mixing the hot water in the hot water storage tank and the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water discharge device continuously while maintaining the temperature of the hot water at a warm temperature It is possible to store heat in the hot water storage tank so that it can be supplied to the tank.

  In the third invention, as the representative value of the average incoming water temperature in each time zone, for example, the minimum value of the average incoming water temperature values calculated from the detection data in the past time zone, or The average value of the average incoming water temperature can be employed. Also, as a representative value of the total amount of water in each time zone, for example, the maximum value of the total amount of water calculated from the detection data in the past time zone, or an average value of the total amount of water or the like is adopted Can do.

  In the third aspect of the invention, more specifically, the hot water storage temperature control unit determines the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank and the second temperature when at least a representative value of the total amount of incoming water is larger than the volume of the hot water storage tank. The temperature of the hot water discharged from the tap in the first period can be maintained at a predetermined first target value by the total amount of heat with the total amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe in one period. A mode may be adopted in which the determination of the target hot water storage temperature is performed based on the assumption that the actual average incoming water temperature and the total incoming water respectively match the representative value ( Fourth invention).

  According to this, in the first period after opening the hot water tap in each time zone, the hot water having the predetermined first target value can be discharged from the hot water tap (in other words, It is possible to perform heat storage of the hot water storage tank so that hot water having a stable temperature can be discharged from the hot water outlet tap).

  In the third invention or the fourth invention, even if the representative value of the total amount of water in each time zone is equal to the volume of the hot water storage tank or smaller than the volume of the hot water storage tank, The target hot water storage temperature may be determined in the same manner as when the representative value of the total amount of incoming water in the time zone is larger than the volume of the hot water storage tank. However, in order to prevent the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank from being increased more than necessary, for example, the following is preferable.

  That is, in the third or fourth aspect of the invention, the hot water storage temperature control unit is configured to determine a predetermined temperature of hot water discharged from the hot water tap when the representative value of the total amount of incoming water is smaller than the volume of the hot water storage tank. It is preferable that the second target value is determined as the target hot water storage temperature (the fifth invention).

  According to this, when the representative value of the total amount of water intake in each time zone is smaller than the volume of the hot water storage tank, the hot water storage in the first period after opening the hot water tap in the time zone, The hot water of the temperature of the predetermined second target value can be stably discharged from the hot water outlet plug only from the tank. Moreover, it is not necessary to mix the hot water in the hot water storage tank with the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water supply device and supply it to the hot water tap, so the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank is kept to a minimum. be able to.

  When the fifth invention is combined with the fourth invention, it is preferable that the second target value in the fifth invention is the same as the first target value in the fourth invention.

  In the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the detection data used by the hot water storage temperature control unit to determine the target hot water storage temperature in each time zone is the hot water tap in the operation stop state of the heat source machine. The detection data is preferably detection data excluding detection data of the incoming water temperature and the incoming water flow rate during water flow (sixth invention).

  According to this, since the target hot water storage temperature is determined based only on the detection data obtained in a situation where hot water supply from the heat source machine to the hot water outlet plug can be performed, the hot water outlet plug in each time zone In the period until the hot water supplied from the heat source side to the immediate hot water discharge device is supplied after the opening of the hot water outlet, the appropriate target hot water temperature (hot water storage tank (hot water storage tank) It is possible to appropriately determine the target hot water storage temperature) in which the amount of stored heat of hot water in the inner hot water does not become excessive or small.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the system containing the immediate hot water apparatus in embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function of the immediate hot water controller shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process of the learning data acquisition part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process of the target hot water storage temperature determination part shown in FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5C are graphs showing the operation of the immediate pouring device of the embodiment.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 1, the immediate hot water discharge device 20 of the present embodiment is provided with a water heater 3 capable of executing a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water to each of a plurality of (for example, three) hot water discharge plugs 1 a, 1 b and 1 c. In any given dwelling unit, it is an apparatus installed so that immediate hot water can be discharged from one of the hot water taps 1a, 1b, 1c, for example, the hot water tap 1b.

  Each of the hot-water taps 1a, 1b, 1c is a hot-water tap arranged in, for example, a kitchen, a washroom, and a bathroom. In addition, in FIG. 1, although each hot water outlet plug 1a, 1b, 1c is described as a faucet (caran), each hot water outlet plug 1a, 1b, 1c is not restricted to a faucet, for example, a shower or a shower and a faucet And the like.

  The water heater 3 includes a heat source device 4 as its main body. The heat source unit 4 is, for example, a combustion type heat source unit that includes a burner and a heat exchanger (not shown), and includes a water supply pipe 5 that introduces hot water supply water such as tap water into the heat source unit 4, and the heat source unit 4. A hot water supply pipe 6 is connected to supply hot water (hot water) heated by the combustion heat of the burner to the outlet taps 1a, 1b, 1c. The fuel for the burner may be either gaseous fuel or liquid fuel such as kerosene.

  The hot water supply pipe 6 includes an upstream hot water supply pipe 6d led out from the heat source unit 4, and three downstream hot water supply pipes 6a, 6b, 6c branched from the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. Of the three downstream hot water supply pipes 6a, 6b, 6c, the first downstream hot water supply pipe 6a is a hot water supply pipe to the kitchen tap 1a, and its upstream end is the first of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It branches from branch part 6d1, and the downstream end is connected to the hot water outlet plug 1a.

  The second downstream hot water supply pipe 6b is a hot water supply pipe to the immediate hot water tap 1b in the bathroom, and the upstream end of the second downstream hot water supply pipe 6b is downstream of the first branch 6d1 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It branches from branch part 6d2, and the downstream end is connected to the hot water tap 1b via the instant hot water pouring apparatus 20. As shown in FIG.

  The third downstream hot water supply pipe 6c is a hot water supply pipe to the hot-water tap 1c in the bathroom, and the upstream end of the third downstream hot water supply pipe 6c is downstream of the second branch 6d2 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It branches from 6d3, and the downstream end is connected to the hot water tap 1c.

  Therefore, in the hot water supply pipe 6 of the present embodiment, the pipe portion on the upstream side of the first branch portion 6d1 of the upstream side hot water supply pipe 6d is a common pipe portion for all the hot water outlet plugs 1a, 1b, 1c The pipe portion between the first branch portion 6d1 and the second branch portion 6d2 of the side hot water supply pipe 6d is configured to be a common pipe portion for the hot water taps 1b and 1c other than the hot water tap 1a.

  A hot water outlet plug other than the three hot water outlet plugs 1a, 1b, and 1c may be further connected to the downstream side of the third branch portion 6d3 of the upstream-side hot water supply pipe 6d.

  The water heater 3 further includes a controller 8 that performs operation control of the heat source unit 4 and a remote control 9 for operation of the water heater 3. The remote control 9 is disposed in a kitchen, a bathroom, or the like, and can perform wired communication (or wireless communication) with the controller 8. By operating the remote controller 9, the controller 8 is instructed to start or stop the hot water supply device 3, or the target value of the temperature of hot water (hot water supply temperature) supplied from the heat source unit 4 to the hot water taps 1a, 1b, 1c. Setting, etc. can be performed.

  Although only a single remote controller 9 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the water heater 3 may further include one or more remote controllers other than the remote controller 9.

  The controller 8 (hereinafter referred to as a hot water supply controller 8) is configured by one or more electronic circuit units including a microcomputer, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like, and is mounted on the heat source unit 4. And the hot-water supply controller 8 performs operation control of the heat-source machine 4 which concerns on hot-water supply operation by the mounted hardware configuration and program (software configuration).

  Specifically, when one of the outlet taps 1a, 1b, 1c is opened to start water flow through the water supply pipe 5, the hot water supply controller 8 starts the water flow with a water flow switch (not shown) or It detects through sensors, such as a flow sensor, and starts the combustion operation of the burner of the heat source unit 4 according to the detection. Thus, the hot water supply water introduced from the water supply pipe 5 to the heat source unit 4 is heated by the combustion heat of the burner through the heat exchanger, and the hot water supply water (hot water) after heating is opened. Alternatively, it is supplied to the heat source 1 b or 1 c from the heat source unit 4 via the hot water supply pipe 6.

  The hot water supply controller 8 then matches or substantially matches the actual hot water supply temperature to the opened taps 1a or 1b or 1c with a target value (hereinafter referred to as hot water supply target temperature) set by the remote controller 9. Control the amount of combustion of the burner.

  Supplementally, the heat source unit 4 of the water heater 3 is not limited to a combustion type heat source unit, but is a heat source unit including an electric heating unit (including a heat pump type) instead of or in addition to the burner. There may be. The water heater 3 is configured not only to perform a hot water supply operation, but also to perform a bath operation such as hot water for a bathtub, or an operation for supplying hot water to a hot water heating device such as a bathroom heating device. Also good.

  The immediate hot water supply device 20 is located immediately above the heat source device 4 on the hot water flow path from the heat source unit 4 to the hot-water tap 1b (hereinafter referred to as the immediate hot water tap 1b) in the bathroom as the hot water tap targeted for immediate hot water. It is installed in a position sufficiently close to the tap 1b (position near the immediate hot water tap 1b), for example, a space under the sink in the bathroom. The immediate hot water supply device 20 includes a hot water storage tank 21, an inflow side pipe 30 connected to the downstream end of the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b in the hot water supply pipe 6, and an outflow side pipe 31 connected to the immediate hot water tap 1b. Prepare.

  The downstream end of the inflow side pipe 30 has a lower end portion of the hot water storage tank 21 so that hot water flowing into the inflow side pipe 30 from the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b (hot water entering the immediate hot water supply device 20) can be supplied to the hot water storage tank 21. It is connected to the. Therefore, the hot water storage tank 21 is connected to the downstream hot water supply pipe 6 b through the inflow side pipe 30.

  Further, the upstream side portion of the outflow side pipe 31 is introduced into the hot water storage tank 21 so that hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 can be supplied to the hot tap 1b immediately. Accordingly, the hot water storage tank 21 is connected to the immediate hot water tap 1b through the outflow side pipe 31. In this case, the upstream end of the outflow side pipe 31 is opened in the hot water storage tank 21 at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21. The upstream end of the outflow side pipe 31 may be connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21.

  In the hot water storage tank 21, an electric heater 22 for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and a rectifying plate 23 for rectifying the hot water flowing into the hot water storage tank 21 from the inflow side pipe 30 are incorporated. ing.

  Further, a temperature sensor 24 for detecting the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 (hereinafter referred to as hot water storage temperature Ttk) and a hot water storage tank 21 in an excessively high temperature overheat state are provided at the outer periphery of the hot water storage tank 21. An overheat prevention thermostat 25 that forcibly cuts off the power supply to the heater 22 and a heat insulating material 26 that covers the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 21 are mounted in order to improve the heat retaining property of the hot water storage tank 21.

  The inflow side piping 30 includes one inlet port 33 a connected to the upstream side portion of the inflow side piping 30, the downstream side portion of the inflow side piping 30, and the hot water storage tank from the upstream side portion of the inflow side piping 30. A distribution valve 33 having two outlet ports 33b and 33c respectively connected to a bypass pipe 32 that forms a flow path for flowing hot water to the outflow side pipe 31 without passing through 21 is interposed.

  The distribution valve 33 is constituted by an electric three-way valve or the like, and supplies hot water supplied from the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b to the inflow side pipe 30 (hot water entering the immediate hot water supply apparatus 20) into two outlet ports 33b, It is possible to distribute to 33 c and let it flow out (thus, it is possible to distribute it to the hot water storage tank 21 and the bypass piping 32 and let it flow out), and the flow rate of hot water flowing from the outlet port 33 b to the hot water storage tank 21 (hereinafter, tank side flow rate And the flow rate of hot water flowing from the outlet port 33c to the bypass pipe 32 (hereinafter referred to as bypass flow rate) can be variably controlled. In this case, either one of the outlet ports 33b and 33c can be closed (and the tank-side flow rate or the bypass-side flow rate can be made zero).

  A downstream end of the bypass pipe 32 to which hot water is distributed from the distribution valve 33 is connected to a midway part 31 a of the outflow side pipe 31. The intermediate portion 31a is a portion where the hot water passing through the bypass pipe 32 and the hot water flowing out from the hot water storage tank 21 to the outflow side pipe 31 are mixed, and will be referred to as a mixing section 31a hereinafter.

  A temperature sensor 34 for detecting the temperature of hot water supplied from the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b (hereinafter referred to as the incoming water temperature Tin) and a downstream hot water supply pipe 6b are provided on the upstream side of the distribution valve 33 of the inflow side pipe 30. A flow rate sensor 35 for detecting the flow rate of hot water supplied from the water (hereinafter referred to as incoming water flow rate Win) and a valve mechanism 36 constituted by a pressure reducing valve and a check valve (not shown) are assembled.

  An expansion water discharge pipe 37 for discharging a part of hot water expanded by heating in the hot water storage tank 21 is connected to the downstream side of the distribution valve 33 of the inflow side pipe 30. The discharge pipe 37 is provided with an overpressure relief valve 38 that opens when the pressure of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 rises to a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The expanded water discharge pipe 37 may be connected to the hot water storage tank 21 or the outflow side pipe 31.

  A temperature sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the hot water storage tank 21 to the outflow side pipe 31 (hereinafter referred to as a tank outflow temperature Ttout) is attached to a portion on the upstream side of the mixing portion 31a of the outflow side pipe 31 Yes. Further, in the downstream side of the mixing portion 31a of the outflow side pipe 31, the temperature of hot water supplied from the mixing portion 31a to the immediate hot water tap 1b and discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b (hereinafter referred to as the hot water temperature Tout). ) Is detected.

  In the middle part of the outflow side pipe 31, for example, the mixing part 31a, a drainage pipe for draining hot water or the like in the hot water storage tank 21 at the time of maintenance of the immediate hot water supply device 20 or when not in use. 41 are connected. A drain plug 42 which can be opened and closed manually is attached to the downstream end of the drain pipe 41.

  The immediate hot water supply device 20 further includes a controller 45 that controls the operation of the heater 22 and the distribution valve 33 of the hot water storage tank 21 (hereinafter referred to as an immediate hot water controller 45), an on / off operation of the power supply of the immediate hot water supply device 20, And an operation unit 50 for performing an operation condition setting operation and the like of the hot water apparatus 20.

  The operation unit 50 includes operation switches, a display unit, and the like (not shown). The immediate hot water controller 45 includes one or more electronic circuit units including a microcomputer, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like. The operation signal of the operation unit 50 is input to the temperature sensor 24, 34, 39, 40 and the flow rate. A detection signal of the sensor 35 is input.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the immediate hot water supply controller 45 can perform wired communication (or wireless communication) with the hot water supply controller 8, and whether or not the water heater 3 is in the operation stop state by this communication It is possible to acquire information, information indicating the hot water supply target temperature set by the remote controller 9, and the like.

  And as shown in FIG. 2, the immediate hot-water controller 45 controls the distribution valve 33 at the time of hot-water supply in the immediate hot-water tap 1b as a function implement | achieved by the mounted hardware structure and program, The said hot-water temperature The hot water storage temperature Ttk (the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21) is controlled by controlling the heater 22 and the function as the hot water temperature control unit 46 for controlling Tout (the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water tap 1b). And a function as the storage water temperature control unit 47.

  Then, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 functions as a target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a for executing processing for determining a target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd, which is a target value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk, and learning used to determine the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd. And a function as a learning data acquisition unit 47b that collects data at the time of hot water at the immediate hot water tap 1b.

  Next, the operation of the immediate hot water supply apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the control process of the immediate hot water controller 45. In this embodiment, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 of the immediate hot water controller 45 divides a day into a plurality of time zones (for example, four time zones of morning, noon, evening, and night), and for each time zone. The target hot-water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined by the target hot-water storage temperature determining unit 47a, and the learning data used to determine the target hot-water storage temperature Ttk_cmd in each time zone is used as the hot water tap of the immediate hot water tap 1b in that time zone. The processing that is sometimes collected is executed by the learning data acquisition unit 47b.

  In this case, the start time and the end time of each of the plurality of time zones are arbitrarily set in advance by the operation of the operation unit 50. Note that not only the start time and end time of each time zone, but also the number of time zones that divide a day may be set by operating the operation unit 50, for example. Further, for example, the time width of each time zone may be set to a predetermined constant value, and only the start time or end time of each time zone may be set by operating the operation unit 50.

  The processing of the learning data acquisition unit 47b is executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. In STEP 1, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b determines whether or not the water heater 3 is in a state in which a hot water supply operation is possible through communication with the hot water controller 8. Here, when the hot water supply operation is possible, when the water supply pipe 5 is started to flow through the taps of the taps 1a, 1b, 1c (water flow over a predetermined flow rate), This is a state in which the hot water supply operation of the water heater 3 (operation for heating the hot water supply water) is started, that is, a standby state in which the water heater 3 is waiting for water flow.

  If the determination result in STEP1 is negative, the learning data acquisition unit 47b repeats the determination process in STEP1. Therefore, when the water heater 3 is not in a state in which the hot water supply operation is possible (when the operation of the water heater 3 is stopped), learning data is not collected. The operation stop state of the water heater 3 is not limited to the state realized by the user's operation of the remote controller 9 (operation stop operation), and the hot water controller 8 is connected to the heat source device 4 according to the abnormality that has occurred in the water heater 3. Including the state where the operation is forcibly stopped.

  If the water heater 3 is ready for hot water supply operation and the determination result in STEP 1 is affirmative, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b next in STEP 2 based on the detection signal of the flow sensor 35. Then, the presence or absence of water entering the immediate hot water supply device 20 (specifically, whether or not hot water flows into the inflow side piping 30 of the immediate hot water supply device 20 from the downstream hot water supply piping 6b of the hot water supply piping 6) is determined.

  In STEP 2, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b receives water when the detected value of the incoming water flow rate Win (flow rate of hot water flowing into the inflow side pipe 30) indicated by the detection signal of the flow rate sensor 35 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. It is determined that there is no water, and it is determined that water has entered when the detected value of the incoming water flow rate Win exceeds the threshold value.

  Therefore, if the immediate hot water outlet tap 1b of the washroom is not opened, or if the degree of opening of the instantaneous hot water outlet tap 1b is very small, the determination result of STEP 2 becomes negative. In this case, the learning data acquisition unit 47b repeats the processing from STEP1.

  On the other hand, when the incoming hot water tap 1b is opened and the incoming water flow rate Win to the immediate hot water device 20 exceeds the threshold value, the determination result in STEP2 becomes affirmative. In this case, the learning data acquisition unit 47b sequentially executes the processing of STEP3 to STEP6 in a predetermined calculation processing cycle until the determination result of STEP7 becomes affirmative.

  In STEP 3, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b acquires the detected value of the present incoming water flow Win indicated by the detection signal of the flow sensor 35 and the detected value of the present incoming water temperature Tin indicated by the detection signal of the temperature sensor 34. To do.

  In STEP 4, the total amount of hot water (hot water flowing into the inflow side pipe 30) that has entered the immediate hot water supply device 20 from the start of water entry to the immediate hot water supply device 20 (when the determination result in STEP 2 becomes affirmative) to the present time. The total amount of incoming water Vin, which is (volume), is calculated by integrating the detected values of the incoming water flow rate Win. More specifically, the total amount of incoming water Vin is the calculated value of the total amount of incoming water Vin in the previous arithmetic processing cycle (initial value is zero), the detected value of the current incoming water flow rate Win, and the time width Δt of the arithmetic processing cycle. It is calculated by adding the amount of incoming water (volume) calculated as the product of (= Win × Δt).

  In STEP 5, hot water newly entered into the immediate hot water supply device 20 using the detected value of the current incoming water flow rate Win and the detected value of the current incoming water temperature Tin (specifically, the incoming water flow rate Win and The amount of heat ΔQin held by the hot and cold water having detected the incoming water temperature Tin is calculated. The amount of heat ΔQin is, for example, the amount of incoming water (volume) calculated as the product of the detected value of the current incoming water flow rate Win and the time width Δt of the calculation processing period (= Win × Δt), It is calculated by multiplying it with the detected value of the current incoming water temperature Tin.

ΔQin [kcal] = Tin [° C.] × (Win [liter / second] × Δt [second]) ... (1)

In addition, it is 1 [kcal] 4.2 4.2 [kJ] and 1 [liter] = 1000 [cm ³ ]. Further, the heat quantity ΔQin is a relative heat quantity to the heat quantity when the temperature of the hot water is 0 ° C.

  In STEP 6, the total amount of heat Qin possessed by the entire hot water that has entered the immediate hot water supply device 20 from the start of the incoming water to the immediate hot water supply device 20 to the present is calculated as the cumulative addition value of the heat amount ΔQin calculated in STEP 5. More specifically, the total heat quantity Qin is obtained by adding the heat quantity ΔQin calculated in STEP5 in the current calculation processing cycle to the calculated value of the total heat amount Qin in the previous calculation processing cycle (initial value is zero). Calculated.

  In the determination process of STEP 7 following STEPs 3 to 6, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b is a hot water in a state heated to the hot water supply target temperature (more specifically, a hot water having a temperature that matches or nearly matches the hot water supply target temperature. The presence / absence of incoming water to the immediate hot water supply device 20 (referred to as heated hot water) is determined based on the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin by the temperature sensor 34.

  Specifically, for example, the learning data acquisition unit 47b compares the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin with a predetermined judgment temperature set to a temperature lower by a predetermined value than the hot water supply target temperature acquired through communication with the hot water supply controller 8. Then, the presence or absence of incoming hot water is determined based on whether or not the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin has risen to a temperature equal to or higher than the determination temperature. In this case, the determination temperature corresponds to the first predetermined temperature in the present invention.

  The determination temperature is a predetermined fixed value such as the minimum value of the hot water supply target temperature that can be set by the remote controller 9 of the water heater 3 or a temperature that is lower than the minimum value by a predetermined value. It may be a temperature. The determination temperature may be the same value as the hot water supply target temperature.

  Here, the heated hot water is not limited to the hot water newly heated by the heat source unit 4 during the hot water supply operation of the hot water heater 3 started in response to the current opening of the immediate hot water tap 1b. The hot water already remaining in the hot water supply pipe 6 before the opening of this time (specifically, out of the hot water remaining in the hot water supply pipe 6, the inflow side of the immediate hot water supply device 20 according to the opening of the immediate hot water tap 1 b) Hot water flowing into the pipe 30) may also be included.

  For example, immediately after the hot water supply to the hot water outlet plug 1a of the kitchen is performed, if the current hot water outlet plug 1b is opened this time, the upstream side hot water supply pipe 6d on the upstream side of the first branch portion 6d1 The hot water remaining in this part (including the part in the heat source unit 4) is added to the inflow side pipe 30 before the hot water newly heated in the heat source unit 4 after the current tap of the immediate tap 1b is opened. It becomes hot water that flows in.

  In addition, for example, immediately after the hot water supply to the hot water outlet plug 1c of the bathroom is performed, if the current hot water outlet plug 1b is opened this time, the second branch portion 6d2 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d The hot water remaining in the upstream part (including the part in the heat source machine 4) is the inflow side before the hot water newly heated by the heat source machine 4 after the current opening of the immediate hot water outlet plug 1b. Heated hot water flowing into the pipe 30 is obtained.

  On the other hand, when the hot water supply operation of the water heater 3 is not performed for a while before the current opening of the hot water outlet plug 1b is performed this time, hot water in a heated state remains in the hot water supply pipe 6 Therefore, the heated hot water first flowing into the inflow side pipe 30 after the current opening of the immediate hot water tap 1b is hot water newly heated by the heat source unit 4.

  In the following description, the hot water that immediately enters the hot water supply device 20 (inflow into the inflow side pipe 30) before entering the heated hot water is referred to as unheated hot water.

  If the determination result in STEP 7 is negative, the learning data acquisition unit 47b repeats the processes in STEP 3 to 6 in the calculation processing cycle. If the determination result in STEP 7 is positive, the learning data acquisition unit 47b ends the processes in STEP 3 to 7 and executes the processes in STEP 8 to 10.

  In the present embodiment, the period until the determination result in STEP 7 becomes affirmative after opening the immediate hot water tap 1b corresponds to the predetermined period or the first period in the present invention.

  Here, supplementing the total intake amount Vin finally calculated in STEP 4 and the total heat quantity Qin finally calculated in STEP 6 until the determination result in STEP 7 becomes affirmative, the final amount in STEP 4 The calculated total amount of incoming water Vin is in the unheated state flowing into the hot water supply device 20 (flowing into the inflow side pipe 30) immediately before the hot water is poured into the hot water (until the determination result in STEP 7 becomes affirmative). It is the total amount (volume) of hot and cold water.

  In addition, the total heat quantity Qin finally calculated in STEP 6 is the amount of non-heated inflowing hot water that has entered the hot water pouring device 20 immediately before the hot water enters the heated state (until the determination result in STEP 7 becomes affirmative). The total amount of heat.

  And the total amount Vin of the inflowing hot water in the non-heated state is calculated from the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d when the hot water supply operation of the water heater 3 has not been executed for a while before the immediate opening of the immediate hot water tap 1b. Of these, the sum of the volume of the upstream portion (including the portion in the heat source unit 4) of the second branch portion 6d2 and the volume of the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b is approximated.

  Further, for example, immediately after the hot water supply to the hot water outlet plug 1a of the kitchen is performed, the current hot water outlet plug 1b is opened this time (in the upstream-side hot water supply pipe 6d, the upstream side than the first branch portion 6d1 In the case where heated hot water remains in the portion of No. 2), the total incoming amount Vin of the non-heated inflowing hot water is between the first branch 6d1 and the second branch 6d2 in the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It approximates to the sum total of the volume of this part and the volume of the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b.

  Further, for example, when the immediate opening of the hot water tap 1b is performed immediately after the hot water supply to the hot water tap 1c in the bathroom is performed (in the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d, the upstream side of the third branch portion 6d3). In the case where the hot water in the heated state remains in the part of (1), the total amount Vin of water entering into the unheated state inflow hot water approximates to the volume of the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b.

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3, in the next STEP 8 when the determination result of the above-mentioned STEP 7 becomes affirmative, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b waits until hot water in a heated state enters the hot water pouring device 20 (STEP 7 (Until the determination result becomes affirmative) The overall heat quantity Qin of the unheated inflowing hot water finally calculated in STEP 6 is calculated by calculating the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave of the entire unheated inflowing hot water that has entered the immediate hot water supply device 20; From the total amount Vin of incoming non-heated inflowing hot water that is finally calculated in STEP 4, it is calculated by the following equation (2).

Tin_ave = Qin / Vin (2)

  Next, in STEP 9, the learning data acquisition unit 47b uses the average incoming temperature Tin_ave, the total incoming water amount Vin, and the total heat amount Qin of the unheated inflowing hot water as learning data, and the date and time that the immediate tap 1b was opened this time. It stores it in a memory (not shown) along with the information. In this case, the date / time information also includes information indicating which time zone of the plurality of time zones the time zone in which the immediate tap tap 1b is opened this time.

  In the present embodiment, the processing of the learning data acquisition unit 47b is performed every time the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened while the hot water supply device 3 is in a hot water supply operation enabled state (a predetermined flow rate to the immediate hot water discharge device 20 according to the opening). Every time the above water entry is performed), it is executed as described above.

  Supplementally, the value of any one parameter among the average incoming temperature Tin_ave, the total incoming water amount Vin, and the total heat amount Qin of unheated inflowing hot water is uniquely defined by the values of the other two parameters. Therefore, only the values of two parameters of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave, the total incoming water amount Vin, and the total heat amount Qin may be stored and held as learning data.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the above process of the learning data acquisition unit 47b, the total amount of incoming water Vin and the total heat quantity Qin are sequentially calculated until the determination result of STEP 7 becomes affirmative. However, for example, the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin and the detected value of the incoming water flow rate Win are stored and held in time series until the determination result of STEP 7 becomes affirmative, and the determination result of STEP 7 becomes affirmative After that, the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave, the total incoming water Vin, and the total heat quantity Qin may be calculated using the time-series data stored and held as needed (when necessary).

  Next, the process of the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a will be described. The target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a performs the processing of STEPs 11a and 12 to 15 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 at a predetermined timing (for example, a timing before a predetermined time) before the start of each time zone for each day. A target hot water storage temperature in the time zone is determined.

  Further, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a performs the processing of STEPs 11b and 12 to 15 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 after the hot water supply operation of the immediate hot water supply device 20 is first executed in each time zone. By executing, the target hot water storage temperature in the time zone is determined. Hereinafter, a time zone in which the target hot water storage temperature is to be determined is referred to as a target time zone.

  In the process of determining the target hot water temperature in the target time zone before the start of the target time zone, the target hot water temperature determining unit 47a is within a period from the current day to a predetermined N days before (for example, seven days ago) in STEP 11a. Each learning data stored and held by the learning data acquisition unit 47b is acquired in the past target time zone.

  Furthermore, in STEP 12, the target storage water temperature determination unit 47a calculates the target storage water temperature Ttk_cmd in the target time zone based on the acquired learning data, and the representative value Tin_ave_s of the average input water temperature Tin_ave of unheated inflowing hot water and the total amount A representative value Vin_s of Vin is set. In this case, the representative value Tin_ave_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave for calculation and the representative value Vin_s of the total incoming water amount Vin_s are basically the value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the total incoming water amount Vin of any acquired learning data. And are set in accordance with predetermined rules so as to respectively match or approximate values.

  For example, the minimum value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave of all acquired learning data and the maximum value of the incoming total amount Vin are respectively set as representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the incoming total amount Vin. Is done. In this case, for example, a value smaller by a predetermined margin value than the minimum value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave is set as a representative value Tin_ave_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave, or more than the maximum value among the total incoming water volume Vin. A value larger by a predetermined margin value may be set as the representative value Vin_s of the total incoming water amount Vin.

  Alternatively, for example, the average value (or median value) of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave of all learning data acquired in the target time zone and the average value (or median value) of the total incoming water amount Vin are the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and The representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the total amount of incoming water Vin are set.

  Besides, for example, the minimum value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave of all acquired learning data, and the value of the total amount of incoming water Vin corresponding to the minimum value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave (minimum value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and date and time Each of the information may be set as the representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the total incoming water amount Vin, respectively.

  Alternatively, for example, the maximum value of the total amount of incoming water Vin of all acquired learning data and the value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave corresponding to the maximum amount of incoming water Vin (the date and time information are the same as the total amount of incoming water Vin of the maximum value). The value of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave) may be set as representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the total incoming water volume Vin and the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave, respectively.

  Supplementally, the user can selectively specify a plurality of modes that define how to set (rules) the representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the total incoming water amount Vin. The representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average inflow water temperature Tin_ave and the total inflow water volume Vin may be set in a manner defined by the mode designated by the operation unit 50.

  In addition, for example, the time series data of the detected values of the incoming water temperature Tin and the incoming water flow rate Win at the time of each hot water discharge in the target hot water tap 1b in each time zone is stored and stored, and the optimization is performed based on the time series data. The representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the total incoming water amount Vin may be set by a method, a statistical processing method, or the like.

  Next, in STEP 13, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47 a determines whether the representative value Vin_s of the total incoming water amount Vin set as described above is equal to or less than the volume Vt of the hot water storage tank 21 stored in advance in the memory of the immediate hot water controller 45. Judge whether or not.

  When the determination result in STEP 13 is affirmative (when Vin_s ≦ Vt), hot water having the same volume as the representative value Vin_s of the total amount of incoming water Vin of unheated inflowing hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 21 to the immediate hot water tap 1b. This is the case when it can be supplied. In this case, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a determines the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd in STEP14.

  In this STEP 14, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a sets the heated hot water supplied from the downstream hot water supply pipe 6b after the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened (specifically, immediately after the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened). In the period until it becomes possible to discharge hot water from the immediate hot water tap 1b), an immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd as a target temperature of the hot water discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b (target value of the hot water temperature Tout) is set as the target hot water storage. Determined as temperature Ttk_cmd. In the present embodiment, the immediate hot water discharge target temperature Tout_cmd corresponds to the first target value and the second target value in the present invention.

  In this case, in this embodiment, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a uses the hot water supply target temperature acquired from the hot water supply controller 8 (the hot water supply target temperature set by the remote controller 9 of the hot water heater 3) as the immediate hot water supply target temperature Tout_cmd. . Therefore, in STEP 14, the hot water supply target temperature is determined as the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd.

  Thereby, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is based on the assumption that the total amount Vin of unheated inflowing hot water entering the immediate hot water supply device 20 after opening the immediate hot water tap 1b matches the representative value Vin_s set in STEP12. During the period when the hot water flowing in the non-heated state into the immediate hot water supply device 20 enters the immediate hot water supply device 20, hot water having a temperature corresponding to the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd (= hot water supply target temperature) is supplied to the immediate hot water tap 1 b only from the hot water storage tank 21. It is decided to be able to supply.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in STEP 13 is negative (when Vin_s> Vt), the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a determines the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd in STEP 15. In this STEP 15, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a mixes the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 with the unheated hot water in a period in which the unheated hot water flows into the hot water outlet device 20 immediately. The target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined to be higher than the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd so that hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches Tout_cmd can be supplied to the immediate hot water tap 1b.

  In other words, the target storage water temperature determination unit 47a receives the heat quantity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the non-heating state inflowing hot water entering the hot water out apparatus 20 during the period when the unheated inflowing hot water enters the instantaneous hot water discharge apparatus 20. The target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined so that hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd can be supplied to the immediate hot water tap 1b according to the total heat amount of the hot water.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a uses the representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average incoming water temperature Tin_ave and the total incoming water amount Vin set in STEP 12, and the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd. The target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined so as to satisfy the relational expression of the following expression (3).

Tout_cmd × Vin_s = Ttk_cmd × Vt + Tin_ave_s × (Vin_s−Vt) (3)

  Therefore, in STEP 15, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a determines the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd according to the following equation (3a).

Ttk_cmd = (Tout_cmd × Vin_s−Tin_ave_s × (Vin_s−Vt)) / Vt (3a)

  Here, Tout_cmd × Vin_s in the formulas (3) and (3a) is a hot water of the immediate discharge target temperature Tout_cmd in a period in which the unheated inflow hot water enters the hot water outlet device 20 immediately before the hot water is heated. The amount of heat required for hot water to be discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b, Ttk_cmd × Vt is the amount of heat to be stored in the hot water storage tank 21, and Tin_ave_s × (Vin_s−Vt) is the unheated inflowing hot water entering the immediate hot water outlet 20 The heat quantity of the hot water excluding the filling of the hot water storage tank 21 (the hot water having a volume corresponding to the volume Vt of the hot water storage tank 21) among the whole (hot water having a volume of the representative value Vin_s of the total amount of water intake Vin).

  When the value calculated by the calculation of the right side of the equation (3a) exceeds the predetermined upper limit temperature of the stored water temperature Ttk, the target stored water temperature Ttk_cmd is set to the upper limit temperature.

  Supplementally, within a range where the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd falls below the upper limit temperature, for example, a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the value calculated by the calculation of the right side of the above equation (3a) is determined as the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd. May be.

  By determining the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd as described above when Vin_s> Vt, the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is basically (except in the case of being limited to the upper limit temperature), the immediate hot water tap 1b being opened. On the assumption that the average incoming temperature Tin_ave of the unheated inflowing hot water entering the immediate hot water supply device 20 after plugging and the total incoming water amount Vin match the representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s set in STEP 12, respectively. By mixing the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the non-heated inflowing hot water during a period when the unheated inflowing hot water enters, hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd is supplied to the immediate hot water tap 1b. It is determined so that it can be supplied.

  In addition, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is not changed until the period when the non-heated inflow hot water enters the immediate hot water supply device 20 (until the heated hot water is supplied to the immediate hot water supply device 20). It is determined that almost the entire amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 21 (hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches the target hot water temperature Ttk_cmd) is supplied to the hot tap 1b.

  In the present embodiment, the process of determining the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd before the start of the target time zone is performed as described above.

  Then, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 causes the actual hot water storage temperature Ttk in the hot water storage tank 21 to match or substantially match the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd by the start of the target time zone in which the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd has been determined as described above. The heater 22 is controlled.

  More specifically, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 does not perform the water flow to the immediate hot water tap 1b (the incoming water to the immediate hot water discharge device 20) during the period from the start of the target time zone to a predetermined time before. And, when the detected value of the storage water temperature Ttk by the temperature sensor 24 is lower than the target storage water temperature Ttk_cmd by a predetermined value or more, the storage water temperature Ttk is raised to the target storage water temperature Ttk_cmd by starting the heat generation operation of the heater 22. . Thereafter, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 makes the hot water storage temperature Ttk coincide with the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd until the water is first input into the immediate hot water outlet 20 corresponding to the opening of the immediate hot water tap 1b in the target time zone. The heat generation operation and the operation stop of the heater 22 are alternately repeated so as to keep the temperature substantially the same.

  On the other hand, in the process of determining the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd in the target time zone within the target time zone, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a performs the hot water discharge operation (the immediate hot water tap 1b) of the immediate hot water supply device 20 in the target time zone. Immediately after the end of the operation of draining from the hot water), in STEP 11b, each learning data previously stored and held by the learning data acquisition unit 47b is acquired within the current target time zone.

  Next, the target hot water storage temperature determination unit 47a determines the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd by executing the processing of STEPs 12 to 15 in the same manner as before the start of the target time zone. In this case, in STEP 12, based on learning data in the current target time zone, representative values Tin_ave_s and Vin_s of the average inflow water temperature Tin_ave for calculation of the target storage water temperature Ttk_cmd and the total inflow water Vin are set. Other than this, the process is the same as before the start of the target time zone.

  Then, after determining the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd as described above, the hot water storage temperature control unit 47 controls the heater 22 so that the actual hot water storage temperature in the hot water storage tank 21 matches or substantially matches the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd. . The control of the heater 22 is performed in the same manner as before the start of the target time zone.

  Supplementally, in the present embodiment, when Vin_s> Vt, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is calculated by the equation (3a). For example, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd may be calculated using a value smaller than Vt instead of the value of Vt (volume of the hot water storage tank 21) on the right side of the equation (3a). In addition, when using the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 21 as much as possible when the hot water outlet tap 1 is discharged, the Vt of the right side of the equation (3a) or the value of the right side of the equation (3a) It is preferable to calculate the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd according to an equation replaced with a value slightly smaller than that).

  Further, in the present embodiment, when Vin__s ≦ Vt, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is made to coincide with the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd. However, for example, the right side Vt of the equation (3a) may be calculated by an equation in which the value is replaced with a value smaller than the representative value Vin_s of the total incoming water amount Vin. In order to prevent the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 21 from being increased more than necessary, it is preferable to make the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd coincide with the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd when Vin__s ≦ Vt.

  Next, processing of the hot water temperature control unit 46 of the immediate hot water controller 45 will be described. When water enters the immediate hot water supply device 20 according to the opening of the immediate hot water tap 1b (water entering at a predetermined flow rate or higher), the hot water temperature control unit 46 detects the incoming water based on the detection signal of the flow sensor 35. .

  At this time, the hot water temperature control unit 46 is a case where the detected value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk indicated by the detection signal of the temperature sensor 24 coincides with or substantially coincides with the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd (when Ttk≈Ttk_cmd). The detected values of the incoming water temperature Tin by the temperature sensors 34, 39 and 40, the tank outflow temperature Ttout and the outgoing water temperature Tout, the detected value of the incoming water flow rate Win by the flow sensor 35, and the immediate outgoing hot water target temperature Tout_cmd The target distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 (the ratio of the tank side flow rate to the bypass side flow rate) is sequentially calculated according to a predetermined equation so that the outlet temperature Tout can be made to coincide or almost coincide with the immediate outlet target temperature Tout_cmd. decide. Then, the outlet temperature control unit 46 sequentially controls the actual distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 to the determined target distribution ratio.

  As a result, immediately after opening the immediate hot water tap 1b, hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd is discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b. Thereafter, when the hot water in the heated state enters the immediate hot water supply device 20, the hot water in the heated state is discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b.

  When the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is limited to the upper limit temperature, the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 is controlled as described above, before the hot water in the heated state enters the hot water outlet 20, the hot water storage tank 21. May run out of water.

  Therefore, when the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is limited to the upper limit temperature, the hot water temperature control unit 46 corrects the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd to a temperature lower than the hot water supply target temperature, and the corrected immediate hot water target temperature after the correction. Using Tout_cmd, the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 is controlled in the same manner as described above. In this case, the corrected immediate outlet hot water target temperature Tout_cmd matches the corrected immediate outlet hot water target temperature Tout_cmd in a period in which the unheated inflow hot water enters the immediate outlet hot water device 20 after opening the immediate outlet hot water plug 1b. It is determined that hot water of approximately the same temperature can be continuously supplied to the immediate pouring tap 1b.

  Further, when the detected value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk is lower than the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd or lower than a predetermined value (when the temperature increase of the hot water storage temperature Ttk by the heater 22 is not completed), the detected value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk is detected. When the temperature is higher than the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin, the outlet hot water temperature control unit 46 lowers the instantaneous outlet hot water target temperature Tout_cmd, for example, lower than the detected value of the storage water temperature Ttk and is higher than the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin. Correct to high temperature. Then, the outlet temperature control unit 46 controls the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 so as to realize the modified immediate outlet hot water target temperature Tout_cmd in a period in which the unheated inflow hot water enters the instantaneous outlet hot water device 20.

  Thus, after opening the immediate hot water outlet tap 1b, in a period in which the unheated inflow hot water enters the immediate hot water outlet device 20, hot water having a temperature that matches or nearly matches the corrected immediate outlet hot water target temperature Tout_cmd is immediately available. Can be discharged from the hot water. Thereafter, when the hot water in the heated state enters the immediate hot water supply device 20, the hot water in the heated state is discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b.

  Further, when the detected value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk is lower than the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd or lower than a predetermined value (when the temperature increase of the hot water storage temperature Ttk by the heater 22 is not completed), the detected value of the hot water storage temperature Ttk is detected. If the temperature is lower than the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin, the outgoing water temperature control unit 46 controls the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 so as to supply the entire amount of hot and cold water entering the hot water outlet device 20 to the outgoing water tap 1b. (The distribution ratio of the distribution valve 33 is controlled so that the tank side flow rate becomes zero).

  Thereby, after opening the immediate hot-water tap 1b, the hot water which enters into the immediate hot-water supply apparatus 20 is discharged from the immediate hot-water tap 1b as it is.

  According to the embodiment described above, the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd in each time zone is determined based on the learning data stored and held in each time zone for each of a plurality of time zones that divide the day. Ru. Then, the actual hot water storage temperature Ttk of the hot water storage tank 21 in each time zone is controlled to be the target hot water storage temperature Ttk_cmd.

  Here, the usage form of the hot water outlet taps 1a, 1b, 1c in each time zone is likely to be in accordance with each time zone. For example, in the morning time zone, there are many cases where hot water is discharged from the kitchen hot water tap 1a immediately before the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened in the bathroom. As a result, when the immediate hot water outlet tap 1b of the washroom is opened, there is a case where hot water in a heated state already remains in the portion of the hot water supply pipe 6 upstream of the first branch portion 6d1 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It tends to increase (hereinafter, this case is referred to as the first case).

  Further, for example, during the daytime period, since the frequency of hot water discharge at the immediate hot water tap 1b is relatively low, heated hot water remains in the hot water supply pipe 6 when the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened. It is easy to increase the number of cases that have not been performed (hereinafter, this case is referred to as the second case).

  In addition, for example, in the night time zone, there are many cases where hot water is being discharged from the hot-water tap 1c in the bathroom immediately before the immediate hot-water tap 1b is opened. As a result, when the immediate hot water outlet tap 1b of the washroom is opened, there is a case where hot water in a heated state already remains in the portion of the hot water supply pipe 6 upstream of the third branch 6d3 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. It tends to increase (hereinafter, this case is referred to as the third case).

  In each of the first to third cases described above, the total amount Vin of water entering the hot-water outlet apparatus 20 increases after the immediate-hot water tap 1b is opened and the incoming water temperature Tin into the hot-water outlet device 20 Accordingly (as the water enters the immediate hot water supply apparatus 20), the outline changes in a pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. In this case, in each of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C, the timing at which the incoming water temperature Tin rises from the temperature Tin1 of the unheated inflowing hot water toward the hot water supply target temperature is positive in the determination result of STEP7 of FIG. It is timing.

  Then, in the present embodiment, since the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined as described above, in each of the first to third cases, it is approximately the area of each hatched portion in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. The target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd is determined so as to store the corresponding heat amount in the water storage tank 21.

  For this reason, in any case of the first to third cases, a period before the heated hot water enters the immediate hot water supply device 20 after the immediate hot water tap 1b is opened (not in the immediate hot water supply device 20). During the period in which the heated inflow hot water enters), hot water having a temperature that matches or almost matches the hot water supply target temperature is supplied as the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd to the immediate hot water tap 1b to cause the immediate hot water tap 1b to it can.

  In the first case, since the target water storage temperature Ttk_cmd suitable for each of the second case and the third case can be set, the hot water storage tank 21 is used for hot water discharge of the hot water outlet tap 1b in each time zone. The excess and deficiency of the amount of heat stored can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, the energy consumption of the immediate hot water supply device 20 can be reduced as much as possible, and the hot water temperature Tout immediately after opening the immediate hot water tap 1b can be prevented as much as possible. Moreover, after opening the immediate hot water tap 1b, before the hot hot water supplied to the immediate hot water tap device 20 can be discharged from the immediate hot water tap 1b, it is as much as possible that the hot water storage tank 21 is in a hot state. It can prevent.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and other aspects can be adopted. Several other embodiments will be described below.

  In the above embodiment, in order to mix the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 with the hot water entering the immediate hot water supply device 20 from the heat source unit 4 via the hot water supply pipe 6, a distribution valve is provided at the upstream end of the bypass pipe 32. Equipped with 33. However, instead of the distribution valve 33, for example, the flow rate of hot water flowing from the bypass pipe 32 and the hot water flowing from the hot water storage tank 21 side into the mixing part 31 a of the outflow side pipe 31 (confluence part of the bypass pipe 32). You may make it provide the mixing valve which can control a ratio with the flow volume of.

  Alternatively, instead of the distribution valve 33, for example, a flow control valve may be provided in each of the downstream portion (portion downstream of the branch portion of the bypass pipe 32) of the inflow side pipe 30 and the bypass pipe 32. Good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the hot water tap of the object of immediate hot water supply was the hot water tap 1b of the washroom among the hot water taps 1a, 1b, 1c. However, not only the hot water outlet 1b of the washroom but also another hot water outlet (a hot water outlet 1a of a kitchen, a hot water outlet 1c of a bathroom, etc.) of the hot water outlet for the immediate hot water may be used.

  In the embodiment, the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd is basically matched with the hot water supply target temperature set by the remote controller 9 of the water heater 3. However, the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd may be set to a predetermined value (for example, the minimum value of the hot water supply target temperature that can be set by the remote controller 9), or the immediate hot water target temperature Tout_cmd may be operated by the immediate hot water supply device 20. By setting the unit 50, it may be set variably within a predetermined range. In this case, the immediate hot water supply controller 45 may be configured not to communicate with the hot water supply controller 8.

  Further, in the embodiment, the learning data acquisition unit 47 b performs a period until the determination result of the above-mentioned STEP 7 becomes affirmative (the hot water in the heated state enters the hot water pouring device 20 immediately after the hot water pouring tap 1 b is opened). The detection values (detection data) of the incoming water temperature Tin and the incoming water flow rate Win were acquired only during the period until However, the period during which the detection value (detection data) of the incoming water temperature Tin and the incoming water flow rate Win is acquired is, for example, the period until a predetermined time elapses after the determination result of STEP 7 becomes affirmative, or the incoming water flow rate It may be a period of time until the total amount of incoming water Vin obtained by integrating the detected values of Win reaches a predetermined value.

  Further, in the embodiment, the downstream hot water supply pipes 6a, 6b, 6c for supplying hot water to the hot water outlet plugs 1a, 1b, 1c are branched from the different branched parts 6d1, 6d2, 6d3 of the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d. I illustrated what to do. However, the downstream hot water supply pipes 6a, 6b, and 6c may be connected to the upstream hot water supply pipe 6d through a common header (distribution mechanism), for example.

  Further, in each of the embodiments, the immediate hot water controller 45 uses the set value of the hot water supply target temperature acquired through communication with the hot water controller 8. However, for example, when the hot water outlet tap 1 is discharged (when the instantaneous hot water discharge device 20 is operated), the detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin is raised to a steady temperature corresponding to the set value of the hot water supply target temperature. A detected value of the incoming water temperature Tin may be acquired, and the detected value may be used as a setting value of the hot water supply target temperature after the hot water supply operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1b ... Hot water tap, 4 ... Heat source machine, 6 ... Hot water supply piping, 20 ... Immediate hot-water supply apparatus, 21 ... Hot water storage tank, 34 ... Temperature sensor, 35 ... Flow rate sensor, 47 ... Hot water storage temperature control part.

Claims (6)

A hot water supply pipe that supplies hot water heated by the heat source machine to the hot water tap and a hot water storage tank connected to the hot water tap at a position near the hot water tap, immediately after opening the hot water tap, It is an instant hot water discharge apparatus for letting hot water out of the hot water outlet tap water consisting of hot water in the hot water storage tank or hot water in the hot water storage tank and hot water supplied from the heat source machine through the hot water supply pipe.
A target hot water temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is determined for each of a plurality of time zones that divide the day, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank in each time zone is determined accordingly. A hot water storage temperature control unit for controlling the target hot water temperature,
A temperature sensor and a flow sensor for detecting an incoming water temperature which is the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe and an incoming water flow which is the flow rate of the hot water, respectively;
The hot water storage temperature control unit is configured to set the target hot water storage temperature in each time zone to the temperature sensor and the temperature sensor in a predetermined period immediately after opening the hot water tap when the hot water tap is discharged in the time zone in the past. An immediate hot water discharge apparatus configured to be determined based on detection data of the incoming water temperature and the incoming water flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor. In the immediate hot water supply device according to claim 1,
The predetermined period immediately after opening the hot-water tap is the target value of the temperature of hot water supplied from the heat source device to the hot-water supply pipe after the hot water tap has been opened. An instant hot water discharge apparatus including at least a first period which is a period until the temperature is raised to a temperature equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature set to a value equal to or lower than a target hot water supply temperature. In the instant hot water supply device according to claim 2,
The storage water temperature control unit, based on the detection data in the past in the respective time zones, represents a representative value of the average incoming water temperature which is the average temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply piping in the first period in the time zones And a representative value of the total amount of incoming water which is the total amount of hot and cold water supplied from the hot water supply pipe in the first period, and at least the representative value of the total amount of incoming water is larger than the volume of the hot water storage tank An instant hot water discharge apparatus characterized in that the target hot water storage temperature is determined using a representative value of the total amount of incoming water and a representative value of the average incoming water temperature. In the instant hot water supply device according to claim 3,
The hot water storage temperature control unit, when at least a representative value of the total amount of incoming water is larger than the volume of the hot water storage tank, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank and hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe in the first period. Determining the target hot water storage temperature so that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water tap in the first period can be maintained at a predetermined first target value based on the total heat amount with the total heat amount; The instant hot water discharge apparatus characterized in that it is configured to be executed based on the assumption that the average incoming water temperature and the incoming total amount of water respectively match the representative value. In the instant hot water supply device according to claim 3 or 4,
The hot water storage temperature control unit determines a predetermined second target value of the temperature of hot water delivered from the hot water discharge tap as the target hot water storage temperature when the representative value of the total amount of water intake is smaller than the volume of the hot water storage tank. An immediate hot water supply device characterized by being configured to perform. In the instant hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The detection data used by the hot water storage temperature control unit to determine the target hot water storage temperature in each of the time zones is the temperature of the incoming water and the incoming water when the hot water tap is running while the heat source unit is in an operation stop state. An immediate pouring apparatus characterized in that it is detection data excluding detection data of water flow rate.