JP2019158178A - Bath hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bath hot water supply device that allows a status of a person in a bathroom to be grasped appropriately according to a bather's intention.SOLUTION: A bath hot water supply device includes: a bathtub entering/leaving detection unit for detecting a person's entering or leaving a bathtub in a bathroom; a bathroom entering/leaving detection unit for detecting a person's entering or leaving the bathroom; an instruction reception unit for receiving an instruction to stop the detection of entering or leaving a bathtub; and a control unit for stopping the detection of entering or leaving a bathtub by the bathtub entering/leaving detection unit when the instruction reception unit receives the instruction, and resuming the detection of entering or leaving a bathtub by the bathtub entering/leaving detection unit (S53) when the bathroom entering/leaving detection unit detects a person's entering or leaving the bathroom (Yes in S51).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a bath water heater, and more particularly to a bath water heater for grasping and notifying the situation of a person in a bathroom.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a bath water heater that displays a warning on a second remote controller provided at a place different from a bath remote controller when a bather's bathing time reaches an upper limit time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-107767 A

  Today, bathing accidents are increasing among bathers, especially elderly people. The bath hot water apparatus mentioned above can prevent a bathing accident beforehand, for example, by performing monitoring from bathing of a bather to bathing by a housemate.

  However, since there is a favorite bathing time depending on the bather, it is not preferable to set an upper limit time against the bather's will and display a warning when the upper limit time is reached. On the other hand, a function for stopping the monitoring of the bathing time is required, but when a bathroom is used by a plurality of people, it is necessary to change the stop and start of the monitoring each time, which causes troublesomeness. Moreover, after stopping, it will remain stopped unless it is restarted, and the monitoring function will not work sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bath water heater that can appropriately grasp the situation of a person in the bathroom according to the intention of the bather.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a bath hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention detects a bathing and bathing in a bathtub in a bathroom, and an entrance and exit that detects that the bath has been entered and exited. A detection unit, an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to stop detection of the bathing and the bathing, and a detection of the bathing and the bathing by the bathing detection unit when the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction And a control unit that restarts the bathing and the bathing detection by the bathing detection unit when the entrance / exit detection unit detects entering or leaving the room.

  In the bath hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately grasp the situation of the person in the bathroom according to the intention of the bather.

The schematic system block diagram of the hot water storage type bath hot water supply apparatus in this embodiment. The functional block diagram of a hot water storage type bath hot water supply apparatus. The flowchart explaining the bathing notification process performed by the hot water supply apparatus in this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the snooze alerting | reporting process performed by the hot water supply apparatus in this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the timer function stop post-process performed by the hot water supply apparatus in this embodiment. The time chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the person in a bathroom, the pyroelectric sensor, the water level sensor, a timer, a bath remote control, and a kitchen remote control in the case of alerting | reporting first time notification time progress in the process of FIG. The time chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the person in a bathroom, the pyroelectric sensor, the water level sensor, a timer, a bath remote control, and a kitchen remote control when not alerting | reporting first time notification time progress in the process of FIG. The flowchart explaining the timer function return process performed by the hot water supply apparatus in this embodiment.

  An embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a hot water storage hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the hot water storage bath water heater 1.

  A hot water storage bath hot water supply device (hot water supply device) 1 mainly includes a hot water storage tank unit 3, a heat pump unit 4, a bath remote controller 5, and a kitchen remote controller 10. The hot water supply device 1 is connected to a bathtub 7 in the bathroom 6, a shower 8, and a currant 9.

  The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a hot water storage tank 11 for storing hot water. The hot water storage tank 11 has a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 12 for detecting the hot water storage temperature in the hot water storage tank 11 in the vertical direction of the side surface. A water supply pipe 13 for supplying city water to the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 11. The water supply pipe 13 has a pressure reducing valve 14 for reducing the water supply pressure of city water to a constant pressure. Further, an overpressure relief valve 16 for releasing overpressure in the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 11.

  A hot water discharge pipe 18 for discharging hot water from the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 11. The hot water discharge pipe 18 is connected to a water supply bypass pipe 20 branched from the water supply pipe 13 and a hot water supply mixing valve 19. The feed water bypass pipe 20 has a feed water temperature sensor 25 that detects the feed water temperature.

  The hot water mixing valve 19 mixes the hot water from the water supply bypass pipe 20 and the hot water from the outlet pipe 18 so as to reach a hot water supply set temperature. The hot water mixing valve 19 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 24, and the hot water mixed by the hot water mixing valve 19 is guided to the shower 8 and the currant 9 through the hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply pipe 24 has a hot water supply flow rate sensor 26, a hot water supply temperature sensor 27, and a flow rate adjustment valve 28. Hot water flow rate sensor 26 and hot water temperature sensor 27 detect the flow rate and temperature of hot water flowing through hot water supply pipe 24, respectively. The flow rate adjusting valve 28 adjusts (limits) the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 24 by adjusting the opening degree.

  The hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to a hot water pipe 32 that supplies hot water to the bath circulation circuit 40. The hot water pipe 32 has a hot water flow rate sensor 33, a hot water temperature sensor 34, and a hot water on / off valve 35. The hot water flow rate sensor 33 and the hot water temperature sensor 34 detect the flow rate and temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water pipe 32, respectively. The hot water on / off valve 35 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the hot water pipe 32.

  The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a bath circulation circuit 40 that circulates hot water (bath water) in the bathtub 7 between the bathtub 7 and the bath heat exchanger 41. The bath circulation circuit 40 mainly includes a return pipe 42, a bath heat exchanger 41, and an outgoing pipe 43. The return pipe 42 and the forward pipe 43 are connected to the bathtub 7 and distribute hot water from the bathtub 7. The return pipe 42 returns the bath water to the bath heat exchanger 41. The bath heat exchanger 41 is provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 and heats the bath water with the heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11. The forward pipe 43 supplies hot water heated by the bath heat exchanger 41 to the bathtub 7 side.

  The bath circulation circuit 40 has a heat exchange bypass pipe 46 that bypasses the return pipe 42 and the forward pipe 43 via a bath three-way valve 45. The bath three-way valve 45 switches whether hot water from the return pipe 42 is circulated to the bath heat exchanger 41 or bypassed to the forward pipe 43.

  The return pipe 42 has a water level sensor 48, a bath temperature sensor 49, and a bath circulation pump 50. The water level sensor 48 detects the water level in the bathtub 7 by detecting the pressure from the bathtub 7. In the present embodiment, the water level sensor 48 (and the hot water storage control unit 55) functions as a bathing / bathing detection unit that detects bathing and bathing in the bathtub 7 in the bathroom 6. The bath temperature sensor 49 detects the temperature of the circulating hot water. The bath circulation pump 50 circulates hot and cold water in the bath circulation circuit 40. The forward pipe 43 has a running water switch 51 that detects the presence or absence of hot water circulation in the bath circulation circuit 40.

  The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a hot water storage control unit 55 that electrically controls each part of the hot water storage tank unit 3. The hot water storage control unit 55 has a logic circuit such as an MPU and controls each part of the hot water storage tank unit 3 according to a program stored in advance with reference to a memory. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 includes a hot water storage temperature sensor 12, a water supply temperature sensor 25, a hot water supply flow sensor 26, a hot water supply temperature sensor 27, a hot water flow sensor 33, a hot water temperature sensor 34, a water level sensor 48, a bath temperature sensor 49, and The detection value of the flowing water switch 51 is acquired, and the operation of various valves of the hot water storage tank unit 3 is controlled based on the detection value.

  The hot water storage control unit 55 receives user instructions via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10, and controls each unit to execute the instructions. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 executes a hot water supply operation, an automatic bath operation, a bath follow-up operation, and the like based on the hot water supply set temperature, the bath set temperature, the set hot water amount, and the like designated by the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. The hot water storage control unit 55 includes a first timer that counts (counts up) elapsed time, a second timer, and a third timer. The first timer counts from the detection of bathing until the first notification time (described later) elapses. The second timer repeatedly counts the snooze notification time (described later) from the initial notification time. The third timer counts from detection of bathing to detection of bathing, or up to an upper limit time (timer upper limit time) when bathing is not detected. In the present embodiment, the first to third timers function as timers that count time from a predetermined time point after the bathing detection unit detects bathing. The “predetermined time” is when bathing is detected for the first and third timers, and when the first notification time has elapsed for the second timer.

  In this embodiment, when the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction, the hot water storage control unit 55 stops the bathing and bathing detection by the bathing detection unit, and detects that the entrance / exit detection unit has left the room, It functions as a control unit that resumes bathing and bathing detection by the bathing bath detection unit.

  The hot water storage tank unit 3 is connected to the heat pump unit 4 via a heating forward pipe 65 and a heating return pipe 66. The heat pump unit 4 boils hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 mainly at midnight. The heat pump unit 4 includes a heating forward pipe 65, a heating return pipe 66, a refrigerant circuit 61, a heating control unit 62, and an outside air temperature sensor 63.

  The heating forward pipe 65 has a heating circulation pump 64 and an incoming water temperature sensor 69. The heating circulation pump 64 circulates the hot water taken out from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 11 in the refrigerant circuit 61. The incoming water temperature sensor 69 detects the temperature of hot water flowing into the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 from the heating forward pipe 65. The heating return pipe 66 returns the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 4 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11. The heating return pipe 66 has a boiling temperature sensor 70 that detects the temperature of hot water flowing out from the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68.

  The refrigerant circuit 61 is a circuit in which a compressor 71, a refrigerant water heat exchanger 68, an expansion valve 72, and an evaporator 73 are annularly connected by a refrigerant cycle pipe 74. The compressor 71 compresses the refrigerant into a high temperature refrigerant. The refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 exchanges heat between the high-temperature refrigerant and hot water from the hot water storage tank 11. The expansion valve 72 depressurizes the refrigerant radiated by the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 to obtain a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant. The evaporator 73 evaporates the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant. Also, the outside air serving as a heat source is blown to the evaporator 73 by the blower 75.

  The outside air temperature sensor 63 detects the outside air temperature outside where the heat pump unit 4 is installed. The heating control unit 62 includes a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the heat pump unit 4 according to a program stored in advance with reference to a memory. That is, the heating control unit 62 acquires the detection values of the incoming water temperature sensor 69, the boiling temperature sensor 70, and the outside air temperature sensor 63, and controls the operation of the refrigerant circuit 61 and the like.

  The bathroom 6 is provided with a bathtub 7, a shower 8, a currant 9, and a bath remote controller 5. The bath remote controller 5 includes a display unit 91, a speaker 92 (FIG. 2), switches 93, a call unit 94 (FIG. 2), a pyroelectric sensor 98, and a bath remote control unit 97. .

  Display unit 91 displays various types of information related to hot water supply device 1 (such as a hot water supply set temperature, a bath set temperature, a bath set hot water amount, a remaining hot water amount, an operating state of hot water supply device 1).

  The switches 93 include a setting switch, a bath automatic operation switch, a chasing switch, a hot water switch, a menu switch, and the like. In the present embodiment, the switches 93 function as an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to stop detection of bathing and bathing.

  The setting switch receives an instruction to set a hot water supply set temperature, a bath set temperature, and a bath set hot water amount. The bath automatic operation switch receives an instruction to start or stop bath automatic operation. The follow-up switch receives an instruction to start or stop the follow-up operation. The hot water switch receives an instruction to start or stop the hot water operation. The menu switch calls a hierarchical menu setting screen for performing detailed settings of the hot water supply apparatus 1.

  In the automatic bath operation, the hot water in the bathtub 7 is automatically applied to the set water level and temperature based on the bath set temperature and the amount of hot water, and after the hot water, the heat retention time has passed so as to maintain the set water level and temperature. It means to keep warm automatically until it does. The chasing operation means that the hot water in the bathtub 7 is circulated between the bath heat exchanger 41 and heated. The hot water operation means that a set amount of hot water or water is poured into the bathtub 7 (water injection). Each operation is executed based on the control of the pouring control unit 55.

  The call unit 94 (interphone) communicates with the kitchen remote controller 10 to make a call between a person in the bathroom 6 and a person in the kitchen.

  The pyroelectric sensor 98 is provided as a human sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom 6. In the present embodiment, the pyroelectric sensor 98 (and the hot water storage control unit 55) functions as an entrance / exit detection unit that detects that a person has entered and exited the bathroom 6. The pyroelectric sensor 98 detects the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom 6 by detecting the temperature change amount of the heat source in the detection area. Specifically, the pyroelectric sensor 98 detects whether or not there is a person in the bathroom 6 (whether or not it moves) by detecting a temperature change in the detection area when the person moves or moves a limb or the like. To detect.

  The bath remote control unit 97 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the bath remote control 5 according to a program stored in advance with reference to a memory. For example, the bath remote control unit 97 receives an instruction signal from the switches 93 and a signal from the hot water storage control unit 55 and causes the display unit 91 to display necessary necessary information.

  The shower 8 and the currant 9 are provided in the bathroom 6 or in a kitchen or a bathroom outside the bathroom 6. The hot water supply pipe 24 branches on the downstream side of the flow rate adjusting valve 28 and supplies hot water in parallel to the shower 8 and the currant 9 provided in the bathroom 6 and the shower 8 and the currant 9 at various locations outside the bathroom 6.

  The kitchen remote controller 10 is a remote controller installed in a place other than the bathroom, for example, in the kitchen. The kitchen remote controller 10 has substantially the same function as the bath remote controller 5, and includes a display unit 101, a speaker 102 (FIG. 2), switches 103, a call unit 104 (FIG. 2), a kitchen remote controller control unit 107, have. The kitchen remote control unit 107 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the kitchen remote control 10 according to a program stored in advance with reference to a memory. For example, the kitchen remote control control unit 107 receives an instruction signal from the switches 103 and a signal from the hot water storage control unit 55 and causes the display unit 101 to display predetermined necessary information.

  In the present embodiment, the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10 function as a notification unit that notifies that the notification time has elapsed when the count of the timer has passed the notification time. The notification time is an initial notification time, a snooze notification time, and a timer upper limit time.

  The hot water storage control unit 55, the heating control unit 62, the bath remote control unit 97, and the kitchen remote control unit 107 described above are connected so that necessary information can be transmitted and received.

  The hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment can grasp the situation of a person (a bather) in the bathroom 6 and can notify a person outside the bathroom 6 such as a bather and a housemate. Specifically, the hot water supply apparatus 1 notifies (displays) the state of entry / exit and bathing / bathing via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. The hot water supply device 1 monitors the time from bathing to bathing in the bathtub 7, and when bathing is not detected even after a preset time has elapsed, the bath remote control 5 and the kitchen remote control 10 are used. It has a notification function (hereinafter simply referred to as “timer function”). Hereinafter, monitoring of entering / exiting the bathroom 6 and bathing into / out of the bathtub 7 and the accompanying notification (timer function) will be specifically described as the entering / exiting bath notification process.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the bathing / notifying bath notification process executed by the hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the snooze notification process executed by the hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the timer function stop post-processing executed by the hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.

  6 shows a person in the bathroom 6 in the case of notifying the elapse of the first notification time in the process of FIG. 3, a pyroelectric sensor 98, a water level sensor 48, a first timer, a bath remote controller 5 and a kitchen remote controller 10, It is a time chart for demonstrating operation | movement.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the person in the bathroom 6 does not notify the passage of the first notification time in the process of FIG. 3, the pyroelectric sensor 98, the water level sensor 48, the first timer, the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10, It is a time chart for demonstrating operation | movement.

  The parentheses after the description of each operation in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are descriptions regarding each step name in FIG. 3 corresponding to each operation.

  In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 3, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether a person has entered the bathroom 6 (is present). The hot water storage control unit 55 makes a determination based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 of the bath remote controller 5. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not entered the room (No in step S1), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until the entry is detected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has entered the room (Yes in step S1), in step S2, the fact that the person has entered the bathroom 6 is indicated in the bathroom 6 and the bathroom 6 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Notify people outside.

  In step S <b> 3, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether a person has bathed in the bathtub 7 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 48. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 acquires the detection result of the water level sensor 48 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 500 ms), and obtains a moving average value (hereinafter, simply “ "Current water level" is calculated and stored. The hot water storage control unit 55 compares the newly obtained current water level with a current water level (hereinafter simply referred to as “comparative water level”) a predetermined time ago (for example, 30 seconds before). The hot water storage control unit 55 determines that a person has bathed in the bathtub 7 when the current water level ≧ the comparative water level + a predetermined value (for example, 3 cm) is established. The predetermined value is determined in consideration of the water level that increases with the volume of the person.

  When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 is not taking a bath (No in step S3), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the bath has been taken in the bathing determination step S3 (Yes in step S3), the fact that the person has taken a bath in the bath 6 via the bath remote control 5 and the kitchen remote control 10 in step S4. And inform people outside the bathroom 6. In step S5, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the first timer for detecting the passage of the initial notification time. Moreover, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the third timer for detecting the elapse of the timer upper limit time. The hot water storage control unit 55 displays the count value of the third timer on the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote controller 10) as the elapsed time since the bathing was detected.

  In step S <b> 6, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether a person has bathed from the bathtub 7 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 48. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that a person has bathed from the bathtub 7 when the current water level ≦ comparative water level−predetermined value is satisfied. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has taken a bath (Yes in step S6), in step S7, the person bathing in and out of the bathroom 6 is notified via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10 that the person has taken a bath. To inform. Moreover, the hot water storage control unit 55 resets the counts of the first and third timers.

  In step S8, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the snooze notification process (FIG. 4) is being executed. When it is determined that the snooze notification process is being executed (Yes in step S8), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the snooze notification process in step S9. When it is determined that the snooze notification process is not being executed (No in step S8) and after step S9, the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bathing determination step S3 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, when the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing again, the hot water storage control unit 55 newly starts counting with the first timer and monitors the bathing time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 is not taking a bath (No in Step S6), in Step S10, it is determined whether or not the count of the first timer has passed the initial notification time. The first notification time is an arbitrary time set in consideration of the time required from bathing to bathing when the bather normally bathes, for example, 10 minutes. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the count has not passed the initial notification time (No in step S10), the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bathing determination step S6.

  When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the first notification time has passed (Yes in step S10), in step S11, the fact that the first notification time has passed is indicated via the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote control 10). To inform. In step S12, the hot water storage control unit 55 resets the count of the first timer. In step S13, the hot water storage control unit 55 performs a snooze notification process (FIG. 4). Details of the snooze notification process will be described later.

  In step S <b> 14, the hot water storage control unit 55 displays a screen for prompting an instruction to extend the timer function (counting of the first timer) or stop the timer function from a person in the bathroom 6. To display. “Extension” means, for example, that the bathing time is counted again with the reset first timer, and notification is made when the same time (for example, 10 minutes) as the initial notification time has elapsed. For example, after 10 minutes of the initial notification time has elapsed, the bather continues to take a bath and receives an instruction to extend when the same time as the initial notification time has elapsed. “Stop” is, for example, to stop the subsequent bathing bathing and bathing and the accompanying notification (notification of initial notification time, snooze notification time, and timer upper limit time) and stop the timer function ( Details will be described later as processing after stopping the timer function).

  The hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction via the switches 93 of the bath remote controller 5. For example, the switches 93 have a switch that accepts extension and stop of the first timer, and accepts an instruction using this switch. The hot water storage control unit 55 may accept an extension instruction, for example, by causing the pyroelectric sensor 98 to detect an operation of holding the hand over the bath remote controller 5. Further, in step S14, the bather may be prompted to select (instruct) with only a sound notifying the elapse of the initial notification time without displaying the selection screen.

  In step S <b> 14, the hot water storage control unit 55 also displays on the display unit 91 of the bath remote controller 5 that the user is encouraged to take a bath.

  In step S15, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not an instruction to stop the timer function has been received. When the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction to stop the timer function from a person in the bathroom 6 (Yes in Step S15), the process proceeds to Step S16. Steps S16 and S17 are the same as the snooze execution determination step S8 and the snooze end step S9, and a description thereof will be omitted. In step S18, the hot water storage control unit 55 executes a timer function stop post-process (FIG. 5). Details of the timer function stop post-processing will be described later. The stop instruction is not limited to the time when the selection screen is displayed after displaying that the initial notification time has elapsed (selection screen display step S14). Can be accepted at any time.

  On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 has not received a selection to stop counting from a person in the bathroom 6 (No in Step S15), in Step S19, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether an instruction to extend the timer function has been received. . When the hot water storage control unit 55 has not received an instruction to extend from a person in the bathroom 6 (No in step S19), the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the stop determination step S15 and repeats the process until a stop or extension instruction is received.

  On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction to extend from a person in the bathroom 6 (Yes in Step S19), the process proceeds to Step S20. Steps S20 and S21 are the same as the snooze execution determination step S8 and the snooze end step S9, and a description thereof will be omitted. When it is determined that the snooze notification process is not being executed (No in step S20) and after step S21, the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bath notification step S4 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 switches the notification of the elapse of the initial notification time displayed on the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote controller 10) to the notification that a person has bathed.

  If the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the person is not bathing in the bathing determination step S3 (No in step S3), whether the person has left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 in step S22. Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S22), the process returns to the bathing determination step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has left the room (Yes in step S22), in step S23, the fact that the bather has left the bathroom 6 is notified in the bathroom 6 and the bathroom via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. 6 Notify people outside. The hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the room entry detection step S1 and repeats the subsequent processing. That is, the process waits until the next bather enters the bathroom 6, and when the entrance is detected (Yes in step S1), the processing after step S2 is repeated.

  Next, the snooze notification process will be described with reference to FIG. The snooze notification process includes either an instruction to extend the timer function or an instruction to stop in the bathing / bath notification process until bathing is detected after the initial notification time in FIG. 3 has elapsed or until the timer upper limit time has elapsed. It is executed when it is not accepted. The snooze notification process is intended to repeatedly notify a bather or a person outside the bathroom 6 that the user has not taken a bath even though the initial notification time has elapsed every snooze notification time (for example, 5 minutes). ing.

  In step S31, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the second timer. In step S32, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the second timer count has passed the snooze notification time. When it is determined that the count has not passed the snooze notification time (No in step S32), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until the snooze notification time has elapsed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the snooze notification time has elapsed (Yes in step S32), the hot water storage control unit 55 indicates that the snooze notification time has elapsed in step S33 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. And inform people outside the bathroom 6.

  In step S34, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the count of the third timer has reached the upper limit time and the timer upper limit time has elapsed. The hot water storage control unit 55 sets an upper limit time (for example, 99 minutes from bathing detection (step S3)) for executing the snooze notification process as a count expiration time of the timer function for convenience. When it is determined that the timer upper limit time has not elapsed (No in step S34), the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the elapsed determination step S32 and repeats the subsequent processing. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 notifies each time the snooze notification time elapses until the count of the third timer reaches the upper limit time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer upper limit time has elapsed (Yes in step S34), the hot water storage control unit 55 notifies that the timer upper limit time has elapsed in step S35, and ends the process.

  Here, the display units 91 and 101 have, for example, a liquid crystal display screen and a gauge made up of a plurality of segments arranged in the horizontal direction. In the bathing / notifying bath notification process (FIG. 3) and the snooze notification process (FIG. 4), the bath remote control unit 97 and the kitchen remote control unit 107 display the notification content on the liquid crystal display screen based on the instruction from the hot water storage control unit 55. And can be displayed in letters. In addition, the bath remote control unit 97 and the kitchen remote control unit 107 change the color of each segment, combine lighting, extinguishing and flashing, and changing the length of the gauge, so that the bathing time can be changed. The situation inside the bathroom 6 can be displayed.

  For example, when the hot water storage control unit 55 detects entry into the room (during entry into the room, after bathing is detected), the central segment is lit in white. When detecting the bathing, the hot water storage control unit 55 turns off all the segments (notifies the bathing by turning off the lights). When the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing, the leftmost segment blinks in green. Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 turns on the number of segments corresponding to the bathing time in green sequentially from the left end during bathing detection. The display according to the bathing time is preferably performed only on the bath remote controller 5 because it is less necessary to display to a person outside the bathroom 6. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 maintains a state where a predetermined number of segments of the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote controller 10 are lit in green during bathing detection.

  When the count of the first timer has passed the initial notification time and when the count of the second timer has passed the snooze notification time, the hot water storage control unit 55 causes all the segments of the display unit 101 of the bath remote controller 5 to be displayed for a predetermined time. Flashes green. Moreover, the hot water storage control unit 55 blinks a predetermined number of segments of the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote control 10 in green for a predetermined time. The hot water storage control unit 55 may notify the sound via the speakers 92 and 102 when the initial notification time has elapsed and the snooze notification time has elapsed.

  The hot water storage control unit 55 may notify the elapse of the first notification time (notification step S11) only on the display unit 91 of the bath remote controller 5. The first notification time notification (for example, 10 minutes after the detection of bathing), which is the first notification to notify the elapsed time of bathing, is suitable for use as a notification of the bather's approximate bathing time. This is because it is sufficient to notify the person outside the bathroom 6 from the progress.

  Moreover, the hot water storage control unit 55 may display a message prompting confirmation of the safety state of the bather on the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote controller 10 after the initial notification time or the snooze notification time has elapsed. Further, the bath remote control unit 97 and the kitchen remote control unit 107 may control the call units 94 and 104 so that a call can be automatically made between the bathroom 6 and the kitchen. As a result, a person outside the bathroom 6 can communicate with the bather to confirm the safety, or can immediately recognize the occurrence of a bathing accident when there is no response.

  The above is an example of the display mode, and the display mode is not limited to this.

  Next, processing after stopping the timer function will be described with reference to FIG. The post-timer function stop process is executed when an instruction to stop the timer function is received (Yes in stop determination step S15).

  In step S41, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a release instruction for releasing the stop of the timer function has been received. The release instruction is received through, for example, a switch that receives an instruction to release the stop included in the switches 93 of the bath remote controller 5. When it is determined that the release instruction has been received (Yes in step S41), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the process after the timer function is stopped, and proceeds to the bathing determination step S3 of the bathing notification process (FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the release instruction has not been received (No in Step S41), in Step S42, whether or not a person has left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 is determined. judge. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S42), the process returns to the release determination step S41. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has left the room (Yes in step S42), in step S43, the fact that the bather has left the bathroom 6 is indicated in the bathroom 6 and the bathroom via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. 6 Notify people outside.

  In step S <b> 44, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether a person has entered the bathroom 6. The hot water storage control unit 55 makes a determination based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 of the bath remote controller 5. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not entered the room (No in step S44), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until entry is detected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has entered the room (Yes in step S44), in step S45, the fact that the person has entered the bathroom 6 is indicated in the bathroom 6 and in the bathroom 6 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Notify people outside. The hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the release determination step S41 and repeats the subsequent processing.

  Here, the post-stop processing of the timer function is executed when an instruction is received from a bather who does not intend to monitor and notify bathing (Yes in stop determination step S15). The hot water supply device 1 can stop monitoring and notification when the bather does not need monitoring and notification by the hot water supply device 1, so that the intention of the bather can be reflected. It is valid.

  Such a water heater 1 has the following problems. When the hot water storage control unit 55 receives a stop instruction, the hot water storage control unit 55 receives the instruction from the switch that receives an instruction to release the stop of the timer function (resumes the timer function) of the switches 93, so ) To resume. That is, unless a timer function restart instruction is received from a person in the bathroom 6, the timer function remains stopped. For this reason, even if the next bather enters the bathroom 6, the timer function remains stopped, and the function of the hot water supply device 1 is not fully exhibited.

  On the other hand, the hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment can solve the above problem by restarting the timer function at a suitable timing. Hereinafter, the return processing of the timer function executed by the hot water supply device 1 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining timer function return processing executed by the hot water supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 51, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether a person has left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S51), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until it is determined that the room has left. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has left the room (Yes in Step S51), in Step S52, it is determined whether the post-timer function stop process is being executed. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the processing after the timer function stop is not being executed (No in step S52), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the processing.

  On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the post-timer function stop process is being executed (Yes in step S52), the post-timer function stop process in FIG. 5 is terminated in step S53.

  In step S51, entry detection may be performed instead of exit detection, and the process may proceed to step S52 when entry is detected from a state where there is no person in the bathroom. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 may restart the timer function when entry is detected.

  Thereby, the hot water supply device 1 can stop the timer function according to the intention of the bather, and preferably performs monitoring and notification by the hot water supply device 1 in a situation where the bathing / notifying bath notification process is necessary. Can do.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, the return process after receiving an instruction to stop the timer function has been described, but the target of the stop is not limited to this as long as the bather's intention (stop of notification) can be realized. That is, in the processing after the timer function is stopped in FIG. 5, the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing and bathing, and counts the first to third timers (and the initial notification time, the snooze notification time, the timer upper limit time has elapsed). Notification) may be stopped. Moreover, the hot water storage control unit 55 may count the first to third timers and stop the notification of the first notification time elapse.

  The human sensor described with the pyroelectric sensor 98 as an example may be a door opening / closing sensor, a CCD image sensor, an area sensor, or a thermography provided on the door of the bathroom 6.

  The bathing sensor described as an example of the water level sensor 48 may be a weight sensor arranged at the bottom of the bathtub 7, a CCD image sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom 6 by image processing, an area sensor, a thermography, and the like. .

  The remote controller outside the bathroom described as an example of the kitchen remote controller 10 may be a remote controller installed in a place other than the kitchen such as a living room.

  The hot water supply apparatus 1 has an electric heater type heating means in the hot water storage tank 11 instead of the heat pump unit 4, or an instantaneous heat exchanger (bath heat exchanger) that heats with a gas burner or an oil burner. Or you may have a waste heat recovery device of a cogeneration system.

1 Hot water storage bath water heater (hot water heater)
3 Hot water storage tank unit 4 Heat pump unit 5 Bath remote control 6 Bathroom 7 Bathtub 10 Kitchen remote control 48 Water level sensor 55 Hot water storage control unit 91, 101 Display unit 92, 102 Speaker 93, 103 Switches 94, 104 Communication unit 97 Bath remote control control unit 98 Electric sensor 107 Kitchen remote controller

Claims (4)

A bathing detection unit for detecting bathing and bathing in a bathtub in the bathroom;
An entrance / exit detector for detecting entry into and exit from the bathroom;
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to stop detection of the bathing and the bathing;
When the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, the detection of the bathing and bathing by the bathing detection unit is stopped, and when the entrance / exit detection unit detects entry or exit, the entrance / exit A bath hot water supply apparatus comprising: a control unit that resumes detection of the bathing and the bathing by the bath detection unit. After the bathing detection unit detects the bathing, a timer that counts time from a predetermined time point,
The bath hot-water supply apparatus of Claim 1 further provided with the alerting | reporting part which alert | reports that the alerting | reporting time passed when the count of the said timer passed alerting | reporting time. A bathing detection unit for detecting bathing and bathing in a bathtub in the bathroom;
An entrance / exit detector for detecting entry into and exit from the bathroom;
After the bathing detection unit detects the bathing, a timer that counts time from a predetermined time point,
When the count of the timer has passed the notification time, a notification unit that notifies that the notification time has passed,
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to stop counting by the timer;
A control unit that stops counting by the timer when the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, and restarts counting by the timer when the entry / exit detection unit detects entry or exit. Bath water heater. A bathing detection unit for detecting bathing and bathing in a bathtub in the bathroom;
An entrance / exit detector for detecting entry into and exit from the bathroom;
After the bathing detection unit detects the bathing, a timer that counts time from a predetermined time point,
When the count of the timer has passed the notification time, a notification unit that notifies that the notification time has passed,
An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to stop notification by the notification unit;
A control unit that stops notification by the notification unit when the instruction reception unit receives the instruction, and resumes notification by the notification unit when the entry / exit detection unit detects entry or exit. Bath water heater provided.

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