JP2020060335A - Water heater, program and hot water supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a wide range of hot water supply from small amount hot water supply to large amount hot water supply and make a control section compact.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: a device casing (8); at least first and second water heaters (water heater units 4-1, 4-2) that are accommodated in the device casing and enable independent hot water supply; and a control section (hot water supply control unit 6) having an integrated function to control an operation of either one of the first water heater or the second water heater or operations of both of the water heaters and to control hot water supply by using either one of the first water heater or the second water heater or both of the water heaters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply technique that includes a plurality of hot water supply units and responds to a hot water supply range from a small amount of hot water to a large amount of hot water.

Shared facilities such as hotels require a water heater that can handle a wide range of water from small to large volumes. In this water heater, it is known that a plurality of water heaters are installed side by side.
Regarding such hot water supply, there is known a hot water supply device in which a plurality of hot water supply units are installed in a large-sized housing and a centralized control unit for each hot water supply unit is provided (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a water heater, the centralized control means is composed of a master control unit and a slave control unit, the control box of the master control unit and the control box of the slave control unit are independent, and these are housed in the control box so that they can be mounted. ing.

JP, 2001-317810, A

By the way, it is effective for one hot water supply device to be provided with a plurality of hot water heaters in that a hot water supply amount that cannot be obtained by one hot water supply device can be obtained, and the hot water consumption can be prepared.
However, a control unit for controlling hot water supply of each water heater included in one hot water supply device is individually provided, and each control unit is controlled by the centralized control unit because the scale of the control system depends on the number of installed water heaters. There is a problem of expanding proportionally. In such a control system, the number of circuit boards for realizing the control function increases or the circuit board area increases, so that not only the volume occupied in the apparatus housing increases but also the cost increases.
Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention aims to realize a wide range of hot water supply from a small amount of hot water to a large amount of hot water and to make the control unit compact.

Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest such a request or problem, nor does it disclose or suggest a configuration or the like for solving the request or problem.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the hot water supply device of the present invention, a device housing, at least first and second water heaters housed in the device housing and capable of independent hot water supply, A function of controlling the operation of either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater and controlling the hot water supply by either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater. And an integrated control unit.
In this water heater, at least the first water heater and the second water heater may be provided together in a single device housing.
In this hot water supply device, the control unit has a single configuration, and a hot water supply control unit that controls hot water supply by either one or both of the first hot water supply device and the second hot water supply device, and the first hot water supply device. A management controller that manages the water heater and the second water heater may be provided.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of a program of the present invention, it is a program realized by a computer, and at least either one or both of a first water heater and a second water heater capable of independent hot water supply. And a function of controlling hot water supply by either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater.
In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the hot water supply method of the present invention, there is provided at least a first hot water supply device and a second hot water supply device capable of independent hot water supply. It includes a step of controlling the operation of one or both of the second water heaters, and a step of controlling hot water supply by one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater.

According to the present invention, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) At least first and second water heaters capable of independent hot water supply are provided, hot water supply by only the first water heater, hot water supply by only the second water heater, and hot water supply by both the first and second water heaters. It is possible to obtain a wide range of hot water supply from a small amount of hot water to a large amount of hot water.
(2) The control unit can control hot water supply only by the first water heater, hot water supply by only the second water heater, and hot water supply by the first and second water heaters, and at least the first and second water heaters. The control system can be simplified.
(3) Since the control unit includes at least a control unit function for controlling hot water supply of each of the first and second hot water heaters, the substrate structure can be simplified and reduced in weight.

It is a figure which shows the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a hot water supply control unit. It is a flow chart which shows the processing procedure of hot-water supply control. It is a figure which shows the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on Example 1. It is a figure which shows a water heater unit. It is a figure which shows a hot water supply control unit. It is a flow chart which shows hot water supply control of a hot water supply control unit. It is a flow chart which shows hot water supply control by the 1st and 2nd hot water supply unit. It is a front view which shows the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on Example 2. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a housing of a water heater. It is a figure which shows the hot water supply control unit which concerns on Example 3.

<Hot water supply device 2>
FIG. 1 shows a hot water supply device according to an embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
The hot water supply device 2 is provided with a single hot water supply control unit 6 together with the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 as an example of at least first and second hot water supplies capable of independent hot water supply. The water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 and the water heater control unit 6 are installed in a single device housing 8.
A remote control device 10 is provided outside the device housing 8. The remote control device 10 is connected to the hot water supply control unit 6 by wire or wirelessly, exchanges control information with the hot water supply control unit 6, and the water heater unit 4-. It is possible to start up 1, 4-2 and operate the set temperature.

  The hot water HW obtained in the water heater unit 4-1 flows from the hot water supply pipe 12-1 to the common hot water supply pipe 12, and the hot water HW obtained in the water heater unit 4-2 flows from the hot water supply pipe 12-2 to the common hot water supply pipe 12. Flowing. Corresponding to this, the water supply W flows from the common water supply pipe 14 to the water supply pipe 14-1 in the water heater unit 4-1 and from the common water supply pipe 14 to the water supply pipe 14-2 in the water heater unit 4-2. Water W flows in.

<Hot water supply control unit 6>
FIG. 2 shows the hot water supply control unit 6 (FIG. 1). The hot water supply control unit 6 is an example of a control unit. The hot water supply control unit 6 is provided with water heater control units 15-1 and 15-2 and a general control unit 15-3. The water heater controller 15-1 is in charge of hot water control of the water heater unit 4-1 and the water heater controller 15-2 is in charge of hot water control of the water heater unit 4-2. The integrated control unit 15-3 is in charge of management control of the water heater control unit 15-1 and the water heater control unit 15-2.
The hot water supply control unit 6 includes hot water supply control by the hot water supply unit 4-1, hot water supply control by the hot water supply unit 4-2, and integrated hot water supply control by both hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2. Be done.

<Hot water supply control by hot water supply control unit 6>
FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure by the hot water supply control of the hot water supply device 2. This processing procedure shows an example of the program or the hot water supply method of the present invention.
This control includes a process of supplying a small amount of hot water by either the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2 and a process of supplying a large amount of hot water by both the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2. .
In this processing procedure, either one of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 or both of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 are selected after initialization by turning on the power (S101).
By this selection, the restriction valves in the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 are switched to open or closed (S102).

As a result of the switching of the restriction valve, hot water supply control of the water heater unit 4-1 (S103), hot water supply control of the water heater unit 4-2 (S104), or hot water supply control of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 (S105). Hot water supply is performed by () and the process returns to S101.
This hot water supply control includes selective hot water supply of either the hot water supply unit 4-1 or the hot water supply unit 4-2, and hot water supply of both the hot water supply unit 4-1 and the hot water supply unit 4-2. Switching from 4-1 independent hot water supply to both hot water supply unit 4-1 and hot water supply unit 4-2, or from hot water supply unit 4-2 independent hot water supply to hot water supply unit 4-1 and hot water supply unit 4- The step control of switching to the two hot water supply may be used. The switching of the preceding hot water supply of the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2 is useful for balancing the operating time of the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2.

<Effect of one embodiment>
According to this one embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Hot water can be supplied by either the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2, and hot water can be obtained by both the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2. Is obtained.
(2) Regarding hot water supply of the hot-water supply unit 4-1 or the hot-water supply unit 4-2, it is possible to balance the respective operating times of the hot-water supply unit 4-1 and the hot-water supply unit 4-2. -1 and the water heater unit 4-2 can be extended in life, and by extension, the service life of the water heater 2 can be extended.

(3) The hot water supply control unit 6 controls the hot water supply of the hot water supply unit 4-1 or the hot water supply unit 4-2, and the balanced hot water supply by driving both the hot water supply unit 4-1 and the hot water supply unit 4-2. Therefore, the common portion can be reduced from the configuration of the control circuit installed for each water heater before, and the circuit configuration can be simplified, the control system can be simplified, the power consumption can be reduced, and the installation space occupied in the device housing 8 can be reduced. It can be reduced.
(4) It is possible to reduce the common part of each piping part of the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2, and to configure the individual housings in the single device housing 8 to make the water heating device 2 compact. In addition to being able to achieve this, it is possible to reduce the volume of the device housing 8 with respect to the hot water supply capacity and reduce packaging and transportation costs.

<Hot water supply device 2>
FIG. 4 illustrates the hot water supply device 2 according to the first embodiment. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
A hot water supply pipe 12, a water supply pipe 14, a drainage pipe 16, and a gas supply pipe 18 common to the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 are drawn out from the device casing 8 to the hot water supply device 2, and the hot water supply pipe 12 is heated by the hot water HW. Of the hot water, the supply of the water W to the water supply pipe 14, the drain D is discharged from the drain pipe 16, and the fuel gas G is supplied to the gas supply pipe 18.

<Water heater units 4-1 and 4-2>
FIG. 5 shows the water heater unit 4 used for the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2. A burner 22, a first heat exchanger 24, and a second heat exchanger 26 are installed in the combustion chamber 20 of the water heater unit 4.
Combustion air is taken into the combustion chamber 20 by the air supply fan 28. Fuel gas G is supplied to the burner 22 from the gas supply pipe 18. The burner 22 includes a plurality of burner units, and the supply of the fuel gas G to each burner unit is switched by the switching valve 30. Combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the burner 22 is discharged to the outside of the combustion chamber 20 through the exhaust port 32 of the combustion chamber 20.

  The first heat exchanger 24 is a secondary heat exchanger installed on the downstream side of the combustion exhaust gas, and mainly exchanges the latent heat of the combustion exhaust gas with the feed water W prior to the second heat exchanger 26. . The heat exchanger 26 is a primary heat exchanger installed on the upstream side of the combustion exhaust, and mainly exchanges sensible heat of the combustion exhaust with the hot water HW after the heat exchange of the heat exchanger 24.

The water supply pipe 14 for supplying the water supply W to the heat exchanger 24 is provided with a temperature sensor 34-1, a water amount sensor 36, and a mixed water control valve 38. The temperature sensor 34-1 detects the feed water temperature. The water amount sensor 36 detects the water amount of the water supply W corresponding to the hot water supply. The mixed water control valve 38 regulates the supply of the feed water W flowing through the bypass pipe 40 and controls the amount of the feed water W mixed with the hot water HW.
The heat exchanger 24 and the heat exchanger 26 are connected in series, and the hot water HW from the heat exchanger 26 flows into the hot water outlet pipe 42. A temperature sensor 34-2, a hot water supply regulating valve 44, and a temperature sensor 34-3 are installed in the hot water outlet pipe 42. The temperature sensor 34-2 detects the outlet temperature of the heat exchanger 26, that is, the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water HW. The hot water supply regulation valve 44 regulates the presence or absence of hot water supply by opening and closing, and also serves as a mixing chamber for mixing the water supply W and the hot water HW through the bypass pipe 40. The temperature sensor 34-3 detects the hot water supply temperature after mixing the water supply W and the hot water HW.

  The combustion chamber 20 is provided with a drain receiver 46 that stores drain D generated by heat exchange of the heat exchanger 24. The drain D is guided from the drain receiver 46 to the drain tank 50 through the drain pipe 48. The drain D in the drain tank 50 is discharged from the drain tank 50 to the drain pipe 16 when the drain D exceeds a predetermined level.

<Hot water supply control unit 6>
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of hot water supply control unit 6 and the relationship between hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 and remote control device 10.
A computer having a communication function is used for the hot water supply control unit 6. The hot water supply control unit 6 includes a processor 52, a memory 54, a remote controller communication unit 56, and an input / output unit (I / O) 58.
The processor 52 executes a program stored in the memory 54 to perform information processing such as hot water supply control of the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2. The memory 54 is a storage unit that stores programs and the like, and includes storage elements such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). Under the control of the processor 52, the remote control communication unit 56 communicates with the remote control device 10 and exchanges information necessary for hot water supply control and the like.

The I / O 58 is used by the control of the processor 52 for linkage control with the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2. In hot water supply control of the water heater unit 4-1, the detection signals are taken into the I / O 58 from the sensors such as the temperature sensors 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and the water amount sensor 36 under the control of the processor 52, and the I / O 58 is controlled. A control output to the mixed water control valve 38, the hot water supply regulating valve 44, the combustion system functional unit 60, the air supply fan 28, etc. can be obtained from the above. The combustion system functional unit 60 includes an igniter, a flame sensor, and the like.
Similarly, in the hot water supply control of the water heater unit 4-2, the detection signals are fetched from the temperature sensors 34-1, 34-2, 34-3, the water amount sensor 36, and the like into the I / O 58 under the control of the processor 52. Control output from the I / O 58 to the mixed water control valve 38, the hot water supply restriction valve 44, the combustion system functional unit 60, the air supply fan 28, and the like can be obtained. The combustion system functional unit 60 includes an igniter, a flame sensor, and the like.

<Hot water supply control>
This hot water supply control (FIG. 7) includes both individual control of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 (FIG. 8) and integrated control using both of them. The procedure of this hot water supply control is the same as the hot water supply control (FIG. 3) of the hot water supply device 2 according to the embodiment.

<Hot water supply control in integrated control>
FIG. 7 shows hot water supply control in the integrated control. In this processing procedure, the hot water supply regulation valve 44 is opened / closed according to the consumption of hot water supply, and the presence or absence of water passage is generated as the hot water supply regulation valve 44 is opened / closed. Therefore, the water heater unit 4-1 or the water heater unit 4-2 is Hot water is supplied by either one or both of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2.

In this processing procedure, after initialization by turning on the power (S201), it is determined whether both hot water supply restriction valves 44 of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 are open (S202). If both are open (YES in S202), the sum of the water flow rates detected by the water amount sensors 36 of the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 is sufficient for one hot water supply unit (for example, the upper limit of one unit). Is less than 60%) (S203). If it is less than (YES in S203), only one hot water supply unit needs to supply hot water, and therefore, which of the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 is to be stopped is selected (S204). At this time, the hot water supply unit for a long time may be selected based on the integrated combustion time of each hot water supply unit or the continuous combustion time. The hot water supply control valve 44 of the hot water supply unit selected to stop hot water supply is closed (S205).
The hot water supply unit control of the hot water supply unit 4-1 (FIG. 8) is executed (S206), the hot water supply unit control of the hot water supply unit 4-2 (FIG. 8) is executed (S207), and the process returns to S202. Here, in the hot water supply unit control, if the hot water supply regulating valve 44 is open, water is generated and hot water is supplied, and if it is closed, water does not flow and hot water is not supplied.
If either one of the hot water supply restriction valves 44 of both the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 is closed (NO in S202), it is determined whether one of the hot water supply restriction valves 44 is open (S208). ). If only one is opened (YES in S208), the water flow amount detected by the water amount sensor 36 of the hot water supply unit in which the hot water supply restriction valve 44 is open is close to the water flow amount upper limit that can be covered by one hot water supply unit (for example, the upper limit of one unit). 80%) or more (S209). If it is above (YES in S209), it is necessary to increase the number of hot water supply units that perform hot water supply. Therefore, the hot water supply restriction valves 44 of both hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 are opened (S210), and the process proceeds to S206.
If both hot water supply restriction valves 44 of the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 are closed (NO in S208), it is necessary to prepare one hot water supply unit for hot water supply. Which of 4-2 is to be in the hot water supply state is selected (S211). At this time, a hot water supply unit having a short cumulative combustion time of each hot water supply unit may be selected. The hot water supply regulating valve 44 of the hot water supply unit selected to be in the hot water supply state is opened (S212), and the process proceeds to S206.

<Hot water supply control of hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2>
FIG. 8 shows hot water supply control in the hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2. In this processing procedure, the presence or absence of water flow is determined by the water amount sensor 36 (S301). If there is water flow (YES in S301), it is determined whether hot water supply combustion is stopped (S302). If it is stopped (YES in S302), hot water supply combustion is started (ignition operation) (S303).
In S302, if the hot water supply is in combustion (NO in S302), the combustion amount or the amount of combustion is adjusted so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34-3, which is the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply unit, becomes the hot water supply temperature set by the remote controller 10 or the like. The mixing ratio and the like are controlled (S304).
In S301, if there is no water flow (NO in S301), hot water supply combustion is stopped (S305).

<Effect of Example 1>
According to the first embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effect as in the above-described one embodiment can be obtained.
(2) As shown in FIG. 4, a hot water supply pipe 12-1 on the hot water supply unit 4-1 side and a hot water supply pipe 12-2 on the hot water supply unit 4-2 side are branched and arranged in parallel with respect to a single hot water supply pipe 12. The configuration of the hot water supply pipe is simplified.
(3) As shown in FIG. 4, similarly, the water supply pipe 14-1 on the side of the hot water supply unit 4-1 and the water supply pipe 14-2 on the side of the hot water supply unit 4-2 are branched with respect to the single water supply pipe 14. It is configured in parallel and simplifies the water supply piping configuration.

(4) Such a piping configuration is the same for the gas supply pipes 18, 18-1 and 18-2.
(5) A single hot water supply control unit 6 is configured with a single processor 52, so that it is possible to reduce the number of components and the number of boards by sharing a control circuit, thereby reducing hardware costs. realizable.
(6) The communication between the conventional control units becomes unnecessary, and the control response is improved.
(7) With control software, the burden of software can be reduced and the degree of freedom in design can be increased, such as simplification of communication software.

FIG. 9 shows an external configuration of the hot water supply device 2 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the front. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.
In this hot water supply device 2, a front panel 62 is installed on the front part of the device housing 8, and the front panel 62 covers the front part of the device housing 8. The front panel 62 is provided with an exhaust port 32-1 on the side of the water heater unit 4-1, an air supply window 64-1, an exhaust port 32-2 on the side of the water heater unit 4-2, and an air supply window 64-2. ing.
A hanging placket 66 is installed on the upper back surface of the device housing 8. A hot water supply connection portion 68 of the hot water supply pipe 12, a water supply connection portion 70 of the water supply pipe 14, and a gas pipe connection portion 72 of the gas supply pipe 18 are provided at a lower portion of the device housing 8.

FIG. 10 shows the internal structure of the device casing 8 of the hot water supply device 2 according to the second embodiment. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 9 are designated by the same reference numerals.
Water heater units 4-1 and 4-2 are arranged on the left and right sides of the device casing 8. The hot water supply control unit 6 is arranged in the lowest temperature area of the apparatus casing 8 and in the area receiving the supply of air from the air supply fan 28. As described above, the hot water supply control unit 6 enables integrated control including the individual hot water supply control of the water heater units 4-1 and 4-2.

<Effect of Example 2>
According to the second embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By simplifying or unifying the hot water supply control unit 6, the installation volume occupied by the hot water supply control unit 6 in the device housing 8 can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the device housing 8.
(2) The hot water supply control unit 6 is simplified or unified to increase the degree of freedom of arrangement in the device housing 8 and to install the hot water supply control unit 6 in the ventilation area of the air supply fan 28. Therefore, the heat radiation or cooling effect of the hot water supply control unit 6 can be enhanced, stable operation can be ensured, and the reliability of control can be enhanced.

FIG. 11 shows a hot water supply control system according to the third embodiment. In one embodiment, integrated control including individual hot water supply control of hot water supply units 4-1 and 4-2 is realized only by hot water supply control unit 6, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in the third embodiment, the hot water supply control unit 6 is provided with a multi-communication section 74, and the multi-communication section 76 is connected to the multi-communication section 74 to perform integrated control of a plurality of water heater units. Alternatively, it may be configured to support this integrated control.

<Effect of Example 3>
According to the third embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the number of water heater units installed is increased, the degree of freedom in control such as hot water supply control for a large number of water heater units can be increased.
(2) The degree of freedom in design corresponding to the increase in water heater units is increased.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or the mode for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

In the hot water supply device of the present invention, the control of a plurality of water heater units can be controlled by a single hot water supply control unit, the control system can be simplified, the weight and simplification of the device can be realized, and an excellent hot water supply system can be realized. .

2 Hot Water Supply Device 4, 4-1, 4-2 Hot Water Supply Unit 6 Hot Water Supply Control Unit 8 Device Housing 10 Remote Control Device 12, 12-1, 12-2 Hot Water Supply Pipe 14, 14-1, 14-2 Water Supply Pipe 15- 1, 15-2 Water heater control unit 15-3 Overall control unit 16, 16-1, 16-2 Drain pipe 18, 18-1, 18-2 Gas supply pipe 20 Combustion chamber 22 Burner 24 First heat exchanger 26 2nd heat exchanger 28 Air supply fan 30 Switching valve 32 Exhaust port 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 Temperature sensor 36 Water amount sensor 38 Mixed water control valve 40 Bypass pipe 42 Hot water supply pipe 44 Hot water supply control valve 46 Drain Receiver 48 Drain pipe 50 Drain tank 52 Processor 54 Memory 56 Remote control communication unit 58 I / O
60 Combustion system functional part 62 Front panel 64-1, 64-2 Air supply window 66 Suspended placket 68 Hot water supply connection part 70 Water supply connection part 72 Gas pipe connection part 74 Multi communication part 76 Multi control part

Claims (5)

Device housing,
At least first and second water heaters that are housed in the device housing and are capable of independent hot water supply;
The operation of either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater is controlled, and the water supply by either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater is controlled. A control unit that integrates the functions,
A hot water supply device comprising:   The water heater according to claim 1, wherein at least the first water heater and the second water heater are provided side by side in a single device housing.   The control unit has a single configuration and includes a hot water supply control unit that controls hot water supply by either or both of the first hot water supply device and the second hot water supply device, the first hot water supply device, and the first hot water supply device. The hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a management control unit that manages the second hot water supply device. A computer-implemented program,
A function of controlling the operation of at least one of the first hot water supply device and the second hot water supply device or both of which are capable of independent hot water supply;
A function of controlling hot water supply by either or both of the first water heater and the second water heater;
A program to realize. A hot water supply method for supplying hot water by at least first and second water heaters capable of independent hot water supply,
Controlling the operation of either or both of the first water heater and the second water heater;
Controlling hot water supply by either one or both of the first water heater and the second water heater;
A hot water supply method comprising:

Images