JP2020070898A - Passage selector valve and hot water storage type water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a passage selector valve which is suitable for use in a hot water storage type water heater which takes out and uses medium temperature water in a hot water storage tank, and to provide the hot water storage type water heater including the passage selector valve.SOLUTION: A passage selector valve 1 includes: a valve body 2; a valve disc 3 which is disposed within the valve body 2 and may rotate; and a motor 4 which rotationally drives the valve disc 3. The valve body 2 includes: a first inflow port 5 oriented in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the valve disc 3; a second inflow port 6 oriented in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; and an outflow port 7. A first communication passage, which enables a fluid flowing from the first inflow port 5 to flow out from the outflow port 7, is formed when a rotation position of the valve disc 3 is at a first angle, the rotation position is at a second angle, and the rotation position is at a third angle. When the rotation position is at a fourth angle, a second communication passage, which enables a fluid flowing from the second inflow port 6 to flow out from the outflow port 7, is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve and a hot water storage type water heater.

  As a water heater that stores hot water of various temperatures in a hot water storage tank in a stacked state, a heat pump type that uses a heat pump cycle as a heating source to boil hot water and stack the hot water from the upper side of the hot water storage tank There is a water heater. A water heater using a heat pump cycle as a heating source heats hot water by exchanging heat between hot water and a refrigerant.When the temperature of water entering a refrigerant-water heat exchanger increases, the temperature difference between the refrigerant and hot water decreases. Heating capacity is reduced.

  For this reason, a method has been proposed in which the medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank is preferentially used for hot water supply to suppress the temperature of water entering the refrigerant-water heat exchanger. As a mechanism for collecting medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank, a medium temperature water intake mechanism in which a rotatable tubular member bent in an L shape is arranged inside the hot water storage tank is provided, and by rotating the tubular member, A water heater that can take out medium-temperature water from positions of different heights is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2010-175186, A

  The medium temperature water intake mechanism in the hot water storage type water heater disclosed in Patent Document 1 can only take out hot water from the hot water storage tank. For this reason, there is a problem that the product cost increases, for example, it is necessary to add a mixing valve for mixing low temperature water and medium temperature water separately from the medium temperature water intake mechanism.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a flow path switching valve suitable for use in a hot water storage water heater that takes out and uses medium-temperature water in a hot water storage tank, and the flow path switching. An object of the present invention is to provide a hot water storage type water heater having a valve.

A flow path switching valve according to the present invention includes a valve body, a rotatable valve body that is disposed in the valve body, and a motor that rotationally drives the valve body, and the valve body has a rotation shaft of the valve body. It is provided with a first inflow port facing in a parallel direction, a second inflow port facing in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and an outflow port, and when the rotational position of the valve element is the first angle and the rotational position is the second position. When the rotation position is the third angle, the first series passage is formed so that the fluid flowing from the first inlet can flow out from the outlet, and when the rotation position is the third angle, the second inlet is formed when the rotation position is the fourth angle. The second communication passage is formed so that the fluid flowing in from can flow out from the outlet.
A hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the present invention includes the flow path switching valve, a heating means for heating water, and a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means.
Further, in the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the present invention, the flow path switching valve, the heating means for heating water, the hot water storage tank for storing the hot water heated by the heating means, and the hot water to be supplied to the outside flow. The water discharge pipe and the water supply pipe through which the water supplied from the water source flows are provided, the first inflow port of the flow path switching valve is connected to the side surface of the hot water storage tank, and the protruding portion of the tubular member of the flow path switching valve is It extends to the inside of the tank, the outflow port of the flow path switching valve is connected to the water outlet pipe, and the second inflow port of the flow path switching valve is connected to the water supply pipe.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flow channel switching valve suitable for use in a hot water storage type hot water supply device that takes out and uses medium temperature water in a hot water storage tank, and a hot water storage type hot water supply device provided with the flow path switching valve. It will be possible.

3 is a sectional view of the flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the flow-path switching valve shown in FIG. 1 to the side surface of the hot water storage tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the flow-path switching valve shown in FIG. 1 to the side surface of the hot water storage tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the flow-path switching valve shown in FIG. 1 to the side surface of the hot water storage tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the flow-path switching valve shown in FIG. 1 to the side surface of the hot water storage tank. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hot water storage type water heater provided with the flow-path switching valve shown in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hot water storage type water heater provided with the flow-path switching valve shown in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hot water storage type water heater provided with the flow-path switching valve shown in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hot water storage type water heater provided with the flow-path switching valve shown in FIGS.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, common or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be simplified or omitted.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path switching valve 1 according to the present embodiment includes a valve body 2, a rotatable valve body 3 arranged in the valve body 2, and a motor 4 for rotationally driving the valve body 3. Equipped with. The valve body 2 has a first inflow port 5, a second inflow port 6, and an outflow port 7 as three openings for allowing fluid to flow in and out.

  The motor 4 is arranged outside the valve body 2. A shaft 10 penetrating a shaft insertion hole formed in the valve body 2 connects the valve body 3 to the motor 4. When the motor 4 operates, the valve body 3 rotates together with the shaft 10. The rotation axis of the valve element 3 is parallel to the left-right direction in FIG. The motor 4 is, for example, a stepping motor. The rotation angle of the valve body 3 can be controlled by the motor 4.

  The first inflow port 5 opens in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body 3. The first inflow port 5 is located on the opposite side of the shaft 10. The 1st inflow port 5 is opening facing the right direction in FIG. The second inflow port 6 is open in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the valve body 3. The second inflow port 6 is open facing downward in FIG. The outflow port 7 is open in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the valve body 3 and in a direction opposite to the second inflow port 6. That is, the outflow port 7 is open facing upward in FIG.

  The valve body 3 has an outer shape close to a sphere. That is, the valve body 3 has a spherical surface. Inside the valve body 3, a valve body first flow path 11, a valve body second flow path 12, a valve body third flow path 13, a valve body fourth flow path 14, and a valve body fifth flow path 15, The valve body sixth flow path 16 is formed. The valve body first channel 11, the valve body second channel 12, the valve body third channel 13, the valve body fourth channel 14, the valve body fifth channel 15, and the valve body sixth channel 16 are respectively An opening is formed on the surface of the valve body 3. In FIG. 1, the valve body fifth flow path 15 is not visible due to the rotational position of the valve body 3.

  A packing 8 is installed between the valve body 2 and the valve body 3. The packing 8 corresponds to a seal member made of an elastic material such as rubber. The packing 8 seals the gap between the inner surface of the valve body 2 and the surface of the valve body 3 to prevent fluid leakage. Instead of the packing 8, a resin or metal sealing member may be used.

  A closing portion 9 is provided at the second inlet 6. The closing portion 9 is configured so as to close a region of approximately half of the opening formed by the packing 8 located at the second inflow port 6. The closing portion 9 has a spherical concave curved surface that is in contact with the surface of the valve body 3. In the illustrated example, the closing portion 9 closes a half of the opening formed by the packing 8 located at the second inlet 6 near the first inlet 5.

  2 to 5 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the flow path switching valve 1 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the side surface of the hot water storage tank 20. 2 to 5 show cross sections of a wall forming a side surface of the hot water storage tank 20, that is, a wall forming a cylindrical body of the hot water storage tank 20. The first inlet 5 of the flow path switching valve 1 is connected to the side surface of the hot water storage tank 20. The valve body 2 and the motor 4 are located outside the hot water storage tank 20. The rotation axis of the valve body 3 becomes horizontal. In the illustrated example, the valve body 2 of the portion forming the first inlet 5 is connected to the side wall of the hot water storage tank 20 by the fixing portion 30. The fixed part 30 has a hole connected to the first inflow port 5. The fixing portion 30 liquid-tightly seals the gap between the hole formed in the side wall of the hot water storage tank 20 and the first inlet 5.

  In the following description, the rotational position of the valve element 3 is represented by the angle at which the valve element 3 rotates in a predetermined direction from the reference position. In the present embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a state in which the rotational position of the valve body 3 is the reference position. That is, the rotational position of the valve body 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is 0 degree. This 0 degree corresponds to the first angle. FIG. 3 shows a state where the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. This 90 degrees corresponds to the second angle. The second angle corresponds to a rotational position where the valve body 3 is rotated from the first angle in the predetermined direction by a predetermined angle. FIG. 4 shows a state where the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees. This 180 degrees corresponds to the third angle. The third angle corresponds to the rotational position where the valve body 3 is rotated from the second angle in the predetermined direction by a predetermined angle. FIG. 5 shows a state where the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees. This 270 degrees corresponds to the fourth angle. The fourth angle corresponds to a rotational position where the valve body 3 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the predetermined direction from the third angle.

  The valve body first flow passage 11 has an opening facing the same direction as the first inflow port 5 on the surface of the valve body 3. The opening of the valve body first flow path 11 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the same direction as the first inflow port 5 regardless of the rotational position of the valve body 3.

  The flow path switching valve 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 includes a tubular member 18 that rotates together with the valve body 3. One end of the tubular member 18 is connected to the valve body 3 at the position of the opening of the valve body first flow path 11 on the surface of the valve body 3. The tubular member 18 has a protrusion 18 a extending to the outside of the valve body 2 through the first inlet 5. The tubular member 18 of the portion located inside the valve body 2 is provided concentrically with the rotation axis of the valve body 3, and extends parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body 3. On the other hand, the protruding portion 18 a of the tubular member 18 has a shape that is bent in a direction that is not parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body 3. The protruding portion 18 a of the tubular member 18 extends into the hot water storage tank 20. That is, the tubular member 18 is arranged so as to penetrate the side wall of the hot water storage tank 20. The valve body first flow path 11 communicates with the inside of the hot water storage tank 20 via the inner cavity of the tubular member 18 regardless of the rotational position of the valve body 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve body first flow path 11, the valve body second flow path 12, the valve body third flow path 13, and the valve body fourth flow path 14 are mutually connected inside the valve body 3. To form a first valve body passageway. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve body fifth passage 15 and the valve body sixth passage 16 communicate with each other inside the valve body 3 to form a second valve body passage. Inside the valve body 3, a partition wall 17 that separates the first valve body passage and the second valve body passage is provided. As a result, the first valve body passage and the second valve body passage do not communicate with each other inside the valve body 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening of the valve body second flow passage 12 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the outlet 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree. Thereby, the valve body second flow path 12 communicates with the outlet 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree. As a result, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, the fluid flowing into the valve body 3 through the tubular member 18 arranged in the first inflow port 5 can flow out from the outflow port 7. A passage is formed by the valve body first flow passage 11 and the valve body second flow passage 12.

  The opening of the valve body third flow path 13 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the second inflow port 6 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree. At this time, the opening of the valve body third flow path 13 on the surface of the valve body 3 is at a position closed by the closing portion 9. As a result, the fluid flowing into the valve body 3 through the tubular member 18 is prevented from flowing to the second inlet 6, and the fluid is prevented from flowing from the second inlet 6 to the outlet 7. ..

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 bends upward, so that the position of the tip opening of the protruding portion 18a is higher than that of the valve body 3. Therefore, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, the warm water in the hot water storage tank 20 at a position higher than the valve body 3 flows into the tubular member 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening of the valve body fourth flow path 14 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the outlet 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. Accordingly, the valve body fourth flow path 14 communicates with the outflow port 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. As a result, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, the fluid flowing into the valve body 3 through the tubular member 18 arranged in the first inflow port 5 can flow out from the outflow port 7. A passage is formed by the valve body first passage 11 and the valve body fourth passage 14.

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 bends in a horizontal plane, so the position of the tip opening of the protruding portion 18a is at the same height as the valve body 3. .. Therefore, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 at the same height as the valve body 3 flows into the tubular member 18.

  The opening of the valve body fifth flow passage 15 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the second inflow port 6 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. At this time, the opening of the valve body fifth flow path 15 on the surface of the valve body 3 is in a position where it is closed by the closing portion 9. This prevents fluid from flowing from the second inlet 6 to the outlet 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the opening of the valve body third flow path 13 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the outlet 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees. Thereby, the valve body third flow path 13 communicates with the outflow port 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees. As a result, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees, the fluid flowing into the valve body 3 through the tubular member 18 disposed in the first inflow port 5 can flow out from the outflow port 7. A passage is formed by the valve body first passage 11 and the valve body third passage 13.

  The opening of the valve body second flow path 12 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the second inflow port 6 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees. At this time, the opening of the valve body second flow path 12 on the surface of the valve body 3 is at a position where it is closed by the closing portion 9. As a result, the fluid flowing into the valve body 3 through the tubular member 18 is prevented from flowing to the second inlet 6, and the fluid is prevented from flowing from the second inlet 6 to the outlet 7. ..

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees, the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 bends downward, so the position of the tip opening of the protruding portion 18a is lower than that of the valve body 3. Therefore, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 at a position lower than the valve body 3 flows into the tubular member 18.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the opening of the valve body fifth passage 15 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the outlet 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees. Thereby, the valve body fifth flow path 15 communicates with the outflow port 7 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees. Further, the opening of the valve body sixth flow passage 16 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the second inlet 6 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees. At this time, the opening of the valve body sixth flow path 16 on the surface of the valve body 3 is at a position not closed by the closing portion 9. The reason is that the opening of the valve body sixth flow passage 16 on the surface of the valve body 3 is such that the valve body second flow passage 12, the valve body third flow passage 13, the valve body fourth flow passage 14, and the valve body fifth passage This is because it is located farther from the first inflow port 5 than the opening of the flow path 15. In this way, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees, the second communication passage through which the fluid introduced from the second inlet port 6 can flow out from the outlet port 7 is the valve body fifth flow passage 15 and the valve body. It is formed by the sixth channel 16.

  The opening of the valve body fourth flow path 14 on the surface of the valve body 3 faces the second inflow port 6 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees. At this time, the opening of the valve body fourth flow path 14 on the surface of the valve body 3 is at a position closed by the closing portion 9. This prevents the fluid from flowing between the first inflow port 5 and the second inflow port 6.

  As described above, according to the flow path switching valve 1 of the present embodiment, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degrees, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, and when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. When the rotational position is 180 degrees, the first inflow port 5 forms a first series passage through which the fluid can flow out from the outflow port 7. When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees, the second inflow port 6 is formed. It is possible to form the second communication passage through which the fluid that has flowed in from can flow out from the outlet 7.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the tubular member 18 having the bent protruding portion 18a rotates together with the valve body 3, so that the fluid flows into the tubular member 18 according to the rotational position of the valve body 3. It is possible to change the position. That is, when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degrees, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 at a position higher than the valve body 3 flows into the tubular member 18, and when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, the valve is When the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 at the same height as the body 3 flows into the tubular member 18 and the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is at a position lower than the valve body 3. Warm water flows into the tubular member 18.

  6 to 9 are schematic diagrams showing a hot water storage type hot water supply device 100 including the flow path switching valve 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. 6 shows a state when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, FIG. 7 shows a state when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees. 9 shows the state when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees.

  As shown in these drawings, hot water storage water heater 100 of the present embodiment includes various devices, components, pipes, and the like described below. The hot water storage tank 20 is a container for storing hot water. A water supply pipe 22 for supplying city water is connected to a lower portion of the hot water storage tank 20. In the present specification, low temperature water means water having a temperature similar to that of water supplied from a water source such as city water. The water supply pipe 22 corresponds to a pipe through which low temperature water supplied from a water source flows. A hot water supply pipe 23 for supplying the stored hot water to the outside of the hot water storage water heater 100 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20.

  As described above, the flow path switching valve 1 is attached to the side surface of the hot water storage tank 20, that is, to the cylindrical body of the hot water storage tank 20. In the illustrated example, the flow path switching valve 1 is arranged at a position slightly higher than the position of half the height of the hot water storage tank 20. The configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the flow path switching valve 1 may be disposed at a position that is equal to or lower than half the height of the hot water storage tank 20.

  The control device 50 corresponds to control means for controlling the operation of the hot water storage type water heater 100. The actuators and sensors included in the hot water storage type water heater 100 are electrically connected to the control device 50.

  The heat pump unit 60 corresponds to a heating unit that heats water. Heat pump unit 60 in the present embodiment includes a refrigerant circuit that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. Although not shown, the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a refrigerant-water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and water, and a refrigerant-water heat. A decompression device such as an expansion valve that decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the exchanger, and an evaporator that evaporates the low-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the decompression device. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant by the heat of the outside air, for example. The heat pump unit 60 heats water to generate high-temperature hot water by operating the heat pump cycle with this refrigerant circuit.

  In the present specification, the high-temperature water means water having the same temperature as the high-temperature hot water heated by the heat pump unit 60. The medium temperature water means water having a temperature between high temperature water and low temperature water.

  During the boiling operation, which is an operation for heating the water in the hot water storage tank 20, the hot water circulates as follows. The water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 is sent to the heat pump unit 60 through the tank lower pipe 25. A circulation pump (not shown) for circulating hot water is installed in the lower tank pipe 25. The high-temperature water heated by the heat pump unit 60 returns to the hot water storage tank 20 through the tank upper pipe 24 and flows into the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 20. By performing such a boiling operation, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 20 by forming a temperature stratification in which the upper side has a high temperature and the lower side has a low temperature.

  On the surface of the hot water storage tank 20, a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33 for detecting the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 in the vertical direction are attached at different height positions. The plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33 detect the temperature in the hot water storage tank 20 at positions having different heights. Of the hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33, the hot water storage temperature sensor 31 is at the highest position, the hot water storage temperature sensor 32 is at the next highest position, and the hot water storage temperature sensor 33 is at the lowest position. The control device 50 grasps the heat storage amount and the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 based on the temperature distributions acquired by the hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33, and the boiling operation based on the heat storage amount or the remaining hot water amount. Control the start and stop of the. It should be noted that hot water storage temperature sensors other than the three hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33 shown may be further attached to the hot water storage tank 20.

  The water supply pipe 26 branches from the water supply pipe 22 and is connected to the second inflow port 6 of the flow path switching valve 1. Low-temperature water from the water supply pipe 22 can flow into the second inlet 6 through the water supply pipe 26.

  The hot water supply mixing valve 27 has a first inlet 27a, a second inlet 27b, and an outlet 27c. The first inlet 27a is connected to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 20 by the hot water supply pipe 23. The second inlet 27b is connected to the outlet 7 of the flow path switching valve 1 by a water outlet pipe 19. The water outflow pipe 19 corresponds to a pipe through which hot water for supplying to the outside of the hot water storage type water heater 100 flows.

  The mixed hot water supply pipe 28 connects the outlet 27c and a faucet 29 provided outside the hot water storage water heater 100. The hot water that has flowed into the first inlet 27a from the hot water supply pipe 23 and the medium or low temperature water that has flowed into the second inlet 27b from the water discharge pipe 19 are mixed by the hot water mixing valve 27, and the mixed hot water is It is supplied to the faucet 29 through the outlet 27c and the mixed hot water supply pipe 28. The hot water supply mixing valve 27 has a function of adjusting the hot water supply temperature to the faucet 29 by adjusting the mixing ratio of the high temperature water flowing into the first inlet 27a and the medium temperature water or the low temperature water flowing into the second inlet 27b. Have. In addition to the faucet 29, the hot water storage type water heater 100 may be configured to be capable of supplying hot water to a hot water supply destination such as a shower or a bathtub.

  The user can set the hot water supply temperature to the faucet 29 by using a user interface (not shown) such as a remote controller. Controller 50 adjusts the mixing ratio by hot water supply mixing valve 27 so that the temperature of the hot water flowing through mixed hot water supply pipe 28 becomes equal to the set hot water supply temperature.

  In the present embodiment, the medium temperature water in hot water storage tank 20 is taken out by using flow path switching valve 1 and supplied to hot water supply mixing valve 27, so that the medium temperature water can be effectively used for hot water supply. In order to make the temperature of the hot water supplied to the faucet 29 equal to the set hot water supply temperature, the temperature of the medium temperature water taken out by the flow path switching valve 1 needs to be equal to or lower than the set hot water supply temperature.

  In the present embodiment, control device 50 can switch the rotational position of valve body 3 of flow path switching valve 1 in accordance with the temperature information detected by hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33. As a result, the medium temperature water having an appropriate temperature can be taken out by the flow path switching valve 1 according to the state of the temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 20 in the vertical direction. This point will be described below.

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, the position of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 is highest, as shown in FIG. Therefore, by setting the rotational position of the valve body 3 to 0 degrees, the medium temperature water can be taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 at a position as high as possible. When the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is small, a layer of medium temperature water is located in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 20. When it is detected that the amount of remaining hot water in hot water storage tank 20 is small, control device 50 sets the rotational position of valve body 3 to 0 degree. As a result, it becomes possible to take out the medium temperature water at an appropriate temperature.

  The hot water supply operation in the state of FIG. 6 is as follows, for example. Medium temperature water (for example, 30 ° C.) in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the tubular member 18 through the opening of the tip 18b of the protruding portion 18a, and the first inlet 5, the valve body 3, the outlet 7, and the outlet pipe. After passing through 19, it flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 27. The medium-temperature water and the high-temperature water (for example, 80 ° C.) taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 through the hot water supply pipe 23 are mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 27 so that the temperature becomes equal to the set hot water temperature (for example, 40 ° C.). The hot water is discharged from the faucet 29 through the mixed hot water supply pipe 28. As described above, when the medium temperature water layer exists in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 20, the medium temperature water can be taken out and used for hot water supply.

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 is at a position almost at the same height as the flow path switching valve 1 and the inside of the hot water storage tank 20. Located in the mid-height area. Therefore, by setting the rotational position of the valve element 3 to 90 degrees, the medium temperature water can be taken out from the intermediate height region in the hot water storage tank 20. When the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is medium, the medium temperature water layer is located in the middle height region of the hot water storage tank 20. When it is detected that the amount of remaining hot water in hot water storage tank 20 is medium, control device 50 sets the rotational position of valve body 3 to 90 degrees. As a result, it becomes possible to take out the medium temperature water at an appropriate temperature.

  The hot water supply operation in the state of FIG. 7 is as follows, for example. Medium temperature water (for example, 30 ° C.) in an intermediate height region in the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the tubular member 18 through the opening of the tip 18b of the protruding portion 18a, and the first inflow port 5, the valve body 3, the outflow port 7, and It flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 27 through the water discharge pipe 19. The medium-temperature water and the high-temperature water (for example, 80 ° C.) taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 through the hot water supply pipe 23 are mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 27 so that the temperature becomes equal to the set hot water temperature (for example, 40 ° C.). The hot water is discharged from the faucet 29 through the mixed hot water supply pipe 28. As described above, when the medium temperature water layer exists in the intermediate height region in the hot water storage tank 20, the medium temperature water can be taken out and used for hot water supply.

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 8, the position of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 is the lowest. Therefore, by setting the rotational position of the valve body 3 to 180 degrees, the medium temperature water can be taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 at a position as low as possible. When the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is large, a layer of medium temperature water is located in the lower region of the hot water storage tank 20. When it is detected that the amount of remaining hot water in hot water storage tank 20 is large, control device 50 sets the rotational position of valve body 3 to 180 degrees. As a result, it becomes possible to take out the medium temperature water at an appropriate temperature.

  The hot water supply operation in the state of FIG. 8 is as follows, for example. Medium temperature water (for example, 30 ° C.) in the lower region of the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the tubular member 18 through the opening of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a, and the first inflow port 5, the valve body 3, the outflow port 7, and the outflow pipe. After passing through 19, it flows into the hot water supply mixing valve 27. The medium-temperature water and the high-temperature water (for example, 80 ° C.) taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 through the hot water supply pipe 23 are mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 27 so that the temperature becomes equal to the set hot water temperature (for example, 40 ° C.). The hot water is discharged from the faucet 29 through the mixed hot water supply pipe 28. As described above, when a layer of medium temperature water exists in the lower region of the hot water storage tank 20, the medium temperature water can be taken out and used for hot water supply.

  When the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 270 degrees, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 is located at substantially the same height as the flow path switching valve 1 and the inside of the hot water storage tank 20. Located in the mid-height area. At this time, the flow passage switching valve 1 is in a state of forming a second communication passage through which the fluid that has flowed in from the second inflow port 6 can flow out from the outflow port 7. Therefore, from the tubular member 18 to the flow passage switching valve 1. No fluid flows.

  The hot water supply operation in the state of FIG. 9 is as follows, for example. The low-temperature water (for example, 20 ° C.) from the water supply pipe 22 passes through the water supply pipe 26, the second inflow port 6 of the flow path switching valve 1, the valve body 3, the outflow port 7 and the water outflow pipe 19 to the hot water mixing valve 27. Inflow. The low-temperature water and the high-temperature water (for example, 80 ° C.) taken out from the hot-water storage tank 20 through the hot-water supply pipe 23 are mixed by the hot-water mixing valve 27 so that the temperature becomes equal to the set hot water temperature (for example, 40 ° C.). The hot water is discharged from the faucet 29 through the mixed hot water supply pipe 28.

  When the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is particularly large, for example, when the hot water storage tank 20 is completely filled with high temperature water, medium temperature water at an appropriate temperature cannot be taken out from the hot water storage tank 20 by the tubular member 18. There is. In such a case, the control device 50 sets the rotational position of the valve body 3 to 270 degrees. As a result, low-temperature water from the water supply pipe 22 can be supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 27, so that hot water having a temperature equal to the hot water supply set temperature can be generated by the hot water supply mixing valve 27.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, both extraction of medium temperature water at different height positions in the hot water storage tank 20 and supply of low temperature water from a water source instead of medium temperature water are performed. This can be achieved by one flow path switching valve 1. Therefore, the hot water storage water heater 100 that takes out and uses the medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 20 can be achieved with a simple component configuration, which is advantageous in suppressing an increase in product cost.

  Next, an example of the control operation of the flow path switching valve 1 in the hot water storage type water heater 100 will be described. After the boiling operation is completed, the temperature inside the hot water storage tank 20 becomes a high temperature of about 65 ° C. to 90 ° C. as a whole. At this time, the detected temperatures of the hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33 are all 65 ° C. or higher. In such a case, the control device 50 determines that the medium temperature water cannot be taken out, operates the flow path switching valve 1 so that the rotational position of the valve body 3 becomes 270 degrees, and the state of FIG. To As a result, the low-temperature water from the water supply pipe 26 is supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 27 through the flow path switching valve 1 and the water discharge pipe 19.

  When the user performs hot water supply operation by opening the faucet 29 from the state of FIG. 9, high temperature water is taken out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 to the hot water supply pipe 23, and low temperature water from the water supply pipe 22 is stored in the hot water storage tank 20. Inflow to the bottom. As a result, in the hot water storage tank 20, an upper high temperature water layer, a lower low temperature water layer, and an intermediate middle temperature water layer between the upper and lower portions are formed. When the hot water storage temperature sensor 31 and the hot water storage temperature sensor 32 detect a high temperature (65 ° C. or higher) and the hot water storage temperature sensor 33 detects an intermediate temperature (for example, 30 ° C.), the control device 50 causes the rotational position of the valve body 3 to reach 180 degrees. The flow path switching valve 1 is operated so that the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. When the hot water supply operation is performed in this state, the medium temperature water at substantially the same height as the hot water storage temperature sensor 33 is taken out through the tubular member 18 and used for hot water supply.

  When the hot water supply operation is further performed from the state of FIG. 8, the layer of medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 20 gradually moves upward. When the hot water storage temperature sensor 31 detects a high temperature (65 ° C. or higher) and the hot water storage temperature sensor 32 detects an intermediate temperature (for example, 30 ° C.), the control device 50 controls the flow path so that the rotational position of the valve body 3 becomes 90 degrees. The switching valve 1 is operated to bring it to the state shown in FIG. When the hot water supply operation is performed in this state, the medium temperature water at substantially the same height as the hot water storage temperature sensor 32 is taken out through the tubular member 18 and used for hot water supply.

  When the hot water supply operation is further performed from the state of FIG. 7, the layer of medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 20 moves further upward. When the hot water storage temperature sensor 31 detects an intermediate temperature (for example, 30 ° C.), the control device 50 operates the flow path switching valve 1 so that the rotational position of the valve body 3 becomes 0 degree, and brings the state of FIG. When the hot water supply operation is performed in this state, the medium temperature water at the same height as the hot water storage temperature sensor 31 is taken out through the tubular member 18 and used for hot water supply.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 20 can be effectively used for hot water supply. For this reason, since it is possible to suppress the medium temperature water from flowing into the heat pump unit 60 during the boiling operation, it is possible to maintain the temperature of the water entering the heat pump unit 60 at a low temperature. As a result, the efficiency of the heat pump unit 60 can be improved.

  Next, a drainage mode for preventing the pipe from freezing will be described. When the hot water storage type water heater 100 is not used for a long time in winter or when the power of the hot water storage type water heater 100 is turned off, there is a risk of damage to parts or deterioration of function due to freezing of water in the pipes inside the hot water type water heater 100. It needs to be prevented. In preparation for such a case, control device 50 can set a drainage mode for draining water from hot water storage water heater 100. The user can set the drainage mode by operating a user interface (not shown) such as a remote controller.

  When the drainage mode is set, the control device 50 rotates the valve body 3 such that the position of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 is lower than the position of the valve body 3. As a result, the water in the tubular member 18 is reliably discharged from the opening of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from remaining in the tubular member 18, and it is possible to reliably prevent damage to the tubular member 18 due to freezing of water. In this case, the control device 50 may set the rotational position of the valve body 3 to 180 degrees so that the position of the tip end 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 becomes the lowest.

  Regarding the height position of the hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33, the temperature at the same height as the tip 18b of the protruding portion 18a of the tubular member 18 when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree is detected. The hot water storage temperature sensor 31 is arranged, and the hot water storage temperature sensor 32 is arranged so as to detect the temperature at a position at the same height as the tip 18b when the rotation position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees. It is desirable to arrange hot water storage temperature sensor 33 so as to detect the temperature at the same height as tip 18b at 180 degrees. Accordingly, the temperature of the medium temperature water flowing into the tubular member 18 can be detected more accurately when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, 90 degrees, or 180 degrees, so that the medium temperature water can be more accurately detected. It becomes possible to use it appropriately for hot water supply.

  The control device 50 causes the rotational position of the valve body 3 to be 270 degrees when the temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature sensor 33 at the lowest position among the plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 31, 32, 33 is higher than the reference temperature. Thus, the flow path switching valve 1 is operated. The reference temperature may be a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.), a temperature equal to the set hot water supply temperature, or a temperature lower than the set hot water supply temperature. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent medium-temperature water having a temperature higher than an appropriate temperature from being used for hot water supply.

  A heat pump water heater, particularly a heat pump water heater that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, has a similar temperature to the outside air, that is, the temperature of water flowing into the refrigerant-water heat exchanger of the heat pump unit 60, that is, the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 20. The higher the water temperature, the lower the coefficient of performance. According to the present embodiment, the medium temperature water in hot water storage tank 20 can be sufficiently used for hot water supply, and the medium temperature water in hot water storage tank 20 can be suppressed from flowing into the refrigerant-water heat exchanger. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly efficient product in a heat pump water heater using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

  In the present embodiment, regarding the rotational position of the valve body 3 of the flow path switching valve 1, the first series passage is formed at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees, and the second communication passage is formed at 270 degrees. However, these angles may be changed as appropriate. Further, the example in which the rotational position of the valve element 3 is switched to four angles of 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees has been described, but the number of switching of the rotational position of the valve element 3 may be increased or decreased. Further, the second communication passage is formed when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 0 degree, and the second series passage is formed when the rotational position of the valve body 3 is 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. A flow path configuration may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the low temperature water from the water source flows into the second inlet 6 of the flow path switching valve 1 has been described as an example, but the high temperature water extracted from the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 20 is the second It may be configured to flow into the inflow port 6. In that case, both the extraction of medium temperature water at different height positions in the hot water storage tank 20 and the supply of high temperature water in place of the medium temperature water can be achieved by one flow path switching valve 1. .. As a result, it is advantageous to simplify the configuration of the hot water storage type water heater 100.

1 flow path switching valve 2 valve body 3 valve body 4 motor 5 first inflow port 6 second inflow port 7 outflow port 8 packing 9 closing part 10 shaft 11 valve body first flow path 12 valve body second flow path 13 valve body third Flow path 14 Valve body 4th flow path 15 Valve body 5th flow path 16 Valve body 6th flow path 17 Partition wall 18 Tubular member 18a Projection 18b Tip 19 Water discharge pipe 20 Hot water storage tank 22 Water supply pipe 23 Hot water supply pipe 24 Tank upper pipe 25 Lower tank pipe 26 Water supply pipe 27 Hot water supply mixing valve 27a First inlet 27b Second inlet 27c Outlet 28 Mixed hot water supply pipe 29 Faucet 30 Fixed parts 31, 32, 33 Hot water storage temperature sensor 50 Control device 60 Heat pump unit 100 Hot water storage water heater

Claims (10)

Valve body,
A rotatable valve body disposed within the valve body,
A motor for rotationally driving the valve body,
Equipped with
The valve body includes a first inlet port that faces a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the valve body, a second inlet port that faces a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and an outlet port.
When the rotational position of the valve element is at the first angle, when the rotational position is at the second angle, and when the rotational position is at the third angle, the fluid flowing from the first inlet can flow out from the outlet. A first series of passages is formed,
A flow path switching valve in which a second communication path is formed in which the fluid that has flowed in from the second inlet can flow out from the outlet when the rotational position is at the fourth angle. Inside the valve body, a valve body first flow path, a valve body second flow path, a valve body third flow path, a valve body fourth flow path, a valve body fifth flow path, and a valve body sixth flow. A road is formed,
The valve body first flow path has an opening facing the same direction as the first inlet on the surface of the valve body,
The valve body second flow path communicates with the outlet when the rotational position is the first angle,
The valve body third flow path communicates with the outlet when the rotational position is the third angle,
The valve body fourth flow path communicates with the outlet when the rotational position is the second angle,
The valve body fifth flow path communicates with the outlet when the rotational position is the fourth angle,
The valve body sixth flow path communicates with the second inlet when the rotational position is the fourth angle,
The valve body first flow path, the valve body second flow path, the valve body third flow path, and the valve body fourth flow path communicate with each other inside the valve body to form a first valve body passageway. Forming a
The valve body fifth flow passage and the valve body sixth flow passage form a second valve body passage by communicating with each other inside the valve body,
The first valve body passageway and the second valve body passageway do not communicate with each other inside the valve body,
When the rotation position is the first angle, the valve body first flow path and the valve body second flow path form the first series passage, and the closing portion provided at the second inlet is the Closing the opening of the valve body third flow path on the surface of the valve body,
When the rotational position is the second angle, the valve body first flow path and the valve body fourth flow path form the first series of passages, and the closing portion is the valve body on the surface of the valve body. Closing the opening of the fifth channel,
When the rotational position is the third angle, the valve body first flow path and the valve body third flow path form the first series passage, and the closing portion is the valve body on the surface of the valve body. Block the opening of the second channel,
When the rotational position is the fourth angle, the second communication passage is formed by the valve body fifth flow path and the valve body sixth flow path, and the closing portion is the valve on the surface of the valve body. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the body fourth flow path is closed. A tubular member that is connected to the valve body at the position of the opening of the valve body first flow path and rotates together with the valve body,
The tubular member has a protrusion extending through the first inlet to the outside of the valve body,
The flow path switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a shape that is bent in a direction non-parallel to the rotation axis. A flow path switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Heating means for heating water,
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means;
Hot water storage type water heater. A flow path switching valve according to claim 3;
Heating means for heating water,
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means;
Outlet piping through which hot water for supplying to the outside flows,
A water supply pipe through which water supplied from a water source flows,
Equipped with
The first inlet of the flow path switching valve is connected to a side surface of the hot water storage tank,
The protruding portion of the tubular member of the flow path switching valve extends into the hot water storage tank,
The outlet of the flow path switching valve is connected to the water outlet pipe,
The hot water storage water heater in which the second inlet of the flow path switching valve is connected to the water supply pipe. A plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors for detecting the temperature in the hot water storage tank at different height positions;
Control means for switching the rotational position of the valve body of the flow path switching valve according to the temperatures detected by the hot water storage temperature sensors;
The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 5, further comprising:   The control unit causes the rotational position to be the fourth angle when the temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature sensor located at the lowest position among the plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors is higher than a reference. Hot water storage water heater described. The plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors,
A hot water storage temperature sensor that detects the temperature at a position at the same height as the tip of the protruding portion of the tubular member when the rotational position is the first angle;
A hot water storage temperature sensor that detects the temperature at a position at the same height as the tip of the protruding portion of the tubular member when the rotational position is the second angle;
A hot water storage temperature sensor that detects the temperature at a position at the same height as the tip of the protruding portion of the tubular member when the rotational position is the third angle;
8. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 6 or 7, including: A control means capable of setting a drainage mode for draining water in the hot water storage type water heater,
The control unit rotates the valve body such that a position of a tip of the protruding portion of the tubular member is lower than a position of the valve body when the water draining mode is set. 8. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of 8 above. The hot water storage water heater according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the heating means includes a heat pump that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

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