JP2021050869A - Water heater and water heater control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water heater enabling filling of hot water and addition of hot water with the amount of hot water in accordance with user setting even when a bathtub shape and conditions such as a set water temperature are changed.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: a flow meter 32 for measuring the amount of hot water filled in a bathtub B; a water level sensor 33 for measuring an actual measurement water level Hm of the bathtub B; and a control section 20. The control section 20 calculates unit hot water amount ΔQ per height of the bathtub B on the basis of the water level raised by the filling of hot water and the hot water amount, calculates a prediction water level Hp on the basis of a set hot water amount and the unit hot water amount ΔQ, sets a value of the actual measurement water level Hm as a target water level Hd for addition of hot water when a difference ΔH between the actual measurement water level Hm and the prediction water level Hp is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, sets a value of the prediction water level Hp as the target water level Hd when the difference ΔH exceeds the predetermined value, and updates the unit hot water amount ΔQ so as to reduce the difference ΔH when the difference ΔH exceeds the predetermined value successively a predetermined number of times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a water heater and a water heater control method.

Many water heaters in recent years are equipped with a water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub in order to automatically fill or add hot water to the water level corresponding to the amount of hot water set by the user. Since the detected water level of the water level sensor can change due to the influence of the atmospheric temperature and the like, it is desirable to correct it. However, for example, if the correction is performed based on the water level when there is a disturbance such as a child entering the bathtub at the time of detection, the correction accuracy will be lowered.

As a technique for improving the correction accuracy of the detected water level, for example, in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the detection reference water level is stable and the difference between the set reference water level and the detection reference water level exceeds a predetermined reference. , The hot water supply system that corrects the latest detection reference water level value is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-127556

If the rise in the water level with respect to a certain amount of pouring water is substantially constant in the bathtub, the calculation accuracy of the amount of hot water required for hot water filling and adding hot water is improved by correcting the measured water level as in Patent Document 1. be able to.

However, the amount of hot water required to raise the water level in the bathtub to a certain height (hereinafter, also referred to as the unit amount of hot water) is not always constant. The cause of the change in the unit amount of hot water in the bathtub is, for example, the shape of the bathtub. In recent years, many homes have chosen universal design bathtubs. The side wall of such a bathtub is provided with an ergonomic slope or the like, and the unit amount of hot water varies in the bathtub. In addition, since the water level measurement is affected by the water temperature, the unit amount of hot water changes depending on the set water temperature.

As described above, the unit amount of hot water is not always constant, and it is difficult to accurately calculate the amount of hot water required for hot water filling and adding hot water only by correcting the measured water level. If the required amount of hot water is not calculated accurately and the water level of the hot water filling or adding hot water is not stable with respect to the set amount of hot water, the user may feel distrust of the product.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water heater capable of filling and adding hot water with an amount of hot water according to the setting of the user even when conditions such as a bathtub shape and a set water temperature change.

In order to solve the above problems, the water dispenser of the first invention includes a flow meter for measuring the amount of hot water poured into the bathtub, a water level sensor for measuring the measured water level of the bathtub, and a control unit. The control unit calculates the unit amount of hot water per the height of the bathtub based on the water level raised by the pouring and the amount of hot water, calculates the predicted water level based on the set amount of hot water and the unit amount of hot water, and measures the actual amount. When the difference between the water level and the predicted water level is within a predetermined value, the value of the measured water level is set as the target water level in the hot water, and when the difference exceeds the predetermined value, the value of the predicted water level is set as the target. The water level is set, and when the difference exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined number of times in a row, the unit amount of hot water is updated so that the difference becomes small.

According to the present invention, even when conditions such as a bathtub shape and a set water temperature change, it is possible to perform hot water filling and adding hot water with an amount of hot water according to the setting of the user.

It is a block diagram of the water heater which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the initial setting of the water heater which concerns on a comparative example. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the hot water filling of the water heater which concerns on a comparative example. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the initial setting of the water heater which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows branching of 3 patterns of processing in hot water filling of the water heater which concerns on this embodiment, and processing when there is residual water in a bathtub which is one of the processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process when the number of times of hot water filling exceeds 5 times in the hot water filling of the water heater which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process when the number of times of hot water filling is 5 times or less in the hot water filling of the water heater which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the water heater that implements the water heater control method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that each figure is merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Further, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to common parts, and duplicate description will be omitted.

<Water heater S>
First, the configuration of the water heater S according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water heater S according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater S according to the present embodiment includes a tank unit TU, a heat pump unit HPU, and a remote controller RC, and is connected to a bathtub B by pipes 41 and 48 via a circulation adapter 49. It is connected.

[Tank unit]
The tank unit TU prevents backflow of bath sewage into the tank, the tank 1, the strainer 2, the pressure reducing valve 3, the hot water supply mixing valve 4, the hot water filling mixing valve 5, the hot water filling on-off valve 6, and the bath sewage. Check valve 7, circulation control valve 8, bath circulation pump 9, heat exchanger 10 for reheating, three-way valve 11 used for boiling control of heat pump, drain valve 12, and relief valve 13 A check valve CVs 1 to 7, a control unit 20, temperature sensors 21 to 29, flow meters 31 and 32, and a water level sensor 33 are provided.

The tank 1 stores high-temperature water boiled by the heat pump unit HPU. The tank 1 is provided with temperature sensors 21 to 25 for detecting the amount of high-temperature water stored in the tank 1.

The tap water from the water supply source (water pipe) passes through the strainer 2 and the check valve CV1 and is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 3. The decompressed tap water is supplied to the lower part of the tank 1, the first inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 4 via the check valve CV2, and the first inlet of the hot water filling mixing valve 5 via the check valve CV3. .. A temperature sensor 26 for detecting the temperature of tap water flowing into the tank unit TU is provided.

Further, when tap water is supplied from the lower part of the tank 1, the high temperature water stored in the tank 1 is pushed up, flows out from the pipe at the upper part of the tank 1, and is a hot water supply mixing valve via the check valve CV4. It is supplied to the second inlet of the hot water filling mixing valve 5 via the second inlet of 4 and the check valve CV5.

The hot water supply mixing valve 4 mixes the low-temperature water (tap water) that has flowed in through the check valve CV2 and the high-temperature water that has flowed in through the check valve CV4 so as to have a predetermined hot water supply temperature, and is a faucet. Supply to a hot water supply terminal (not shown) such as (not shown). The control unit 20 detects hot water supply to the hot water supply terminal (not shown) with the flow meter 31. Further, the control unit 20 controls the opening degree of the hot water supply mixing valve 4 so that the hot water supply temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 becomes a predetermined temperature.

The hot water filling mixing valve 5 mixes the low temperature water (tap water) flowing in through the check valve CV3 and the high temperature water flowing in through the check valve CV5 so as to have a predetermined hot water filling temperature. , It is supplied to the bathtub B via the check valves CV6 and 7. The opening and closing of the hot water filling on-off valve 6 is controlled by the control unit 20, and the hot water filling on-off valve 6 opens when a command for pouring is received, and the hot water filling on-off valve 6 closes when the pouring is completed. To speak. Further, the control unit 20 controls the opening degree of the hot water filling mixing valve 5 so that the hot water filling temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 becomes a predetermined temperature. Further, the control unit 20 detects the water level of the bathtub B with the water level sensor 33.

The backflow prevention device 7 is a device that prevents the hot water in the bathtub B from flowing back to the upstream side of the hot water filling on-off valve 6, and drains the hot water that has flowed back from the drain port of the backflow prevention device 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, from bathtub B, pipe 41, pipe 42, water flow detection switch 34, bath circulation pump 9, pipe 43, circulation adjustment valve 8, pipe 44, reheating heat exchanger 10, pipe 45, pipe A reheating circulation circuit (circulation circuit) is provided which passes through 47 and the pipe 48 and returns to the bathtub B again. Further, the reheating circulation circuit (circulation circuit) is branched by the circulation adjustment valve 8 and passes through the pipe 46 to be connected to the pipe 47.

The bath circulation pump 9 is provided in the reheating circulation circuit, sucks hot water stored in the bathtub B through the pipes 41 and 42, and sends it to the circulation adjusting valve 8 via the pipe 44.

The circulation adjusting valve 8 has a pipe 44 connected to the inlet, a pipe 44 connected to the first outlet, and a pipe 46 connected to the second outlet.

The reheating heat exchanger 10 is arranged in the upper part of the inside of the tank 1, and the hot water flowing from the pipe 44 is heated by the high temperature water stored in the upper part of the tank 1 and sent to the pipe 45.

The hot water heated from the pipe 45 and the hot water not heated from the pipe 46 are mixed and returned to the bathtub B via the pipe 47 and the pipe 48 as the hot water having an appropriate temperature. The control unit 20 determines that the hot water returned to the bathtub B is at an appropriate temperature based on the hot water temperature of the bathtub B detected by the temperature sensor 28 and the hot water temperature heated by the reheating heat exchanger 10 detected by the temperature sensor 30. The opening degree of the circulation adjusting valve 8 is adjusted so as to be.

The three-way valve 11 is used during operation to prevent the piping connecting the tank unit TU and the heat pump unit HPU from freezing, and by returning the high-temperature water heated by the heat pump unit HPU to the heat pump unit HPU again. , Circulate hot water to prevent freezing of pipes. The drain valve 12 is a valve that opens and closes manually, and includes a drain port used for draining the water in the tank 1 during maintenance and a drain port used for using the water in the tank 1 as emergency water. ing. The relief valve 13 is designed to open to the atmosphere (outside air) when a predetermined pressure that does not exceed the withstand voltage of the tank 1 is reached.

[Heat pump unit]
The heat pump unit HPU includes a compressor 51, a liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52, an expansion valve 53, an air heat exchanger 54, a blower fan 55, a circulation pump 56, a control unit 57, and a temperature sensor 58-60. And have.

The heat pump unit HPU is used when boiling or increasing the water taken out from the tank 1 of the tank unit TU, and is used for the compressor 51, the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52, the expansion valve 53, and the air heat exchanger. It is composed of 54 and has a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant circulates. The blower fan 55 blows outside air to the air heat exchanger 54 to promote heat exchange. The circulation pump 56 is arranged on a pipeline connecting from the lower part of the tank 1 to the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52, takes out water from the lower part of the tank 1, passes through the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52, and passes through the upper part of the tank 1. It is possible to return to.

The control unit 57 is communicably connected to the control unit 20 of the tank unit TU. For example, when a boiling operation command is received from the control unit 20, the temperature sensor 58 measures the temperature of the water flowing from the tank 1 into the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52, and the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 52 flows into the tank 1. An operation of boiling water in the tank 1 by controlling the compressor 51, the blower fan 55, and the circulation pump 56 based on the temperature sensor 59 that measures the temperature of hot water and the temperature sensor 60 that measures the outside air temperature. I do.

[Remote controller]
The remote controller RC includes a bath remote controller RC1 installed near the bathtub B and a kitchen remote controller RC2 installed near the hot water supply terminal (not shown). By operating the operation unit (not shown) of the remote controller RC (RC1, RC2), the user can command various operations and set the hot water supply temperature, hot water filling temperature, reheating temperature, etc. it can.

<Control method of water heater>
Hereinafter, a method in which the water heater S controls the amount of hot water poured when adding hot water will be described in comparison with a comparative example and an embodiment of the present invention.

[Comparison example]
First, a control method of a comparative example will be described. In the control method of the comparative example, a plurality of stages of water levels from level 1 to level N (N is a positive integer) in the bathtub B are defined in advance. Then, in the initial setting, the control unit 20 calculates the unit hot water amount ΔQ, calculates the hot water amount corresponding to the water level of each water level level based on the unit hot water amount ΔQ, and stores it in the table. Hereinafter, this table will also be referred to as a water level table. In the treatment of hot water filling and adding hot water after the initial setting, the set water level Hs of the hot water filling is selected from the water level stored in the water level table, and the amount of hot water corresponding to the set water level Hs is poured. This set water level Hs becomes the target water level Hd of the footbath. These processes will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of initial setting of the water heater S according to the comparative example. The initial setting of the comparative example is performed using water after the installation of the water heater S is completed and before the first use after changing the bathtub B by remodeling or the like. In the initial setting of the comparative example, a water level table that meets the conditions of the bathtub B is created. At the start of the initial setting, it is assumed that the bath circulation pump 9 is supplied with sufficient priming water for operation.

In step S101, the control unit 20 confirms that there is no residual water in the bathtub B. Confirmation that there is no residual water is confirmation that the water level in the bathtub B is lower than the circulation adapter 49 and that the water in the bathtub B does not circulate in the circulation circuit. If residual water is detected in the bathtub B, the initial setting cannot be performed correctly (step S101: No), so the initial setting is interrupted.

If no residual water is detected in the bathtub B and the initial setting is possible (step S101: Yes), in step S102, the water level at which the water in the bathtub B can be detected, that is, the amount of water so that the circulation adapter 49 is immersed in the water. The first initial water injection is performed in step S102 (step S102). The amount of the first initial water injection is, for example, about 60 L in the case of a bathtub in a general household. The amount of water injected is controlled by the flow meter 32. After that, when a predetermined amount of water or hot water is injected, it is assumed that the flow rate is controlled by the flow meter 32.

In step S103, it is confirmed that the bathtub B is filled with water by the first water injection in step S102, that is, the water in the bathtub B circulates in the circulation circuit. If the water circulation cannot be confirmed (step S103: No), it is considered that the water injection amount is insufficient and the water level has not reached the circulation adapter 49. Therefore, after performing the second initial water injection in step S104, the step is performed again. Returning to S103, the water circulation is confirmed (residual water confirmation). The residual water is confirmed by determining the rotation speed of the bath circulation pump 9 or by using the water flow detection switch 34. At this time, the second initial water injection amount is smaller than the first initial water injection amount.

When the circulation of water in the bathtub B can be confirmed (step S103: Yes), in step S105, about 10 L of the third initial water injection is further performed to ensure that the circulation adapter 49 is immersed in the water. In step S106, the total amount of water injection until the water level reaches above the circulation adapter 49 is stored as the amount of circulating hot water Q0. In step S107, the water level in the state where the circulation adapter 49 is immersed in water is actually measured by the water level sensor 33 and stored as the recyclable water level H0.

In step S108a, the control unit 20 performs the fourth initial water injection and completes the water injection. The amount of the fourth initial water injection is, for example, about 80 L in the case of a bathtub in a general household. After the control unit 20 completes the water injection, in steps S112 to S114, the amount of hot water required to raise the water level in the bathtub B to a certain height from the rising height of the water level due to the fourth initial water injection, that is, the unit hot water amount ΔQ Is calculated, and the required amount of hot water at each water level level is calculated and stored based on the unit amount of hot water ΔQ. The "constant height" of the unit amount of hot water ΔQ in the comparative example and the embodiment of the present invention described later is 1 mm. The details of the process for calculating the required amount of hot water at each water level are described below.

In step S112, the control unit 20 actually measures the water level at the completion of water injection with the water level sensor 33 and stores it as the initial setting completed water level H2. In step S113a, the control unit 20 divides the amount of the fourth initial water injection by the height of the water level rise due to the fourth initial water injection, that is, the difference between the initial setting completed water level H2 and the circulatory water level H0, as in Equation 1. As a result, the unit amount of hot water ΔQ is calculated.

In step S114, the control unit 20 calculates the amount of hot water required to reach each water level for the N-step water level, stores it in the water level table, and completes the initial setting. Specifically, for example, the water level at the water level level 0 may be set to H0, and the water level may be defined in increments of 30 mm from H0. In this case, the water level at the water level level 0 is H0, and the required amount of hot water is Q0. The water level at the water level level 1 is (H0 + 30) mm, and the required amount of hot water is (Q0 + ΔQ × 30) L. The water level at the water level level 2 is (H0 + 60) mm, and the required amount of hot water is (Q0 + ΔQ × 60) L.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a hot water filling process of the water heater S according to the comparative example. In the hot water filling of the comparative example, the user sets the water level level Hn at the completion of the hot water filling. The water level corresponding to the water level level Hn is the set water level Hs in the comparative example. The water heater S injects the required amount of hot water Qn corresponding to the water level level Hn based on the water level table stored in the initial setting. The flow of hot water in the hot water filling will be described below.

<Hot water filling>
When the hot water filling on-off valve 6 is opened, the water pressure causes a flow of hot water from the strainer 2 to the bathtub B. The water flowing from the check valve CV3 via the strainer 2 and the hot water flowing from the check valve CV5 passing through the strainers 2 and the tank 1 in this order are mixed at the set temperature by the hot water filling mixing valve 5. The mixed hot water is poured into the bathtub B through the circulation adapter 49 via the hot water filling on-off valve 6, the pipe 42, and the pipe 41 in this order.

The flow of the hot water filling process will be described in detail. At the start of hot water filling, it is assumed that the bath circulation pump 9 is supplied with sufficient priming water for operation. In step S201, it is confirmed that there is no residual water in the bathtub B. Confirmation that there is no residual water is confirmation that the water level in the bathtub B is lower than the circulation adapter 49 and that the water in the bathtub B does not circulate in the circulation circuit. When residual water is detected in the bathtub B (step S201: No), the measured water level Hr of the residual water is measured and stored in step S205. In step S206, the control unit 20 calculates the insufficient amount of hot water as the amount of hot water poured by multiplying the difference between the set water level Hs and the measured water level Hr of the residual water and the unit amount of hot water ΔQ, and proceeds to step S207.

If no residual water is detected in the bathtub B (step S201: Yes), in step S202, the circulating hot water amount Q0 stored in the initial setting is poured. In step S203, it is confirmed that the bathtub B is plugged and the hot water is filled by the pouring of the hot water in step S202, that is, the hot water circulates in the circulation circuit.

If the circulation of hot water is not detected (step S203: No), it is suspected that the bathtub B is not plugged, so the hot water filling is interrupted. When the circulation of hot water is detected (step S203: Yes), the pouring amount is calculated by subtracting the circulating hot water amount Q0 from the hot water amount Qn corresponding to the water level level Hn in step S204. In step S207, the control unit 20 injects the calculated amount of hot water to fill the water. In step S208a, the control unit 20 sets the value of the set water level Hs as the target water level Hd to be poured at the time of adding hot water, and completes the hot water filling.

When the automatic water level maintenance function is effective, the water heater S automatically adds hot water when it detects that the water level has dropped by a certain amount or more after the hot water filling process. The flow of hot water in the footbath will be described below.

<Additional bath>
The water heater S determines that the amount of hot water consumed is the amount of hot water calculated by multiplying the difference between the target water level Hd and the current measured water level Hm by the unit amount of hot water ΔQ. By pouring the amount of hot water consumed, the hot water is added to the target water level Hd. The flow of hot water at the time of adding hot water is as follows. The hot water flowing in from the check valve CV5 and the water flowing in from the strainer 2 are added, and the circulation adapter goes through the mixing valve for hot water filling 5, the on-off valve for hot water filling 6, the flow meter 32, the pipe 42, and the pipe 41 in this order. Hot water is poured into bathtub B through 49.

[Embodiment of the present invention]
Next, the control method of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the control method of the present embodiment, unlike the control method of the comparative example, the water level table is not used. In the control method of the present embodiment, the unit hot water amount ΔQ calculated in the initial setting is optimized in the hot water filling, so that the relationship between the user's setting and the water level actually poured in the hot water filling or the footbath is made constant. It is something that makes you. Hereinafter, the control method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

<Initial setting>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of initial setting of the water heater S according to the present embodiment. At the start of the initial setting, it is assumed that the bath circulation pump 9 is supplied with sufficient priming water for operation. The initial setting of the present embodiment is preferably performed as a part of the installation process of the water heater S. That is, it is preferable that the initial setting of the present embodiment is executed from the initial screen of the remote controller RC when the remote controller RC is first started. By executing the initial setting in this way, it is possible to prevent the problem that the user fills the hot water before executing the initial setting, and the hot water filling or the addition hot water is poured differently from the setting.

In steps S101 to S107, the initial setting of the present embodiment and the initial setting of the comparative example are the same for the process of bringing the water level above the circulation adapter 49 and storing the circulating hot water amount Q0 and the circulating water level H0. .. In step S108, in the present embodiment, a smaller amount of the fourth initial water injection than in the comparative example is performed. Unlike the comparative example, the initial water injection of the present embodiment is not completed by the fourth initial water injection.

In step S109, the control unit 20 stores the total water injection amount when the fourth initial water injection is completed as the reference hot water amount Q1. In step S110, the control unit 20 stores the water level when the fourth initial water injection is completed as the reference water level H1. As described above, the reason for setting the state in which the fourth initial water injection is completed as a reference is as follows. That is, in general, the universal design bathtub B has an elbow-standing structure slightly above the circulation adapter 49. Since the wall surface of the bathtub B is pushed outward by the area of the elbow-shaped structure, the cross-sectional area of the bathtub above the elbow-shaped structure tends to be larger than that below. That is, the unit amount of hot water ΔQ tends to be significantly different between the upper and lower sides of the elbow-standing structure. Therefore, acquiring the relationship between the water injection amount and the rising height of the water level and calculating the unit hot water amount ΔQ in the range straddling the upper and lower sides of the elbow-standing structure may reduce the accuracy of the unit hot water amount ΔQ.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fourth initial water injection is performed in step S108 to raise the water level to a height considered to be higher than the above-mentioned elbow-standing structure. The water level at this time is the reference water level H1, and the water injection amount corresponding to the reference water level H1 is the reference hot water amount Q1. By acquiring the unit hot water amount ΔQ at a position above the reference water level H1 of the bathtub B, it is possible to obtain a highly accurate unit hot water amount ΔQ. The fourth initial water injection in step S108 is water injection for raising the water level from the circulatory water level H0 to the reference water level H1, and the water injection amount is, for example, about 20 L in a bathtub of a general household. On the other hand, the fourth initial water injection in the above comparative example is water injection for raising the water level from the circulatory water level H0 to the initial setting completed water level H2, and the water injection amount is, for example, 80 L in the case of a general household bathtub. Degree.

In step S111, the control unit 20 performs the fifth initial water injection and completes the water injection. The amount of the fifth initial water injection is, for example, about 60 L in the case of a bathtub in a general household. After the water injection is completed, the initial setting completed water level H2 is stored in step S112 as in the comparative example. In step S113, the control unit 20 divides the amount of the fifth initial water injection by the height of the water level rise due to the fifth initial water injection, that is, the difference between the initial setting completed water level H2 and the reference water level H1, as in Equation 2. To calculate the unit amount of hot water ΔQ.

<Normal hot water filling>
The hot water filling process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. In the present embodiment, the user sets the set amount of hot water Qs instead of the water level. As will be described later, the water level acquired by the water level sensor 33 can be affected in various ways. Therefore, by setting the amount of hot water, the water level of the hot water actually poured according to the setting of the user can be set to the water level level. It can be made more uniform than when set in.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the branching of three patterns of processing in the hot water filling of the water heater S according to the present embodiment and the processing when there is residual water in the bathtub B, which is one of the processing.

In step S200, the control unit 20 calculates the predicted water level Hp based on the equation 3. The predicted water level Hp is the water level at the time of completion of hot water filling, which is predicted from the unit hot water amount ΔQ and the set hot water amount Qs set by the user.

In step S201, it is confirmed that there is no residual water in the bathtub B. As described above, the confirmation that there is no residual water is the confirmation that the water level in the bathtub B is lower than the circulation adapter 49 and the water in the bathtub B does not circulate in the circulation circuit. When residual water is detected in the bathtub B (step S201: No), hot water filling is performed in steps S205 to S207 as in the comparative example. In step S208, in the present embodiment, the value of the predicted water level Hp calculated in step S200 is set as the target water level Hd for pouring at the time of adding hot water, and the hot water filling is completed. After the completion of hot water filling, when adding hot water, the pouring amount is calculated by multiplying the difference between the measured water level Hm of the residual water and the target water level Hd at the time of adding hot water by the unit hot water amount ΔQ.

When the hot water filling is completed when the residual water is detected in the bathtub B in this way, the control unit 20 does not count up the number of hot water fillings. On the other hand, when the residual water is not detected in the bathtub B (step S201: Yes) and the hot water filling is completed, the control unit 20 counts up the number of hot water fillings. This is because the reference water level H1 cannot be measured when residual water is detected in the bathtub B. The measurement of the reference water level H1 when the number of times of hot water filling is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the correction of the reference water level H1 based on the measurement will be described later with reference to FIG.

When no residual water is detected in the bathtub B (step S201: Yes), in step S210, it is determined how many times the hot water filling is performed after the initial setting is performed. If the number of times of hot water filling this time exceeds a predetermined number (step S210: No), the process proceeds to step S202 of FIG. 6 according to the coupler (A). If the number of hot water fillings after the initial setting is within the predetermined number of times (step S210: Yes), the process proceeds to step S220 of FIG. 7 according to the binder (B). Any value can be set as the predetermined number of times, and in the present embodiment, it is set to 5 times. Assuming that the hot water is filled once a day, it can be said that the number of times and the number of days are synonymous.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in the hot water filling of the water heater S according to the present embodiment when the number of hot water filling exceeds 5 times. The hot water filling of the present embodiment is the same as the hot water filling of the comparative example in the process from supplying the circulating hot water amount Q0 in step S202 to determining the circulation of hot water in step S203.

In step S211 the control unit 20 calculates the pouring amount by subtracting the circulating hot water amount Q0 from the set hot water amount Qs. In step S212, the control unit 20 injects the calculated amount of hot water to fill the water, and in step S213, the water level sensor 33 measures and stores the measured water level Hm. In step S2140, the water level difference ΔH, which is the difference between the measured water level Hm and the predicted water level Hp, is calculated, and in step S214, it is determined whether or not the water level difference ΔH is within the threshold value.

The threshold value of the water level difference can be set arbitrarily, but it can be set to, for example, about ± 3 cm. This is because if the water level actually filled with hot water is deviated by more than 3 cm with respect to the same amount of hot water setting, there is a great concern that the user may feel uncomfortable. In this embodiment, the threshold value of the water level difference is set to ± 2 cm.

When the water level difference ΔH is within ± 2 cm (step S214: Yes), it is considered that the normal measured water level Hm can be obtained in an environment without disturbance. Therefore, in step S215, the control unit 20 sets the value of the actually measured water level Hm as the target water level Hd to be poured at the time of adding hot water, and ends the hot water filling. In this way, by setting the actually measured value of the actually measured water level Hm as the target water level Hd, the water level of the footbath can be stabilized.

If the water level difference ΔH exceeds ± 2 cm (step S214: No), it is possible that an abnormal value has been acquired as the measured water level Hm. Therefore, in step S216, the value of the predicted water level Hp is set as the provisional value instead of the measured water level Hm as the target water level Hd. Here, it is assumed that the predicted water level Hp is more correct because the predicted water level Hp has been used as the value of the measured water level Hd more than 6 times in the hot water filling.

In step S217, in order to determine whether the increase in the water level difference ΔH is transient or constant, the water level difference ΔH acquired in the predetermined number of times of hot water filling immediately before or during the hot water filling period exceeds ± 2 cm. Judge whether or not. In the present embodiment, the water level difference ΔH acquired during the three hot water fillings is used for the determination in step S217.

If all the water level differences ΔH acquired in the past three times of hot water filling are within ± 2 cm (step S217: No), this increase in water level difference ΔH can correctly obtain the measured water level Hm due to the disturbance during hot water filling. Since it is considered to be a transient abnormality due to the absence, the hot water filling is completed without updating the unit hot water amount ΔQ. Disturbance during hot water filling is, for example, a phenomenon in which hot water is used in the middle of hot water filling, or bathing is started before the completion of hot water filling.

If all the water level differences ΔH acquired in the past three times of hot water filling exceed ± 2 cm (step S217: Yes), the cause of the increase in the water level difference ΔH is not transient and is a memorized unit. There is a possibility that the predicted water level Hp is not calculated accurately because the amount of hot water ΔQ and the actual unit amount of hot water ΔQ deviate from each other. Therefore, in step S218, the control unit 20 updates the unit hot water amount ΔQ with the update unit hot water amount ΔQ'so as to reduce the water level difference ΔH, and ends the hot water filling. After the completion of hot water filling, when adding hot water, the pouring amount is calculated by multiplying the difference between the measured water level Hm of the residual water and the target water level Hd at the time of adding hot water by the unit hot water amount ΔQ.

The update unit hot water amount ΔQ'is calculated so that the new water level difference ΔH'between the new predicted water level Hp'calculated from the update unit hot water amount ΔQ' and the measured water level Hm does not become zero. Updating the new water level difference ΔH'to 0 means making the new predicted water level Hp'equal to the measured water level Hm, assuming that the measured water level Hm is accurate, but in reality it is three times in a row. Therefore, there is a possibility that the measured water level Hm is not normal due to the disturbance. If the update unit hot water amount ΔQ'is calculated so that the inaccurate measured water level Hm and the new predicted water level Hp'are the same value, the setting of the target water level Hd becomes inaccurate. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the update unit hot water amount ΔQ'is calculated and the unit hot water amount ΔQ is updated so that the new water level difference ΔH'is not set to 0 by one update but is reduced by a constant subtraction value.

By calculating the update unit hot water volume ΔQ'in this way, even if an abnormal value is continuously acquired as the measured water level Hm, the target water level Hd that does not significantly deviate from the set hot water level Qs is set and additional hot water is added. Can be done. The setting of the subtraction value of the new water level difference ΔH'is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller than the threshold value of the water level difference ΔH, and is set to 1 cm in the present embodiment.

Specifically, the update unit hot water volume ΔQ'is as shown in Equation 4 when the predicted water level Hp is larger than the measured water level Hm by more than 2 cm, and when the predicted water level Hp is smaller than the measured water level Hm by more than 2 cm. It is calculated as in Equation 5.

As described above, the cause of the large water level difference ΔH may be an abnormality in the measured water level Hm or a change in the unit hot water amount ΔQ. In the control method of the present embodiment, when the water level difference ΔH exceeds the threshold value three times, the target water level Hd is accurately set by updating the unit hot water amount ΔQ because it is highly possible that the change in the unit hot water amount ΔQ is the cause. It is set to, and it is possible to perform the addition hot water stably. Even if the water level difference ΔH exceeds the threshold value, the unit hot water amount ΔQ is not updated if the number of times the threshold value is exceeded is less than three times.

Since the water level sensor 33 detects the water level from the water pressure, a decrease in the specific gravity of the hot water due to an increase in the hot water temperature setting can be detected as a decrease in the water level. In such a case, the unit amount of hot water ΔQ may change depending on the hot water temperature setting, and the unit amount of hot water ΔQ calculated by the initial setting made with water may differ from the unit amount of hot water ΔQ at the time of actual pouring. .. Further, in the bathtub B having an inclined wall surface, the opening expands toward the upper side, so that the unit amount of hot water ΔQ can change from the initial setting even if the amount of hot water different from the initial setting is set at the time of filling. .. According to the control method of the present embodiment, not only the unit hot water amount ΔQ is set by the initial setting, but also the unit hot water amount ΔQ is updated at the time of filling the water, so that the target water level Hd is based on the actual unit hot water amount ΔQ. Can be set to stably add hot water.

Further, the unit amount of hot water ΔQ changes greatly by changing the shape of the bathtub B due to reform or the like. According to the control method of the present embodiment, by automatically updating the unit hot water amount ΔQ at the time of filling with hot water, the user can be freed from the trouble of manually performing the initial setting every time the remodeling or the set hot water temperature is changed. it can. It is also possible to prevent troubles caused by abnormal water level caused by forgetting to execute the initial setting.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process in the hot water filling of the water heater S according to the present embodiment when the number of hot water filling is 5 times or less. As described in FIG. 6, there is a possibility that the unit hot water amount ΔQ calculated in the initial setting and the unit hot water amount ΔQ of the hot water filling are different from each other. Further, since the water level sensor 33 may be affected by the hot water temperature, there is a possibility that the reference water level H1 also deviates between the initial setting and the hot water filling. Therefore, it is preferable to update the unit amount of hot water ΔQ and the reference water level H1 based on the median value of the data of the hot water filling for 5 times after the initial setting by the process of FIG.

In step S220, the control unit 20 pours the reference hot water amount Q1. In step S221, it is confirmed that the bathtub B is plugged and the hot water is filled by the pouring of the hot water in step S220, that is, the hot water circulates in the circulation circuit.

If the circulation of hot water is not detected (step S221: No), it is suspected that the bathtub B is not plugged, so the hot water filling is interrupted. When the circulation of hot water is detected (step S221: Yes), the reference water level H1 (N) of this time is stored in step S222. N is a positive integer representing the number of hot water fillings.

In step S223, the control unit 20 calculates the pouring amount by subtracting the reference hot water amount Q1 from the set hot water amount Qs. In step S224, the control unit 20 injects the calculated amount of hot water to fill the water. In step S225, the control unit 20 measures and stores the measured water level Hm with the water level sensor 33. In step S226, the control unit 20 sets the value of the predicted water level Hp as the target water level Hd to be poured at the time of adding hot water.

In step S227, the control unit 20 divides the pouring amount calculated in step S223 by the difference between the measured water level Hm and the reference water level H1 (N) measured this time, as in Equation 6, so that the unit water amount ΔQ this time is (N) is calculated and stored.

In step S228, it is determined whether or not this hot water filling is the fifth time. If the number of times of hot water filling is 4 or less (step S228: No), the hot water filling is finished. At this time, the control unit 20 counts up the number of times of hot water filling. When the hot water is filled when the residual water is not detected in the bathtub B, the control unit 20 counts up the number of hot water fillings. On the other hand, when the hot water is filled when the residual water is detected in the bathtub B, the control unit 20 does not count up the number of hot water fillings.

When the hot water filling is the fifth time (step S228: Yes), in step S229, the unit hot water amount ΔQ is the updated unit hot water amount ΔQ'which is the median value of the unit hot water amounts ΔQ (1) to ΔQ (5) memorized so far. Is updated, and the reference hot water amount H1 is updated with the update reference hot water amount H1'which is the median value of the reference hot water amounts H1 (1) to H1 (5). Further, the renewable circulatory water level H0'is calculated by subtracting the difference between the reference water level H1 and the circulatory water level H0 memorized in the initial setting from the renewal reference hot water amount H1' After updating, finish the hot water filling. When the hot water is filled when the residual water is not detected in the bathtub B in this way, the control unit 20 counts up the number of hot water fillings. On the other hand, when the hot water is filled when the residual water is detected in the bathtub B, the control unit 20 does not count up the number of hot water fillings. After the completion of hot water filling, when adding hot water, the pouring amount is calculated by multiplying the difference between the measured water level Hm of the residual water and the target water level Hd at the time of adding hot water by the unit hot water amount ΔQ.

According to the process of FIG. 7, the deviation of the unit hot water amount ΔQ between the initial installation and the actual hot water filling can be corrected more reliably. Further, not only the unit amount of hot water ΔQ but also the reference water level H1 which is the reference for pouring can be corrected in the hot water filling even when the reference water level H1 which is the reference for pouring is not correctly obtained by the initial setting. By modifying the unit amount of hot water ΔQ and the reference water level H1, it is possible to add hot water at a more stable water level.

The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of explaining the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. In addition, the above-mentioned mechanism and configuration show what is considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the mechanisms and configurations in the product.

B Bathtub S Water heater 9 Bath circulation pump (circulation pump)
20 Control unit (control means, determination means)
32 Flow meter 33 Water level sensor 41-48 Piping (circulation circuit)
49 Circulation adapter S113 Unit hot water amount calculation processing S200 Predicted water level calculation processing S213 Measured water level measurement processing S2140 Water level difference calculation processing S208a, S208, S215, S216, S226 Target water level setting processing S218 Unit hot water amount update processing

Claims (3)

A flow meter that measures the amount of hot water poured into the bathtub,
A water level sensor that measures the measured water level of the bathtub and
With a control unit,
The control unit calculates the unit amount of hot water per the height of the bathtub based on the water level raised by the pouring and the amount of hot water.
Calculate the predicted water level based on the set amount of hot water and the unit amount of hot water,
When the difference between the measured water level and the predicted water level is within a predetermined value, the value of the measured water level is added and set as the target water level in the hot water.
When the difference exceeds a predetermined value, the value of the predicted water level is set as the target water level.
A water heater that updates the unit amount of hot water so that the difference becomes smaller when the difference exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined number of times in a row. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit updates the unit amount of hot water so that the difference does not become zero. A water heater control method that includes an initial setting step and a hot water filling step.
In the initial setting step, a unit hot water amount calculation process for calculating a unit hot water amount per bathtub height based on the water injection amount and the water level raised by the water injection is performed.
The hot water filling step
Perform the predicted water level calculation process to calculate the predicted water level based on the set hot water amount and the unit hot water amount.
After the pouring of the set amount of hot water is completed, the actual measurement water level measurement process for measuring the actual measurement water level is performed.
A water level difference calculation process for calculating the difference between the measured water level and the predicted water level is performed.
When the difference is within a predetermined value, the target water level setting process of adding the measured water level value and setting it as the target water level in the hot water is performed.
When the difference exceeds a predetermined value, a target water level setting process for setting the predicted water level value as the target water level is performed.
A water heater control method for updating a unit amount of hot water so that the difference becomes smaller when the difference exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined number of times in a row.

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