JP2021085543A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve effective heat radiation from an ultraviolet LED used inside a hot water supply device.SOLUTION: A hot water supply device includes: an additional heating circulation passage connecting a suction port and a discharge port formed on a bathtub; a circulation pump that is disposed on the additional heating circulation passage and is operated to circulate bathtub water to the additional heating circulation passage; an LED that is disposed on the additional heating circulation passage in a state that it can radiate heat by heat exchange with the bathtub water and is turned on to apply a beam of light of a wavelength region having sterilization effect to the bathtub water; and a control device for controlling switching between operation and stop of the circulation pump and switching between turn-on and turn-off of the LED. The control device is constituted to operate the circulation pump when the LED is turned on and to keep the state of the circulation pump being operated until a heat radiation time determined to radiate heat, has passed from the time when the LED is turned off.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply device. More specifically, it relates to a hot water supply device provided with a sterilization device for sterilizing bath water.

Conventionally, as a sterilization device, a device using an ultraviolet irradiation device, an ozone generator, an ultraviolet LED, or the like is known. The merit of using the ultraviolet LED as a sterilization device is that the power consumption is relatively low and the life with respect to the driving time is long as compared with the ultraviolet irradiation device and the ozone generator. However, when the ultraviolet LED is used for a long time in a high temperature state, the brightness is likely to decrease, and as a result, the sterilization performance of the ultraviolet LED is deteriorated and the life of the ultraviolet LED is considered to be shortened. On the other hand, measures such as exhausting the heat generated while the ultraviolet LED is lit by a fan, a heat sink, or the like are considered.

By the way, as a hot water supply device that can circulate and reheat bathtub water, a sterilization device is known in which a sterilization device is arranged in the middle of a passage that circulates the bathtub water to sterilize the bathtub water. Regarding this, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a hot water supply device including a sterilization device using a UV lamp including an LED, and removes the bath water when the bath water is not circulated in order to prolong the life of the sterilization device. A control method for shortening the lighting time of UV or the like by not lighting the bactericidal device is shown.

JP-A-2018-54179

Due to the nature of the hot water supply device, the internal temperature becomes high, especially during use. Therefore, when an ultraviolet LED is used as a sterilizing device for a hot water supply device, even if a fan or a heat sink is set for the ultraviolet LED, the heat dissipation effect due to the setting may not be sufficiently obtained. Further, the control of Patent Document 1 is intended to shorten the driving time of the sterilization device, but does not consider the heat dissipation of the heat generated by the UV lamp at all, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides an improved hot water supply device so that an ultraviolet LED can effectively dissipate heat even when used inside the hot water supply device.

The hot water supply device of the present invention is a circulation pump installed in a reheating circulation path connecting a suction port and a discharge port provided in a bathtub and a reheating circulation path, and circulates bath water in the reheating circulation path by operation. And, it is arranged in the reheating circulation path in a state where it can dissipate heat by exchanging heat with the bathtub water, and the LED that irradiates the bathtub water with light in the wavelength range that has a sterilizing effect by lighting, and the operation and stop of the circulation pump. A control device for controlling switching and switching between turning on and off the LED is provided. When the LED is turned on, the control device operates the circulation pump and maintains the state in which the circulation pump is operated from the time when the LED is turned off until the heat dissipation time set for heat dissipation elapses. It is configured as follows.

According to the hot water supply device of the present invention, the LED can be used while being effectively cooled by exchanging heat with the bath water. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the LED, secure high sterilization performance of the LED, and provide bathtub water with high hygiene.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ultraviolet irradiation amount and the effect of sterilization of bathtub water. It is a timing chart which shows the timing of turning on and off of the ultraviolet LED, and stopping of a circulation pump at the time of the sterilization operation in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED in Embodiment 1 of this invention, the temperature of bathtub water, and heat dissipation time. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation at the time of the sterilization operation of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED in Embodiment 2 of this invention, the temperature of bathtub water, and the flow rate of bathtub water. 6 is a timing chart showing the timing of turning on and off the ultraviolet LED and stopping the circulation pump during the sterilization operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The elements common to each figure are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The present invention also includes all combinations of the embodiments shown below.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 of the first embodiment includes a tank unit 33, an HP unit 7 that uses a heat pump cycle, and a remote control device 44. The HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected via an HP going pipe 14, an HP returning pipe 15, and an electric wiring (not shown).

The HP unit 7 functions as a heating means for heating the water led from the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 constitutes a heat pump cycle by connecting the compressor 1, the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3, the expansion valve 4, and the air heat exchanger 6 in an annular shape by the refrigerant pipe 5. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 and the water guided from the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 is driven by electric power.

The tank unit 33 contains the following various parts and pipes. The hot water storage tank 8 is for storing hot water. A third water supply pipe 9c is connected to the water introduction port 8a provided at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8. The water supplied from a water source such as tap water is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve 31, and then flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the third water supply pipe 9c. A hot water supply pipe line 21 for taking out hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 and a hot water supply pipe 13 are connected to a hot water introduction outlet 8d provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8. A plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 42, 43 are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 8 at different heights.

A heat source pump 12, a bath heat exchanger 20, and a circulation pump 29 are provided in the tank unit 33. The heat source pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot water through various pipes in the tank unit 33, and is provided on the HP going pipe 14.

The three-way valve 11 is a flow path switching means having a port a and a b which is an inflow port and a port c which is an outflow port. The HP going pipe 14 connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 and the water inlet of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 3 of the HP unit 7. The three-way valve 11 has a form in which the water outlet pipe 10 connected to the water outlet 8b at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8 and the HP outbound pipe 14 communicate with each other (ac path) and the primary side of the bath heat exchanger 20. The hot water flow path in the tank unit 33 is switched to one of the two flow path forms, that is, the hot water outlet pipe 20b connected to the outlet and the HP going pipe 14 communicate with each other (bc path).

The four-way valve 18 is a flow path switching means having a, b, c, and d ports. The HP return pipe 15 connected to the water outlet of the water refrigerant heat exchanger 3 of the HP unit 7 is connected to the c port, which is the inflow port of the four-way valve 18, and the heat source pump in the HP outbound pipe 14 is connected to the b port. A second bypass pipe 17 that branches from between 12 and the inlet side of the HP unit 7 is connected. A hot water supply pipe 13 connected to the hot water introduction outlet 8d at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8 is connected to the d port which is the outlet of the four-way valve 18, and the a port is provided between the central portion and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8. The first bypass pipe 16 connected to the hot water introduction port 8c is connected. By switching the four-way valve 18, it is possible to switch between a form in which hot water flows in from the HP return pipe 15 side and a form in which hot water flows in from the second bypass pipe 17 side, and a form in which hot water flows out to the hot water supply pipe 13. The form of flowing out to the first bypass pipe 16 is switched.

Further, the tank unit 33 has a first water supply pipe 9a, a second water supply pipe 9b, a hot water supply mixing valve 22, a bath mixing valve 23, a first hot water supply pipe 24, and a second hot water supply pipe 25. One end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as water supply. The second water supply pipe 9b and the third water supply pipe 9c are connected to the other end of the first water supply pipe 9a via the pressure reducing valve 31. The second water supply pipe 9b branches from the middle and is connected to one of the two inlets of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and one of the two inlets of the bath mixing valve 23, respectively.

One end of the hot water supply pipeline 21 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8, and the other end branches from the middle to the other of the two inlets of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the two bath mixing valves 23. It is connected to the other of the entrances, respectively. The hot water supply mixing valve 22 adjusts the hot water temperature by making the flow rate ratio of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 through the hot water supply pipe 21 and the low temperature water supplied from the second water supply pipe 9b variable. .. The outlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is connected to one end of the first hot water supply pipe 24. The other end of the first hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to the hot water supply plug 34. The hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the hot water mixing valve 22 passes through the first hot water supply pipe 24, the hot water tap 34, and an external pipe (not shown) connected to the hot water tap 34, and is used for a shower, a faucet, a sink, and a hot water supply tap 34. It is sent to the faucet of the washbasin.

The bath mixing valve 23 adjusts the hot water temperature by making the flow rate ratio of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 through the hot water supply pipe 21 and the low temperature water supplied from the second water supply pipe 9b variable. The outlet of the bath mixing valve 23 is connected to one end of the second hot water supply pipe 25. The other end of the second hot water supply pipe 25 is connected to a portion of the bath pipe 27 between the bath heat exchanger 20 and the bath temperature sensor 37. In the middle of the second hot water supply pipe 25, a bath solenoid valve 26 for opening and closing the second hot water supply pipe 25 and a bath flow rate sensor 45 for detecting the flow rate of hot water passing through the second hot water supply pipe 25 are provided. The hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the bath mixing valve 23 flows into the bathtub 30 via the second hot water supply pipe 25 and the bath going pipe 27.

The suction port and the discharge port provided in the bathtub 30 are connected by a reheating circulation path, whereby the bathtub water in the bathtub 30 is led out and circulated. The reheating circulation path includes a bathtub 30, a bathtub going pipe 27, and a bathtub returning pipe 28. The bath heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bath return pipe 28. A hot water introduction pipe 20a branching from the middle of the hot water supply pipe 13 is connected to the primary side inlet of the bath heat exchanger 20. The bath heat exchanger 20 is a heat exchanger that heats the bathtub water by exchanging heat between the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 or the HP unit 7 and the bathtub water guided from the bathtub 30. ..

A bath temperature sensor 37 that detects the temperature of the bathtub water after heat exchange from the bath heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bath pipe 27. Further, a circulation pump 29, a flow switch 19, a bath return temperature sensor 38, and a sterilization device 39 are installed in the middle of the bath return pipe 28. The circulation pump 29 circulates the bath water in the reheating circulation path. The flow switch 19 is a flow rate detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the flow of bathtub water in the return pipe 28 and detecting the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the return pipe 28. The bathtub return temperature sensor 38 is a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water discharged from the bathtub 30.

The sterilization device 39 is a device that sterilizes the bathtub water discharged from the bathtub 30. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet LED is used as the sterilization device 39. The ultraviolet LED irradiates ultraviolet rays in a wavelength range having a sterilizing effect. The sterilization device 39 is installed so that the light emitted by the ultraviolet LED irradiates the bathtub water circulating in the return pipe 28. Further, the sterilization device 39 is installed in the return pipe 28 in a state where the ultraviolet LED is easily cooled by the bath water.

The control device 36 is built in the tank unit 33. The control device 36 includes at least one processor and at least one memory. Various valves and pumps included in the tank unit 33 and the HP unit 7 are electrically connected to the control device 36, and these valves and pumps are controlled by the control device 36.

The control device 36 and the remote control device 44 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. The remote control device 44 is a user interface device that performs an operation command for operating a hot water supply device and a change operation of a set value. The installation location of the remote control device 44 is not limited. Examples of the installation location of the remote controller device 44 include a bathroom and a kitchen. Further, one remote controller 44 may be installed, or a plurality of remote controllers 44 may be installed at different locations. In addition to the remote control device 44, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone may be used as a user interface of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35.

The remote control device 44 includes a display unit 44a and an operation unit 44b. The display unit 44a may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 44a has a function as a notification means, and can display, for example, information on the state of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35, information on the setting contents of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35, and the like. The operation unit 44b may include buttons, dials, keys, and the like for the user to operate. The display unit 44a may be a touch screen having a function of an operation unit. The remote control device 44 may further include a speaker, a microphone, and the like.

The control device 36 detects the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 8 by measuring the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 with the hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43. The control device 36 controls the start and stop of the boiling operation in which the hot water generated by heating the water by the HP unit 7 is stored in the hot water storage tank 8 based on the detected residual hot water amount, heat storage amount and the like.

In the boiling operation, the HP unit 7 and the heat source pump 12 are operated. The three-way valve 11 has a form (ac path) in which the water outlet pipe 10 and the HP outbound pipe 14 communicate with each other. The four-way valve 18 has a form (cd path) in which the HP return pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 13 communicate with each other. When the heat source pump 12 operates, the water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 passes through the water outlet 8b, the water outlet pipe 10, the three-way valve 11, and the HP going pipe 14, and the water refrigerant heat exchange of the HP unit 7. It is sent to the vessel 3. Then, the hot water that has become hot due to being heated while passing through the water refrigerant heat exchanger 3 passes through the HP return pipe 15, the four-way valve 18, the hot water supply pipe 13, and the hot water introduction outlet 8d, and passes through the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8. Inflow to. By such a hot water storage operation, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 8 from top to bottom, and heat is stored.

The control device 36 controls the operation of the repelling operation for heating or keeping the hot water in the bathtub 30 warm. In the repelling operation, the heat source pump 12 and the circulation pump 29 are operated. When the heat source pump 12 operates, the high-temperature hot water led out from the upper part in the hot water storage tank 8 is used as the heat source fluid via the hot water introduction outlet 8d, a part of the hot water supply pipe 13, and the hot water introduction pipe 20a. , It is sent to the bath heat exchanger 20. The heat source fluid whose temperature has dropped due to heat exchange with the bathtub water in the bath heat exchanger 20 is the hot water outlet pipe 20b, the three-way valve 11, a part of the HP going pipe 14, the second bypass pipe 17, the four-way valve 18, and the first bypass. It is returned to the hot water storage tank 8 via the pipe 16 and the hot water introduction port 8c. However, the repelling operation is not limited to the form in which the heat source fluid is returned to the hot water storage tank 8, and can also be operated in the circulation form in which the heat source fluid is sent to the bath heat exchanger 20 via the HP unit 7.

When the circulation pump 29 operates, the bathtub water is drawn from the bathtub 30 into the bathtub return pipe 28 and sent to the bathtub heat exchanger 20. The bathtub water is heated by heat exchange with the heat source fluid in the bath heat exchanger 20 and returned to the bathtub 30 via the bathtub pipe 27.

Next, the sterilization operation executed by the control device 36 in the present embodiment will be described. The number of bacteria generated in the bathtub 30 increases immediately after the bathtub 30 is filled with bath water. Therefore, a sterilization operation is carried out to suppress the increase of bacteria. In FIG. 1, the circuit during the sterilization operation operation of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 is indicated by an arrow A.

When executing the sterilization operation, the control device 36 operates the circulation pump 29 and supplies electric power to the ultraviolet LED of the sterilization device 39. As a result, the bath water circulates in the reheating circulation path as shown by the arrow in FIG. The bath water is sterilized by receiving a light beam from an ultraviolet LED when passing through the installation portion of the sterilizing device 39 of the bath return pipe 28.

In the present embodiment, there is no limitation on the execution timing and the length of the sterilization operation. For example, the control device 36 intermittently performs a one-cycle sterilization operation of turning on the ultraviolet LED for a certain period of time while the circulation pump 29 is operating due to the chasing operation at predetermined interval periods. It may be configured to repeat automatically. Further, when the amount of bathtub water in the bathtub 30 is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the circulation pump 29 is automatically operated at regular intervals to perform a one-cycle sterilization operation of turning on the ultraviolet LED for a predetermined interval period. It may be configured to repeat automatically intermittently. Further, the user may be configured to instruct the start of the sterilization operation by the remote controller device 44 or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of ultraviolet irradiation and the effect of sterilizing bathtub water. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the amount of ultraviolet rays, and the vertical axis represents the sterilization rate of bathtub water. From FIG. 2, it can be seen that the bathtub water can be sterilized by irradiating the bathtub water with ultraviolet rays, and the greater the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated, the higher the effect.

By the way, due to its characteristics, the ultraviolet LED causes a decrease in brightness depending on the current for operating the ultraviolet LED, the cumulative operating time, and the amount of heat generated. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the ultraviolet LED while maintaining the sterilization performance, it is important to effectively dissipate the heat generated when the ultraviolet LED is lit.

Therefore, the sterilizer 39 of the present embodiment is arranged in a state where heat can be exchanged between the ultraviolet LED and the circulating bath water. Usually, the bath water has a temperature of about 40 ° C. or lower, which is used for bathing. Therefore, it is possible to use the ultraviolet LED while sufficiently dissipating heat by exchanging heat with the bathtub water, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the brightness of the ultraviolet LED.

Further, if the circulation pump 29 is stopped at the same time as the ultraviolet LED is stopped to stop the circulation of the bathtub water, heat exchange between the ultraviolet LED and the bathtub water becomes difficult to proceed, and heat may remain inside the ultraviolet LED. Therefore, the control device 36 controls the circulation pump 29 to be stopped after the ultraviolet LED is turned off in order to sufficiently dissipate the heat remaining inside the ultraviolet LED after the ultraviolet LED is turned off.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the timings of turning on and off the ultraviolet LED during the sterilization operation and stopping the circulation pump 29 in chronological order. The vertical axis of FIG. 3 represents the current supplied to the ultraviolet LED, and the horizontal axis represents time. In the example of FIG. 3, a current is supplied to the ultraviolet LED at time T1 to turn on the ultraviolet LED, then sterilization is completed, and the light is turned off at time T2. Then, from the time when the ultraviolet LED of T2 is turned off until the predetermined heat dissipation time elapses, the circulation pump 29 is prohibited from stopping, and the circulation pump 29 is continued to operate. In the example of FIG. 3, the heat dissipation time elapses at the time T3, and the circulation pump 29 is stopped at this time.

The predetermined heat dissipation time for prohibiting the stop of the circulation pump 29 after the ultraviolet LED is turned off is the time set by the control device 36. Specifically, the control device 36 stores in advance the relationship between the heat dissipation time and the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, and the specific relationship between the heat dissipation time and the temperature of the bathtub water. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, the temperature of the bath water, and the heat dissipation time. The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 is the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, and the vertical axis is the heat dissipation time. Further, the solid line a indicates the case where the bath water is high temperature, the solid line b indicates the case where the bath water is medium temperature, and the solid line c indicates the case where the bath water is low temperature.

After the ultraviolet LED is turned on, it generates heat and gradually becomes hot. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the heat dissipation time is determined so that the heat radiation time increases proportionally with the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED. The lighting time here means the time from when the ultraviolet LED is turned on to when it is turned off, that is, the continuous lighting time in one sterilization operation.

The temperature of the bath water varies depending on the user's settings. Since the ultraviolet LED is configured to be cooled by heat exchange with the bathtub water, the cooling performance becomes higher as the temperature of the bathtub water is lower. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 36 is set to have a relatively long heat dissipation time when the temperature of the bathtub water is in a high range when compared with the same ultraviolet LED lighting time. The relationship between the bathtub water and the heat dissipation time is defined so that the heat dissipation time is relatively shorter when the temperature of the bathtub water is in the low range.

The control device 36 sets the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the heat dissipation time according to the temperature of the bath water based on the above relationship. Here, as the temperature of the bathtub water, for example, the temperature of the bathtub water measured by the bathtub return temperature sensor 38 can be used. Further, the control device 36 has a function of counting the time from turning on the ultraviolet LED to turning off, that is, the lighting time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation during the sterilization operation of the present embodiment. The control of FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed at regular intervals. In step S102 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the sterilization operation is started. The sterilization operation is started at a timing set in advance by the control device 36 or a timing specified by the user. If it is determined in step S102 that the sterilization operation is not started, the current process ends as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the sterilization operation is started, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, when the operation of the circulation pump 29 is started or the circulation pump 29 is already in the operating state, the state is maintained and the stop of the circulation pump 29 is prohibited.

Next, the process proceeds to step S106, and power is supplied from the power supply wiring to the ultraviolet LED of the sterilizing device 39, and the ultraviolet LED is turned on. Next, the process proceeds to step S108, and it is determined whether or not the sterilization operation is terminated. Here, for example, when one cycle of sterilization operation time is preset, it is determined that the sterilization operation is completed based on whether or not the sterilization operation time has elapsed from the start of the sterilization operation. .. Further, if an instruction to stop the sterilization operation is given by the operation of the user's remote control device 44 during the execution of the sterilization operation, it is determined in step S108 that the sterilization operation is completed.

If it is determined in step S108 that the sterilization operation is not completed, the process is returned to step S108, and the determination process of step S108 is periodically repeated until it is determined that the sterilization operation is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the sterilization operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the power supply to the ultraviolet LED is stopped, and the ultraviolet LED is turned off. At this stage, the state of prohibiting the stop of the circulation pump 29 set in step S104 is maintained, and the bath water is circulated in the reheating circulation path.

Next, the process proceeds to step S112, and the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED in the current sterilization operation is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S114, and the temperature of the bath water is detected. Next, the process proceeds to step S116, and the heat dissipation time is set. As described above, the control device 36 is acquired in the bathtub water temperature acquired in step S114 and in step S112 based on the relationship between the bathtub water temperature stored in advance, the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, and the heat dissipation time. The heat dissipation time is calculated according to the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, and this is set as the current heat dissipation time.

Next, the process proceeds to step S118, and it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from turning off the ultraviolet LED has reached the heat dissipation time. If it is determined in step S118 that the elapsed time has not reached the heat dissipation time, the process is returned to step S118. The determination process of step S118 is periodically repeated until it is determined that the elapsed time has reached the heat dissipation time.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that the elapsed time has reached the heat dissipation time, the circulation pump 29 is allowed to stop. For example, the circulation pump 29 is maintained in an operating state when necessary, such as during a chasing operation. After that, this process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ultraviolet LED is cooled by heat exchange with the bath water during the lighting of the ultraviolet LED of the sterilizing device 39 and until the heat dissipation time elapses after the ultraviolet LED is turned off. As a result, heat dissipation of the ultraviolet LED can be effectively performed, and a decrease in the brightness of the ultraviolet LED can be suppressed. Therefore, the sterilizing effect of the bathtub water can be maintained high, and the life of the sterilizing effect can be extended.

Further, the heat dissipation time after the ultraviolet LED is turned off is determined according to the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the temperature of the bathtub water. That is, the heat dissipation time takes into consideration the amount of heat generated by the ultraviolet LED and the cooling efficiency. Therefore, the ultraviolet LED can sufficiently dissipate heat, unnecessary operation of the circulation pump 29 can be suppressed, and an increase in power consumption due to the operation of the circulation pump 29 for heat dissipation can be suppressed to a small extent.

In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation time is determined in consideration of both the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the temperature of the bath water. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat dissipation time may be set according to only one of the lighting time and the temperature of the bathtub water. When the heat dissipation time is set according to the lighting time, the heat dissipation time set when the lighting time is long is set to be longer than the heat dissipation time set when the lighting time is short. When setting the heat dissipation time according to the temperature of the bathtub water, the heat dissipation time set when the temperature of the bathtub water is high is larger than the heat dissipation time set when the temperature of the bathtub water is low. Try to be long. This also applies to embodiments 2 and 3 below.

Further, during the sterilization operation, the display unit of the remote controller device 44 may be configured to notify the user by displaying that the sterilization is in progress. Further, it may be configured to notify the user by displaying on the display unit that cooling is being performed by circulating the bathtub water until the heat dissipation period elapses after the ultraviolet LED lighting is stopped. As a result, the user can easily recognize the reason why the bathtub water is circulated even after the sterilization operation is stopped. This also applies to embodiments 2 and 3 below.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sterilization operation during the chasing operation is not prohibited. However, the operation of the sterilizing device 39 may be prohibited during the chasing operation. Since the repelling operation is an operation of warming the hot water of the bathtub water, the bathtub water in contact with the sterilizing device 39 also becomes hot. Therefore, by configuring the configuration to allow the UV LED to light only when the driving operation is not in progress, it is possible to sterilize the UV LED while sufficiently dissipating heat, further enhancing the sterilization effect and the sterilization device. The life of 39 can be further extended. This also applies to embodiments 2 and 3 below.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, after the ultraviolet LED is turned off in the sterilization operation, the operation time of the circulation pump for cooling the ultraviolet LED is set to a preset constant time. The control device 36 changes the flow rate of the circulating bath water so that the ultraviolet LED can sufficiently dissipate heat during this fixed time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the temperature and flow rate of the circulating bath water. The horizontal axis of FIG. 6 is the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, and the vertical axis is the flow rate of the circulating bath water. The solid lines e, f, and g indicate the cases where the bath water is at high temperature, medium temperature, and low temperature, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the relationship between the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the flow rate is defined so that the flow rate of the bathtub water increases proportionally with the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED. In addition, the temperature and flow rate of the bathtub water are higher when the temperature of the bathtub water is high, and the flow rate is relatively lower when the temperature of the bathtub water is low. The relationship with is defined. The control device 36 stores the relationship determined in this way, and the control device 36 sets the flow rate of the bathtub water according to the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the temperature of the bathtub water based on this relationship. .. The control device 36 controls the flow rate of the bath water to a target flow rate by controlling the rotation speed of the circulation pump with a control amount according to the set flow rate.

When the control device 36 of the present embodiment performs the sterilization operation, the flow rate to be circulated is calculated instead of the setting of the heat dissipation time in step S116 of FIG. 5, and the circulation pump is rotated according to the calculated flow rate. The number is controlled. After that, in step S118, it is determined whether or not a certain time has passed since the ultraviolet LED was turned off, and when a certain time has passed, the circulation pump is allowed to stop in step S120.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the ultraviolet LED can sufficiently dissipate heat by circulating the bathtub water at a sufficient flow rate for a certain period of time after the ultraviolet LED is turned off.

In this embodiment, the flow rate of the bathtub water after the ultraviolet LED is turned off is determined in consideration of both the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED and the temperature of the bathtub water. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flow rate may be set according to only one of the lighting time and the temperature of the bath water. When the flow rate is set according to the lighting time, the flow rate set when the lighting time is long is set to be larger than the flow rate set when the lighting time is short. In addition, when setting the flow rate according to the temperature of the bathtub water, the flow rate set when the temperature of the bathtub water is high is longer than the flow rate set when the temperature of the bathtub water is low. To. This also applies to Embodiment 3 below.

If the flow rate of the bathtub water is changed when the sterilization operation is terminated and the ultraviolet LED is turned off during the chasing operation, the user may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in such a case, the configuration may be such that the change in the flow rate is prohibited. In this case, the heat dissipation time may be set according to the temperature of the bathtub water and the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED, as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the heat dissipation time may be set in a form of correcting a certain time specified in the second embodiment. That is, as a configuration in which the current flow rate of the bathtub water is corrected so that the smaller the flow rate after the UV LED is turned off, which is determined according to the lighting time of the UV LED and the temperature of the bathtub water, the longer the fixed time. May be good. This also applies to Embodiment 3 below.

Further, when the change of the flow rate of the bathtub water is prohibited, the control device 36 may be configured to set the heat dissipation time according to the flow rate of the bathtub water, for example. In this case, the heat dissipation time set when the flow rate is high is made shorter than the heat dissipation time set when the flow rate is low.

Embodiment 3.
The hot water storage type hot water supply device of the third embodiment is configured to execute control to operate the circulation pump 29 for heat dissipation of the ultraviolet LED before starting the sterilization operation. It is the same as 1 or 2 hot water storage type hot water supply device.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the timing of turning on and off the ultraviolet LED and the operation and stop of the circulation pump 29 during the sterilization operation in chronological order. The vertical axis of FIG. 7 is the current supplied to the ultraviolet LED, and the horizontal axis represents time.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the sterilization operation is started, the circulation pump 29 is operated at a time T0, which is a certain time before the time T1 at which the ultraviolet LED starts lighting. The fixed time here is predetermined to be longer than the time required from the start of operation of the circulation pump 29 to the filling of the bath water in the return pipe 28.

This makes it possible to prevent the ultraviolet LED from being turned on when the bathtub water is not filled in the return pipe 28. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the high temperature of the ultraviolet LED due to lighting, and it is possible to further extend the life of the ultraviolet LED.

1 Compressor, 3 Water refrigerant heat exchanger, 4 Expansion valve, 5 Refrigerator piping, 6 Air heat exchanger, 7 HP unit, 8 Hot water storage tank, 8a Water inlet, 8b Water outlet, 8c Hot water inlet, 8d Hot water Introductory outlet, 9a 1st water supply pipe, 9b 2nd water supply pipe, 9c 3rd water supply pipe, 10 water outlet pipe, 11 three-way valve, 12 heat source pump, 13 hot water supply pipe, 14 HP outbound pipe, 15 HP return pipe, 16 1st bypass pipe, 17 2nd bypass pipe, 18 4-way valve, 19 Flow switch, 20 Bath heat exchanger, 20a Hot water introduction pipe, 20b Hot water outlet pipe, 21 Hot water supply pipeline, 22 Hot water supply mixing valve, 23 Bath Mixing valve, 24 1st hot water supply pipe, 25 2nd hot water supply pipe, 26 Electromagnetic valve for bath, 27 Bath back pipe, 28 Bath return pipe, 29 Circulation pump, 30 Bathtub, 31 Pressure reducing valve, 33 Tank unit, 34 Hot water tap, 35 Hot water storage type hot water supply device, 36 control device, 37 bath going temperature sensor, 38 bath returning temperature sensor, 39 sterilization device, 42, 43 hot water storage temperature sensor, 44 remote control device, 44a display unit, 44b operation unit, 45 flow rate for bath Sensor

Claims (9)

A reheating circulation path that connects the suction port and the discharge port provided in the bathtub,
A circulation pump that is installed in the reheating circulation path and circulates bathtub water in the reheating circulation path by operation.
An LED that is arranged in the reheating circulation path in a state where heat can be dissipated by heat exchange with the bathtub water and irradiates the bathtub water with light rays in a wavelength range having a sterilizing effect by lighting.
A control device that controls switching between operation and stop of the circulation pump and switching between lighting and extinguishing of the LED.
With
The control device is
When the LED is turned on, the circulation pump is operated and the circulation pump is operated.
The state in which the circulation pump is operated is maintained from the time when the LED is turned off until the heat dissipation time set for heat dissipation elapses.
A water heater characterized by being configured in such a manner. The control device is configured to set the heat dissipation time according to the lighting time from the lighting of the LED to the extinguishing of the LED.
The heat dissipation time set when the lighting time is long is longer than the heat dissipation time set when the lighting time is short.
The hot water supply device according to claim 1. A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water derived from the discharge port of the bathtub is further provided.
The control device is configured to set the heat dissipation time according to the temperature of the bathtub water detected by the temperature detecting means.
The heat dissipation time set when the temperature of the bathtub water is high is longer than the heat dissipation time set when the temperature of the bathtub water is low.
The hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2. The control device is configured to control the flow rate of the bathtub water circulated in the reheating circulation path during the heat dissipation time according to the lighting time from the lighting of the LED to the extinguishing of the LED.
The flow rate controlled when the lighting time is long is larger than the flow rate controlled when the lighting time is short.
The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hot water supply device is characterized by the above. A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water derived from the discharge port of the bathtub is further provided.
The control device is configured to control the flow rate of the bath water circulated in the reheating circulation path during the heat dissipation time according to the temperature of the bath water.
The flow rate controlled when the temperature of the bath water is high is higher than the flow rate controlled when the temperature of the bath water is low.
The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hot water supply device is characterized by the above. The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device turns on the LED when a certain time has elapsed from the start of operation of the circulation pump. .. A notification means for notifying the operating state of the hot water supply device is further provided.
The control device notifies by the notification means that the bathtub water is being circulated for cooling the LED until the heat dissipation time elapses after the LED is turned off.
The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hot water supply device is characterized by the above. A flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the reheating circulation path is further provided.
The control device is configured to set the heat dissipation time according to the flow rate.
The heat dissipation time set when the flow rate is high is shorter than the heat dissipation time set when the flow rate is low.
The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hot water supply device is characterized by the above. The reheating circulation path is further provided with a heating means for heating the bath water.
The control device does not light the LED while executing the repelling operation in which the circulation pump is operated to heat the circulating bath water by the heating means. The hot water supply device according to any one of the above items.

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