JP2023072071A - Method, system, and program of hot water supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build a hot water supply system which achieves a hot water supply function without being affected, even when an operation specification of a water heater or an operation specification on the water heater side and between hot water storage units are different.

SOLUTION: A hot water supply method includes steps of: acquiring flow rate information from, out of a plurality of hot water storage units (4-1, 4-2) connected to at least one of water heaters (8-1, 8-2, 8-3), any one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units; acquiring temperature information from a temperature sensor (14-10) installed at a hot water supply passage (36) where hot water is supplied from the water heater; and monitoring the variation of the temperature information by comparing the temperature information regarding hot water tapping from any one of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units and the temperature information acquired from the temperature sensor, and changing the hot water tapping temperature of any one of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units according to this variation.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a hybrid hot water supply technology including a hot water storage unit as a heat storage source, a heat pump as a hot water storage heat source, and at least one water heater as a hot water supply heat source.

For example, the hot water supply system uses a heat pump to supply hot water from a hot water storage unit that stores hot water to a water heater.

Regarding hot water supply systems equipped with multiple water heaters, tank type water heaters equipped with tank type water heaters and tankless water heaters that are not in hot water supply operation when hot water supply is started or when hot water supply load increases , discloses that if the amount of heat stored in a tank exceeds a predetermined amount of heat, the tank-type water heater performs a non-combustion hot water supply operation (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-133735 A

By the way, in a hot water supply system, there is a need to reduce the running cost when building a hot water supply system having a hot water storage heat source such as a heat pump, a hot water storage unit as the hot water heat source, and at least one water heater as the hot water heat source. If the manufacturers of the devices that make up the system are different, the communication protocol and operation specifications will differ, so it is difficult to standardize and integrate the control of each system. Management is impossible.
Such a situation does not depend on whether the manufacturer is the same or not, but the same problem exists between old and new control system water heaters with different communication protocols of the same manufacturer.
Based on the current situation, the inventor obtained the knowledge that if there is an existing water heater, building an efficient hot water supply system using a hot water storage unit while maintaining the existing water heater satisfies the needs. It was.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is based on the above problems and knowledge, and is a hot water supply system that can supply hot water without being affected by differences in the operation specifications of the water heater included in the hot water supply system and the operation specifications between the water heater side and the hot water storage unit. It lies in building a hot water supply system that realizes its functions.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hot water supply method of the present invention, out of a plurality of hot water storage units connected to at least one water heater, flow rate information is obtained from any one hot water storage unit or a plurality of hot water storage units. a step of acquiring temperature information from a temperature sensor installed in a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the water heater; a step of acquiring temperature information from the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units; a step of comparing the temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor to monitor fluctuations in the temperature information, and changing the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units according to the fluctuations.
This hot water supply method may include a step of detecting a hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply path of the water heater or a common downstream hot water supply path.
This hot water supply method may include the step of changing the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature.
In this hot water supply method, the outlet hot water set temperature of any one of the hot water storage units or the plurality of hot water storage units is changed to set the outlet hot water temperature of the one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. A step of changing may be included.
This hot water supply method may further include the step of supplying water to the water heater from a bypass provided to the plurality of hot water storage units.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hot water supply system of the present invention, at least one water heater, a plurality of hot water storage units connected to the water heater, and any one of the plurality of hot water storage units. a flow rate information acquisition unit that acquires flow rate information from one hot water storage unit or a plurality of hot water storage units; Temperature information relating to hot water discharged from one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is compared with temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor to monitor fluctuations in the temperature information, and any one of the hot water storage units or and a control unit for changing the temperature of hot water discharged from the plurality of hot water storage units.
In this hot water supply system, the temperature information acquisition unit may include a temperature sensor that detects a hot water supply temperature of a hot water supply path of the water heater or a common downstream hot water supply path.
In this hot water supply system, the controller may change the outlet hot water temperature of the one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature.
In this hot water supply system, the control unit changes the outlet hot water set temperature of one of the hot water storage units or the plurality of hot water storage units, and adjusts the outlet hot water temperature of the one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to the hot water supply temperature. It may be changed to a temperature lower than the temperature.
In this hot water supply system, water may be supplied to the water heater from a bypass provided side by side with the plurality of hot water storage units.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, there is provided a program to be implemented by a computer, in which any one of a plurality of hot water storage units connected to at least one water heater or A function of acquiring flow rate information from a plurality of hot water storage units; a function of acquiring temperature information from a temperature sensor installed in a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the water heater; The temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor is compared with the temperature information relating to the hot water output from the hot water sensor to monitor fluctuations in the temperature information, and the outlet hot water temperature of any one of the hot water storage units or the plurality of hot water storage units is changed according to the fluctuations. and the functions to be performed by the computer.
In this program, the computer may implement a function of acquiring temperature information including the hot water supply temperature detected by a temperature sensor that detects the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply path of the water heater or a common downstream hot water supply path. .
In this program, the computer may realize a function of changing the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature.
In this program, the hot water set temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is changed, and the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is changed to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. The computer may implement the function of

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In a hot water supply system including at least one water heater and a first hot water storage unit or a second hot water storage unit, hot water can be supplied based on a set set temperature.

(2) Water or hot water is supplied from the hot water storage unit to the hot water heater to realize stable hot water supply.
(3) It is possible to construct a hot water supply system in which water heaters perform their respective hot water supply functions without being affected by communication protocols and operation specifications.
(4) A hot water supply system can be constructed by simply replacing a malfunctioning water heater regardless of differences in water heater manufacturers, editions, and versions.
(5) With respect to the hot water supply function of each installed water heater, the system can be operated using the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply channel as control information without being governed by individual operations, and the hot water supply operation of each water heater can be operated. Reliability can be improved.
(6) It is not necessary to use a remote control for each water heater, and one or more water heaters can be controlled by the hot water storage unit side, for example, using the hot water supply temperature as control information regardless of the operation specifications.

4 is a flowchart showing a hot water supply method according to the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the hot water supply system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a heat pump; It is a figure which shows a water heater. It is a figure which shows a hot water control system. It is a figure which shows the hardware of a control part. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of hot water supply control; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system according to a third embodiment; FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing control of the hot water supply system; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system according to a fifth embodiment; FIG.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a hot water supply process according to the first embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such processes.
This hot water supply step is realized by the hot water supply method or program of the present invention. In FIG. 1, S is a step, and the number attached to S is an example of the order of steps. In the description of this hot water supply process, reference is made to the numbers attached to the hot water supply system 2 (FIGS. 2 to 6).

This hot water supply process includes hot water storage in the hot water storage unit 4 (S101), hot water supply information acquisition and monitoring (S102), presence or absence of flow rate detection (S103), hot water supply information acquisition and monitoring (S104), and hot water supply temperature fluctuation determination (S105). , and change of outlet hot water set temperature (S106).
Hot water storage in hot water storage unit 4 (S101): Hot water is stored in hot water storage tank 10 of hot water storage unit 4 using heat pump 6 as a heat source. The heat pump 6 , which is an example of a hot water heat source, is normally kept in a driven state, and the hot water HW heated by the heat pump 6 is stored in the hot water storage tank 10 .

Acquisition and monitoring of hot water supply information (S102): Flow rate information is acquired from the hot water storage unit 4 in order to determine hot water supply demand. This flow rate information can be obtained by detecting the flow rate with the flow rate sensor 22 on the hot water storage unit 4 side.
Presence or absence of flow rate detection (S103): Hot water HW flows from the hot water storage unit 4 to the water supply path 24 when a hot water supply demand arises. This flow flows through the flow sensor 22 to the water supply path 24 . Therefore, whether or not there is a demand for hot water supply can be determined by the presence or absence of flow rate detection by the flow rate sensor 22 .
Acquisition and monitoring of hot water supply information (S104): Hot water supply information including hot water supply temperature is obtained from hot water HW flowing through hot water supply path .
Determination of hot water supply temperature fluctuation (S105): Hot water supply information including the hot water supply temperature is acquired, and whether or not there is a fluctuation in the hot water supply temperature is determined by this monitoring. Fluctuations in the detected temperature T10 representing the hot water supply temperature are caused by factors on the water heater 8 side or on the hot water storage unit 4 side.
Change of outlet hot water set temperature (S106): In order to stabilize the hot water supply temperature and realize a constant hot water supply temperature, the hot water outlet set temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 is changed, and the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water HW flowing from the hot water storage unit 4 to the water supply path 24 is changed. change. As a result, the hot water supply operation of the water heater 8 is maintained, and hot water can be supplied.

<Effects of the first embodiment>
According to this first embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By changing the hot water supply setting temperature on the hot water storage unit 4 side according to the hot water supply temperature obtained from the hot water supply device 8 side through the common hot water supply path 36, the hot water supply operation of the water heater 8 is maintained and the required amount is supplied to the demand location. hot water can be supplied.
(2) Whether or not there is a demand for hot water supply can be determined based on flow rate information on the hot water storage unit 4 side, regardless of the operation of the hot water heater 8 side.
(3) Adjusting the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 based on the hot water supply information including the temperature of the hot water HW flowing from the water heater 8 side to the common hot water supply path 36, stabilizing the hot water supply temperature on the hot water supply path 36 side and keeping the hot water supply temperature constant. can be realized.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows a hot water supply system according to a second embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
The hot water supply system 2 includes a hot water storage unit 4, a heat pump 6, and at least one water heater, for example, a plurality of water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3. The water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 are simply referred to as the water heater 8 unless the individual water heaters are specified.
The hot water storage unit 4 includes a hot water storage tank 10 . Hot water HW to be supplied to the water heater 8 is stored in the hot water storage tank 10 . A water supply pipe 12 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10 , and water W such as tap water is supplied from the water supply pipe 12 to the lower layer side of the hot water storage tank 10 . A temperature sensor 14-1 detects the temperature of water supplied to the hot water storage tank 10. FIG. A temperature sensor 14-2 detects the temperature of the hot water HW flowing through the hot water outlet pipe 16. As shown in FIG. The temperature sensor 14-3 is the upper layer temperature of the hot water storage tank 10, the temperature sensor 14-4 is the middle layer temperature from the upper layer of the hot water storage tank 10, the temperature sensor 14-5 is the middle layer temperature from the lower layer of the hot water storage tank 10, and the temperature sensor 14-6. detects the lower layer temperature of the hot water storage tank 10 . These temperature information are provided to the control section 34 .

Mixing valve 20 is installed at the junction of hot water outlet pipe 16 and bypass pipe 18 - 1 , mixes hot water HW with water W from the tap water side, and flows the mixed water into hot water outlet pipe 21 . This mixing ratio is determined by the degree of opening of the bypass pipe 18-1 side and the tapping pipe 16 side. The flow rate sensor 22 detects the flow rate of only the water W from the bypass pipe 18-1, the mixed hot water of this water W and the hot water HW from the hot water outlet pipe 16, or the flow rate of only the hot water HW from the hot water outlet pipe 16, or the passing flow rate. . A temperature sensor 14-7 detects the water W passing through the hot water outlet pipe 21, the mixed hot water or the hot water HW. Flow rate information and temperature information are also provided to the controller 34 .
The bypass pipe 18 - 2 bypasses the hot water storage unit 4 and supplies the water W from the water supply pipe 12 to the water supply path 24 . The bypass valve 26 receives a switching control output from the control section 34 based on the supplied flow rate information and temperature information, and adjusts the flow rate of the water W through the bypass pipe 18-2.

The heat pump 6 is an example of a hot water storage heat source. The heat pump 6 is, for example, a heat source that heats the hot water HW in the hot water storage tank 10 by electric heat. A hot water circulation path 28 is a path for circulating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 to the heat pump 6 . This hot water circulation path 28 has a forward pipe 28-1, a return pipe 28-2 and a bypass pipe 28-3. The feed pipe 28-1 is a pipe line that leads the lower layer water of the hot water storage tank 10 to the heat pump 6, and includes a circulation pump 30 and a temperature sensor 14-8. A temperature sensor 14-8 detects the temperature of hot water HW flowing from the hot water storage tank 10 to the heat pump 6. FIG.
A return pipe 28-2 is a pipe line that leads hot water HW heated by the heat pump 6 to the upper layer of the hot water storage tank 10, and is provided with a temperature sensor 14-9 and a switching valve 32. A temperature sensor 14-9 detects the temperature of hot water HW from the heat pump 6. FIG. The switching valve 32 switches the flow direction of the hot water HW from the return pipe 28-2 to the supply pipe 28-1 when the lower layer water temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 reaches the upper limit temperature.

The control unit 34 detects temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5, 14-6, 14-7, 14-8, 14-9, and 14-10. , acquires the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 22, generates switching control outputs for the mixing valve 20, the bypass valve 26, and the switching valve 32, and generates control outputs for the circulation pump 30, and controls hot water storage and hot water discharge of the hot water storage unit 4. Therefore, a hot water supply control system 35 ( FIG. 5 ) of the hot water storage unit 4 is configured including the controller 34 .

<Heat pump 6>
FIG. 3 shows an example of the heat pump 6. As shown in FIG. As an example, the heat pump 6 includes heat exchangers 38-1, 38-2, an air heat exchanger 38-3, a compressor 40, an expansion valve 42, and a heat medium circuit 44 to form a CO ₂ refrigerant cycle. The heat exchanger 38-1 exchanges heat between the hot water HW on the hot water storage tank 10 side and the heat medium on the heat medium circuit 44 side. Temperature sensor 14-11 detects the inlet temperature of heat exchanger 38-1, and temperature sensor 14-12 detects the outlet temperature.
The heat exchanger 38-2 exchanges heat before and after the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 44 is compressed. The expansion valve 42 buffers expansion of the heat medium. The air heat exchanger 38-3 exchanges heat between the atmosphere and the heat medium by rotation of the fan 46, causing the heat medium to absorb heat. The compressor 40 compresses the refrigerant using electric power. A temperature sensor 14 - 13 detects the temperature of outside air taken into the heat pump 6 . The temperature sensor 14-14 detects the outlet temperature of the air heat exchanger 38-3, and the temperature sensor 14-15 detects the outlet temperature of the compressor 40. FIG.

The heat pump 6 is always maintained in an operating state, and is independently operated to compensate for the heat amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 in preparation for hot water supply demand. When the temperature of the lower layer water in the hot water storage tank 10 reaches the upper limit temperature, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14-11 rises, so the operation of the heat pump 6 should be stopped.

<Water heater 8>
FIG. 4 shows each water heater 8 . Each water heater 8 has a water supply pipe 48 and a hot water supply pipe 50 , and can individually heat water W or hot water HW from the water supply path 24 and supply hot water to the hot water supply path 36 .
Each water heater 8 comprises a heat exchanger 52 , a burner 54 and a mixing control valve 56 . The heat exchanger 52 heat-exchanges combustion heat of a burner, which is an example of a heat source, to water W or hot water HW. The mixing control valve 56 includes a mixing ratio distribution valve 56-1, a bypass pipe 56-2, and a water regulation valve 56-3, and divides the water W or hot water HW from the water supply pipe 48 side to the bypass pipe 56-2. The high-temperature hot water HW is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 50 by joining through the regulation valve 56-3.
A flow sensor 58 detects the amount of water flowing into each water heater 8 . Temperature sensors 14-16 detect incoming water temperature. A temperature sensor 14-17 detects the outlet temperature of the heat exchanger 52. FIG. Temperature sensors 14 - 18 detect the temperature of hot water supplied from water heater 8 . These temperature information are provided to hot water supply control unit 59 .

<Hot water control system 35>
FIG. 5 shows the hot water supply control system 35 of the hot water storage unit 4 . This hot water control system 35 includes temperature sensors 14-1, 14-2 . 60 are provided. The temperature sensor 14-10 is installed outside the hot water storage unit 4 on the hot water supply path 36 side.
In this embodiment, the controller 34 controls each temperature sensor 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5, 14-6, 14-7, 14-8, 14-9, 14 Acquire the detected temperature of -10 and the detected flow rate of the flow sensor 22, generate the switching control output of the mixing valve 20, the bypass valve 26, the switching valve 32, and the control output of the circulation pump 30, and integrate the hot water storage control and hot water supply control .
The remote control device 60 is linked with the control section 34 of the hot water storage unit 4 and is used for hot water supply operations including manual setting of the hot water set temperature.

<Hardware of Control Unit 34 and Remote Controller Control Unit 62>
FIG. 6 shows the hardware of the control section 34 and the remote control section 62. As shown in FIG. The control section 34 and the remote control section 62 are composed of a computer having a communication function.
The control unit 34 includes a processor 64 , a storage unit 66 , an input/output unit (I/O) 68 and a communication unit 70 . The processor 64 executes information processing by an OS (Operating System) in the storage unit 66 . In addition to the OS, the storage unit 66 stores a hot water supply control program, and is composed of storage elements such as ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). can. Under the control of the processor 64 , the I/O 68 acquires the aforementioned detected temperature and detected flow rate, and provides the control output generated by the processor 64 to the mixing valve 20 , bypass valve 26 , switching valve 32 and circulation pump 30 . Under the control of the processor 64, the communication unit 70 exchanges control information with the remote control unit 62 through a wired or wireless connection.

The remote control unit 62 includes a processor 72 , a storage unit 74 , an input/output unit (I/O) 76 and a communication unit 78 . The processor 72 executes information processing using the OS in the storage unit 74 . In addition to the OS, the storage unit 74 stores a remote control program, and can be composed of storage elements such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM.
The I/O 76 outputs presentation information including control information generated by the processor 72 and provides the presentation information to the information presentation section 80 . Further, the I/O 76 receives operation input information from the operation input section 82 under the control of the processor 72 . The communication unit 78 is linked with the communication unit 70 of the control unit 34 under the control of the processor 72 and used for linked control of the control unit 34 and the remote control unit 62 .
The information presenting unit 80 presents presentation information including the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply path 36, the set hot water discharge temperature of the hot water storage unit 4, and the like by receiving control information from the control unit 34. FIG.

<Hot water discharge control by control unit 34>
FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure for hot water discharge control of the hot water storage unit 4 by the control section 34 . This processing procedure is an example of a procedure executed by the hot water supply method or program of the present invention.
While the hot water storage unit 4 is in operation, the controller 34 constantly monitors the hot water set temperature (S201). In order to perform this monitoring, the control unit 34 acquires hot water information (S202), and determines whether or not the flow rate sensor 22 has detected the flow rate (S203). If no flow rate is detected (NO in S203), the current status is maintained because there is no demand for hot water supply.
If the flow rate is detected (YES in S203), there is a demand for hot water supply, so hot water supply information is acquired (S204). As this hot water supply information, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14-10 is obtained. This detected temperature is the temperature of hot water HW in hot water supply path 36 , that is, the temperature of hot water supplied from hot water supply system 2 .
The control unit 34 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14-10=the hot water supply temperature is stable (S205). If the hot water supply temperature is unstable (NO in S205), the hot water set temperature is changed (S206).
Specifically, the temperature of the hot water HW flowing from the hot water storage unit 4 to the water supply path 24 (discharge hot water temperature) is higher than the temperature of the hot water HW by a certain temperature, and the hot water supply temperature is compared with the hot water supply temperature. YES), the current hot water supply control is maintained. On the other hand, if hot water supply temperature≦(hot water outlet temperature+α), the current hot water outlet set temperature on the hot water storage unit 4 side is lowered. This lowering of the outlet hot water set temperature changes the opening ratio of the mixing valve 20, that is, increases the ratio of the water W, and lowers the temperature of the hot water HW flowing through the water supply path 24. FIG. When the amount of water supply is insufficient, the bypass valve 26 is opened to increase the amount of water supply to the water supply path 24 by using the water W bypassing the hot water storage unit 4 .
Then, as a result of the change of the hot water set temperature, hot water discharge control of the hot water storage unit 4 is performed, and hot water is discharged at a hot water temperature corresponding to the hot water supply temperature (S207).

<Information presentation by remote control device 60>
This information presentation includes the hot water supply temperature obtained from the hot water supply path 36 when the remote controller 60 receives control information from the hot water storage unit 4 controller 34, the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water storage unit 4, and its flow rate information. Can present information.

<Information Processing by Processor 64>
Information processing of the processor 64 by execution of the program includes the following processes.
a) Acquisition of flow rate information from the hot water storage unit b) Acquisition of temperature information including the temperature of hot water supply c) Monitoring of temperature information to determine the temperature of the hot water HW supplied from the hot water storage unit 4 to the water supply path 24 (exit hot water temperature) d) Acquisition of temperature information including the hot water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14-10 in the downstream area of the hot water supply path 36 e) Supplying the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 Generating control information for changing the temperature to a temperature lower than the temperature f) Changing the outlet hot water set temperature of the hot water storage unit 4, and adjusting the mixing ratio of the water W and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 10 to make the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 lower than the hot water supply temperature. Generating control information for changing the temperature to a lower temperature g) Furthermore, generating control information for joining the water W from the bypass pipe 18-2 to the water supply path 24

<Hot water supply control of water heater 8>
The water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 supply hot water in accordance with the hot water supply demand based on the water W or the hot water HW in the water supply path 24 and operating conditions set for each. The hot water supply control of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 is executed independently of the control by the controller 34 of the hot water storage unit 4. FIG.

<Operation of heat pump 6>
The control unit 34 monitors the heat storage state of the hot water storage tank 10 and acquires the temperature rise including the upper layer temperature or middle layer temperature of the hierarchical heat storage state of the hot water storage tank 10 to control the circulation pump 30 . The heat pump 6 performs a heating operation dependent on the operation of the circulation pump 30, heats the hot water HW stored in the hot water storage tank 10 to a set temperature, and maintains the set temperature.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
According to this second embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The temperature of the hot water HW flowing from the hot water storage unit 4 to the water supply path 24 can be made close to the temperature of the hot water supplied by the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, and many of the hot water HW heated by the heat pump 6 can be obtained. can be used to achieve efficient hot water supply.
(2) When the temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply path 36 from the water heater 8-1, 8-2 or 8-3 side, that is, when the hot water supply temperature is lower than the hot water outlet temperature, the set hot water outlet temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 is lowered. , it is possible to avoid the discharge of hot water above the hot water supply temperature, and realize safe hot water supply.
(3) The control unit 34 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 14-10 in the hot water supply path 36 according to the demand for hot water supply, and changes the hot water supply set temperature on the side of the hot water storage unit 4 according to fluctuations in the hot water supply temperature. Stable hot water supply can be realized.
(4) Water supply from the hot water storage unit 4 side only with hot water supply information from the downstream area of the hot water supply path 36 without sending and receiving control information between the control unit 34 and the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3. Water W or hot water HW to path 24 can be supplied. That is, the water W or hot water HW for realizing the hot water supply from the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, 8-3 can be supplied only by changing the hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit 4 based on the hot water supply information.
(5) The control unit 34 does not need to perform communication control with the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, which simplifies the wiring route and reduces the information processing load on the control unit 34 side. Furthermore, it is possible to enhance the responsiveness or responsiveness to the demand for hot water supply.
(6) The hot water storage unit 4 sets hot water outlet settings necessary for the operation of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 without impairing the hot water supply capacity of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3. Stable hot water supply can be realized only by changing the temperature, which is extremely economical.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 8 shows a hot water supply system 2 according to a third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, a single hot water storage unit 4 is installed, but as shown in FIG. 2 to link the two.
In such a configuration, the control section 34-1 on the hot water storage unit 4-1 side and the control section 34-2 on the hot water storage unit 4-2 side are connected by wire or wirelessly, and cooperative control between the two can be performed. In this control, the control unit 34-1 may perform overall control and the control unit 34-2 may be subordinated, or the control unit 34-2 may perform overall control and the control unit 34-1 may be subordinated. .
In addition, by linking the hot water supply controllers 59 individually provided in the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, the hot water supply control of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 is centralized. You may

<Effect of the third embodiment>
According to this third embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By providing a plurality of hot water storage units 4-1 and 4-2, it is possible to increase the hot water storage capacity and provide hot water HW with a margin for fluctuations in the hot water supply capacity of the water heaters 8-1 to 8-3. can supply.
(2) Hot water can be discharged from either one or both of the hot water storage units selected from the plurality of hot water storage units 4-1 and 4-2.

[Fourth Embodiment]
9 and 10 show a hot water supply system 2 according to a fourth embodiment. 9 and 10, the same parts as in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, one temperature sensor 14-10 is installed in the downstream area of the hot water supply path 36. Instead of this temperature sensor 14-10, as shown in FIG. Temperature sensors 14-19, 14-20 and 14-21 are installed in the hot water supply pipes 50 of 8-2 and 8-3 to individually detect the hot water temperature of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3. may
In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, temperature sensors 14-19, 14-20, and 14-21 are connected to the I/O 68 of the control section 34 to allow the control section 34 to acquire each detected temperature.

<Effects of the fourth embodiment>
(1) The control unit 34 obtains temperature information from each of the temperature sensors 14-19, 14-20, and 14-21, and calculates the temperature information of the hot water supply path 36 by integrating the detected temperatures. Control similar to that of the second embodiment can be performed.
(2) The hot water supply status of each water heater 8-1, 8-2, 8-3 can be monitored on the hot water storage tank 10 side.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 11 shows a hot water supply system 2 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG.
The hot water supply system 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes the bypass pipe 18-2 and the bypass valve 26, but as shown in FIG. 24 may be configured to flow hot water HW or water W.

[Other embodiments]
(1) In the above embodiment, the heat pump 6 is used as the hot water storage heat source, but instead of the heat pump 6, an exhaust heat recovery heat source or water heater may be used. A water heater may be used.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, each water heater 8 may be a water heater equipped with a secondary heat exchanger for absorbing latent heat.
(3) An emergency hot water supply operation may be performed by stopping the operation of the hot water storage unit 4 and operating any one of the water heaters 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3.

As described above, the most preferred embodiments and the like of the technology of the present invention have been described. The invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the detailed description. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the hot water supply system of the present invention, a hot water supply system is constructed that includes at least one water heater and a hot water storage unit, and in which the hot water storage unit and the water heater can perform their respective hot water supply functions without being affected by the communication protocol and operation specifications. can.

2 Hot water supply system 4, 4-1, 4-2 Hot water storage unit 6, 6-1, 6-2 Heat pump 8, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3 Water heater 10 Hot water storage tank 12, 48 Water supply pipe 14-1 , 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5, 14-6, 14-7, 14-8, 14-9, 14-10, 14-11, 14-12, 14-13, 14 -14, 14-15, 14-16, 14-17, 14-18, 14-19, 14-20, 14-21 Temperature sensor 16, 21 Hot water outlet pipe 18-1, 18-2 Bypass pipe 20, 20- 1, 20-2 Mixing valve 22, 22-1, 22-2 Flow rate sensor 24 Water supply path 26 Bypass valve 28 Hot water storage circulation path 28-1 Outbound pipe 28-2 Return pipe 28-3 Bypass pipe 30 Circulation pump 32 Switching valve 34 , 34-1, 34-2 Control unit 35 Hot water supply control system 36 Hot water supply path 38-1, 38-2 Heat exchanger 38-3 Air heat exchanger 40 Compressor 42 Expansion valve 44 Heat medium circuit 46 Fan 50 Hot water supply pipe 52 Heat Exchanger 54 Burner 56 Mixing control valve 56-1 Mixing ratio distribution valve 56-2 Bypass pipe 56-3 Water control valve 58 Flow rate sensor 59 Hot water supply control unit 60 Remote control device 62 Remote control unit 64 Processor 66 Storage unit 68 Input/output unit ( I/O)
70 communication unit 72 processor 74 storage unit 76 input/output unit 78 communication unit 80 information presentation unit 82 operation input unit

Claims (14)

acquiring flow rate information from any one hot water storage unit or a plurality of hot water storage units among a plurality of hot water storage units connected to at least one water heater;
a step of acquiring temperature information from a temperature sensor installed in a hot water supply passage where hot water is supplied from the water heater;
Temperature information relating to hot water discharge from the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is compared with temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor to monitor variations in the temperature information, and any one of the hot water storage units is monitored in accordance with the variation. changing the outlet hot water temperature of one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units;
A hot water supply method comprising: 2. The hot water supply method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply path of the water heater or a common downstream hot water supply path. 3. The hot water supply method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the outlet hot water temperature of said hot water storage unit or said plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than said hot water supply temperature. changing the outlet hot water set temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units, and changing the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. The hot water supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 5. The hot water supply method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the step of causing said water heater to supply water from a bypass provided to said plurality of hot water storage units. at least one water heater;
a plurality of hot water storage units connected to the water heater;
a flow rate information acquisition unit that acquires flow rate information from any one of the plurality of hot water storage units or from a plurality of hot water storage units;
a temperature information acquisition unit that acquires temperature information from a temperature sensor installed in a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the water heater;
Temperature information relating to hot water discharge from the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is compared with temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor to monitor variations in the temperature information, and any one of the hot water storage units is monitored in accordance with the variation. a controller for changing the temperature of discharged hot water from one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units;
A hot water supply system comprising: 7. The hot water supply system according to claim 6, wherein the temperature information acquiring unit includes a temperature sensor that detects the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply channel of the water heater or a common downstream hot water supply channel. 8. The hot water supply system according to claim 6, wherein the controller changes the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. The control unit changes the outlet hot water set temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to lower the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. 9. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by being modified. 10. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further characterized in that water is supplied to said water heater from a bypass provided side by side with said plurality of hot water storage units. A program implemented by a computer,
a function of acquiring flow rate information from any one hot water storage unit or a plurality of hot water storage units among a plurality of hot water storage units connected to at least one water heater;
a function of acquiring temperature information from a temperature sensor installed in a hot water supply passage where hot water is supplied from the water heater;
Temperature information relating to hot water discharge from the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units is compared with temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor to monitor variations in the temperature information, and any one of the hot water storage units is monitored in accordance with the variation. a function of changing the outlet hot water temperature of one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units;
by the computer. 12. The computer according to claim 11, for realizing a function of acquiring temperature information including a hot water supply temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a hot water supply temperature of a hot water supply path of said water heater or a common downstream hot water supply path. program. 13. The program according to claim 11, wherein the computer implements a function of changing the outlet hot water temperature of the hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature. The function of changing the outlet hot water set temperature of one of the hot water storage units or the plurality of hot water storage units and changing the outlet hot water temperature of the one hot water storage unit or the plurality of hot water storage units to a temperature lower than the hot water supply temperature 14. The program according to any one of claims 11 to 13 for being implemented by a computer.

Images