JP2023093872A - Hot water storage type hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hot water storage type hot water supply device which is improved in convenience when a user utilizes hot water in a hot water storage tank in suspension of water supply.SOLUTION: A hot water storage type hot water supply device comprises: a hot water storage tank; heating means for heating water; control means for controlling a boil-up operation in which water flowing out of the hot water storage tank is heated by the heating means and the heated hot water is caused to flow into the hot water storage tank; an emergency water intake port which communicates to a lower part of the hot water storage tank and from which hot water can be taken out of the hot water storage tank in suspension of water supply; and temperature distribution detection means capable of detecting a temperature and the quantity of hot water, which can be taken from the emergency intake port, by detecting temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank. In the suspension of water supply, in accordance with a water supply suspension boil-up temperature and a water supply suspension boil-up quantity which are set by a user, the control means is capable of implementing a water supply suspension boil-up operation. In a case where the water supply suspension boil-up operation is implemented, the control means reports a prediction value for the quantity of water, which flows out from the emergency intake port at a temperature lower than the water supply suspension boil-up temperature, by means of a user interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water storage type hot water supply system that operates in a "water outage mode" in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a suitable temperature for use when it is detected from local information that the water supply will be cut off. machine is described. In addition, Patent Document 1 describes, as operations in the water interruption mode, control to boil the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a lower temperature than usual, control to stop the boiling operation, and control to stop the boiling operation and keep the hot water in the hot water storage tank. , is executed according to the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

JP 2007-232344 A

In Patent Document 1, paragraph [0036] states, "On the other hand, the heat pump water heater 1 is connected to hot water supply means 4 such as a shower, a faucet, and a hot water supply port of a bath," and paragraph [0045] states, " Hot water (or cold water) is supplied from the hot water supply means 4 using the hot water supply control means 8 during the "water outage mode" operation. ] is described.

However, in a general hot water storage type hot water supply device, when the water supply is cut off, the pressure from the water source does not act on the hot water storage tank, so the hot water cannot flow out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank. cannot be retrieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and aims to provide a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus that is highly convenient for a user to use hot water in a hot water storage tank when the water supply is cut off. .

A hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a hot water storage tank, a heating means for heating water, and a boiling operation in which water flowing out of the hot water storage tank is heated by the heating means and the heated hot water flows into the hot water storage tank. an emergency water intake that communicates with the lower part of the hot water storage tank and can take out hot water from the hot water storage tank when the water supply is cut off; and hot water that can be taken out from the emergency water intake by detecting the temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank. and a temperature distribution detection means capable of detecting the temperature and amount of the water outage, and the control means performs the water outage boiling operation according to the water outage boiling temperature and water outage boiling amount set by the user. It is possible, and when the boiling operation during water outage is carried out, the control means notifies the predicted value of the amount of water flowing out from the emergency water intake at a temperature lower than the boiling temperature during water outage through the user interface. be.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus that is highly convenient for a user to use hot water in a hot water storage tank when water supply is cut off.

1 is a diagram showing a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of water and refrigerant during boiling operation in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a building 300 in which a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is installed; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between power consumption, heating capacity, and boiling temperature of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus during boiling operation;

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements that are common or correspond to each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are simplified or omitted. In the following description, descriptions such as "water", "hot water", "warm water", and "hot water" basically mean liquid water, and can include cold water to hot water.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. In the present embodiment, the calorific value of hot water is calculated, for example, as a difference from the calorific value of water having a temperature equal to that of water supplied from a water source. In addition, in the present embodiment, when describing the calorie of hot water, in principle, the calorie of hot water is described in units of the quantity of hot water [L] when converted into the calorie of hot water at a predetermined standard hot water supply temperature. The value of the reference hot water supply temperature may be, for example, 40°C.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment includes a heat pump unit 100 corresponding to heating means for heating water, and a hot water storage unit 200 having a hot water storage tank 11. It is a device. The heat pump unit 100 and the hot water storage unit 200 are connected via pipes 16a and 16k through which water passes, and electrical wiring (not shown). The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment may be, for example, a domestic one or a commercial one used in shops or facilities.

The heat pump unit 100 has devices such as a compressor 1, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2, an expansion valve 3, and an air heat exchanger 4, and operates on electric power. These devices are annularly connected by pipes or the like, and constitute a refrigerant circuit 101 in which the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor 1 . The refrigerant circuit 101 corresponds to a heat pump cycle that heats water. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between water and refrigerant, and has a water inlet and a water outlet. In the following description, the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 100 may be called "heated water". The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 heats water, which has flowed in through an inlet, with a refrigerant, and causes the heated water to flow out through an outlet. Also, the air heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the air and the refrigerant. The heat pump unit 100 further includes a fan 5 that blows outside air to the air heat exchanger 4 .

In addition to the hot water storage tank 11, the hot water storage unit 200 includes a circulation pump 6a, a reheating pump 6b, a switching valve 7, a switching valve 8, a switching valve 9, a mixing valve 10, and the like. The circulation pump 6 a circulates water (including heated water) in a hot water storage circuit 201 and a reheating circuit 202 to be described later, and sends the water toward the inlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 . The circulation pump 6 a forms part of the hot water storage circuit 201 and the reheating circuit 202 . The reheating pump 6 b sends water in a bathtub (not shown) toward the reheating heat exchanger 12 . The switching valve 7 is composed of, for example, an electromagnetically driven four-way valve having four ports of A port, B port, C port and D port. The switching valve 7 constitutes a switching mechanism for switching the flow path of the heated water flowing out from the outlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 to the switching valve 8 and the low-temperature water return port 11 e located in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 11 . there is Further, the switching valve 7 constitutes a switching mechanism for returning the hot water flowing out from the high-temperature water outlet 11a in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 to the low-temperature water return port 11e.

The switching valve 8 is composed of, for example, an electromagnetically driven four-way valve having four ports of E port, F port, G port, and H port. The switching valve 8 divides the flow path of the water flowing in from the E port into a reheating return port 11c at an intermediate height portion of the hot water storage tank 11, a high temperature water outflow port 11b at an upper portion of the hot water storage tank 11, and a reheating heat exchange port 11c. A switching mechanism for switching to the device 12 is configured. The switching valve 9 is composed of, for example, an electromagnetically driven three-way valve or the like having three ports of an I port, a J port, and a K port. The switching valve 9 allows the water flowing out from the outlet 11f in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 11 to pass through the circulation pump 6a and flow into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2. It constitutes a switching mechanism for switching between a flow path state in which water passes through the circulation pump 6 a and flows into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 .

The mixing valve 10 has three ports, an L port, an M port and an N port. Mixing valve 10 mixes or selects medium-temperature water taken out from medium-temperature water outlet 11 d in the middle height portion of hot water storage tank 11 and low-temperature water from the water supply end connected to the water source. drain to The hot water storage tank 11 stores heated water. The hot water storage tank 11 is located below the hot water storage tank 11 in addition to the high temperature water outlet 11a, the high temperature water outlet 11b, the reheating return port 11c, the medium temperature water outlet 11d, the low temperature water return port 11e, and the outlet 11f. 11 g of water supply ports are provided. The water supply port 11g is connected to the water supply end via a pipe 16p. Low-temperature water supplied from the water supply end flows into the hot water storage tank 11 through the pipe 16p.

The outflow port of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 is connected to the A port of the switching valve 7 via a pipe 16a. The B port of the switching valve 7 is connected to the E port of the switching valve 8 via a pipe 16b. The F port of the switching valve 8 is connected to the high-temperature water outlet 11a through the pipes 16c and 16d. Also, the F port is connected to the primary side inlet of the reheating heat exchanger 12 via the pipe 16c and the pipe 16e. The outlet on the primary side of the reheating heat exchanger 12 is connected to the J port of the switching valve 9 via a pipe 16f. In addition, the outlet on the primary side of the reheating heat exchanger 12 is connected to a flow path connecting the medium-temperature water outlet 11d and the L port of the mixing valve 10 via a pipe 16g. The I port of the switching valve 9 is connected to the outflow port 11f via a pipe 16h. The K port of the switching valve 9 is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 6a via a pipe 16j. A discharge port of the circulation pump 6a is connected to an inlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 via a pipe 16k. A discharge port of the circulation pump 6a is connected to the C port of the switching valve 7 via a pipe 16l. A D port of the switching valve 7 is connected to the low-temperature water return port 11e via a pipe 16m. The H port of the switching valve 8 is connected to the high-temperature water inlet/outlet 11b via pipes 16n and 16q. The G port of the switching valve 8 is connected to the reheating return port 11c via a pipe 16o.

A circulation pump 6a, a hot water storage tank 11, pipes 16a, 16b, 16h, 16j, 16k, 16n, 16q, and switching valves 7, 8, 9 supply heated water flowing out of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 into the hot water storage tank 11. It constitutes a hot water storage circuit 201 for storing hot water.

The circulation pump 6a, the reheating heat exchanger 12, the pipes 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16j, 16l, 16o, and the switching valves 7, 8, 9 use the reheating heat exchanger 12 to heat the water to be heated on the load side. A reheating circuit 202 for heating is configured.

The water to be heated by the reheating heat exchanger 12 is not limited to the bath water described above, and may be, for example, circulating water for floor heating. The circulation pump 6a does not necessarily need to be installed in the hot water storage unit 200, and may be installed in the heat pump unit 100 side. The high-temperature water inlet/outlet 11b, medium-temperature water outlet 11d, pipe 16q, mixing valve 10, and hot water mixing unit 15 constitute a hot water supply circuit 203 that takes out hot water from the hot water storage tank 11 and supplies hot water to the bathtub or the hot water supply end. there is

In this embodiment, the heating capacity value and the boiling temperature value of the refrigerant circuit 101 of the heat pump unit 100 can be changed. In the following description, the heating capacity of the refrigerant circuit 101 of the heat pump unit 100 may be simply referred to as "heating capacity". The heating capacity corresponds to the amount of heat given to water by the heat pump unit 100 per hour. The unit of heating capacity is kW (kilowatt), for example. The compressor 1 is driven by a drive device (not shown) including, for example, an inverter-controlled DC brushless motor. In this case, it is possible to change the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 and change the value of the heating capacity by adjusting the rotational speed of the compressor 1 with the driving device. However, in the hot water storage type hot water supply device of the present disclosure, such a driving device may not be used. , the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant to be discharged, or the value of the heating capacity may be changed.

Next, a control system of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus will be described. In the following description, the temperature of the heating water flowing out from the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 is called "boiling temperature". The heat pump unit 100 includes an incoming water temperature sensor 13a that detects the temperature of water flowing into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2, a boiling temperature sensor 13b that detects the boiling temperature, and an ambient temperature around the heat pump unit 100. and an outside air temperature sensor 13c. The boiling temperature sensor 13b is arranged near the outlet of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 . The refrigerant circuit 101 also includes a discharge temperature sensor 13d that detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1, a suction temperature sensor 13e that detects the temperature of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 1, and an air heat exchanger 4. and an evaporating temperature sensor 13f for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at a position serving as an inlet or an intermediate portion of the. The hot water storage unit 200 is provided with a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 13g, 13h, 13i and 13j. The hot water temperature sensors 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are installed in the hot water tank 11 at different height positions, and detect the water temperature in the hot water tank 11 at each installation location. In the illustrated example, four stored hot water temperature sensors 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are provided, but five or more stored hot water temperature sensors may be provided in the hot water storage tank 11. FIG.

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment includes heat pump control device 14 mounted in heat pump unit 100 and water heater control device 50 mounted in hot water storage unit 200 . Each of the heat pump control device 14 and the water heater control device 50 includes a microcomputer or the like having a memory and a processor. Heat pump control device 14 and water heater control device 50 are connected so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. In the present embodiment, heat pump control device 14 and water heater control device 50 cooperate to control the operation of the hot water storage type water heater. The heat pump control device 14 and the water heater control device 50 correspond to control means for controlling the boiling operation. The boiling operation is an operation in which the water flowing out of the hot water storage tank 11 is heated by the heat pump unit 100 and the heated hot water, that is, the heated water, flows into the hot water storage tank 11 .

In the present disclosure, two or more of the heat pump control device 14, the water heater control device 50, the remote controller 51, and a power distribution control device 62, which will be described later, may cooperate to control the operation of the hot water storage type hot water supply device. In the following description, any of the processes described to be executed by the heat pump control device 14, the water heater control device 50, the remote controller 51, or the power distribution control device 62 may be executed by the heat pump control device 14 alone, The water heater control device 50 may execute alone, the remote controller 51 may execute it alone, the power distribution control device 62 may execute it alone, the heat pump control device 14, the water heater control device 50, the remote controller 51, and the power distribution control device 62 may work together. Further, the control means of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration in which a plurality of control devices cooperate as in the present embodiment, and may be configured by a single control device.

Two-way communication is possible between the water heater control device 50 and the remote controller 51 by wired communication or wireless communication. A remote control 51 is an example of a user interface. The remote control 51 has a display section 51a that displays information and an operation section 51b that is operated by a user. The remote controller 51 may include a touch screen that functions as both the display section 51a and the operation section 51b. By operating the remote control 51, a person such as a user can remotely control the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus and perform various settings. The display unit 51a has a function as an informing means for informing a person such as a user of information. The remote controller 51 in the present embodiment includes the display unit 51a as notification means, but as a modification, it may be provided with other notification means such as a voice guidance device. The remote controller 51 may be installed, for example, on the wall of the kitchen, living room, bathroom, or the like. A plurality of remote controllers 51 may be capable of communicating with water heater control device 50 . In addition to the remote controller 51 or instead of the remote controller 51, a device such as a mobile device such as a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a television may be configured to be used as a user interface. Water heater control device 50 and remote control 51 and other user interfaces may be able to communicate via the Internet or a local area network. In the following description, operations using the remote controller 51 may be replaced by operations using a user interface other than the remote controller 51 .

The water heater control device 50 receives outputs from various sensors included in the hot water storage type hot water heater, information on user's operation details for the remote control 51, and the like. The water heater control device 50 controls the operations of the heat pump unit 100 and the hot water storage unit 200 based on these pieces of input information. For example, the water heater control device 50 controls the operating states of the compressor 1, the circulation pump 6a, and the reheating pump 6b, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3, the switching valve 7, the switching valve 8, the switching valve 9, and the mixing It controls the flow path direction or switching position of the valve 10 . The water heater control device 50 also performs a boiling operation, a reheating operation, and the like, as described later. The water heater control device 50 controls the boiling temperature and the heating capacity of the refrigerant circuit 101 during the boiling operation.

In the present embodiment, the late-night time zone is a time zone in which the unit price of electricity is cheaper than other time zones. The late-night time zone is, for example, the time zone from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning. The daytime time zone is a time zone other than the midnight time zone. The daytime time zone is, for example, the time zone from 7:00 to 23:00. This daytime time zone is a time zone in which the electricity rate unit price is relatively high compared to the late night time zone. However, the late-night time zone and daytime time zone are not limited to the example in this embodiment, and their start time and end time may change according to the contract with the power supplier. is. The water heater control device 50 stores information on the start time and end time of the late-night time zone and the daytime time zone. The water heater control device 50 has a timer function, and can determine whether the current time is in the late-night time zone or the daytime time zone. Water heater control device 50 may acquire information about the start time and end time of the late-night time zone and daytime time zone from remote control 51 or an external device.

Water heater control device 50 in the present embodiment includes hot water supply heat amount calculation means 52 that calculates the amount of heat used for hot water supply (hereinafter referred to as "heat amount used for hot water supply"). The hot water supply heat quantity calculation means 52 calculates the water supply temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 13k, the hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 13l, the hot water supply temperature detected by the bath hot water supply temperature sensor 13m, and the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 17a. and the hot water supply flow rate detected by bath hot water supply flow rate sensor 17b, the amount of heat used for hot water supply is calculated. The water supply temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 13k is the temperature of the low-temperature water supplied from the water source to the water supply end. The hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 13l is the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply mixing unit 15 to the hot water supply end other than the bathtub. The hot water supply temperature detected by bath hot water supply temperature sensor 13m is the temperature of the hot water supplied from hot water supply mixing unit 15 to the bathtub. The hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 17a is the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply mixer 15 to the hot water supply end. The hot water supply flow rate detected by bath hot water supply flow rate sensor 17b is the flow rate of hot water supplied from hot water supply mixing unit 15 to the bathtub.

The water heater control device 50 has a function of learning the amount of heat used for hot water supply by storing data related to the amount of heat used for hot water supply calculated by the hot water supply heat amount calculation means 52 for a predetermined period of time in the past (for example, the past two weeks). For example, the water heater control device 50 learns the amount of heat used for hot water supply by statistically processing the amount of heat used for hot water supply during a predetermined period in the past. Further, water heater control device 50 may learn the amount of heat used for hot water supply for each hour of the day. The amount of heat used for hot water supply in the past predetermined period corresponds to the past hot water supply load.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the boiling operation of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of water and refrigerant during boiling operation in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the boiling operation, the refrigerant circuit 101 and the hot water storage circuit 201 are operated to heat the low-temperature water flowing out from the outlet 11f of the hot water storage tank 11 by the refrigerant circuit 101, thereby exchanging water-refrigerant heat. The high-temperature heated water flowing out from the outlet of the vessel 2 is caused to flow into the hot water storage tank 11 from the high-temperature water outlet 11b.

The boiling operation is further described below. In the refrigerant circuit 101 , the temperature of the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is lowered while radiating heat to the water flowing through the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 . At this time, if the pressure of the high-pressure side refrigerant is equal to or less than the critical pressure, the refrigerant releases heat while being liquefied. The high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 is decompressed into a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state by passing through the expansion valve 3 . Then, this refrigerant evaporates and becomes gas by absorbing heat from the outside air while circulating inside the air heat exchanger 4 . The low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the air heat exchanger 4 is sucked into the compressor 1 and circulated. This circulation forms a refrigeration cycle, ie, a heat pump cycle.

A switching valve 7 connects the pipes 16a and 16b to each other, a switching valve 8 connects the pipes 16b and 16n to each other, and a switching valve 9 connects the pipes 16h and 16j to each other. . Thus, the hot water storage circuit 201 is formed. When the circulation pump 6a operates, the water in the hot water storage tank 11 is introduced into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 from the outflow port 11f through the pipes 16h, 16j, 16k. This water is heated by the gas refrigerant in the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 and flows out of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 as heated water. This heated water passes through the pipes 16a, 16b, 16n, and 16q and flows into the hot water storage tank 11 from the high-temperature water inlet/outlet 11b. Thus, when the boiling operation is performed, hot water is stored while maintaining a temperature distribution state in which the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 11 is high temperature water and the lower portion is low temperature water.

Next, the temperature control of the heating water and the heating capacity control of the refrigerant circuit 101 executed by the water heater control device 50 during the boiling operation will be described. First, the temperature control is to feedback-control the rotational speed of the circulation pump 6a so that the boiling temperature detected by the boiling temperature sensor 13b becomes equal to a predetermined target boiling temperature. This feedback control is periodically executed at regular time intervals, for example. In the boiling operation, hot water is stored while the target boiling temperature is set to a predetermined target hot water storage temperature. That is, the target boiling temperature is equal to the target stored hot water temperature. For example, the water heater control device 50 sets the target hot water storage temperature, ie, the target boiling temperature, in relation to the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 so that the target hot water amount can be stored in the hot water storage tank 11 . The target hot water storage amount corresponds to the target value of the amount of heat to be stored in the hot water storage tank 11 . The water heater control device 50 may set the target hot water amount based on, for example, the details of the operation of the remote controller 51, or may calculate the target hot water amount based on information obtained by learning the heat amount used for hot water supply in the past. Further, the water heater control device 50 sets the target hot water storage temperature, ie, the target boiling temperature, within a predetermined range (eg, 65° C. to 90° C.).

Since the temperature control only controls the flow rate of the heating water flowing in and out of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 2 , the maximum boiling temperature achieved by temperature control depends on the heating capacity of the refrigerant circuit 101 . Therefore, the refrigerant circuit 101 is required to have a heating capacity capable of realizing the target boiling temperature even when the target boiling temperature is set to the maximum value within the set range (90° C. in the above example). For this reason, in the heating capacity control, for example, a target value (target heating capacity) of the heating capacity that satisfies the above requirements is set based on the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 11, the outside air temperature, the water supply temperature, etc. The rotation speed and the like of the compressor 1 are controlled so that the heating capacity of is equal to the target heating capacity. By controlling the heating capacity in this way, the required boiling temperature can be stably secured regardless of how the setting of the target boiling temperature and the external conditions change. Heating capacity control is performed, for example, periodically at regular time intervals. Further, the rotation speed of the compressor 1 is provided with an upper limit rotation speed and a lower limit rotation speed from the viewpoint of durability.

In this embodiment, the hot water storage unit 200 includes an emergency water intake 18 that allows the user to take out hot water from the hot water storage tank 11 when the water supply is interrupted. The emergency water intake 18 communicates with the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 11 . When the water supply is cut off, the pressure from the water source does not act on the inside of the hot water storage tank 11, so hot water cannot flow out from the high temperature water outlet 11b in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11. - 特許庁On the other hand, when the emergency water intake 18 is opened when the water supply is cut off, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 flows out from the emergency water intake 18 by gravity, so that hot water can be taken out from the emergency water intake 18 . In the illustrated example, the emergency water intake 18 is provided in the middle of the pipe 16k on the downstream side of the circulation pump 6a.

When taking out hot water from the emergency water intake 18, the relief valve 19 communicating with the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 is opened so that air can flow from the relief valve 19 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11. do. In the illustrated example, the relief valve 19 is connected to the pipe 16q.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of building 300 in which the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is installed. As shown in FIG. 3, a building 300 is provided with a heat pump unit 100, a hot water storage unit 200, a solar power generation device 60, a distribution board 61, a power distribution control device 62, and the like. The use of the building 300 may be, for example, a residence, a store, a facility, an office, or the like.

The photovoltaic power generation device 60 includes a solar cell or the like that receives sunlight to generate power, and performs photovoltaic power generation. The photovoltaic power generation device 60 is connected to the input side of the distribution board 61 via wiring 64 and transmits the generated power to the distribution board 61 . The distribution board 61 is configured as a power supply circuit for inputting/outputting and distributing power, and is connected to the power system of the power company via the power line 63 . The distribution board 61 purchases power from the power company via the power line 63 and sells power to the power company via the power line 63 . A hot water storage unit 200 is connected to the output side of the distribution board 61 via a wiring 65 . The electric power supplied from the distribution board 61 through the wiring 65 is received to operate the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus. In the following description, an electrical device (not shown) that receives power supply from the distribution board 61 other than the hot water storage type hot water supply device is referred to as "another electrical device". Other electrical equipment may include, for example, at least one of air conditioners, lighting fixtures, refrigerators, washing machines, and electric vehicles. Other electric devices are connected to the output side of the distribution board 61 via wiring (not shown).

Note that the solar power generation device 60 is an example of a private power generation device in the present disclosure. The private power generation device in the present disclosure is not limited to the solar power generation device 60, and may be other renewable energy power generation devices such as wind power generation devices, hydraulic power generation devices, geothermal power generation devices, or diesel power generation devices.

The power distribution control device 62 is connected to the distribution board 61 via wiring 66 . Power distribution controller 62 includes at least one memory and at least one processor. The power distribution control device 62 may be configured by, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System) controller or the like. The power distribution control device 62 has a function of acquiring information of the solar power generation device 60 and information of the hot water storage type hot water supply device via the distribution board 61 or the communication device 70, a function of controlling the operating state of the distribution board 61, and a function of transmitting a command to the water heater control device 50 via the communication device 70 .

The information acquired by the power distribution control device 62 includes information on the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 60 and information on the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 11 . The amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 60 is the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 60 . In addition, in the present disclosure, “power consumption” means power consumption per unit time. For example, various power amounts in the present disclosure may be power amounts for every 30 minutes or power amounts for each hour. In the present disclosure, “the amount of hot water stored” corresponds to the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 11 . The water heater control device 50 can calculate the amount of stored hot water using the temperatures detected by the stored hot water temperature sensors 13g to 13j.

The power distribution control device 62 is provided with a selection switch 62a used for various operations. The power distribution control device 62 has a function of communicating with an external network such as the Internet via the communication device 70 and acquiring various information such as weather forecast from the external network. The communication device 70 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the water heater control device 50 and the power distribution control device 62 .

In the following description, the sum of the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus and the power consumption of the other electric devices is referred to as "total power consumption". The water heater control device 50 has a plurality of operation modes with different heating capacity values for the boiling operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between power consumption, heating capacity, and boiling temperature of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus during boiling operation. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower the heating capacity, the lower the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus during the boiling operation. Also, the lower the boiling temperature, the lower the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus. In the present embodiment, the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus can be reduced by selecting an operation mode with a low heating capacity as necessary to reduce the boiling temperature.

The photovoltaic power generation device 60 generates power by receiving sunlight in the daytime. Electric power generated by sunlight is transmitted to the distribution board 61 via the wiring 64 . At this time, the distribution board 61 reversely flows the electric power obtained by subtracting the total power consumption from the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 60 through the electric power line 63 and sells the electric power to the electric power company.

When the photovoltaic power generation device 60 does not generate power, the distribution board 61 supplies power supplied from the electric power company via the power line 63 to the hot water storage type hot water supply device and other electrical equipment. The operation of the distribution board 61 may be executed based on a command from a control circuit or the like mounted on the distribution board 61 or may be executed based on a command from the power distribution control device 62 .

By acquiring various information from an external network, the power distribution control device 62 can receive water outage information in the installation area where the hot water storage type hot water supply device is installed. When the water outage information is received, the water outage information is transmitted from the power distribution control device 62 to the remote controller 51 . Here, the power distribution control device 62 transmits the water outage information to the remote controller 51, but the remote controller 51 may have a function of communicating with an external network and independently receive the water outage information.

The storage-type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment is capable of performing the water-outage boiling operation according to the water-outage boiling temperature and the water-outage boiling amount set by the user. During the water-outage boiling operation, the heat pump control device 14 and the hot-water supply machine control device 50 control the boiling temperature detected by the boiling temperature sensor 13b to be equal to the water-outage boiling temperature set by the user. It controls the operation of the heat pump unit 100 and the rotation speed of the circulation pump 6a. The amount of water to be boiled during water outage [L] corresponds to the total volume of hot water heated by heat pump unit 100 during the water outage boiling operation. During the water-stopped boiling operation, the heat pump control device 14 or the water heater control device 50 may estimate the circulation flow rate of the hot water storage circuit 201 from the rotation speed of the circulation pump 6a. Alternatively, a circulation flow rate may be detected by a flow rate sensor (not shown) provided in the hot water storage circuit 201 . The heat pump control device 14 or the water heater control device 50 may calculate the total volume of hot water flowing out of the heat pump unit 100 and flowing into the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 11 by integrating the circulation flow rate of the hot water storage circuit 201 . The heat pump control device 14 and the water heater control device 50 terminate the boiling operation during water outage when the calculated total volume of hot water reaches the boiling amount during water outage.

Upon receiving the water outage information, the remote controller 51 causes the display unit 51a to display a setting screen for allowing the user to set the boiling temperature during water outage and the boiling amount during water outage. This setting screen is hereinafter referred to as a "water-stopped boiling operation setting screen". The user can set the boiling temperature during water interruption and the boiling amount during water interruption to desired values according to the setting screen for the boiling operation during water interruption. As a result, the user can freely set the temperature and amount of hot water required according to the application of the hot water when the water supply is cut off, providing excellent convenience.

When the remote controller 51 allows the user to set the boiling amount during water interruption on the water interruption boiling operation setting screen, the value equal to the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 is set as the upper limit of the boiling amount during water interruption.

Further, the remote control 51 may cause the display unit 51a to display the boiling operation setting screen during water outage in response to a user's operation, not limited to when the water outage information is received.

When the user sets the boiling temperature during water outage and the boiling amount during water outage, the heat pump control device 14 and the water heater control device 50 perform the boiling operation during water outage. As described above, in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus, the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 100 is stored from the top of the hot water storage tank 11 toward the bottom. Therefore, there is a possibility that water having a temperature lower than the boiling temperature during water outage remains in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 11 after the water outage boiling operation is performed. Therefore, when the user opens the emergency water intake 18 , there is a possibility that water having a temperature lower than the boiling temperature at the time of water interruption flows out from the emergency water intake 18 .

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment includes temperature distribution detection means capable of detecting the temperature and amount of hot water that can be taken out from the emergency water intake 18 . The temperature distribution detection means detects the vertical temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 11 . In this embodiment, the stored hot water temperature sensors 13g to 13j correspond to temperature distribution detection means. The water heater control device 50 detects the vertical temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 11 using the hot water temperature sensors 13g to 13j, thereby detecting a temperature lower than the boiling temperature at the time of water interruption at the lower part in the hot water storage tank 11. of water [L] can be detected. In the following description, the water whose temperature is lower than the boiling temperature during water interruption may be referred to as "water outside the set temperature".

When the boiling operation during water outage is performed, the hot water storage type hot water supply device detects the amount of water outside the set temperature [L] detected by the temperature distribution detection means as an emergency at a temperature lower than the boiling temperature during water outage. The predicted value of the amount of water [L] flowing out from the water intake 18 is displayed on the display unit 51a of the remote controller 51 to notify the user. As a result, the user can know in advance the amount of water flowing out from the emergency water intake 18 at a temperature lower than the boiling temperature when the water supply is cut off, which improves convenience. For example, before opening the emergency water intake 18, the user prepares a separate container according to the notified amount of water outside the set temperature and can be set aside in a separate container. After that, hot water having a temperature corresponding to the boiling temperature when the water supply is cut off flows out from the emergency water intake 18, so that the user can use the hot water for its intended purpose. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user takes out hot water from the emergency water intake 18, the water outside the set temperature and the hot water at the temperature corresponding to the boiling temperature at the time of water outage are mixed. It becomes possible to separate them so that they do not exist.

Note that the method of notifying the user of the predicted value of the amount of water outside the set temperature flowing out of the emergency water intake 18 may be voice guidance from the remote controller 51 instead of the method of displaying it on the display section 51a of the remote controller 51. Alternatively, a method using another user interface such as a smartphone may be used.

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus may use the surplus power of the power generated by the solar power generation device 60 to carry out the boiling operation during a water outage. The surplus power is a value obtained by subtracting the power consumption of other electric devices other than the hot water storage type hot water supply device from the power generated by the solar power generation device 60 . By using the surplus electric power to perform the boiling operation during a water outage, it is possible to perform the boiling operation during a water outage even when a power failure occurs in the power system of the electric power company. During the water outage boiling operation using surplus power, the heat pump control device 14 may adjust the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 100 so that the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply device is within the surplus power. The surplus power calculation unit of power distribution control device 62 may calculate the value of surplus power, and heat pump control device 14 or water heater control device 50 may receive information on the calculated surplus power.

The water heater control device 50 may allow the user to set the boiling temperature during water outage to a value lower than the lower limit value of the boiling temperature during non-water outage. For example, if the lower limit of the boiling temperature when the water is not cut off, that is, the lower limit of the boiling temperature during the normal boiling operation is 65° C., the water heater control device 50 sets the boiling temperature when the water is cut off. , for example, may be set to 30°C, or may be set to 40°C. In this way, if the boiling temperature can be set to a relatively low temperature when the water supply is cut off, the user can directly use the hot water taken out from the emergency water intake 18 without mixing it with low-temperature water. . For example, the hot water taken out from the emergency water intake 18 can be used for applications in which it comes into direct contact with the body. Therefore, it is more convenient for the user to use the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 when the water supply is cut off.

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured such that the boiling amount during water interruption is divided into a plurality of values, and the user can set the value of each divided boiling amount during water interruption. Further, it may be configured such that the user can set a plurality of different boiling temperatures during water outage for the plurality of divided boiling amounts during water outage. As an example, if the amount of water to be boiled when the water is cut off is 350 L, the user divides the 350 L into three, 200 L, 100 L, and 50 L, and the user sets the boiling temperature when the water is cut off for the amount of water to be boiled when the water is cut of 200 L. Set to 40 ° C, the user sets the boiling temperature when the water is cut off for the boiling amount when the water is cut off to 30 ° C, and the boiling temperature when the water is cut off for the boiling amount when the water is cut off is set to 50 ° C by the user. good too.

When a plurality of boiling temperatures during water outage are set by dividing the boiling amount during water outage as described above, the heat pump control device 14 and the hot water supply machine control device 50 set the plurality of boiling temperatures during water outage. Among them, the boiling operation at the time of water outage is performed in order from the one with the lowest temperature. As a result, a plurality of hot water at the boiling temperature during water outage are stacked and stored in the hot water storage tank 11 in order from the bottom. When the boiling operation during water outage is carried out in this way, the hot water storage type hot water supply device has a plurality of hot water corresponding to the boiling temperature during water outage flowing out from the emergency water intake 18 in order from the one with the lowest temperature. is displayed on the display section 51a of the remote control 51, or is preferably notified by another user interface.

For example, in the above example, the heat pump control device 14 and the water heater control device 50 first perform a water interruption boiling operation with a water interruption boiling temperature of 30° C. and a water interruption boiling amount of 100 L, followed by , a water interruption boiling operation is performed with a water interruption temperature of 40°C and a water interruption amount of 200L, followed by a water interruption temperature of 50°C and a water interruption amount of 50L. Carry out boiling operation. Thus, in the hot water storage tank 11, 100 L of hot water of 30° C. is stored in the bottom layer, 200 L of hot water of 40° C. is stored in the upper layer, and 50 L of hot water of 50° C. is stored in the upper layer. In this case, when the emergency water intake 18 is opened, 100 L of hot water at 30° C. first flows out from the emergency water intake 18, then 200 L of hot water at 40° C. flows out from the emergency water intake 18, Finally, it is desirable that the fact that 50 L of hot water at 50° C. is flowing out from the emergency water intake 18 is displayed on the display 51a of the remote controller 51 or is notified by another user interface.

By doing so, the user can secure a plurality of different temperatures of hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 for a plurality of uses when the water supply is cut off. Therefore, convenience is improved. In addition, by informing the user that a plurality of hot water with different temperatures flow out from the emergency water intake 18 in order from the lowest temperature, the user can easily sort out hot water with a temperature suitable for each application. becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from using hot water of the wrong temperature.

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment can display the temperature and amount of hot water generated by the boiling operation during water outage on the display unit 51a of the remote controller 51, or can notify the user through another user interface. desirable. For example, the water heater control device 50 detects the temperature and amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 by means of the hot water temperature sensors 13g to 13j during or after the water outage boiling operation, and the display unit 51a of the remote control 51 may be displayed in At this time, when a plurality of hot water having different temperatures are stacked and stored in the hot water storage tank 11, the amount of each of the plurality of hot water having different temperatures may be displayed on the display section 51a of the remote control 51. FIG. This improves convenience. Further, when the setting is made to carry out the water-suspension water heating operation using the surplus power, the water-suspension water heating operation is terminated when the generation of the surplus power ends. The amount of hot water may not reach the amount set by the user. Even in such a case, by notifying the user of the actual temperature and amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 11, the user can reconsider the usage or usage of hot water. Therefore, convenience is improved.

There is a possibility that hot water remains in the hot water storage tank 11 before the boiling operation during water outage is performed. In the following description, the volume [L] of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 will be referred to as the "remaining hot water amount", and the temperature of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 will be referred to as the "remaining hot water temperature". The water heater control device 50 can detect the amount of remaining hot water and the temperature of the remaining hot water using stored hot water temperature sensors 13g to 13j, which are temperature distribution detecting means. The water heater control device 50 may detect the amount of water of a predetermined temperature or higher remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 as the amount of remaining hot water. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, 30°C.

The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment notifies the current remaining hot water amount and remaining hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank 11 through the user interface when allowing the user to set the boiling temperature and the boiling amount during water interruption. good too. For example, the current remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 11 and the current remaining hot water temperature may be displayed together with the setting screen for boiling during water outage on the display unit 51a of the remote controller 51 . The user interface such as the remote control 51 may accept the amount of water [L] obtained by subtracting the current amount of remaining hot water from the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 as the upper limit of the amount of boiling water when the water supply is cut off. That is, the user can set the boiling amount during water stoppage within the range of the amount of water [L] obtained by subtracting the current amount of remaining hot water from the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 . As an example, if the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 is 370 L, and the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 before the operation of boiling when the water supply is cut off is 50 L, the difference between them, 320 L, is set as the upper limit. can be set by the user. By doing so, even when hot water remains in the hot water storage tank 11 before performing the boiling operation when the water supply is interrupted, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus can more appropriately perform the boiling operation when the water supply is interrupted. .

1 compressor 2 water refrigerant heat exchanger 3 expansion valve 4 air heat exchanger 5 fan 6a circulation pump 6b reheating pump 7 switching valve 8 switching valve 9 switching valve 10 mixing valve 11 Hot water storage tank 11a High temperature water outlet 11b High temperature water outlet 11c Reheating return outlet 11d Medium temperature water outlet 11e Low temperature water return 11f Outlet 11g Water supply inlet 12 Reheating heat exchanger 13a Water inlet Temperature sensor 13b Boiling temperature sensor 13c Outside air temperature sensor 13d Discharge temperature sensor 13e Suction temperature sensor 13f Evaporation temperature sensor 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j Storage hot water temperature sensor 13k Feed water temperature sensor 13l Hot water supply temperature sensor 13m Bath hot water temperature sensor 14 Heat pump control device 15 Hot water supply mixing unit 16a Piping 16b Piping 16c Piping 16d Piping 16e Piping 16f Piping 16g Piping 16h Piping 16j Piping 16k Piping 16l Piping 16m Piping 16n Piping 16o Piping 16p Piping 16q Piping 17a Hot water supply flow sensor 17b Bath hot water supply flow sensor 18 Emergency water intake 19 Relief valve 50 Water heater controller 51 Remote control 51a Display unit 51b Operation Section 52 Heat Amount Calculating Means for Hot Water Supply 60 Photovoltaic Power Generation Device 61 Distribution Board 62 Power Distribution Control Device 62a Selection Switch 63 Power Line 64 Wiring 65 Wiring 66 Wiring 70 Communication Device 100 Heat Pump Unit 101 Refrigerant circuit 200 hot water storage unit 201 hot water storage circuit 202 reheating circuit 203 hot water supply circuit 300 building

Claims (7)

a water storage tank; and
a heating means for heating water;
a control means for controlling a boiling operation in which the water flowing out from the hot water storage tank is heated by the heating means and the heated hot water flows into the hot water storage tank;
an emergency water intake port that communicates with a lower portion of the hot water storage tank and can take out hot water from the hot water storage tank when the water supply is cut off;
temperature distribution detection means capable of detecting the temperature and amount of hot water that can be taken out from the emergency water intake by detecting the temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank;
with
The control means is capable of performing a water-outage boiling operation according to the water-outage boiling temperature and the water-outage boiling amount set by the user when the water supply is cut off,
A hot water storage type in which, when the boiling operation during water outage is performed, the control means notifies a predicted value of the amount of water flowing out from the emergency water intake at a temperature lower than the boiling temperature during water outage through a user interface. water heater. 2. The hot-water storage type hot-water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein surplus electric power out of the electric power generated by the in-house electric power generator can be used to carry out the boiling operation during water outage. 3. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means can set the boiling temperature during water outage to a value lower than the lower limit of the boiling temperature during non-water outage. The boiling amount when the water supply is cut off is divided into a plurality of parts, and the user can set the values of the divided individual boiling amounts when the water supply is cut off,
The user can set a plurality of different boiling temperatures during water outage for the divided boiling amounts during water outage,
4. The hot water storage type according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means performs the boiling operation during water outage in order from the lower one of the plurality of boiling temperatures during water outage. water heater. 5. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the user interface notifies that the plurality of hot water corresponding to the boiling temperatures during water outage will flow out from the emergency water intake in ascending order of temperature. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature and amount of hot water generated by the boiling operation during the water outage are notified by the user interface. When the user sets the boiling temperature during water outage and the boiling amount during water outage, the user interface informs the user of the current amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank and the temperature of the remaining hot water. 7. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of water obtained by subtracting the amount of remaining hot water is set as the upper limit of the amount of water to be boiled when the water supply is interrupted.

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