JP2023134088A - water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water heater which is advantageous in dealing with abnormality of a mixed water faucet provided indoors or abnormality of an external hot water supply pipeline which connects the water heater and the mixed water faucet.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: a mixed hot water supply pipe connected to an outlet of a mixing valve; and a flow rate sensor for hot water supply for detecting a hot water supply flow rate of the mixed hot water supply pipe. The mixed hot water supply pipe is connected to a mixed water faucet indoors, via an external hot water supply pipeline arranged outside of the water heater. A control part includes: hot water supply flow rate storage means for storing hot water supply flow rate data detected by a flow rate sensor for hot water supply; and abnormality determination means for determining abnormality of the mixed water faucet or the external hot water supply pipeline by comparing the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means and the current hot water supply flow rate. In the case where a state where the current hot water supply flow rate is smaller than a minimum value of the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means continues for a reference time or longer, information regarding abnormality of the mixed water faucet or the external hot water supply pipeline is notified by a user interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a water heater.

The heat pump water heater disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a heat pump cycle device in which refrigerant and water exchange heat in a refrigerant-water heat exchanger, and a flow rate detection device that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the refrigerant-water heat exchanger. means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the heat pump cycle device, and when the flow rate of water detected by the flow rate detection means continues to be lower than the threshold value for a set time or more, the control means determines that a water cutoff abnormality has occurred. , stop the operation of the heat pump cycle device.

International Publication No. 2014/174678

There is a possibility that an abnormality may occur in indoor faucets or mixed faucets installed in showers. Alternatively, an abnormality such as a blockage may occur in the external hot water supply piping that connects the water heater and the mixing faucet. When such an abnormality occurs, the water heater may not be able to supply hot water to the mixer faucet, or the mixer faucet may only output lukewarm water or cold water. When such a problem occurs, the user may mistakenly believe that the problem is with the water heater, even though the problem is with the mixing faucet or the external hot water supply piping, and may not be able to take appropriate measures.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is useful in dealing with abnormalities in a mixing faucet installed indoors, or an abnormality in external hot water piping that connects a water heater and a mixing faucet. The purpose is to provide a water heater that is advantageous.

A water heater according to the present disclosure includes a mixing valve that adjusts the mixing ratio of hot water flowing in from a hot water side inlet and water flowing in from a water side inlet, a mixing hot water pipe connected to an outlet of the mixing valve, and a mixing hot water supply pipe connected to an outlet of the mixing valve. This water heater includes a hot water supply flow rate sensor that detects a hot water supply flow rate, which is a flow rate of mixed water passing through a pipe, and a control unit, and the mixed hot water pipe is connected to The controller is connected to an indoor mixing faucet, and the control unit stores the hot water supply flow rate data detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor, the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means, and the current hot water supply flow rate data. an abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality in the mixing faucet or external hot water supply piping by comparing the current hot water supply flow rate with the minimum value of the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means; When a low water supply flow rate continues for a reference time or longer, abnormality information, which is information about an abnormality in the mixing faucet or external hot water supply piping, is reported via the user interface.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a water heater that is advantageous in dealing with an abnormality in a mixing faucet installed indoors or an abnormality in an external hot water supply pipe connecting the water heater and a mixing faucet. .

1 is a diagram showing a water heater according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the hot water supply flow rate storage means of the water heater according to Embodiment 1 stores hot water supply flow rate data. 12 is a flowchart showing a process for notifying mixed faucet abnormality information using hot water supply flow rate data stored in a hot water supply flow rate storage means.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted. In the following description, descriptions such as "water", "hot water", "warm water", "hot water", etc. basically mean liquid water, and can include anything from cold water to hot water. Further, the configurations shown in the embodiments described below are examples of technical ideas according to the present disclosure, and can be combined with another known technology, or can be combined with multiple technologies described in the present disclosure. It is also possible to combine ideas. Further, it is also possible to omit or change a part of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 1 of this embodiment includes a heat pump unit 2 as a heating means for heating water, and a hot water storage unit 40 having a hot water storage tank 3. In this embodiment, a hot water storage type water heater 1 having a hot water storage tank 3 will be described as an example, but the present disclosure is also applicable to instantaneous type water heaters other than the hot water storage type.

The heat pump unit 2 and the hot water storage unit 40 are connected via a HP outgoing pipe 48, a HP return pipe 49, and electrical wiring (not shown). The heat pump unit 2 includes a heat pump circuit in which a compressor, a hot water supply heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping.

The hot water storage tank 3 stores hot water. Inside the hot water storage tank 3, temperature stratification can be formed where the upper side is hotter and the lower side is colder due to the difference in water density due to temperature. In the following description, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 or the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 3 may be referred to as "tank water." On the outer surface of the hot water storage tank 3, from the top to the bottom, a first temperature sensor 5a, a second temperature sensor 5b, a third temperature sensor 5c, a fourth temperature sensor 5d, a fifth temperature sensor 5e, and the sixth temperature sensor 5f are arranged so that their mounting positions become lower in this order. By detecting the distribution of the temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 in the vertical direction using these temperature sensors 5a to 5f, it is possible to grasp the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 and the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 3. The HP outgoing pipe 48 is provided with a seventh temperature sensor 5g that detects the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 2.

Inside the hot water storage unit 40, there are a circulation pump 4, a general hot water supply side electric mixing valve 7, a high temperature pipe 8, a water supply pipe 9, a bath hot water supply side electric mixing valve 11, a bath solenoid valve 13, a bath circulation pump 14, and a water entry switching valve 17. , hot water supply flow rate sensor 19, hot water supply temperature sensor 20, bath flow rate sensor 21, bath temperature sensor 22, water supply temperature sensor 23, hot water output switching valve 26, medium temperature return switching valve 27, medium temperature output switching valve 28, medium temperature piping 30 and more are provided.

The upstream side of the water supply pipe 9 is connected to a water source such as a water pipe, for example, via an external water supply pipe 51 passing outside the water heater 1 . The downstream side of the water supply pipe 9 branches into a water supply pipe 9a and a water supply pipe 9b. The water supply pipe 9a is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3. Low-temperature water supplied from a water source flows into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 from the water supply pipe 9a, so that the inside of the hot water storage tank 3 is maintained in a full water state.

The medium temperature take-out switching valve 28 has a medium temperature inlet 28a, a low temperature inlet 28b, and a water outlet 28c. A water supply pipe 9b is connected to the low temperature inlet 28b. One end of a medium temperature pipe 30 is connected to the medium temperature inlet 28a. The upstream portion of the high-temperature pipe 8 communicates with the hot water storage tank 3 at a first position 3a located above the hot water storage tank 3. The other end of the medium temperature pipe 30 communicates with the hot water storage tank 3 at a second position 3b located lower than the first position 3a. The second position 3b is located above the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 to which the water supply pipe 9a is connected. That is, the second position 3b is located in the middle between the upper and lower parts of the hot water storage tank 3.

Medium-temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 through the medium-temperature pipe 30 flows into the medium-temperature inlet 28a. Low-temperature water whose temperature is lower than the medium-temperature water flows into the low-temperature inlet 28b. In this embodiment, low temperature water supplied from the water source through the water supply pipe 9b flows into the low temperature inlet 28b. The medium temperature take-out switching valve 28 can switch the flow path between a "medium temperature position" and a "low temperature position." In the "medium temperature position", the medium temperature inlet 28a communicates with the water outlet 28c, and the low temperature inlet 28b is blocked. At the "medium temperature position", medium temperature water from the medium temperature pipe 30 flows to the water outlet 28c. In the "low temperature position", the low temperature inlet 28b communicates with the water outlet 28c, and the medium temperature inlet 28a is blocked. At the "low temperature position", low temperature water from the water supply pipe 9b flows to the water outlet 28c.

The general hot water supply side electric mixing valve 7 includes a hot water side inlet 7a, a water side inlet 7b, and an outlet 7c. The bath hot water supply side electric mixing valve 11 includes a hot water side inlet 11a, a water side inlet 11b, and an outlet 11c. A downstream portion of the high-temperature pipe 8 communicates with each of the hot water side inlet 7a and the hot water side inlet 11a. The water outlet 28c of the medium temperature take-out switching valve 28 communicates with each of the water side inlet 7b and the water side inlet 11b.

One end of the mixing hot water supply pipe 10 is connected to the outlet 7c of the electric mixing valve 7 on the general hot water supply side. The electric mixing valve 7 on the general hot water supply side mixes the high temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 through the high temperature pipe 8 with the medium temperature water or low temperature water from the water outlet 28c of the medium temperature take-out switching valve 28. The electric mixing valve 7 on the general hot water supply side adjusts the mixing ratio of high temperature water and medium or low temperature water, thereby adjusting the hot water temperature. Hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the electric mixing valve 7 on the general hot water supply side flows into the mixed hot water supply pipe 10.

One end of the bath hot water supply pipe 18 is connected to the outlet 11c of the electric mixing valve 11 on the bath hot water supply side. The electric mixing valve 11 on the bath hot water supply side mixes the high temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 through the high temperature piping 8 with medium or low temperature water from the water outlet 28c of the medium temperature take-out switching valve 28, and adjusts the temperature. . The temperature-controlled hot water flows into the bath hot water supply pipe 18.

The water supply pipe 9 is provided with a water supply temperature sensor 23 . The water supply temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature of the water flowing through the water supply pipe 9 . The mixed hot water supply pipe 10 is provided with a hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 and a hot water supply temperature sensor 20 . The hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 detects the flow rate of mixed water, which is hot water, passing through the mixed hot water supply pipe 10 . The hot water supply temperature sensor 20 detects the temperature of mixed water flowing through the mixed hot water supply pipe 10 . The bath water supply pipe 18 is provided with a bath electromagnetic valve 13 and a bath flow rate sensor 21 . The bath electromagnetic valve 13 corresponds to an on-off valve that opens and closes the bath water supply pipe 18. The bath flow rate sensor 21 detects the flow rate of hot water flowing through the bath water supply pipe 18.

The bath water supply pipe 18 is connected to the bath side circulation circuit 12. A heat exchanger 15 is arranged within the hot water storage unit 40. The bath side circulation circuit 12 is a path that can draw bath water from a bathtub (not shown) in a bathroom outside the water heater 1 and return the bath water via the heat exchanger 15 into the bathtub. When a bath circulation pump 14 connected midway through the bath circulation circuit 12 is operated, bath water is circulated from the bathtub through the bath circulation circuit 12 and back to the bathtub. The heat exchanger 15 exchanges heat between the bath water and the heat medium. The heat medium is, for example, tank water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3. The bath temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature of hot water flowing through the bath circulation circuit 12 .

The water inlet switching valve 17 is a flow path switching means that has an a port and a b port that serve as inlets, and a c port that serves as an outlet. The water inlet switching valve 17 is configured to be able to switch between two channels, ac and bc.

The hot water outlet switching valve 26 is a flow path switching means having an a port and a b port serving as an inlet, and a c port and a d port serving as an outlet. The hot water tap switching valve 26 is configured to be able to switch between four paths: ac, ad, bc, and bd.

The medium temperature return switching valve 27 is a flow path switching means having an a port serving as an inlet, and b ports, c port, and d port serving as outlets. The medium temperature return switching valve 27 is configured to be able to switch between three paths: ab, ac, and ad.

The hot water storage unit 40 further includes a bypass pipe 32, a pipe 41, a pipe 42, a pipe 43, a pipe 45, a pipe 46, and a pipe 47. The bypass pipe 32 connects between the c port of the hot water output switching valve 26 and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3. The pipe 41 connects the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 and the a port of the water inlet switching valve 17. Piping 42 connects between the c port of water inlet switching valve 17 and the inlet of circulation pump 4. The HP outgoing pipe 48 connects the outlet of the circulation pump 4 and the inlet of the heat pump unit 2. The HP return pipe 49 connects the outlet of the heat pump unit 2 and the b port of the hot water output switching valve 26. The pipe 43 connects between the d port of the outlet hot water switching valve 26 and the a port of the medium temperature return switching valve 27. The pipe 45 connects between the b port of the medium temperature return switching valve 27 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3. The pipe 46 connects between the d port of the medium temperature return switching valve 27 and a midway position of the high temperature pipe 8. The pipe 47 connects between the c port of the intermediate temperature return switching valve 27 and the intermediate portion of the hot water storage tank 3 . A hot water outlet temperature sensor 6 that detects the hot water outlet temperature, which is the temperature of hot water flowing out from the heat pump unit 2, is provided in the piping 45.

The tank circulation pipe 16 connects the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 and the inlet of the heat medium of the heat exchanger 15. The tank circulation pipe 50 connects the outlet of the heat medium of the heat exchanger 15 and the b port of the water inlet switching valve 17. The pipe 54 branches from between the circulation pump 4 and the inlet of the heat pump unit 2 in the HP outgoing pipe 48 and is connected to the a port of the hot water outlet switching valve 26 . The bath heat recovery piping 31 branches from a midway position of the tank circulation piping 50 and is connected to a midway position of the medium temperature piping 30 .

The mixed hot water supply pipe 10 is connected to an indoor mixing faucet 52 via an external hot water supply pipe 55 arranged outside the water heater 1 . The mixing faucet 52 may be used, for example, as a faucet or shower installed in a bathroom, or as a faucet installed in a sink or washbasin. The mixing faucet 52 may be, for example, a thermostatic mixing faucet, a single-lever mixing faucet, or a two-handle mixing faucet.

The mixing faucet 52 includes a hot water side inlet 52a, a water side inlet 52b, and an outlet 52c. The hot water side inlet 52a is connected to an external hot water supply pipe 55. The water side inlet 52b is connected to a water source, such as a water pipe, via an external water supply pipe 53.

The mixing faucet 52 mixes hot water supplied from the electric mixing valve 7 on the general hot water supply side through the mixing hot water supply pipe 10 and external hot water supply pipe 55 with low-temperature water supplied from the water source through the external water supply pipe 53. , to flow out from the outlet 52c. The user uses the hot water flowing out from the outlet 52c. In the illustrated example, only one mixed faucet 52 is provided, but a plurality of mixed faucets 52 may be provided.

The water heater 1 includes a control section 24 as a control means. The control unit 24 is electrically connected to each actuator and each sensor described above. Various operation modes implemented by the water heater 1 are controlled by the control unit 24. The control unit 24 may include, for example, a processing circuit including at least one processor and at least one memory. The control unit 24 has a timer function for managing date and time. Note that the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the operation is controlled by a single control unit 24 as shown in the figure, but a configuration in which the operation is controlled by a plurality of control devices working together may be adopted.

The water heater 1 includes a remote control 25. Bidirectional communication is possible between the control unit 24 and the remote controller 25 by wired or wireless communication. The control unit 24 and the remote controller 25 may be able to communicate via a network. Remote control 25 is an example of a user interface. A plurality of remote controllers 25 may be able to communicate with the control unit 24. The remote control 25 has a display 25a that displays information, an operation section that the user operates when inputting information or commands, and an audio output section that outputs the information by voice. The remote control 25 may be installed on a wall in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, etc., for example. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which a mobile device such as a smartphone can be used as a user interface other than the remote control 25.

In this disclosure, the flow rate of the mixed water passing through the mixed hot water supply pipe 10 is referred to as the hot water supply flow rate. The hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 detects the hot water supply flow rate. The control unit 24 includes a hot water supply flow rate storage unit 24a that stores hot water supply flow rate data detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19, and an abnormality determination unit 24b. The abnormality determination means 24b compares the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a with the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19, and determines whether the mixing faucet 52 or the external hot water supply piping 55 Determine the abnormality of. An abnormality in the mixing faucet 52 or the external hot water supply pipe 55 will be referred to as a "mixing faucet abnormality" hereinafter. Examples of the mixing faucet abnormality include failure of the mixing faucet 52, incorrect setting of the temperature adjustment handle of the mixing faucet 52, and clogging of the external hot water supply pipe 55.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process when the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a of the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment stores hot water supply flow rate data. In FIG. 2, first, in step S1, the control unit 24 determines whether the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is less than a hot water supply "presence" determination threshold. The threshold value for determining whether hot water is being supplied may be, for example, 2 L/min. If the current hot water supply flow rate is less than the threshold for determining whether hot water is being supplied, the control unit 24 determines that hot water is not being supplied to the mixed faucet 52, and ends the process without storing the hot water supply flow rate. do.

On the other hand, in step S1, if the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is not less than the hot water supply "present" determination threshold, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S2 and initializes the flow rate determination waiting time timer. and start the operation.

In step S3, the control unit 24 refers to the flow rate determination waiting time timer and determines whether a predetermined flow rate determination waiting time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed. As a result, if the flow rate determination waiting time has not yet elapsed, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S4.

On the other hand, in step S3, if the flow rate determination waiting time has already passed, the control section 24 proceeds to step S5. The flow rate determination waiting time is set so that the hot water supply flow rate when hot water supply to the mixing faucet 52 is stable can be stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a.

In step S4, similarly to step S1, it is determined whether the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is less than the hot water supply "presence" determination threshold. As a result, if the current hot water supply flow rate is less than the hot water supply "present" determination threshold, the control unit 24 determines that hot water is not being supplied to the mixing faucet 52, and stores the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a. The process ends without storing the hot water supply flow rate.

On the other hand, in step S4, if the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is not less than the hot water supply "presence" determination threshold, the control unit 24 returns to step S3. Prevents the hot water supply flow rate when hot water is not being supplied to the mixed faucet 52 from being stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a in case the hot water supply to the mixed faucet 52 is stopped during the flow rate determination waiting time. In order to do so, the determination in step S4 is provided.

In step S5, the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a. After that, the control unit 24 returns to step S1 and performs the same determination. Note that the flow rate determination waiting time may be changed from the second time onward. By repeatedly performing the determination, hot water supply flow rate data is accumulated in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a, and is used for notification of abnormality guidance to be described later.

The information regarding the mixed faucet abnormality will be referred to as "mixed faucet abnormality information" hereinafter. In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 detects a state in which the current hot water supply flow rate is smaller than the minimum value of the past hot water flow rate data stored in the hot water flow rate storage means 24a while hot water is being supplied to the mixing faucet 52. If it continues for a reference time or longer, mixed faucet abnormality information is notified to the user using the remote controller 25. This reference time may be, for example, 30 seconds. While hot water is being supplied to the mixing faucet 52, if the current hot water supply flow rate remains smaller than the minimum value of the past hot water flow rate data stored in the hot water flow rate storage means 24a for a reference period or longer, the mixed water is supplied to the mixing faucet 52. It is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the mixing faucet, such as the faucet 52 being out of order, the temperature adjustment handle of the mixing faucet 52 being incorrectly set, or the external hot water supply pipe 55 being clogged. Therefore, in this case, by notifying the user of the mixing faucet abnormality information using the remote control 25, the user can understand that an abnormality in the mixing faucet has occurred, rather than an abnormality in the water heater 1, and take appropriate measures. It becomes possible to take

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for notifying mixed faucet abnormality information using the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a. In step S6 of FIG. 3, the control unit 24 determines whether the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is less than the hot water supply "presence" determination threshold. As a result, if the current hot water supply flow rate is less than the hot water supply determination threshold, the control unit 24 determines that hot water is not being supplied to the mixed faucet 52, and ends the process.

On the other hand, in step S6, if the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 is not less than the hot water supply "presence" determination threshold, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 24 determines that the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 has been smaller than the minimum value of the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a for a reference period. Decide whether or not. As a result, if the determination condition is satisfied, the control unit 24 determines that there is an abnormality in the mixing faucet, proceeds to step S10, and displays "Guidance 1" on the display 25a of the remote control 25. “Guidance 1” corresponds to mixed faucet abnormality information. "Guidance 1" is, for example, that the mixer faucet 52 currently in use may be out of order, or that the temperature adjustment handle of the mixer faucet 52 currently in use may be incorrectly set. The content may inform the user of at least one of the following: , and that the external hot water supply pipe 55 may be clogged.

The control unit 24 may include a reference time changing means that can change the length of the reference time described above. For example, the length of the reference time may be changed by operating the remote control 25. Environmental conditions such as the length of the external hot water supply piping 55 vary depending on the construction situation. By being able to change the length of the reference time, it becomes possible to respond more flexibly to such differences in environmental conditions.

In this embodiment, the control unit 24 performs the determination in step S8 and the determination in step S9 in parallel with the determination in step S7 described above.

If the determination condition in step S7 is not satisfied, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 24 determines whether the maximum value of the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 within a predetermined period of time is smaller than a first threshold value. This predetermined time may be, for example, 30 seconds. The first threshold value may be, for example, 7 L/min. The first threshold value is a value larger than the threshold value for determining whether hot water is being supplied. If the maximum value of the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 within a predetermined period of time is smaller than the first threshold value, the control unit 24 determines that there is an abnormality in the mixed faucet, and proceeds to step S10. , "Guidance 1" is displayed on the display 25a of the remote control 25. According to the present embodiment, the accuracy of determining whether a mixed faucet is abnormal is improved by doing the above.

If the determination condition in step S8 is not satisfied, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the control unit 24 determines whether the average value of the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 within a predetermined time is smaller than a second threshold value. This predetermined time may be, for example, 30 seconds. The second threshold may be, for example, 5 L/min. The second threshold is a value that is larger than the threshold for determining whether hot water is being supplied and smaller than the first threshold. If the average value of the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19 within a predetermined time period is smaller than the second threshold value, the control unit 24 determines that there is an abnormality in the mixed faucet, and proceeds to step S10. , "Guidance 1" is displayed on the display 25a of the remote control 25. According to the present embodiment, the accuracy of determining whether a mixed faucet is abnormal is improved by doing the above.

The control unit 24 may include first threshold value changing means that can change the magnitude of the first threshold value described above. For example, the magnitude of the first threshold value may be changed by operating the remote control 25. Environmental conditions such as the length of the external hot water supply piping 55 vary depending on the construction situation. By being able to change the size of the first threshold value, it becomes possible to respond more flexibly to such differences in environmental conditions.

The control unit 24 may include second threshold value changing means that can change the magnitude of the second threshold value described above. For example, the magnitude of the second threshold may be changed by operating the remote controller 25. Environmental conditions such as the length of the external hot water supply piping 55 vary depending on the construction situation. By being able to change the magnitude of the second threshold value, it becomes possible to respond more flexibly to such differences in environmental conditions.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of mixing faucets 52 are connected to the water heater 1. If the determination condition in step S9 is not satisfied, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the control unit 24 displays "Guidance 2" on the display 25a of the remote controller 25. "Guidance 2" is content that informs the user that among the plurality of mixing faucets 52, a mixing faucet 52 other than the one currently in use may be out of order. As described above, in the present embodiment, while supplying hot water to the mixing faucet 52, the control unit 24 controls the current hot water supply to be higher than the minimum value of the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water flow rate storage means 24a. If the flow rate continues to be low for longer than the reference time, if the maximum value of the current hot water supply flow rate within the predetermined time is smaller than the first threshold, or if the average value of the current hot water supply flow rate within the predetermined time is If it is smaller than the threshold value or if neither of the above applies, the remote controller 25 will notify you of information that there is a possibility that a mixing faucet 52 other than the mixing faucet 52 currently in use is malfunctioning. do. Thereby, even if a mixing faucet 52 other than the mixing faucet 52 currently in use is out of order, it is possible to detect an abnormality.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 performs the determination of the mixing faucet abnormality in steps S7, S8, and S9 described above after the hot water supply flow rate storage unit 24a stores the hot water supply flow rate data for a predetermined period or more. do. This predetermined period may be, for example, one minute. If the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a is too small, it may lead to an erroneous determination. On the other hand, such erroneous determination can be more reliably prevented by determining whether the mixed faucet is abnormal after the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a stores the hot water supply flow rate data for a predetermined period or more.

Note that the control unit 24 may include a predetermined period changing means that can change the size of the predetermined period described above. For example, the length of the predetermined period may be changed by operating the remote control 25. Environmental conditions such as the length of the external hot water supply piping 55 vary depending on the construction situation. By being able to change the length of the predetermined period, it becomes possible to respond more flexibly to such differences in environmental conditions.

The water heater 1 may be configured to be able to set in advance, using the remote control 25, whether or not to notify the mixed faucet abnormality information. That is, it may be possible to switch between enabling and disabling the mixed faucet abnormality information reporting function by operating the remote control 25. The hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a and the abnormality determination means 24b are mainly used when only lukewarm water or water comes out from the mixing faucet 52. Therefore, convenience is improved by enabling/disabling the mixing faucet abnormality information reporting function from the remote control 25 in case the mixing faucet abnormality information reporting function is not required.

The water heater 1 may include maintenance data display means that can display the operation history of the water heater 1. For example, the display 25a of the remote controller 25 may be configured to be used as maintenance data display means. The maintenance data display means may be capable of displaying the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a, the minimum value of the hot water supply flow rate data, and the current hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 19. This makes it easy for a service person to check each data without using a measuring device or the like when diagnosing a failure in the water heater 1, and it becomes possible to confirm the validity of the failure diagnosis.

In the present disclosure, in addition to displaying abnormality guidance on the display 25a of the remote controller 25, audio guidance from the remote controller 25 may be used in combination to notify the mixed faucet abnormality information. As a result, when the user is operating the mixing faucet 52, even if the remote control 25 is not within the visible range from that location, the user is notified of the abnormality information of the mixing faucet by performing an audio notification. becomes possible.

The water heater 1 may include a reset means for erasing the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a. For example, the reset means may be configured to erase the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a by performing a specific operation on the remote control 25. By using the reset means, when you want to re-store the hot water supply flow rate data in the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a, or when you detect a malfunction in the mixing faucet 52 and take measures such as replacing the mixing faucet 52, The hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a can be easily returned to its initial state. By returning to the initial state, the hot water supply flow rate storage means 24a can store hot water supply flow rate data corresponding to the environment at that time.

1 Water heater, 2 Heat pump unit, 3 Hot water storage tank, 3a First position, 3b Second position, 4 Circulation pump, 5a First temperature sensor, 5b Second temperature sensor, 5c Third temperature sensor, 5d Fourth temperature sensor, 5e fifth temperature sensor, 5f sixth temperature sensor, 5g seventh temperature sensor, 6 hot water outlet temperature sensor, 7 general hot water supply side electric mixing valve, 7a hot water side inlet, 7b water side inlet, 7c outlet , 8 high temperature piping, 9 water supply pipe, 9a water supply pipe, 9b water supply pipe, 10 mixing hot water supply pipe, 11 bath hot water supply side electric mixing valve, 11a hot water side inlet, 11b water side inlet, 11c outlet, 12 bath side circulation circuit, 13 Solenoid valve for bath, 14 Bath circulation pump, 15 Heat exchanger, 16 Tank circulation piping, 17 Water entry switching valve, 18 Bath hot water supply pipe, 19 Hot water supply flow rate sensor, 20 Hot water supply temperature sensor, 21 Bath flow rate sensor, 22 Bath temperature sensor, 23 water supply temperature sensor, 24 control unit, 24a hot water supply flow rate storage means, 24b abnormality determination means, 25 remote control, 25a display, 26 hot water output switching valve, 27 medium temperature return switching valve, 28 medium temperature extraction switching valve, 28a medium temperature inlet , 28b low temperature inlet, 28c water outlet, 30 medium temperature piping, 31 bath heat recovery piping, 32 bypass piping, 40 hot water storage unit, 41 piping, 42 piping, 43 piping, 45 piping, 46 piping, 47 piping, 48 piping, 49 piping , 50 tank circulation piping, 51 external water supply pipe, 52 mixing faucet, 52a hot water side inlet, 52b water side inlet, 52c outlet, 53 external water supply pipe, 54 piping, 55 external hot water supply piping

Claims (12)

a mixing valve that adjusts the mixing ratio of hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and water flowing in from the water side inlet;
a mixing hot water pipe connected to the outlet of the mixing valve;
a hot water supply flow rate sensor that detects a hot water supply flow rate that is a flow rate of mixed water passing through the mixed hot water supply pipe;
a control unit;
A water heater comprising:
The mixing water supply pipe is connected to an indoor mixing faucet via an external hot water supply pipe arranged outside the water heater,
The control unit includes:
hot water supply flow rate storage means for storing hot water supply flow rate data detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor;
an abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality in the mixing faucet or the external hot water piping by comparing the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means and the current hot water supply flow rate;
Equipped with
Information regarding an abnormality in the mixing faucet or the external hot water piping when a state in which the current hot water supply flow rate is smaller than the minimum value of the past hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means continues for a reference time or more. A water heater that notifies abnormal information through a user interface. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality information is notified through the user interface when the current maximum value of the hot water supply flow rate within a predetermined time is smaller than a first threshold value. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abnormality information is notified through the user interface when the current average value of the hot water supply flow rate within a predetermined time is smaller than a second threshold value. 3. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the abnormality after the hot water supply flow rate storage means stores the hot water supply flow rate data for a predetermined period or more. The control unit controls whether the current hot water supply flow rate is lower than the minimum value of the past hot water flow rate data stored in the hot water flow rate storage means if the current hot water flow rate continues to be smaller than the minimum value for the reference time or more. When the maximum value within a predetermined time is smaller than a first threshold value, when the average value of the current hot water supply flow rate within a predetermined time period is smaller than a second threshold value, when neither of the following applies. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the user interface notifies information to the effect that the mixing faucet other than the mixing faucet currently in use may be out of order. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reference time changing means capable of changing the length of the reference time. The water heater according to claim 2 or 5, further comprising a first threshold value changing means that can change the magnitude of the first threshold value. The water heater according to claim 3 or 5, further comprising second threshold value changing means capable of changing the magnitude of the second threshold value. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein whether or not to report the abnormality information can be set in advance through the user interface. comprising a maintenance data display means capable of displaying the operation history of the water heater,
The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water supply flow rate data, the minimum value of the hot water supply flow rate data, and the current hot water supply flow rate can be displayed on the maintenance data display means. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abnormality information is notified using both a display on the user interface and audio guidance. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reset means for erasing the hot water supply flow rate data stored in the hot water supply flow rate storage means.

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