JP2024042953A - Hot water filling system - Google Patents

Abstract

To emergently fill hot water even at such a failure that a pilot-type electromagnetic valve of a hot water filling system is not operated by electricity-carrying.SOLUTION: A constitution of a pilot-type electromagnetic valve 31 arranged in a hot water passage for introducing hot water from a water heater to a bathtub comprises a diaphragm valve body 53 for partitioning an outside flow-in chamber 50 and an inside flow-out chamber 51 by a cylindrical bulkhead 52, and supported by a diaphragm while opposing a valve seat 52a arranged at an end part of the bulkhead. Also, a backpressure chamber 54 is formed at a side opposite to the flow-in chamber and a flow-out passage across the diaphragm valve body, and the flow-in chamber and the backpressure chamber communicate with each other by an orifice 55 which is arranged while penetrating the diaphragm valve body. Furthermore, a pilot valve 57 which can open and close a pilot passage 56 for making the backpressure chamber and the flow-out passage communicate with each other is arranged, and a pilot valve is valve-opened by electricity-carrying. Then, a communication passage 27 extended up to the outside of a box body 11 of the water heater is connected to the backpressure chamber, and an emergency spigot 28 which can be manually opened and closed by a user is arranged at an end part of the communication passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water filling system that fills a bathtub with hot water by opening a pilot type solenoid valve installed in a hot water passage that leads hot water from a water heater to a bathtub. This technology relates to the ability to temporarily refill hot water even in the event of a breakdown.

In a hot water filling system that uses hot water generated by a water heater to fill a bathtub, a hot water filling solenoid valve is installed in the hot water passage that leads hot water from the water heater to the bathtub. is started, and the filling is stopped by closing the hot water filling solenoid valve. It has been proposed to use a pilot type solenoid valve as such a hot water filled solenoid valve (for example, Patent Document 1), and a pilot type solenoid valve generally opens with a smaller force than a direct acting type solenoid valve. Since the valve is closed, the actuator can be made smaller and power consumption can be reduced.

A pilot type solenoid valve has an inflow chamber where hot water flows from the water heater side, and an outflow passage where hot water flows out toward the bathtub side, which are separated by a cylindrical partition wall, and the outflow passage is formed inside the inflow chamber. It has a built-in structure. In addition, a diaphragm valve body supported by a diaphragm is provided opposite to a valve seat provided at the end of the partition, and when the diaphragm valve body is seated on the valve seat, communication between the inflow chamber and the outflow passage is established. cut off. A back pressure chamber is formed on the opposite side of the diaphragm valve body from the inflow chamber and the outflow passage, and the inflow chamber and the back pressure chamber communicate with each other through an orifice provided through the diaphragm valve body. ing. Further, a pilot passage is provided that communicates the back pressure chamber with the outflow passage, and a pilot valve that can open and close the pilot passage is provided.

When the pilot valve is closed, the hot and cold water in the inlet chamber flows through the orifice into the back pressure chamber, and the hot and cold water pressures in the inlet and back pressure chambers are equal. However, due to the difference in the pressure-receiving area between the inlet chamber side and the back pressure chamber side of the diaphragm valve body, the diaphragm valve body is pushed from the back pressure chamber side and sits on the valve seat, blocking communication between the inlet chamber and the outflow passage, and the pilot solenoid valve is in a closed state. On the other hand, when the pilot valve is opened by energization, the hot and cold water in the back pressure chamber flows out through the pilot passage into the outflow passage, and the hot and cold water pressure in the back pressure chamber drops, so the diaphragm valve body is pushed towards the back pressure chamber by the pressure of the hot and cold water in the inlet chamber and leaves the valve seat. As a result, the inlet chamber is connected to the outflow passage, and the pilot solenoid valve is opened, and the bathtub begins to fill with water.

JP 2019-56400 Publication

However, in the hot water filling system that fills the bathtub with hot water by opening the pilot-type solenoid valve as described above, for example, if a foreign object gets caught in the pilot valve, the pilot-type solenoid valve will not operate even if the electricity is turned on. If a malfunction occurs in which the valve does not open (the valve does not open) and parts such as the pilot valve need to be replaced, it is extremely inconvenient that hot water cannot be filled until the maintenance company completes the replacement and repair. there were.

This invention was made to address the above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology, and aims to provide a water filling system that can perform emergency water filling even in the event of a failure in which the pilot solenoid valve does not operate when current is applied.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the hot water filling system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
In a hot water filling system that fills a bathtub with hot water by opening a pilot-type solenoid valve installed in a hot water passage that leads hot water from a water heater to a bathtub,
The pilot type solenoid valve is
an inflow chamber formed outside the cylindrical partition wall, into which hot water flows from the water heater side;
an outflow passage formed inside the partition wall and through which hot water flows out toward the bathtub side;
A diaphragm is supported by a diaphragm facing a valve seat provided at an end of the partition wall, and by sitting on the valve seat, communication between the inflow chamber and the outflow passage is cut off, and the flow from the valve seat a diaphragm valve body that communicates the inflow chamber and the outflow passage by being separated;
a back pressure chamber formed on the opposite side of the inflow chamber and the outflow passage across the diaphragm valve body;
an orifice that is provided through the diaphragm valve body and communicates the inflow chamber and the back pressure chamber;
a pilot passage that communicates the back pressure chamber and the outflow passage;
a pilot valve that is capable of opening and closing the pilot passage, is biased in a valve closing direction, and opens when energized;
A communication passage extending to the outside of the casing of the water heater is connected to the back pressure chamber,
It is characterized in that an emergency stopcock that can be opened and closed manually by a user is provided at the end of the communication passage.

In the bathtub filling system of the present invention, if the pilot valve does not open even when power is applied and the bathtub cannot be filled due to a failure that causes the pilot solenoid valve to not operate, if the user manually opens the emergency valve, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber will drop as it escapes through the communication passage, and the pressure of the hot water in the inflow chamber will push the diaphragm valve body towards the back pressure chamber and away from the valve seat, so that the pilot solenoid valve will be in an open state and emergency filling of the bath can be performed. On the other hand, if the user manually closes the emergency valve, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber will not escape through the communication passage, and the hot water in the inflow chamber will flow into the back pressure chamber through the orifice, causing the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber to rise, and the difference in pressure-receiving area will push the diaphragm valve body from the back pressure chamber side and seat it on the valve seat, so that the pilot solenoid valve will be in a closed state and emergency filling of the bath can be stopped.

The hot water filling system of the present invention described above may be configured as follows. First, the flow rate of hot water in the hot water supply passage is measured with a flow rate sensor, and when the pilot valve is energized, based on the measured value of the flow rate sensor being less than a predetermined flow rate, the determination unit opens the pilot type solenoid valve. Determined as defective. Then, the notification section notifies the user of the valve opening failure of the pilot type solenoid valve.

In this way, the user can detect a malfunction (defective valve opening) in the pilot-operated solenoid valve by the notification from the notification unit, and can request repair from a maintenance company and manually turn on the emergency valve without waiting for the repair. By operating it, you can perform emergency filling of hot water.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a hot water filling system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a hot water filling control device 30 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a hot water filling solenoid valve 31 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where emergency hot water filling is performed using the hot water filling system 1 of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the hot water filling control process executed by the control unit 40 of the present embodiment to control the filling of the bathtub 2 with hot water.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a hot water filling system 1 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the hot water filling system 1 includes a hot water supply device 10 that generates hot water, a bathtub 2 that stores hot water, a hot water supply passage 20 that guides hot water from the hot water supply device 10 to the bathtub 2, and a hot water supply passage 20 that is installed in the middle of the hot water supply passage 20. It includes a hot water filling control device 30 provided, a control section 40 that controls the overall operation of the hot water filling system 1, and the like.

The water heater 10 is provided with a combustion chamber 13, enclosed within a housing 11, that houses a burner 12 for burning fuel gas. Fuel gas is supplied to the burner 12 through a gas passage 14, which is provided with a gas solenoid valve 15 for opening and closing the gas passage 14. A combustion fan 16 is connected to the combustion chamber 13, and the combustion fan 16 sends combustion air to the burner 12. The gas solenoid valve 15 and the combustion fan 16 are electrically connected to a control unit 40. The housing 11 of the water heater 10 in this embodiment corresponds to the "housing of the water heater" of the present invention.

A heat exchanger 17 is provided above the burner 12 , and combustion exhaust gas generated by combustion in the burner 12 passes through the heat exchanger 17 and is discharged to the outside of the water heater 10 . The heat exchanger 17 is supplied with clean water through a water supply passage 18, and the supplied clean water is heated by heat exchange with combustion exhaust in the heat exchanger 17, and then becomes hot water and flows into the hot water supply passage 20. and leaks out. A water flow sensor 19 is provided in the water supply passage 18 connected to the upstream side of the heat exchanger 17 to detect the flow of clean water in the water supply passage 18 . The water flow sensor 19 is electrically connected to the control unit 40, and when the flow of clean water is detected by the water flow sensor 19, combustion in the burner 12 is started.

The hot water supply passage 20 connected to the downstream side of the heat exchanger 17 branches into two before the hot water filling control device 30, one of which is connected to the bathtub 2 via the hot water filling control device 30, and the other is connected to the faucet 21. In addition, although details will be described later using another figure, the hot water pressure passage 25 branched from the upstream side of the water flow sensor 19 of the water supply passage 18 and the communication passage 27 extended to the outside of the housing 11 of the hot water supply device 10 are connected to the hot water filling control device 30, and the end of the communication passage 27 is provided with an emergency valve 28 that can be opened and closed manually by the user. Furthermore, the hot water filling control device 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hot water filling control device 30 and the control unit 40 are installed outside the housing 11 of the hot water supply device 10, but they may also be installed inside the housing 11.

A remote control 41 that can be operated by a user is electrically connected to the control unit 40 . The remote control 41 of this embodiment includes operation switches such as a setting switch 42 for setting the amount of hot water, water temperature, etc. in the bathtub 2, and a hot water filling switch 43 for instructing the filling of the bathtub 2, as well as operating switches for the hot water filling system 1. The vehicle is equipped with a display section 44 capable of displaying the setting status, driving status, and the like.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the hot water filling control device 30 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the hot water filling control device 30 of this embodiment includes a hot water filling solenoid valve 31, a flow rate sensor 32, a filter 33, and two check valves (first check valve 34 and A second check valve 35) is provided.

The filling solenoid valve 31 can open and close the hot water supply passage 20, and the opening and closing operation is controlled by the control unit 40. That is, filling of the water is started by opening the filling solenoid valve 31, and filling of the water is stopped by closing the filling solenoid valve 31. In this embodiment, a pilot-type solenoid valve is used for the filling solenoid valve 31, as described later using a separate figure, and the aforementioned communication passage 27 is connected to the filling solenoid valve 31. A pilot-type solenoid valve generally opens and closes with less force than a direct-acting solenoid valve, making it possible to miniaturize the actuator and reduce power consumption.

The flow rate sensor 32 is provided upstream of the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 (on the water heater 10 side) and measures the flow rate of hot water passing through the hot water supply passage 20 . The flow rate sensor 32 of this embodiment has a built-in impeller that rotates according to the flow of hot water in the hot water supply passage 20, and measures the flow rate of hot water based on the rotational speed of the impeller and outputs it to the control unit 40. . Further, a filter 33 is provided upstream of the flow rate sensor 32, and removes foreign matter mixed into the hot water from the hot water supply device 10, thereby preventing the flow rate sensor 32 and the hot water supply solenoid valve 31 from being contaminated with foreign matter. This prevents situations where the system stops working.

The first check valve 34 and the second check valve 35 are provided in series on the downstream side (on the bathtub 2 side) of the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31. Of the two check valves, the first check valve 34 on the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 side has a valve body 34a that moves to open and close the hot water supply passage 20, and a valve body 34a that moves in the closing direction to close the hot water supply passage 20. The valve closing spring 34b is provided with a valve closing spring 34b. When the pressure of hot water supplied from the water heater 10 rises due to the opening of the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 and exceeds a predetermined valve opening pressure, the valve body 34a moves in the valve opening direction against the biasing force of the valve closing spring 34b. By moving to , the first check valve 34 becomes open. Further, the second check valve 35 on the bathtub 2 side has basically the same configuration as the first check valve 34 and is biased in the valve closing direction, and hot water is supplied by opening the first check valve 34. When the pressure of hot water supplied from the device 10 exceeds a predetermined valve opening pressure, the valve becomes open. In this way, the first check valve 34 and the second check valve 35 are opened to allow hot water to pass through, thereby filling the bathtub 2 with hot water.

On the other hand, if the pressure of hot water supplied from the water heater 10 decreases due to a water outage or other reasons during filling with hot water, the valve body 34a is pushed back in the valve closing direction by the biasing force of the valve closing spring 34b, and the first check valve 34 is in a closed state. Further, the second check valve 35 is similarly closed, thereby preventing hot water from flowing backward from the bathtub 2 side to the water heater 10 side. By installing the two check valves 34 and 35 in series in this way, the backflow of hot water can be prevented more reliably than when there is only one check valve.

Further, an atmosphere release passage 36 is provided between the first check valve 34 and the second check valve 35, branching from the hot water supply passage 20, and an atmosphere release valve 37 capable of opening and closing the atmosphere release passage 36. is installed. The atmosphere release valve 37 is partitioned into a primary chamber 37b and a secondary chamber 37c by a diaphragm 37a, the water pressure passage 25 is connected to the primary chamber 37b, and the atmosphere release passage 36 is connected to the secondary chamber 37c. There is. Further, the secondary chamber 37c is provided with a valve body 37d supported by the diaphragm 37a, a valve opening spring 37e that urges the diaphragm 37a and the valve body 37d toward the primary chamber 37b, and is open to the atmosphere. A discharge passage 37f is connected thereto.

If clean water is being supplied to the water heater 10, the pressure of the clean water applied to the primary chamber 37b through the clean water pressure passage 25 causes the diaphragm 37a and the valve body 37d to double against the biasing force of the valve opening spring 37e. By being pushed into the next chamber 37c side, the atmosphere release valve 37 is in a closed state. When the pressure of the tap water decreases due to a water outage, etc., the diaphragm 37a and the valve body 37d are pushed back toward the primary chamber 37b by the urging force of the valve opening spring 37e, and the atmosphere release valve 37 is opened. Hot water between the first check valve 34 and the second check valve 35 is discharged from the discharge passage 37f. Therefore, even if the first check valve 34 and the second check valve 35 are incompletely closed, hot water can be prevented from flowing back from the bathtub 2 side to the water heater 10 side.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 of this embodiment. As described above, the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 of this embodiment employs a pilot type solenoid valve, and FIG. 3(a) shows the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 in a closed state. As shown in the figure, the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 has an inflow chamber 50 into which hot water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 32 flows in, and an outflow passage 51 through which hot water flows out toward the first check valve 34 through a cylindrical partition wall 52. The structure is such that an outflow passage 51 is formed inside the inflow chamber 50. Further, a diaphragm valve body 53 consisting of a valve body 53b supported by a diaphragm 53a is provided opposite to a valve seat 52a provided at an end of the partition wall 52, and the diaphragm valve body 53 is seated on the valve seat 52a. This blocks communication between the inflow chamber 50 and the outflow passage 51.

A back pressure chamber 54 is provided on the opposite side of the inflow chamber 50 and outflow passage 51 across the diaphragm valve body 53, and the communication passage 27 described above is connected to the back pressure chamber 54. Further, an orifice 55 is formed passing through the diaphragm valve body 53, and the inflow chamber 50 and the back pressure chamber 54 communicate with each other through the orifice 55. Furthermore, a pilot passage 56 that communicates the back pressure chamber 54 and the outflow passage 51 is provided, and a sub-valve seat 59 with a valve hole 58 penetrating through the center serves as a pilot valve 57 that can open and close this pilot passage 56. The actuator 60 is also provided.

The actuator 60 includes an electromagnetic coil 61 formed into a cylindrical shape by winding a conducting wire, a plunger 62 slidably arranged along the central axis of the electromagnetic coil 61, and a biasing spring 63 that biases the plunger 62 toward the sub-valve seat 59. When the electromagnetic coil 61 is not energized (the filling solenoid valve 31 is turned OFF), the biasing force of the biasing spring 63 causes the tip of the plunger 62 to abut against the sub-valve seat 59, blocking the valve hole 58, as shown in FIG. 3(a), and the pilot valve 57 is closed.

If the pilot passage 56 is thus blocked by closing the pilot valve 57, the hot water in the inflow chamber 50 will flow into the back pressure chamber 54 through the orifice 55, and the hot water will flow between the inflow chamber 50 and the back pressure chamber 54. pressure becomes equal. However, the pressure of hot water is applied to almost the entire surface of the diaphragm valve body 53 on the back pressure chamber 54 side, whereas the surface of the diaphragm valve body 53 on the inflow chamber 50 side is exposed to hot water on the outside of the partition wall 52. It only puts pressure on you. Due to this difference in pressure receiving area, the diaphragm valve body 53 is pushed from the back pressure chamber 54 side and seats on the valve seat 52a, so communication between the inflow chamber 50 and the outflow passage 51 is cut off, and the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is closed. It is in a state. Incidentally, since the emergency tap 28 at the end of the communication passage 27 connected to the back pressure chamber 54 is normally closed, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 will not be released through the communication passage 27.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic coil 61 is energized (the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 is turned on), the plunger 62 is drawn into the electromagnetic coil 61 by magnetic force, as shown in FIG. Since the valve is separated from the sub-valve seat 59, the valve hole 58 is opened and the pilot valve 57 is in an open state. As a result, hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 flows out into the outflow passage 51 through the pilot passage 56, and the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 decreases, so that the pressure of the hot water in the inflow chamber 50 causes the diaphragm valve body 53 to It is pushed toward the pressure chamber 54 and separated from the valve seat 52a. As a result, the inflow chamber 50 and the outflow passage 51 communicate with each other, and the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 is opened, thereby starting to fill the bathtub 2 with hot water.

The back pressure chamber 54 is connected to the inlet chamber 50 by the orifice 55, so when the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 drops, the hot water in the inlet chamber 50 flows into the back pressure chamber 54 through the orifice 55. However, since the orifice 55 has a smaller diameter than the pilot passage 56 (valve hole 58), the flow rate out of the pilot passage 56 is greater than the flow rate into the back pressure chamber 54 through the orifice 55. As a result, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 does not recover, and the diaphragm valve body 53 of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 remains in an open state.

After that, when the power supply to the electromagnetic coil 61 is stopped (the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 is turned OFF), the pilot passage 56 is blocked by closing the pilot valve 57 again as shown in FIG. 3(a), and the inflow chamber 50 As the hot water flows into the back pressure chamber 54 through the orifice 55, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 increases, so the diaphragm valve body 53 is pushed from the back pressure chamber 54 side and seats on the valve seat 52a. . As the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 returns to the closed state, filling of the bathtub 2 with hot water is stopped.

In the hot water filling system 1 that controls the filling of the bathtub 2 by opening and closing the pilot type solenoid valve as the hot water filling solenoid valve 31, for example, if a foreign object gets caught in the sliding part of the plunger 62 of the actuator 60, the electromagnetic Even if the coil 61 is energized, the pilot valve 57 may not open and the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 may not operate. If parts such as the pilot valve 57 need to be replaced, the bathtub 2 cannot be filled with hot water until the maintenance company completes the replacement and repair, which is very inconvenient. Therefore, in the hot water filling system 1 of this embodiment, even in the event of a failure in which the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 does not operate due to energization of the electromagnetic coil 61, it is possible to perform emergency hot water filling as follows. .

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where emergency hot water filling is performed in the hot water filling system 1 of this embodiment, and similarly to FIG. There is. As described above, the back pressure chamber 54 is connected to the communication passage 27 that extends to the outside of the housing 11 of the water heater 10, and the end of the communication passage 27 has a hole that can be opened and closed manually by the user. An emergency tap 28 is provided. The emergency stopcock 28 of this embodiment is a so-called plug stopper, which is opened by pulling it out from the end of the communication passage 27 and closed by inserting it into the end of the communication passage 27.

FIG. 4A shows a state in which the plunger 62 does not operate even when the electromagnetic coil 61 is energized, and the pilot valve 57 remains closed. At this time, if the user manually opens the emergency faucet 28 as shown in the figure, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 escapes to the outside via the communication passage 27 and decreases. The diaphragm valve element 53 is pushed toward the back pressure chamber 54 and separated from the valve seat 52a. As a result, the inflow chamber 50 and the outflow passage 51 communicate with each other, the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 becomes open, and it is possible to start filling the bathtub 2 with hot water in an emergency manner.

On the other hand, when stopping the filling of hot water, the user manually closes the emergency tap 28 as shown in FIG. When the hot water in the inflow chamber 50 flows into the back pressure chamber 54 through the orifice 55, the pressure of the hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 increases, and the diaphragm valve body 53 is pushed from the back pressure chamber 54 side, closing the valve. Take a seat on the seat 52a. In this way, the communication between the inflow chamber 50 and the outflow passage 51 is cut off, and the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 returns to the closed state, thereby making it possible to stop the temporary hot water filling.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the hot water filling control process executed by the control unit 40 of this embodiment to control the filling of the bathtub 2 with hot water. This hot water filling control process is executed based on the hot water filling switch 43 of the remote controller 41 being operated. In the hot water filling control process, first, the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is turned on (STEP 1). As described above, the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 of this embodiment uses a pilot type solenoid valve, and the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is turned on by energizing the electromagnetic coil 61 of the actuator 60.

Next, it is determined whether the measurement value of the flow rate sensor 32, which measures the flow rate of hot water in the hot water supply passage 20, is equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate (STEP 2). In the hot water supply passage 20 of this embodiment, hot water flows at a predetermined flow rate or more if the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is normally open. In addition, if the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 10 through the hot water supply passage 20 to the bathtub 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate, the flow of clean water is also detected by the water flow sensor 19 in the water supply passage 18. Then, if the measurement value of the flow rate sensor 32 is equal to or greater than the predetermined flow rate (STEP 2: yes), combustion is started in the burner 12 of the hot water supply device 10 (STEP 3). When combustion is started in the burner 12, the gas solenoid valve 15 in the gas passage 14 is opened and the combustion fan 16 is operated.

After starting combustion in the burner 12, it is determined whether or not filling the hot water has been completed (STEP 4). For example, based on the flow rate of hot water measured by the flow rate sensor 32, if the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 10 to the bathtub 2 reaches a preset amount of hot water, it can be determined that filling with hot water is completed. If the filling of hot water has not yet been completed (STEP 4: no), the system will be in a standby state until the filling of hot water is completed.

After that, when the hot water filling is completed (STEP 4: yes), the completion of the hot water filling is notified (STEP 5). In this embodiment, the completion of filling the water is notified by outputting sound from a speaker (not shown) built into the remote control 41 and displaying it on the display section 44 of the remote control 41.

Following the notification that the water filling is complete, the water filling solenoid valve 31 is turned OFF by stopping the flow of electricity to the electromagnetic coil 61 (STEP 6). Then, as the supply of hot water from the water heater 10 to the bathtub 2 is cut off by the water filling solenoid valve 31, the water flow sensor 19 in the water supply passage 18 no longer detects the flow of clean water, and combustion in the burner 12 of the water heater 10 is stopped (STEP 7). When combustion in the burner 12 is stopped, the gas solenoid valve 15 in the gas passage 14 is closed and then the combustion fan 16 is stopped. When combustion in the burner 12 is stopped in this way, the water filling control process in FIG. 5 is terminated.

The above has described the process performed when the measured value of the flow rate sensor 32 is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate (STEP 2: yes) in the determination in STEP 2. On the other hand, if the measured value of the flow rate sensor 32 is less than the predetermined flow rate even though the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is in the ON state (the solenoid coil 61 is energized), (STEP 2: no) , it is determined that the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 has a valve opening failure (failure), and the failure of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is notified (STEP 8). In this embodiment, the failure of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is notified by displaying it on the display section 44 of the remote control 41. Note that the control section 40 of this embodiment corresponds to the "determination section" of the present invention. Further, the display section 44 of the remote controller 41 of this embodiment corresponds to the "notification section" of the present invention.

Further, the time elapsed since the start of notification of the failure of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is measured, and it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed (STEP 9). If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (STEP 9: no), the process returns to STEP 2, and while checking whether the measured value of the flow rate sensor 32 is greater than or equal to the predetermined flow rate, the predetermined time at maximum has elapsed. It will be in standby mode until At this time, the user can understand the malfunction of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 by the notification on the display section 44 of the remote controller 41, so he/she can request a maintenance company to repair it and manually operate the emergency tap 28 as described above. It is possible to perform emergency filling with hot water.

However, if the specified time has elapsed without the emergency valve 28 being opened, or if the emergency valve 28 has been opened but the measurement value of the flow rate sensor 32 has not reached or exceeded the specified flow rate (STEP 9: yes), the filling control process in FIG. 5 is terminated. Note that if the measurement value of the flow rate sensor 32 does not reach or exceed the specified flow rate (water cannot be filled) even though the user has opened the emergency valve 28, this is likely not due to a malfunction of the filling solenoid valve 31, but rather due to another cause such as a clogged filter 33.

On the other hand, if the user opens the emergency tap 28 and the diaphragm valve body 53 of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 becomes open before the predetermined time elapses, the measured value of the flow rate sensor 32 will change. Since the flow rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate (STEP 2: yes), combustion is started in the burner 12 of the water heater 10 as described above (STEP 3). After that, when the hot water filling is completed (STEP 4; yes), the completion of hot water filling is notified (STEP 5), and the hot water filling solenoid valve 31, which is out of order, is turned off (STEP 6). At this time, when the emergency tap 28 is closed by the user, the diaphragm valve body 53 of the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 returns to the closed state, and the supply of hot water from the water heater 10 to the bathtub 2 is cut off. As a result, the flow of tap water is no longer detected by the water flow sensor 19 of the water supply passage 18, so combustion in the burner 12 of the water heater 10 is stopped (STEP 7), and the hot water filling control process of FIG. 5 is ended.

As described above, in the hot water filling system 1 of the present embodiment, the communication passage 27 extending to the outside of the housing 11 of the water heater 10 is connected to the back pressure chamber 54 of the pilot type solenoid valve as the hot water filling solenoid valve 31. is connected thereto, and an emergency stopcock 28 that can be opened and closed manually by the user is provided at the end of the communication passage 27. According to such a configuration, when the pilot valve 57 does not open even when the electromagnetic coil 61 is energized, and the hot water filling does not start due to a failure in which the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 does not operate, the user manually turns on the emergency tap. By opening the valve 28, the pressure of hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 is discharged through the communication passage 27, and the diaphragm valve body 53 of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 becomes open. It becomes possible to perform hot water filling. On the other hand, if the user manually closes the emergency faucet 28, the pressure of hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 will not escape through the communication passage 27, and the hot water in the inflow chamber 50 will pass through the orifice 55 and enter the back pressure chamber 54. By flowing in, the pressure of hot water in the back pressure chamber 54 increases, and the diaphragm valve body 53 of the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 31 returns to the closed state, so that emergency hot water filling can be stopped.

In addition, in the water filling system 1 of this embodiment, when the electromagnetic coil 61 is energized (water filling solenoid valve 31 is ON), if the measurement value of the flow rate sensor 32 is less than the predetermined flow rate, it is determined that the water filling solenoid valve 31 has failed to open (failed), and the display unit 44 of the remote control 41 is used to notify the user of the failure of the water filling solenoid valve 31. In this way, the user can learn of the failure of the water filling solenoid valve 31 by the notification on the display unit 44 of the remote control 41, and can request repairs from a maintenance company, and can perform emergency water filling by manually operating the emergency valve 28 without waiting for the repairs.

The above describes the hot water filling system 1 of this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the emergency plug 28 provided at the end of the communication passage 27 was described as a plug. However, the emergency faucet 28 is not limited to a plug, as long as the user can manually open and close it, and may be a stopcock that can be turned on and off by twisting it.

Further, in the embodiment described above, a failure of the hot water filling solenoid valve 31 is notified by displaying it on the display section 44 of the remote controller 41. However, the mode of notification is not limited to this, and for example, the notification may be made by lighting up a failure lamp provided on the remote control 41, or may be made by outputting audio from a speaker.

1... hot water filling system, 2... bathtub, 10... hot water supply device,
11...Housing, 12...Burner, 13...Combustion chamber,
14...Gas passage, 15...Gas solenoid valve, 16...Combustion fan,
17... Heat exchanger, 18... Water supply passage, 19... Water flow sensor,
20...Hot water supply passage, 21...Karan, 25...Water pressure passage,
27...Communication passage, 28...Emergency faucet, 30...Hot water filling control device,
31... Hot water filling solenoid valve, 32... Flow rate sensor, 33... Filter,
34...first check valve, 34a...valve body, 34b...valve closing spring,
35...Second check valve, 36...Atmospheric release passage, 37...Atmospheric release valve,
37a...Diaphragm, 37b...Primary chamber, 37c...Secondary chamber,
37d...valve body, 37e...valve opening spring, 37f...discharge passage,
40...control unit, 41...remote control, 42...setting switch,
43...Hot water filling switch, 44...Display section, 50...Inflow chamber,
51... Outflow passage, 52... Partition wall, 52a... Valve seat,
53...Diaphragm valve body, 53a...Diaphragm, 53b...Valve body,
54... Back pressure chamber, 55... Orifice, 56... Pilot passage,
57...Pilot valve, 58...Valve hole, 59...Sub-valve seat,
60...actuator, 61...electromagnetic coil, 62...plunger,
63...Biasing spring.

Claims (2)

In a hot water filling system that fills a bathtub with hot water by opening a pilot-type solenoid valve installed in a hot water passage that leads hot water from a water heater to a bathtub,
The pilot type solenoid valve is
an inflow chamber formed outside the cylindrical partition wall, into which hot water flows from the water heater side;
an outflow passage formed inside the partition wall and through which hot water flows out toward the bathtub side;
A diaphragm is supported by a diaphragm facing a valve seat provided at an end of the partition wall, and by sitting on the valve seat, communication between the inflow chamber and the outflow passage is cut off, and the flow from the valve seat a diaphragm valve body that communicates the inflow chamber and the outflow passage by being separated;
a back pressure chamber formed on the opposite side of the inflow chamber and the outflow passage across the diaphragm valve body;
an orifice that is provided through the diaphragm valve body and communicates the inflow chamber and the back pressure chamber;
a pilot passage that communicates the back pressure chamber and the outflow passage;
a pilot valve that is capable of opening and closing the pilot passage, is biased in a valve closing direction, and opens when energized;
A communication passage extending to the outside of the casing of the water heater is connected to the back pressure chamber,
A hot water filling system characterized in that an emergency tap that can be opened and closed manually by a user is provided at an end of the communication passage. The hot water filling system according to claim 1,
a flow rate sensor that measures the flow rate of hot water in the hot water supply passage;
a determination unit that determines that the pilot-operated solenoid valve has a valve opening failure based on a measured value of the flow rate sensor being less than a predetermined flow rate while the pilot valve is energized;
A hot water filling system comprising: a notification section that notifies a user that the pilot electromagnetic valve has been determined to have a valve opening failure by the determination section.

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