JP2515068B2 - Water heater controller - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater controller for performing a fluctuation operation in which the temperature of hot water heated by a heat exchanger is changed with time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a water heater, a massage shower that gives a massage effect by changing the temperature of the water ejected from the shower head in a predetermined temperature change pattern when using a shower as one of the hot water supply uses is considered. Has been. In order to perform this massage shower, a "fluctuation operation" is performed in which the heating amount by a heating means such as a burner is changed in accordance with a time change in response to a switch operation, and the hot water temperature is changed in accordance with the change in the heating amount. In this case, the hot water temperature that changes due to the fluctuation operation changes with the temperature set by a temperature setter such as a remote controller for setting the target temperature when performing normal hot water supply as the reference temperature, and the reference temperature is the hot water temperature. The hot water temperature changes so as to reach the center temperature of change or the upper limit temperature.

[0003]

However, when the water supply pipe for supplying water to the water heater is connected to an elevated water tank or the like, the water temperature gradually rises after the water supply is started, and at this time, the heat exchanger If the temperature of the supplied water is already high enough,
Even if an attempt is made to change the tapping temperature in a predetermined temperature change pattern by the fluctuation operation of the heating means, the temperature on the lower side of the temperature change pattern may not be obtained, and there is a problem that a sufficient fluctuation effect cannot be obtained. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a water heater which performs a fluctuation motion for a massage shower or the like, and a control device in which the user is not dissatisfied with the fluctuation motion that is halfway.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a temperature setter for setting a target temperature of hot water heated by a water heating circuit having a heating means, and water flowing into the water heating circuit. Water flow detection means, which activates the heating means when water flow to the water heating circuit is detected by the water flow detection means, and heats the heating means based on the target temperature of the temperature setting device. In a water heater control device for controlling the amount, the temperature of the hot water heated by the water heating circuit is changed within a predetermined temperature range according to the time change with the target temperature set by the temperature setting device as a reference temperature. and fluctuation operation switch for instructing the fluctuation operation to, a inflow water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water flowing into the water heating circuit, water flow is detected by said water flow detection means and the heating When the heating by stages being performed, the fluctuation when the fluctuation operation is instructed by the operation switch, the condition for the inflow water temperature detected by the inlet water temperature detection means exhibits a predetermined temperature difference with respect to the reference temperature If the temperature is below, perform the fluctuation operation,
If the inflow water temperature exceeds the above condition temperature,
The heating by the step is temporarily stopped, and then the heating means is restarted.
The technical means is to restart the heating by.

[0006]

In the present invention, when the water flow detecting means detects the water flow and the heating means is heating, when the fluctuation operation is instructed by the fluctuation operation switch, it is detected by the inflow water temperature detecting means. When the inflow water temperature is equal to or lower than the condition temperature at which a predetermined temperature difference is present with respect to the reference temperature set by the temperature setting device, the fluctuation operation in which the hot water temperature is effectively changed is performed. At this time, the hot water temperature changes within a predetermined temperature range with the target temperature as the reference temperature. On the contrary, when the inflow water temperature is higher than the condition temperature, the fluctuation operation is not performed and the heating of the heating means is temporarily stopped.
After that, heating is started again. Therefore, the user
You can feel that you cannot drive by feeling the decrease in hot water temperature.
Understand.

[0007]

According to the present invention, even if the fluctuation operation is instructed while heating the hot water, the fluctuation operation is performed only when the inflow water temperature is lower than the temperature of the predetermined relation to the set reference temperature in the fluctuation operation. If the inflow water temperature is too high , heating is stopped once, then heating is started, and the fluctuation
Hot water supply operation is performed instead of regular operation. Therefore, the user
You can feel the inability to perform fluctuating operation by reducing the water temperature.
The user can be dissatisfied with such an operation because the half-way fluctuation operation that the inflow water temperature is too high and the temperature on the lower side of the temperature change pattern cannot be obtained can be determined. Absent. In addition, the fact that fluctuation driving is not possible
After sensationally reported, the system automatically returns to normal hot water supply operation.
Therefore, it is easy to use.

[0008]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be explained based on examples. The gas automatic water heater 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a fully automatic water heater having an automatic hot water filling function for the bathtub B, a reheating function, and a heat retaining function in addition to the normal hot water supplying function. Provided on a main heat exchanger 11 for tensioning, a bath heat exchanger 12 for reheating, and some piping members and piping members for connecting these heat exchangers 11 and 12 to the bath B. Some control members, a main burner 2 for heating each heat exchanger 11, 12, a bath burner 3, a gas supply pipe 4 for supplying a fuel gas to each burner 2, 3, and a gas control for the gas supply pipe 4. Consists of several control valve members for.

A water supply pipe 13 for supplying water to the main heat exchanger 11.
Is connected to the outflow part of the main heat exchanger 11 by a water bypass pipe 14, and a hot water outlet pipe 15 is provided downstream thereof. The water supply pipe 13 is provided with a water supply flow rate sensor 31 for detecting the flow rate of the supplied water and a water supply temperature thermistor 32 for detecting the water supply temperature, and the hot water supply pipe 15 is for adjusting the hot water flow rate. A hot water amount servo 16 and a hot water temperature thermistor 33 for hot water temperature detection are provided, and a hot water supply pipe 15 is provided downstream of the hot water temperature thermistor 33 and a hot water supply pipe 17 and a hot water filling connection pipe 18.
It branches to and. The water bypass pipe 14 is provided with a water bypass solenoid valve 19 (hereinafter referred to as a water bypass valve) that is opened / closed according to the operating state.

A water filling solenoid valve (hereinafter referred to as a water filling valve) 20 for controlling the water filling, a water filling flow sensor 34 for detecting the water filling flow rate, a water cutoff in water supply, and the like are provided in the water filling connection pipe 18. A backflow prevention device 21 with a hopper for preventing backflow at the time of pressure decrease, and a first two-way valve 22 are provided in this order, and the filling pipe 18 is connected to the bath circulation circuit 23 downstream of the first two-way valve 22. It is connected. The backflow prevention device 21 is
The two check valves 21a, 21b are doubly arranged with respect to the connection pipe 18 for water filling, and an opening reversibly opened / closed between the check valves 21a, 21b is the opening / closing of the upstream check valve 21a. A hopper 21d for storing a small amount of hot water flowing out from the opening 21c when the check valve 21a is opened and closed is provided outside the opening 21c.
In order to discharge the hot and cold water accumulated in 1d, a drainage electromagnetic valve 21e that is opened at the end of the hot water filling is provided.

The bath circulation circuit 23 forms a closed circuit between the bath B and the bath heat exchanger 12.
8 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 12, and the first conduit 23A is connected to the bath heat exchanger 12. The second conduit 23 is connected to the connection part 23a and the bath B.
B, the third conduit 23 that directly connects the bath heat exchanger 12 and the bath
The hot water in the bathtub B is directed to the bath heat exchanger 12 by operating C when circulating hot water in the bathtub B and determining the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub B in the first conduit 23A. Pump 24 for circulation to be moved by moving, water flow switch 35 for detecting the flow of hot and cold water in bath circulation circuit 23, bath B
A bath thermistor 36 for detecting the hot water temperature inside is provided,
The second conduit 23B is provided with a second two-way valve 25 and a water level sensor 37 for detecting the water level in the bathtub B. In addition, in order to suppress the temperature of the hot water discharged into the bathtub B during reheating, a portion of the hot water is not passed between the first pipe line 23A and the third pipe line 23C. A bypass conduit 23D for circulating the water is provided so as to bypass the water flow switch 35, the bath thermistor 36, and the bath heat exchanger 12, and thereby quickly reheat while ensuring safety against burns and the like. In addition to this, bubbles for massage described later can be generated smoothly.

The bath circulation circuit 23 has a second pipe line 23.
The third pipe 23C is connected to the wall of the bathtub B by using the double-structured circulation fitting 26 in which the third conduit 23C is concentrically arranged in B.
The circulation metal fitting 26 has a separately provided opening of an air pipe 27 disposed in the third conduit 23C, and when the air solenoid valve 28 is opened when the pump 24 is operated by a predetermined control, the massage is directed toward the bathtub B. Generate bubbles.

The main heat exchanger 11 and the bath heat exchanger 12 are provided with a main burner 2 and a bath burner 3 to which fuel gas is supplied by a gas supply pipe 4, and each burner 2, 3 will be described later. It is controlled by the controller 40.
In the control device 40, a power switch (not shown) is turned on in a normal installation state, and power is constantly supplied,
A main remote controller 50 provided in a kitchen or the like and a bath remote controller 60 provided in a bathroom are provided.
Each operation operation described later is performed in response to the operation signal from 0, 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication control unit 41, the operation control unit 42, the temperature control unit 43, the combustion control unit 44, the water amount. It has each function part of the control part 45 and the bath control part 46.

The communication control unit 41 includes the remote controllers 50 and 6
A two-wire cable is provided between 0 and each remote controller 5
Each remote controller 5 supplies power to 0 and 60 and transmits the power by superimposing it on the power supply voltage using the same cable.
The operation signals from 0 and 60 are received, and the respective remote controllers 50 and 6 are received.
The operation signal and the display signal are transmitted to 0. The operation control unit 42 controls the filling operation, the hot water supply operation, the reheating operation, and the like according to the operation state of one remote controller to which the operation priority is given. There is a timer unit 42a for measuring the operating time, the waiting time, etc. for control.

The operation priority is mainly determined according to the operation state of the priority changeover switch 61 provided in the bath remote controller 60 shown in FIG. 3, and every time the priority changeover switch 61 is pushed once, The operation priority of the main remote controller 50 or the bath remote controller 60 is changed alternately, and the remote controller to which the operation priority has been given displays that fact. Also,
In this embodiment, when the operation priority is given to the main remote controller 50 and the fluctuation operation to be described later is instructed by the fluctuation switch 62 provided in the bath remote controller 60, the bath remote controller by the priority changeover switch 61 is used. Even if the operation priority switching operation to 60 is not performed, the operation priority switching operation to the bath remote controller 60 is automatically performed, and the operation priority right is given to the bath remote controller 60.

In the water filling operation, the water filling valve 2 is operated by operating a water filling switch provided on each remote controller 50, 60.
0, the first two-way valve 22 and the second two-way valve 25 are opened in a predetermined order to start supplying hot water to the bathtub B, and a predetermined amount of water is filled according to the set water level. When it is detected by the flow rate sensor 34, the water filling operation is switched to the water filling operation based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 37, and when the set water level is detected, the water filling operation is ended. During this time, the bath remote control 60
The main heat exchanger 11 is heated by the main burner 2 by controlling the temperature control unit 43, the fuel control unit 44, and the water amount control unit 45 in accordance with the hot water filling temperature. After that, in order to bring the hot water temperature in the bathtub B to the hot water filling set temperature, the pump 24 is driven to detect the hot water temperature in the bathtub B by the bath thermistor 36. The bath control unit 46 is controlled to carry out the additional heating operation, and the bath burner 3 heats the bath heat exchanger 12 until the bath filling temperature is reached.

The hot water supply target temperature of the hot water to be heated in the hot water supply operation is usually a constant temperature determined based on the hot water supply set temperature of the remote controller to which the operation priority is given. When the shower is used, a fluctuation operation function is provided to change the hot water temperature in a predetermined pattern to perform a “fluctuation shower” for obtaining a massage effect by hot water. Therefore, the hot water supply operation includes a hot water supply mode in which normal hot water is supplied to maintain the hot water discharge temperature at a constant target temperature, and a fluctuation mode in which a "fluctuation shower" is performed. The hot water supply mode is a hot water supply operation performed for a constant set hot water temperature when the fluctuation switch 62 does not indicate the fluctuation mode.
In the hot water supply mode, the hot water supply standby state is set in response to the operation of the operation switch of each remote controller 50, 60, and a hot water supply tap (not shown) is opened to allow water having a flow rate exceeding the operation start flow rate to pass through the main heat exchanger 11. When detected by the flow rate sensor 31, the main burner 2 is heated by controlling the temperature control unit 43, the fuel control unit 44, and the water amount control unit 45 based on the hot water supply set temperature of the remote controller given the operation priority. .

The fluctuation mode is performed in response to the operation of the fluctuation switch 62 provided on the bath remote controller 60. The fluctuation temperature of the hot water supplied is changed in a predetermined pattern. It is used when giving a shower. As fluctuation mode,
Fluctuation switch 62 during normal hot water supply in hot water supply mode
Is operated and the fluctuation mode is instructed, the fluctuation operation is started in response to the switch operation, and the outlet heated water temperature changes in a predetermined manner. In the hot water supply mode, when the fluctuation switch 62 instructs the fluctuation mode to the hot water supply standby state in which the hot water supply operation is possible, when the fluctuation switch 62 is operated, the fluctuation mode is set to the fluctuation standby state, and then the hot water supply such as the shower head is performed. When the stopcock that communicates with the mouth is opened and hot water supply is started, the fluctuation operation is started and the hot water outlet temperature changes in a predetermined pattern.

The change of the hot water supply temperature in the fluctuation operation is caused by the change of the hot water supply target temperature in a predetermined pattern, and the change of the target temperature in the temperature control unit 43 and the gas supply amount in the combustion control unit 44 accordingly. Done. In the hot water supply mode, when the fluctuation switch 62 is operated to the hot water supply standby state in which the hot water supply operation is not performed, the fluctuation waiting state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) after the fluctuation waiting state. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the fluctuation mode is automatically canceled and the hot water supply mode is set, and the hot water supply standby state is set. Further, in the fluctuation waiting state as the fluctuation mode, when the fluctuation operation is started by supplying hot water within a predetermined time after the fluctuation mode is entered, or by changing the fluctuation mode by operating the fluctuation switch 62 during the hot water supply operation. When the fluctuating operation is started, the fluctuating operation can be performed only for a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) after each fluctuating operation is started, and the fluctuation operation is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) or more. In this case, the fluctuation mode is automatically released when the predetermined time has elapsed and the fluctuation operation ends, and then the hot water supply mode is changed to the normal hot water supply operation. Furthermore, during the fluctuation operation in fluctuation mode, close the stopcock, etc.
Even when the detected flow rate of the hot water supply flow rate sensor 31 is less than the operation stop flow rate and the hot water supply is finished, the fluctuation mode is automatically canceled and the hot water supply mode is set when the fluctuation operation stops with the combustion of the main burner 3. After that, when hot water is supplied again, the fluctuation operation is not performed even if it is within a predetermined time after the switching to the fluctuation mode or the start of the fluctuation operation, and the normal hot water supply operation is performed as the hot water supply mode.

On the other hand, when the fluctuation switch 62 is operated during the above-described hot water filling operation, the hot water filling operation is temporarily interrupted to enter the fluctuation standby state as the fluctuation mode in the hot water supply operation, and the fluctuation standby state is released or fluctuated. When the fluctuation mode is released due to the end of the operation, the suspended filling operation is restored, and the filling operation is performed so as to continue from the state before the interruption. When the fluctuation switch 62 is operated to instruct to stop the fluctuation motion during the fluctuation standby state or during the fluctuation motion, or the priority changeover switch 61 is operated, the operation priority right is switched from the bath remote controller 60 to the main remote controller 50. In this case, the fluctuation mode for the fluctuation operation is canceled, and the fluctuation standby state is changed to the normal hot water supply standby state or the fluctuation operation is changed to the normal hot water supply operation. At this time, the change from the fluctuation operation to the normal hot water supply operation is to detect the flow rate higher than the working flow rate even after the main burner 2 is extinguished once the fluctuation operation ends and the extinguishing operation is completed in a predetermined sequence. Main burner 2 again
The ignition operation is performed to supply hot water.

The temperature control unit 43 has a feedforward control unit (hereinafter referred to as "FF control unit") 43a and a feedback control unit (hereinafter referred to as "FB control unit") 43b, and via the communication control unit 41. The target heating amount of the main burner 2 is determined based on the set temperatures transmitted from the remote controllers 50 and 60, the detected information of the hot water supply temperature thermistor 32, the hot water supply temperature thermistor 33, and the hot water supply flow rate sensor 31. In the normal hot water supply operation and the hot water filling operation, the FF control unit 43a performs the feedforward control for determining the target temperature based on each set temperature, the water supply flow rate, and the target heating amount based on the water supply temperature and detected by the hot water temperature thermistor 33. When the discharged hot water temperature satisfies a predetermined condition, feedback control by the FB control unit 43b based on the discharged hot water temperature is further performed together with the feed forward control to stabilize the discharged hot water temperature.

In the FF control unit 43a of this embodiment, the target heating amount (gas supply amount) Qf by the feedforward control is set.
f is given by the following equation. Qff = (Tset-Tin) × W ÷ EX where Tset is the target temperature set by the remote controller, T
in is the water temperature detected by the water temperature thermistor 32, W
Is the water supply flow rate detected by the water supply flow rate sensor 31, and EX is the heat exchange rate. Further, the target heating amount (gas supply amount) Q when the feedback control by the FB control unit 43b is performed together with the feedforward control is given by the following equation. Q = Qff + P + I + D where P is a proportional correction amount in feedback control,
I is the integral correction amount in the feedback control, D is the differential correction amount in the feedback control, P = E (Tset-Tout) * W I = I {n-1} + bWn * (Tset-Tout) D = [Delta] Tout * respectively given by d. In the above equations, E is a proportional constant, Tout is the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature thermistor 33, I {n-1} is the previously obtained integral correction amount, and b
Is an integration constant, Wn is the current flow rate, ΔTout is the difference between the hot water temperature at this time and the hot water temperature at the previous time, and d is a negative constant.

On the other hand, in the fluctuation operation in the hot water supply operation,
The above feedback control is not performed at all, and the target temperature is determined only by the feedforward control. That is, the proportional correction amount P, the integral correction amount I, and the differential correction amount D described above.
Combustion control is performed only by the target heating amount Qff without using. As a result, the hot water temperature in the fluctuation operation can be quickly changed according to the target temperature, the temperature change characteristics of the hot water and hot water are improved, and an excellent massage effect is obtained.

When the detected flow rate of the feed water flow rate sensor 31 becomes equal to or higher than the operation flow rate, the combustion control section 44 activates an ignition device (not shown) and also a gas proportional valve 5 arranged in the gas supply passage 4 to the main burner 2. Gas solenoid valves 6, 6a, blower 7
When the ignition detection is performed by a flame detection member such as a frame rod or a thermocouple (not shown) in accordance with a predetermined sequence, the ignition control is performed based on the target heating amount determined by the temperature control unit 43. Determine the gas supply amount, drive the blower 7 accordingly,
The number of revolutions of the blower 7 is detected to control the above valves to heat the water passing through the main heat exchanger 11 to the target temperature. In addition, as a safety control, when misfire is detected by the flame detection member during heating, the gas solenoid valves 6 and 6a are closed to stop the supply of fuel gas to the main burner 2.

The water amount control unit 45 controls the opening degree of the water amount servo 16 and the open / closed state of the water bypass solenoid valve 19 so that the flow rate of the water supplied by the water supply pipe 13 corresponds to the heating capacity of the main burner 2. To ensure the hot water supply flow rate and prevent drainage. The bath controller 46 closes the first two-way valve 22 and opens the second two-way valve 25 by the control from the operation controller 42 in the boiling and reheating operations as the final operation of the filling operation. When the water flow is detected by the water flow switch 35 when 24 is driven, the ignition device (not shown) is activated, and
The bath solenoid valve 8 and the bath fan 9 are operated to control the combustion of the bath burner 3, and when the bath thermistor 36 detects a predetermined temperature or when a predetermined time elapses, the bath burner 3 is operated. Stop burning. In addition,
4A in the gas supply path 4 is a source solenoid valve for stopping all gas supply to the burners 2 and 3, and 8a is a gas governor for keeping the gas supply pressure constant.

Each of the remote controllers 50 and 60 has a microcomputer operated by electric power supplied from the control device 40, has an operating switch, a water filling switch and the like (not shown), and supplies hot water as a target temperature in each operation. Equipped with several setting switches for setting the temperature or filling temperature, etc., and a liquid crystal display device for displaying the operating state and operating state of each, hot water supply operation, filling operation according to the operation of each switch. Etc., and the setting information of each operation is transmitted to the control device 40. In particular, the bath remote controller 60 is provided with a priority changeover switch 61 for preferentially setting the hot water supply temperature with respect to the main remote controller 50, and the hot water discharge temperature is set to a predetermined value in order to give a massage effect when the shower is used in the hot water supply operation. A fluctuation switch 62 is provided for performing a "fluctuation shower" that changes in accordance with the pattern.

The functional configuration and functions of the bath remote controller 60 for hot water supply operation will be described below. As shown in FIG. 3, the bath remote controller 60 includes a hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 for setting a hot water supply target temperature according to a signal from a hot water supply temperature setting switch 63 including a pair of push button switches for setting the hot water supply temperature, and a fluctuation. A fluctuation temperature generator 72 for changing the hot water supply target temperature according to a fluctuation operation instruction to the switch 62, and one of these is selected according to the hot water supply mode or fluctuation mode in the hot water supply operation, and the bath remote control 60 is used. There is an operation selection unit 73 for setting the hot water supply target temperature.

The hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 is provided with a hot water supply temperature setting switch 6 in the hot water supply mode in which the fluctuation operation is not performed.
In accordance with the pushing operation to 3, the temperature is changed step by step between 35 ° C and 75 ° C, and the controller 4 is set as the hot water supply target temperature.
Transmit to 0. Further, when switching from the fluctuation mode to the hot water supply mode, the upper limit temperature in the fluctuation operation determined by the upper limit temperature determination unit 74 of the fluctuation temperature generation unit 72 described later is set as the hot water supply set temperature in the hot water supply operation.

Fluctuation temperature generation unit 72 is a functional unit for generating a hot water supply target temperature that changes in a predetermined pattern in order to change the hot water discharge temperature during the fluctuation operation in the fluctuation mode, and upper limit temperature determination unit 74. , A basic signal generator 75, a signal selector 76, and a lower limit temperature limiter 77.

The upper limit temperature determining unit 74 is a unit that determines the upper limit temperature of the hot water supply target temperature that changes in a predetermined pattern in the fluctuation operation as the reference temperature of the present invention.
The hot water supply set temperature of hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 when the hot water supply mode is switched to the fluctuation mode is determined as the upper limit temperature of the hot water supply target temperature in the fluctuation operation. However, in consideration of the purpose of "fluctuation shower" for the purpose of massage effect and the substance of use, it is not preferable for the human body to have a temperature higher or lower than necessary, so it is not preferable from the safety and sensory viewpoints. The unit 74 sets the determinable upper limit temperature to 3
It is limited to the range of 9 ° C to 44 ° C, and as shown in Fig. 4, the hot water supply target temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 is 4
If the temperature exceeds 4 ° C, the maximum value of the maximum temperature will be 4
When the hot water supply target temperature is 4 ° C. and is lower than 39 ° C., it is set to 39 ° C. as the minimum value of the upper limit temperature, and 39 ° C. to 4 ° C.
Regarding the temperature between 4 ° C., the temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch 63 is determined as the upper limit temperature.

The basic signal generator 75 preliminarily sets the power spectrum of the temperature change to 1 / f with respect to its frequency f, as shown in FIG. 5, for the massage effect by the "fluctuation shower". A signal storage unit that stores some of the determined signal patterns S0, S1, S2, and S3, and the signal patterns S0 to S3 are read and the upper limit value is shifted so as to match the upper limit temperature of the upper limit temperature determination unit 74. When the fluctuation operation is started, each of the signal patterns S0 to S3 is read in a predetermined order instructed by the signal selection unit 76 described below and used as a signal of the hot water supply target temperature. In the present embodiment, the change of the outlet hot water temperature due to the fluctuation operation is not started until the outlet hot water temperature reaches the upper limit temperature, and when it is transmitted from the control device 40 that the upper limit temperature is detected by the outlet hot water temperature thermistor 33, the outlet hot water temperature is transmitted. The reading of the signal pattern for the change of the signal starts, and at the beginning of the fluctuation operation, the initial signal S0 in which the temperature simply changes between the maximum value and the minimum value included in the changing signal patterns S1 to S3 is read. Was issued and then
The signal patterns S1 to S3 are read out in a predetermined order according to the selection signal of the signal selection unit 76, and thereafter, the initial signal S
0 and the signal pattern S selected according to the signal selection unit 76
1 to S3 are read alternately.

The signal selecting section 76 is a section for determining the reading order of the plurality of signal patterns S1 to S3 stored in the basic signal generating section 75. The reading order is defined by the user of the "fluctuation shower" for each signal. In order to make the order of the patterns S1 to S3 insensitive, the patterns are read out in a different order each time the fluctuation operation is performed. Here, the signal patterns S1 to S3 read out by a predetermined arithmetic expression based on the number of fluctuation operations by the fluctuation switch 62 and the reading order thereof are calculated. Since these are sequentially calculated during the fluctuation operation, the fluctuation operation is performed. Even when it ’s relatively long,
The user does not feel the pattern of changes in the tap water temperature.

The temperature signal of the basic signal generator 75 read out as the hot water supply target temperature may include a low target temperature which is not suitable as the hot water supply target temperature, depending on the set upper limit temperature. If the combustion control is performed according to the above, there is a possibility that a cold feeling may be felt and a defective operation such as generation of drain may occur depending on the use conditions. In order to prevent such defective operation, the lower limit temperature limiter 77 limits the minimum target temperature when the temperature signal of the basic signal generator 75 includes a low target temperature, and corrects it to a temperature at which no defective operation occurs. The target temperature limiting means of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, among the temperature signals shifted by the signal reading section of the basic signal generating section 75, all the temperature signals below 30 ° C. indicated by the broken line are corrected to 30 ° C. There is.

The operation selecting section 73 is a functional section for changing the setting state of the hot water supply target temperature in accordance with the hot water supply mode or the fluctuation mode which is switched by the operation state of the fluctuation switch 62 and the like. In the case of the fluctuation standby state or the fluctuation operation in which the hot water supply target temperature is determined by the temperature generation unit 72, the fluctuation standby state or the fluctuation operation is completed in response to the operation of the fluctuation switch 62 or according to the above-mentioned conditions. When information indicating that the fluctuation mode has been released is transmitted from control device 40, hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 switches to setting the hot water supply target temperature. Thus, in the hot water supply mode, the hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 sets the hot water supply target temperature in both the hot water supply standby state and the hot water supply operation, and in the fluctuation mode, in both the fluctuation standby state and the fluctuation operation. The fluctuation temperature generation unit 72 sets the hot water supply target temperature and changes the hot water supply temperature accordingly.

As described above, since the change of the hot water supply target temperature in the fluctuation operation is limited, it is possible to realize a very effective "fluctuation shower" in the normal use, but the water supply pipe 13 is the solar hot water. If the water is supplied from an elevated water tank or the like, or if the outside air is extremely hot, the temperature of the water supplied to the water supply pipe 13 is There are cases where the hot water supply target temperature is high and the temperature of water supplied during hot water supply gradually rises. In such cases,
Even if the hot water supply target temperature changes with time, the hot water supply temperature itself is sufficiently high, so the hot water supply temperature does not follow it. Therefore, the effect of fluctuation cannot be obtained. Therefore, the water supply temperature Tin detected by the water supply temperature thermistor 32 is 1 from the upper limit temperature Tu of the changed hot water supply target temperature.
For a condition temperature Tk lower by 0 ° C., Tin> Tk However, when Tk = Tu−10, the fluctuation operation is not performed,
Alternatively, the fluctuation operation is interrupted. In addition,
The condition temperature Tk is set to 30 ° C. when the upper limit temperature Tu is 39 ° C.

Next, the operation relating to the fluctuation mode of the automatic gas water heater 1 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. When the fluctuation switch 62 is turned on and the fluctuation mode is instructed (YES in step 1).
S), it is determined whether or not the operation priority is given to the main remote controller 50, and when the operation priority is given to the bath remote controller 60 (NO in step 2),
The hot water supply mode is switched to the fluctuation mode (step 3), and at this time, the 15-minute timer starts counting in the timer section 42a.

When the operation remote control is given to the main remote controller 50 (YES in step 2), the operation priority is switched (step 4), and the bath remote controller 60 is given the operation priority and thereafter. Then, the process proceeds to step 3, the hot water supply mode is switched to the fluctuation mode, and the 15-minute timer starts counting. When the hot water supply mode is switched to the fluctuation mode, bath remote controller 60 and main remote controller 50 display the fluctuation mode on their respective liquid crystal display devices. When the operation priority is switched to the bath remote controller 60 by switching the operation priority, the main remote controller 50 displays a display indicating the operation priority accordingly.
To the bath remote control 60.

In the fluctuation mode, the upper limit temperature determining unit 74 of the fluctuation temperature generating unit 72 determines the upper limit temperature Tu in the fluctuation operation according to the temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch 63, which is in the fluctuation mode. Can be changed by operating the hot water supply temperature setting switch 63. When the fluctuation mode is entered, whether or not the hot water supply operation is being performed is determined as the operation state determination (step 5). If the hot water supply operation is not being performed (NO in step 5), it is determined whether or not the hot water filling operation is being performed (step 6). If the filling operation is not performed (N in step 6
O), the fluctuation standby state is set, and the determinations after step 10 are performed. If the water filling operation is being performed (YES in step 6), the water filling operation is once interrupted (step 7), and 3 seconds have elapsed since the process of interrupting the water filling operation was started (YES in step 8). , And shifts to step 10.

In step 5, when the hot water supply operation is performed (YES), the water supply temperature Tin by the water supply temperature thermistor 32 is Tin> Tk with respect to the condition temperature Tk based on the above-mentioned upper limit temperature Tu. If the feed water temperature Tin is higher than the condition temperature Tk (YES in step 19), step 1 described later is performed.
6, the fluctuation mode is released and the mode is switched to the hot water supply mode. At this time, the main burner 2 is once extinguished, and directly informs the user that the fluctuation operation cannot be performed. After that, when the water flow is continued, the hot water supply operation is performed again.

When the water supply temperature Tin is not higher than the condition temperature Tk (NO in step 19), the process moves to step 20 to start the fluctuation operation, whereby the hot water supply target temperature changes in a predetermined pattern, and The hot water temperature changes accordingly. On the other hand, in step 10, the main heat exchanger 11
It is determined whether or not the flow rate of water passing through is equal to or higher than the operation flow rate for starting the operation of the main burner 2.

When the detected flow rate of the water supply flow rate sensor 31 is not higher than the operation flow rate (NO in step 10), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to stop the fluctuation operation by the fluctuation switch 62 (step 11), and the fluctuation switch 6
If there is no 2 OFF operation (N in step 11
O) Further, it is determined whether or not there is a switching operation of the operation priority right from the bath remote controller 60 to the main remote controller 50 by the priority changeover switch 61 (step 12), and when there is no operation priority switching operation (step 12). At N
O), it is determined whether or not 15 minutes have elapsed since the 15 minute timer started counting (step 13). If 15 minutes have not elapsed (NO in step 13), the process proceeds to step 10 and Each determination of steps 10 to 13 is repeated. When all of the above steps 10 to 13 are NO, the control device 40 repeats the loop of steps 10 to 13 until the water stop cock is opened and the hot water supply operation by the fluctuation operation is started. Waiting for the fluctuation.

When the flow rate detected by the water supply flow rate sensor 31 becomes equal to or higher than the operation flow rate due to the water stopcock being opened in the above fluctuation standby state (YES in step 10), the water supply temperature by the water supply temperature thermistor 32. Ti
It is determined whether n is Tin> Tk with respect to the condition temperature Tk based on the upper limit temperature Tu, and the feed water temperature Ti
If n is higher than the condition temperature Tk (YES in step 14), the hot water outlet temperature does not reach the target temperature for the fluctuation operation even if the temperature control is performed, so the water flow continues, but the ignition of the main burner 2 continues. No action is taken, step 10
Wait for the feed water temperature Tin to drop. When the supply water temperature Tin is equal to or lower than the condition temperature Tk (step 14
After that, the 15-minute timer of the timer unit 42a is cleared and restarted at that point (step 1
5) The process moves to step 20 and the fluctuation operation is performed.

On the other hand, when the fluctuation switch 62 is turned off in the fluctuation standby state (YES in step 11), the fluctuation mode is canceled (step 1).
6) Return to the state before the fluctuation switch 62 was turned on. Further, in the fluctuation standby state, when the operation priority is switched by the priority changeover switch 61 and the operation priority is switched from the bath remote controller 60 to the main remote controller 50 (YE in step 12).
S), the fluctuation mode is canceled (step 16). Similarly, when the fluctuation standby state has passed for 15 minutes (YES in step 13), the fluctuation mode is automatically canceled even if the above-described cancellation operations are not performed (step 16). When the fluctuation mode is canceled in the fluctuation standby state, the fluctuation standby state is returned to the hot water supply standby state, or the hot water filling operation is returned to the hot water filling operation.

Next, the fluctuation operation in step 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the fluctuation operation means that hot water is actually supplied in the fluctuation mode, and at that time, the hot water outlet temperature changes in a predetermined pattern. When the process proceeds to step 20 according to the result of the determination in step 14 or step 19 above, the fluctuation operation is started (step 21) and the bath remote controller 6
The fluctuation temperature that changes in a predetermined pattern in accordance with the upper limit temperature Tu determined according to the hot water supply target temperature of the hot water supply temperature setting unit 71 at 0 is transmitted to the temperature adjustment control unit 43 via the communication control unit 41 of the control device 40. It At this time, the temperature control unit 43 determines the target heating amount only by the FF control unit 43a, and the combustion control unit 44 controls the combustion of the main burner 2 accordingly.

Once the fluctuation operation is started, the operation is stopped in accordance with each of the following discrimination results. The condition for stopping the fluctuation operation is almost the same as the condition for canceling the fluctuation mode in the fluctuation waiting state described above, and when the detected flow rate of the water supply flow rate sensor 31 becomes equal to or lower than the operation stop flow rate (YES in step 22), When the fluctuation operation is turned off by the fluctuation switch 62 (step 2)
3), the operation priority is switched from the bath remote controller 60 to the main remote controller 50 by the priority selector switch 61 (YES in step 24),
When the duration of the fluctuation operation exceeds 15 minutes (YES in step 25), the fluctuation mode ends and the main burner 2 is extinguished in any of these cases (step 27), and then step 16 And the fluctuation mode is automatically canceled.

All of the above steps 22 to 25 are N
In the case of O, when the fluctuation operation is being performed, the outlet hot water temperature depends on the target temperature due to the change of the water supply temperature Tin of the water supplied to the water supply pipe 13 despite the fluctuation operation being performed. In some cases, it may not change. Therefore, even during the fluctuation operation, the feed water temperature thermistor 3
It is determined whether or not the feed water temperature Tin according to No. 2 is Tin> Tk with respect to the condition temperature Tk based on the upper limit temperature Tu, and if the feed water temperature Tin is higher than the condition temperature Tk (YES in step 26). ), The hot water outlet temperature does not reach the target temperature of the fluctuation operation even if the temperature control is performed, so the process proceeds to step 27, the fluctuation operation is terminated, the fire extinguishing operation of the main burner 2 is performed, and the feed water temperature Tin is the condition temperature. Tk
If it is below (NO in step 26), the process proceeds to step 22, and the fluctuation operation is continued while repeating the determinations of step 22 and subsequent steps.

When the fluctuation operation is completed in accordance with each of the above conditions in step 20, and when the process moves from step 23, 24, 25, 26 other than step 22 to step 27, the main burner 2 is extinguished once. If the flow rate does not drop below the operation stop flow rate after the operation, the upper limit temperature T
The hot water supply operation with u as the hot water supply target temperature is restarted. Further, when the fluctuation operation is completed after shifting from step 22 to step 27, the hot water filling operation before the fluctuation mode or the hot water supply standby state is returned.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the fluctuation operation is instructed during hot water supply, the water temperature detected by the water supply temperature thermistor is higher than the condition temperature Tk lower by 10 ° C. than the upper limit temperature Tu of the fluctuation operation. In this case, since the fluctuating operation is stopped, there is no halfway fluctuating operation in which the temperature on the lower side of the temperature change pattern cannot be obtained, and the user is not dissatisfied with such an operation.

In this embodiment, the target temperature set by the bath remote controller 60 is
Since it is set as the upper limit temperature in the fluctuation operation, the upper limit of the outlet heated water temperature can be intuitively understood and the setting of the target temperature can be changed with confidence. In the above-described embodiment, when the fluctuation operation is instructed by the fluctuation switch 62 during the hot water supply cormorant fuel, if the supply water temperature Tin detected by the supply water temperature thermistor 32 exceeds the condition temperature Tk, the fluctuation operation is stopped and Although the combustion of the main burner 2 is also shown, only the fluctuation operation may be stopped, and the normal burner operation may be performed while the main burner 2 is still combusted. In the above embodiment, the upper limit temperature in the fluctuation pattern is set and the lower limit temperature limiter is provided, but the upper limit temperature limiter may be provided by setting the lower limit temperature. Alternatively, both the upper limit temperature limiter and the lower limit temperature limiter may be provided by setting the center temperature in the fluctuation pattern. In the present invention, the temperature set by the target temperature setting device may be a temperature set by the user or may be automatically corrected to a desired temperature by the target temperature setting device. Note that automatic correction means that the temperature set during the previous hot water supply is high and you try to start fluctuation without changing the set temperature, or even if you set the temperature, the temperature remains There are cases where the temperature is uncomfortable and uncomfortable after showering. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 13, the hot water discharge pipe 15, and the water bypass pipe 14 and the water bypass valve 19 that bypass the water supply pipe 13 are shown, but they may not be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an automatic gas water heater showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device for an automatic gas water heater showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a bath remote controller in the automatic gas water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the hot water supply target temperature and the fluctuation upper limit temperature in the bath remote control showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing the waveform of the target temperature by the fluctuation temperature generator in the bath remote controller of the automatic gas water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing correction characteristics of a target temperature in a lower limit temperature limiter in a bath remote controller of the automatic gas water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an operation regarding a fluctuation mode in the gas automatic water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of a fluctuation operation in the automatic gas water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Gas Automatic Water Heater (Water Heater) 31 Water Supply Flow Rate Sensor (Water Flow Detection Means) 32 Water Supply Temperature Thermistor (Inflow Water Temperature Detection Means) 40 Control Device (Water Heater Control Device) 62 Fluctuation Switch (Fluctuation Operation Switch) 63 Hot Water Temperature Setting switch (temperature setting device)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Yamada 2-26 Fukuzumi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Rinnai Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-62-166258 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A temperature setting device for setting a target temperature of hot water heated by a water heating circuit having a heating means, and a water flow detecting means for detecting water flowing into the water heating circuit, Control of the water heater for operating the heating means when water passage to the water heating circuit is detected by the water passage detecting means, and controlling the heating amount of the heating means based on the target temperature of the temperature setting device In the device, a fluctuation operation instructing a fluctuation operation in which the temperature of the hot water heated by the water heating circuit is changed within a predetermined temperature range according to time change with the target temperature set by the temperature setting device as a reference temperature. A switch and an inflow water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of water flowing into the water heating circuit are provided, and the water flow detection means detects water flow and heating by the heating means is performed. If that, when the fluctuation operation is instructed by the fluctuation operation switch, wherein when the inflow water temperature detected by the inlet water temperature detecting means conditions the temperature below which exhibits a predetermined temperature difference with respect to the reference temperature,
When the fluctuation operation is performed and the inflow water temperature exceeds the condition temperature,
Stop heating by the heating means, and then restart the heating
A controller for a water heater characterized by restarting heating by means .