JP2541663Y2 - Electric water heater remaining hot water display - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Object of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an improvement of a remaining hot water display device of an electric water heater.

(Prior Art) An electric water heater is provided with a hot water tank 1 as shown in FIG. The hot water tank is provided with a heater 2 at a lower portion to raise the water inside to a predetermined temperature. A water supply port 3 is provided at a lower portion of the hot water tank 1 and a tapping pipe 4 is provided at an upper portion. Therefore, when hot water is used, water is supplied from the supply pipe 3 into the hot water tank 1.

On the other hand, in the hot water tank 1, the thermistors 5, 6, and 7 for detecting the remaining hot water are arranged at predetermined intervals from the bottom to the top of the hot water tank 1 in order to detect the remaining hot water amount. These thermistors 5, 6, and 7 for detecting remaining hot water have resistance values that change according to the temperature, and output respective detection signals corresponding to the temperature. These detection signals are sent to an arithmetic processing unit (not shown). The arithmetic processing unit receives each detection signal, compares the detected temperature with a set temperature T for discriminating between hot water and cold water, and turns on a lamp if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature T, If the temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature T, the lamp is turned off. However, the internal temperature of the hot water tank 1 is lower than that of the hot water tank 1,
The temperature at each of the middle and upper positions is displayed. Therefore, for example, if the display based on the detected temperature of the remaining hot water detection thermistors 6 and 7 is turned on and the display based on the detected temperature of the remaining hot water detection thermistor 5 is turned off, the remaining hot water detection thermistors 6 of the hot water tank 1 are turned off. It turns out that there is residual hot water in the portion where 7 is arranged.

However, in the above-described apparatus, it is difficult to accurately detect the remaining hot water amount because the detected temperature is compared with one set temperature. In other words, the internal temperature distribution of the hot water tank 1 is such that the water is supplied from the lower part as the hot water is used, so that the upper part has the hot water temperature and the lower part has the water temperature as shown in FIG. And a hot water mixture layer 8. Therefore, when the set temperature T is determined based on the temperature of the hot water on the low-temperature side of the hot and cold water mixing layer 8 and the hot water temperature and the water temperature are determined based on the temperature T, the remaining hot water amount is the amount of the hot water and water mixing layer 8 that does not reach a high temperature. For example, a wide range of hot water amount of about 80 ° C. to 45 ° C. is displayed without distinction between the high temperature and the hot and cold water mixed layer 8.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, since each detected temperature is compared with the set temperature based on the hot water temperature of the hot / water mixed layer usable as a low temperature, the high temperature existing in the hot water tank 1 is high. It becomes difficult to accurately detect the amount of remaining hot water that distinguishes between hot water and low-temperature hot water, which may lead to misjudgment of hot water usage.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a remaining water amount display device of an electric water heater that can accurately detect and display the remaining water amount in a hot water tank by distinguishing high-temperature water and low-temperature water.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In the present invention, water is supplied to a hot water tank from a lower part, hot water is supplied from an upper part, and water, hot water, and water formed inside the hot water tank are provided. The position of the hot-water mixture layer between the hot water and the hot water varies in the hot water supply after boiling, and the remaining hot water amount display device of the electric water heater, wherein the internal temperature of the hot water tank is provided at each predetermined position from the lower level to the upper level of the hot water tank A plurality of temperature detectors for detecting the temperature detectors, a plurality of indicator lamps respectively corresponding to each installation position from the lower to the upper part of the hot water tank of these temperature detectors, water formed from the lower to the upper part in the hot water tank,
The lower limit temperature as the hot water temperature and the upper limit temperature as the water temperature lower than the lower limit temperature of the hot water and the hot water mixed layer between the hot water and the hot water mixed layer are compared with the respective detected temperatures of the plurality of temperature detectors. The indicator lamp corresponding to each installation position of the temperature detector is turned on, blinking, or turned off.If the detected temperature of the temperature detector is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature, the display lamp is turned on, and the detected temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature. The display lamp flashes if the temperature is between the upper limit temperature and the display lamp is turned off if the detected temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, and a display for distinguishing the temperature distribution of hot water, water and the hot water mixture layer in the hot water tank. And a circuit for displaying the remaining hot water amount of the electric water heater, comprising:

(Effect) By providing such means, water is supplied from the lower part and hot water is supplied from the upper part, and water, hot water and a hot-water mixed layer formed between the water and the hot water formed therein are formed. For a hot water tank whose position fluctuates due to hot water supply after boiling, the lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature to be the detected temperature of each of the plurality of temperature detectors provided at each predetermined position from the lower level to the upper level and the hot water temperature The lower temperature is compared with the upper limit temperature, and if the detected temperature of these temperature detectors is higher than the lower limit temperature, the display lamp is turned on. If the detected temperature is between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature, the display lamp is turned on. Blinks, and if the detected temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, the display lamp is turned off, and the temperature distribution of the hot water, the water, and the hot and cold water mixed layer in the hot water tank is distinguished and displayed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the remaining hot water amount display device of the electric water heater. Here, of the remaining hot water detection thermistors 5, 6, and 7, the remaining hot water detection thermistor 5 is for detecting the remaining hot water amount of 180 l, the remaining hot water detection thermistor 6 is for detecting the remaining hot water amount of 120 l, and the remaining hot water detection thermistor 7 is This is for detecting the remaining hot water amount of 60 l. These thermistors 5, 6, 7 for detecting remaining hot water are connected to switches 10a, 10b, 10c of a switch circuit 10, respectively. These switches 10a, 10b and 10c are connected to the RA of the display circuit 12 through the A / D converter 11.
Connected to M13.

The display circuit 12 has a lower limit temperature such as 85 ° C. as a hot water temperature and an upper limit temperature 15 ° C. as a water temperature.
Each of the temperature detectors is compared with a lower limit and an upper limit temperature to determine whether each detected temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature, between the lower limit and the upper limit temperature, or lower than the upper limit temperature. It has a function of displaying each detected temperature for each of the installation positions of 5, 6, and 7. To describe a specific configuration, a CPU 14 is provided, and a RAM 13, a ROM 15, an I / O port 16, and a switch drive circuit 17 are connected to the CPU 14. A display 19 is connected to the I / O port 16 via a display drive circuit 18. The ROM 15 stores the lower limit temperature of the hot water temperature and the upper limit temperature of the water temperature, and compares the detected temperatures detected by the temperature detectors 5, 6, 7 with the lower limit and the upper limit temperature,
It is determined whether each detected temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature, between the lower limit and the upper limit temperature, or equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature, and each of the temperature detectors 5, 6,
A program for displaying each detected temperature for each of the 7 installation positions is stored. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of this program.

The display 19 has display lamps 20, 21 and 22, the display lamp 20 is a thermistor 5 for detecting residual hot water, the display lamp 21 is a thermistor 6 for detecting residual hot water, and the display lamp 22 is a thermistor 7 for detecting residual hot water. It is for business.

The switch drive circuit 17 has a function of sequentially switching the switches 10a, 10b, and 10c in response to a switching command from the CPU 14.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

Each of the remaining hot water detection thermistors 5, 6, and 7 detects the internal temperature of the hot water tank 1 and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected temperature. On the other hand, the CPU 14 issues a switching command to the switch drive circuit 17, and in response to this, the switch drive circuit 17 switches the switches 10a, 10b, 10c of the switch circuit 10.
Are sequentially switched and closed. Switch 10 in step s1
When a is closed, the detection signal output from the remaining hot water detection thermistor 5 is sent to the A / D converter 11, converted into a digital detection signal, and stored in the RAM 13.

Next, in step s2, the CPU 14 obtains a detection temperature from the detection signal of the remaining hot water detection thermistor 5, and compares the detected temperature with the lower limit temperature of the hot water temperature. As a result of the comparison, if the detected temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature, the CPU 14 determines that the temperature of the portion of the hot water tank 11 in which the remaining hot water detection thermistor 5 is disposed has reached the hot water temperature, and determines in step s4 that the display lamp 20
Command to turn on the display drive circuit 1 through the I / O port 16.
Depart at 8. As a result, the display lamp 20 is turned on.

If the detected temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature as determined in step s2, the CPU 14 proceeds to step s3 to compare whether the detected temperature is between the lower limit temperature of the hot water temperature and the upper limit temperature of the water temperature. As a result of this comparison, if the detected temperature is between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature, the CPU 14 determines that the temperature of the portion of the hot water tank 11 where the thermistor 5 for detecting remaining hot water is disposed is the portion of the hot water mixing layer 8. In step s5, a command to blink the display lamp 20 is issued to the display drive circuit 18 through the I / O port 16. As a result, the display lamp 20 blinks.

If the detected temperature is not between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature in the determination in step s3, the CPU 14 proceeds to step s6 and determines that the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature of the water temperature. The temperature of the portion of the hot water tank 11 in which is disposed is determined to be the water portion, and a command to turn off the display lamp 20 is issued to the display drive circuit 18 through the I / O port 16.
As a result, the display lamp 20 is turned off.

Returning again to step s1, the switch 10b is closed and the detection signal of the remaining hot water detection thermistor 6 is taken in. The CPU 14 executes the above steps s2 to s6 to display the detected temperature of the remaining hot water detection thermistor 6. Hereafter, switch 10
b, 10c, 10a, ... are closed and the remaining hot water detecting thermistors 6,
Display for the detected temperatures of 7, 5,... Is performed.

As a result, for example, the display lamp 20 is turned off,
When 21 blinks and the display lamp 22 lights up, it is known that the remaining hot water amount is 60 l.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the temperature inside the hot water tank 1 is detected by the remaining hot water detecting thermistors 5, 6, and 7 provided at the lower, middle, and upper positions of the hot water tank 1, respectively. And the lower and upper temperature limit,
It is determined whether each detected temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature, between the lower limit and the upper limit temperature or equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature, and each of the display lamps 20, 21, and
Since the display is made by using the reference numeral 22, the hot water portion, the water portion, and the portion of the hot / water mixed layer 8 in the hot water tank 1 can be determined, and the remaining hot water amount can be accurately known. In addition, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 1 during boiling or after standing for a long time after boiling can be known.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example,
The comparison between each detected temperature and the lower and upper limit temperatures may be performed by a hardware configuration using a comparator. Further, each temperature detector is not limited to the thermistor for detecting the remaining hot water, and other elements may be used. Further, the temperature detectors may be arranged at any position from the lower part to the upper part of the hot water tank 1.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, water is supplied from the lower part and hot water is supplied from the upper part, and water formed therein, hot water, and water between the water and the hot water are formed. In a hot water tank in which the position of the hot / water mixed layer fluctuates in hot water supply after boiling, it corresponds to whether each of the detected temperatures of the plurality of temperature detectors provided in the hot water tank is hot water, water or a hot / water mixed layer. It can be displayed instantly with each indicator lamp, and the temperature distribution state of the water, hot and cold water mixing layer and hot water from the bottom to the top in the hot water tank can be accurately grasped without increasing the number of temperature detectors with a simple configuration, and the hot water tank It is possible to provide a remaining water amount display device for an electric water heater that can accurately display the remaining hot water amount in the hot water, the water, or the hot and cold water mixed layer without discriminating the usage amount of the hot water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are views for explaining an embodiment of the remaining hot water amount display device of the electric water heater according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is a flow chart of hot water temperature detection, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the prior art. 1 ... hot water tank, 2 ... heater, 3 ... supply pipe, 4 ...
… Hot water discharge pipe, 5,6,7… thermistor for detecting remaining hot water, 8… hot water mixture layer, 10… switch circuit, 11… A / D converter, 12
…… Display circuit, 13… RAM, 14… CPU, 15… ROM, 16
... I / O port, 17 ... switch drive circuit, 18 ... display drive circuit, 19 ... display.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A hot water tank is supplied with water from a lower part and hot water is supplied from an upper part, and the position of water, hot water, and a hot / water mixed layer formed between the water and the hot water formed inside the hot water tank is determined. In the remaining hot water amount display device of the electric water heater that fluctuates in hot water supply after boiling, a plurality of temperature detectors provided at each predetermined position from a lower position to an upper position of the hot water tank to detect an internal temperature of the hot water tank, A plurality of display lamps respectively corresponding to respective installation positions of the temperature detectors from the lower to the upper positions of the hot water tank, and the water, the hot water, and the water and the hot water formed from the lower to the upper positions in the hot water tank. The lower limit temperature, which is the hot water temperature, and the upper limit temperature, which is the water temperature lower than the lower limit temperature, of the hot and cold water mixing layer, and the respective detected temperatures of the plurality of temperature detectors are compared. The display lamps corresponding to the respective installation positions of the plurality of temperature detectors are respectively turned on, blinking, or turned off.If the detected temperature of the temperature detector is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature, the display lamps are turned on. If the detected temperature is between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature, the display lamp blinks, and if the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit temperature, the display lamp is turned off, and the hot water in the hot water tank is turned off. And a display circuit for displaying the temperature distribution of the mixed layer of water and hot and cold water, and a remaining water amount display device for the electric water heater.