JP2816502B2 - Instant water heater - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instantaneous water heater for discharging hot water from a tapping pipe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an instantaneous water heater, an infrared sensor is attached to an arbitrary position of a tapping pipe, and when a hand or the like of a user is detected by the infrared sensor, an electromagnetic water shutoff valve provided in a hot water supply pipe line. The valve is opened, and after detecting the flow of water into the hot water supply line by the water flow switch, the heat source is operated to heat the water flowing in the hot water supply line and discharge the hot water from the tapping pipe. (Prior art) are known.

[0003] In this case, considering the usage of the instantaneous water heater, there are many operations for washing dishes, especially in the kitchen. In this dishwashing work, the bowl is washed, the bowl is moved to a basket, and the next bowl is washed, so that the hand is put in and out of the outlet of the hot water pipe many times, and the detection range of the infrared sensor is temporarily set. If provided in the direction in which hot water is discharged from the discharge port of the tapping pipe, if the hand is placed below the discharge port for the second time, there is a disadvantage that the discharge of the hot water is stopped. So red
Connect the outside line sensor to the side of the tapping pipe different from the direction in which the hot water is discharged.
Has been proposed. Meanwhile, this kind of instant hot water
In a water heater, when the water heater is not in use, place the tapping pipe in the retracted position.
I try to move it out of the way.

[0004]

For this reason, the tapping tube is evacuated.
When moving to a position and directing the location where the infrared sensor is attached to an object such as a wall, the infrared sensor may sense the wall or the like and open the electromagnetic water shutoff valve. The instantaneous water heater operates incorrectly like this and I do not know it
When and de has a problem that water or hot water is continuously discharged from the water discharge port of the hot water pipe.

The present invention provides an instantaneous water heater that prevents the hot water from continuing to be discharged from the hot water supply pipe even if the detecting means detects a wall or the like , which is an object other than the user, by moving the tapping pipe. Aim. It is another object of the present invention to provide an instant water heater that can significantly improve safety and economy.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply having a heat absorbing tube for absorbing ambient heat to water flowing into the inside thereof, and a tapping tube connected downstream of the heat absorbing tube and discharging hot water from a discharge port. A pipe, a water valve interposed in the hot water supply pipe, a burner for heating water flowing in the heat absorbing pipe, and a burner
A fuel line for supplying fuel to, is interposed the fuel line
Fuel valve , provided on a side surface of the tapping pipe different from the direction in which hot water is discharged from the discharge port, has a detecting means for detecting an object to be detected, when detecting the object by this detecting means, Open the water valve and the fuel valve to open the burner
Both when ignited, upon detection of the object to be detected again by the detection means, and closed the water valve and the fuel valve wherein
With a control device for extinguishing the burner, the output
The hot water pipe is a movable hot water pipe that can move the position of its discharge port. <br /> The hot water heater, wherein the control device is capable of supplying the water even if the detection means does not detect the object again. If the valve is kept open for a certain period of time, the water valve and the fuel
Technical means for extinguishing the burner by closing the valve was employed.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an object such as a user is detected by the detecting means, the water valve and the fuel valve are opened, and the burner is ignited, so that the hot water supply line is provided. Hot water is discharged from the discharge port of the tapping pipe. Then, when an object such as a user is detected again by the detecting means, the water valve and the fuel valve are closed, and the burner is extinguished, so that the discharge of hot water from the discharge port of the tapping pipe of the hot water supply line is completed. I do.
Since the detecting means is provided on the side of the tapping pipe different from the direction in which the hot water is discharged from the discharge port, the hot water can be discharged no matter how many times the hand is put in and out of the discharge port during the washing of tableware. It will not stop.

[0008] Even if the tapping pipe is moved to detect an object such as a wall, the water valve and the fuel valve are opened and the burner is ignited, so that hot water is discharged from the tapping pipe in the hot water supply duct. However, when the open state of the water valve continues for a certain period of time, the control device forcibly closes the water valve and the fuel valve even if the detection unit does not detect the object again. Since the burner is forcibly extinguished, no hot water is continuously discharged from the tapping pipe.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the discharge of hot water does not stop even if the hot water is discharged in and out of the side surface of the tapping pipe different from the direction in which the hot water is discharged from the discharge port. In addition, hot water pipe moves
Even if an object such as a wall is detected, it is possible to prevent the hot water from being continuously discharged from the hot water supply pipe after a lapse of a predetermined time.
Further, when the burner is burning, the combustion of the burner can be stopped in conjunction with the water valve, so that the safety and economy as an instant water heater can be remarkably improved.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An instantaneous water heater according to the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a view showing an instantaneous water heater employing the present invention.

The instantaneous water heater 1 includes a hot water supply line 2 for discharging hot water or water, a gas line 4 for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 3, a combustion control circuit 5 for controlling the combustion performance of the gas burner 3, and an electromagnetic A water shutoff valve control circuit 7 for controlling the water shutoff valve 6 is provided.

The hot water supply pipe 2 is composed of a water supply pipe 8, a heat absorption pipe 9 and a tapping pipe 10. The water supply pipe 8 is provided with a water stop valve 6, a water governor valve 11, and a water amount adjustment valve 12. The water stop valve 6 is the water valve of the present invention, which opens when energized and closes when the energization is stopped. The water governor valve 11 keeps the amount of water constant. The water amount adjustment valve 12 controls the opening degree of the water supply pipe 8 by turning a temperature control button (not shown) to change the water amount.

The heat absorption tube 9 is disposed above the gas burner 3 and heats the water by exchanging heat between the water flowing inside and the combustion heat generated in the gas burner 3. The tapping pipe 10 is formed of a flexible pipe, and discharges hot water or water from a discharge port. A shower head 13 is fitted around the discharge port of the tapping pipe 10. The shower head 13 switches a discharge flow discharged from a discharge port of the tapping pipe 10 between a shower discharge flow and a straight discharge flow by switching a changeover switch (not shown in FIG. 1). The gas burner 3 heats the water flowing in the heat absorbing pipe 9 by burning the fuel gas supplied from the gas pipe 4.

The gas line 4 is a fuel line of the present invention, and is provided with an electromagnetic safety valve 14, a water pressure responsive valve 15, a gas governor valve 16, and a gas amount adjusting valve 17. The safety valve 14 is the fuel valve of the present invention, and opens when energized and closes when energization is stopped. The water pressure responsive valve 15 is formed integrally with the water governor valve 11 and opens in conjunction with the detection of water flow to send a signal to the combustion control circuit 5. The gas governor valve 16 is for keeping the gas pressure on the secondary side constant. The gas amount adjusting valve 17 is connected to the temperature control button, and controls the degree of opening of the gas pipeline 4 by turning the temperature control button to change the gas amount.

The combustion control circuit 5 includes the above-described temperature control button, a sparker 18, a frame rod 19, and a thermocouple 20. The temperature control button has a variable resistor 21 whose electric resistance value varies according to the rotation angle of the temperature control button. The water amount adjustment valve 12 and the gas amount adjustment valve 17 are controlled according to the output of the variable resistor 21. Control the degree of opening. Sparka 18
It ignites a mixture of fuel gas and combustion air flowing out of the gas burner 3. The frame rod 19 detects the presence or absence of the combustion flame of the gas burner 3. The thermocouple 20 detects whether abnormal combustion such as extinction or lack of oxygen has occurred.

The combustion control circuit 5 includes a hydraulic pressure responsive valve 15.
Detects the water flow and opens the gas line 4 when the sparker 1
Then, the safety valve 14 is energized for a predetermined time at the same time as the ignition operation to forcibly open and hold the safety valve 14. Thereafter, the combustion control circuit 5 controls the combustion capacity of the gas burner 3 by controlling the energization of the safety valve 14 and the gas amount adjusting valve 17 according to the outputs of the frame rod 19 and the thermocouple 20.

The water shutoff valve control circuit 7 detects the output of an infrared sensor 22 which is a reflective photoelectric switch provided adjacent to the outer periphery of the shower head 13 and which is different from the direction in which hot water is discharged from the discharge port of the tapping pipe 10. In response, the water stop valve 6 is energized. The water stop valve control circuit 7 has a timer circuit 23 built-in.

The infrared sensor 22 is a detecting means of the present invention, and includes a light emitting element 24 such as a photodiode that emits infrared light and a phototransistor that detects infrared light reflected by an object to be detected such as a user's hand. It comprises a light receiving element 25. When the water stop valve control circuit 7 detects infrared rays with the light receiving element 25 of the infrared sensor 22, the water stop valve 6
When the infrared ray is detected again by the light receiving element 25, the water stop valve 6 is deenergized and closed.

When the infrared light is detected by the light receiving element 25 of the infrared sensor 22, the timer circuit 23 starts operation, and for a certain period of time after the operation is started (for a time that does not degrade the usability of the user, for example, 15 to 25 minutes). When 20 minutes have passed, the water stop valve 6 is forcibly turned off. Here, in this embodiment, the control device of the present invention is constituted by the combustion control circuit 5 and the water shutoff valve control circuit 7.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the control device, that is, the operation of the combustion control circuit 5 and the water shutoff valve control circuit 7. First, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not infrared rays are detected by the light receiving element 25 of the infrared sensor 22 (step S1). When no infrared light is detected (N), the control in step S1 is performed.

In step S1, when infrared rays are detected (Y), the timer circuit 23 is started (step S1).
2) The water stop valve 6 is energized (hereinafter referred to as ON) (step S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the hydraulic pressure responsive valve 15 is open (step S4). When the water pressure responsive valve 15 is not opened (N), the control in step S4 is performed.

In step S4, when the hydraulic valve 15 is open (Y), the sparker 18 is turned on (step S5), and the safety valve 14 is turned on (step S6). Then, it is determined whether or not ignition has been detected by the frame rod 19 (step S7). When ignition is not detected (N), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step 8). When the predetermined time has not elapsed (N),
The control in step S7 is performed, and when the predetermined time has elapsed (Y), the energization of the safety valve 14 is stopped (hereinafter, referred to as off).
(Step S9).

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is turned off (step S10), and it is determined whether or not infrared rays are detected by the light receiving element 25 of the infrared sensor 22 (step S11). When the infrared ray is not detected (N), the control in step S11 is performed. When the infrared ray is detected (Y), the water stop valve 6 is turned off (step S12), and the process returns.

In step S7 shown in FIG. 2, when ignition is detected (Y), as shown in FIG. 4, the sparker 18 is turned off (step S13), and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. A determination is made (step S14). When the predetermined time has elapsed (Y), the water stop valve 6 is turned off (step S).
15) Return.

In step S14, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (N), the light receiving element 25 of the infrared sensor 22
It is determined whether or not infrared rays are detected by using (Step S)
16). When infrared rays are detected (Y), step S1
5 is performed.

In step S16, when infrared rays are not detected (N), it is determined whether or not abnormal combustion is detected by the thermocouple 20 (step S17). When abnormal combustion is detected (Y), the safety valve 14 is turned off (step S).
18) When no abnormal combustion is detected (N), the control in step S14 is performed.

The operation of the instantaneous water heater 1 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG . If towards the shower head 13 to infrared sensor 22 is attached to an object such as a wall, infrared emitted from the light emitting element 24 of the infrared sensor 22
The light is reflected by an object to be detected such as a wall and received by the light receiving element 25.

Therefore, the water stop valve control circuit 7 starts the timer circuit 23 and turns on the water stop valve 6 to open it. When the water stop valve 6 is opened, a water flow is generated in the hot water supply pipe line 2, so that the water pressure responsive valve 15 is opened, and the combustion control circuit 5 is opened.
As a result, the gas burner 3 is ignited, and hot water is discharged from the shower head 13 of the tapping pipe 10.

[0029] When the infrared sensor 22 has passed a predetermined time from detection of the object to be detected, the water stop valve 6 by the output of the infrared sensor 22 is a timer circuit 23 also rather detect Shinano an object to be detected again forced Is turned off. Therefore, the shutoff valve 6
Is closed, the water flow in the hot water supply pipe 2 is eliminated, and the hot water can be kept from being discharged from the tapping pipe 10. Also,
When there is no more water flow in the hot water supply pipe 2, the water pressure responsive valve 15 closes, so that the gas pipeline 4 is also shut off. Therefore, the gas burner 3 is extinguished in conjunction with the water stop valve 6.

As described above, the instant water heater 1 forcibly closes the water shutoff valve 6 and burns the gas burner 3 when the water shutoff valve 6 is continuously open for a certain period of time. If it is in the middle, the combustion of the gas burner 3 is also stopped. Therefore, even when the infrared sensor 22 detects an object other than the user, such as an object such as a wall, and opens the water stop valve 6 by the operation of the water stop valve control circuit 7, Hot water or water can be turned off after an hour.

Further, when the gas burner 3 is burning, the combustion of the gas burner 3 can be stopped in conjunction with the water shutoff valve 6, so that the safety and economy of the instantaneous water heater 1 are remarkably reduced. Can be improved. And since the infrared sensor 22 is provided adjacent to the outer periphery of the shower head 13 which is different from the direction in which hot water is discharged from the discharge port of the tapping pipe 10, the hand may be lowered below the discharge port during washing work of tableware. No matter how many times the hot water is taken in and out, the hot water is not stopped and the hot water continues to flow out of the shower head 13 continuously.

(Modification) In this embodiment, the gas burner 3 is used as the heating means (heat source). However, a burner which burns liquid fuel may be used as the heating means (heat source).

In this embodiment, the timer circuit 23 of the water shutoff valve control circuit 7 is started when the infrared sensor 22 detects an object to be detected. However, when the water flow in the water supply pipe 8 is detected, the gas line 4 is opened. The timer circuit 23 may be started when the switch provided on the hydraulic pressure responsive valve 15 is opened or closed.

[0034] As detection means, in addition to the present embodiment, transmission-type photoelectric switch, may be used non-contact sensors of such a proximity switch or ultrasound sensors. Further, an optical fiber type photoelectric switch combining a photoelectric switch and an optical fiber may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an instantaneous water heater.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a combustion control circuit and a water stop valve control circuit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a combustion control circuit and a water stop valve control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a combustion control circuit and a water stop valve control circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instantaneous water heater 2 Hot-water supply line 3 Gas burner 4 Gas line (fuel line) 5 Combustion control circuit (control device) 6 Water stop valve (water valve) 7 Water stop valve control circuit (control device) 9 Heat absorption tube 10 Tapping pipe 14 safety valve (combustion valve) 22 infrared sensor (detection means) 23 timer circuit 24 light emitting element 25 light receiving element

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] (A) a heat absorbing tube for absorbing ambient heat to water flowing into the inside, and a heat absorbing tube connected downstream of the heat absorbing tube;
A hot water supply pipe having a hot water pipe water from the discharge port is discharged, the water valve which is interposed (b) the hot-water supply pipe, a burner for heating the water flowing through (c) the heat absorbing tube, (d) the A fuel pipe for supplying fuel to the burner ; (e) a fuel valve interposed in the fuel pipe ; and (f) a fuel pipe provided on a side surface of the tapping pipe different from a direction in which hot water is discharged from the discharge port. A detecting means for detecting the detected object, and when the detected object is detected by the detecting means, the water valve and the fuel valve are opened to ignite the burner.
That when both upon detecting a detection object again by the detecting means, and closed the water valve and the fuel valve the burner
Rutotomoni and a control device for extinguishing, said tapping tube
An instantaneous water heater, which is a movable tapping pipe capable of moving the position of the discharge port , wherein the control device keeps the water valve open state constant without detecting the object to be detected again by the detection means. If the time has continued, the water valve and the fuel valve are closed and the bar
Instant water heater characterized by extinguishing fire .