JP3569121B2

JP3569121B2 - Water heater

Info

Publication number: JP3569121B2
Application number: JP36041097A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正和安藤
Original assignee: Rinnai Corp
Current assignee: Rinnai Corp
Priority date: 1997-12-26
Filing date: 1997-12-26
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-26
Also published as: JPH11190556A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術の分野】
本発明は、浴槽や台所等に給湯を行う給湯装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、瞬間式のガス給湯装置において、ガスバーナにより加熱され、給水管から供給される水を昇温させる熱交換器と、該熱交換器から湯が出湯される給湯管と、該給湯管に出湯される湯の温度を検出する給湯温度センサと、該熱交換器中を通過する流水の有無を検出する流水センサとを備えたものが知られている。
【０００３】
かかるガス給湯装置にあっては、給湯配管の先端に接続されたカランを使用者が開けることで、熱交換器への給水が開始され、流水センサにより熱交換器中を通過する流水が検出されると、この流水の検出に応じてガスバーナが作動し、熱交換器中を通過する水の加熱が開始される。そして、前記給湯温度センサの検出温度が所定の給湯目標温度と一致するように、ガスバーナの燃焼量を調節する給湯制御が行われる。また、使用者がカランを閉じ、流水センサにより流水が検出されなくなった時に、ガスバーナの作動が停止する。
【０００４】
ここで、一般に、ガスバーナは熱交換器の下部に配置され、熱交換器内の配管は下部側から上部側に向かって２段又は３段となるように蛇行状に設けられている。そのため、カランが閉じられて給湯が停止した時点では、熱交換器内での加熱時間が長かった熱交換器上部の湯の温度の方が、加熱時間が短かった熱交換器下部の湯の温度よりも高くなる。このような熱交換器内の湯の温度の差は、消火後の時間の経過と共に対流や置換により徐々に解消するが、熱交換器内の湯が滞留した状態であるため、熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一となるためには、ある程度の時間を要する。
【０００５】
そのため、給湯停止直後の熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一となる前に、カランが開けられたときには、熱交換器内に滞留していた温度差のある湯がそのまま給湯され、その温度変動により、使用者に不快感を与えてしまうという不都合があった。
【０００６】
また、給湯停止中に、ガスバーナを間欠的に作動させて、熱交換器内の湯を所定温度範囲内に保温しておくことで、使用者がカランを開けてから実際にカランから給湯がなされるまでの遅れ時間を短縮するようにした給湯装置が知られている（特開平９−２４３１６９号等）。
【０００７】
このような、熱交換器内の湯を保温する給湯装置においては、熱交換器内に湯が滞留した状態でガスバーナが作動するため、ガスバーナにより熱交換器が加熱されたときは、上述した場合とは逆に、ガスバーナに近い熱交換器の下部の湯の温度の方が熱交換器の上部の湯の温度よりも高くなる。そして、上述した場合と同様、ガスバーナの作動が停止してから熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一化するまでには、ある程度の時間を要する。
【０００８】
そのため、熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一化する前にカランが開けられると、熱交換器内に滞留していた温度差のある湯が給湯され、その温度変動により、使用者に不快感を与えてしまうという不都合があった。
【０００９】
また、使用者がカランを開けて流水センサにより流水が検出されてから、実際にガスバーナが点火されて所定の燃焼量に到達するまでには数秒の遅れ時間が生じる。そのため、該遅れ時間が経過する前に熱交換器内に滞留していた湯が全て出湯されてしまうと、給水管から給水された水が加熱されることなくそのままカランから給水されてしまう。この場合は、熱交換器内に滞留していた湯によりカランからの給湯が開始されたにも拘わらず、その直後に給湯温度が大きく低下する所謂冷水サンドが生じる。
【００１０】
そこで、このような冷水サンドの発生を防止するため、前記給水管から供給される水の一部を熱交換器を経由させずに直接前記給湯管に混入させるバイパス管と、該バイパス管に設けられて該バイパス管の開度を調節するバイパス開度調節手段とを備え、該バイパス管の開度を調節することで、給湯開始時の給湯温度の変動を抑制するようにした給湯装置が知られている。
【００１１】
このようなバイパス管を備えた給湯装置においては、熱交換器からの出湯温度が前記給湯目標温度よりも高い温度に設定され、前記バイパス管からの給水と混合したときに、カランからの給湯温度が該給湯目標温度となるように、前記バイパス開度調節手段により前記バイパス管の開度が調節される。
【００１２】
そのため、同じ流量の給湯を行う場合に、バイパス管を有しない給湯装置に比べて、熱交換器内に滞留した湯が全て出湯されるまでの時間を長く取ることができ、上述したように、給湯が開始されてから前記遅れ時間が経過する前に、熱交換器内に滞留した湯が全て出湯されてしまうことを抑制することができる。そして、熱交換器からの出湯温度の変動に応じて前記バイパス開度調節手段により前記バイパス管の開度を調節することで、カランからの給湯温度が低下することを防ぎ、前記冷水サンドが生じることを防止することができる。
【００１３】
しかし、前記バイパス開度調節手段として一般に使用される水量サーボや比例電磁弁等のアクチュエータの作動速度には上限がある。そのため、上述した給湯停止直後のように熱交換器内の湯の温度のばらつきが大きい状態でカランが開けられ、該熱交換器からの出湯温度がこれらのアクチュエータの作動速度の上限を超える速度で変動したときには、バイパス管の開度調節が遅れて、上述した冷水サンドが生じてしまうという不都合があった。
【００１４】
さらに、前記のように、パイパス管の開度を調節するタイプの給湯装置であって、給湯停止中にガスバーナを間欠的に作動させることで、給湯停止中も熱交換器内の湯の温度を所定の保温温度範囲に保つようにしたものが知られており、このものによれば、給湯停止から給湯再開までの経過時間が長いときであっても、使用者がカランを開けてから、実際にカランからの給湯が開始されるまでの時間を短縮することができる。
【００１５】
しかし、上述したように、一般にガスバーナは熱交換器の下部に配置されるため、該熱交換器に湯が滞留した状態でガスバーナを作動させると、該熱交換器の下部の湯の温度の方が上部の湯の温度よりも高い状態となる。そのため、この状態でカランが開けられて、熱交換器からの出湯温度が前記バイパス開度調節手段の作動速度の上限を超える速度で変動したときには、バイパス管の開度調節が遅れて上述した冷水サンドが生じてしまうという不都合があった。
【００１６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、上記不都合を解消し、給湯開始時に、給湯温度の変動により、使用者に不快感を生じさせることを防止した給湯装置を提供することを目的とする。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、本発明は、給水管により供給された水を加熱手段により加熱する熱交換器と、該熱交換器で加熱された湯が出湯される給湯管と、該給湯管から給湯される湯の温度を検出する給湯温度センサと、前記熱交換器を通過する流水の有無を検出する流水センサと、該流水センサにより流水が検出されているときに、前記給湯温度センサの検出温度が所定の給湯目標温度と一致するように、前記加熱手段の加熱量を調節する給湯制御手段とを備えた給湯装置において、前記熱交換器の入水側と出湯側とを短絡させる短絡管と、前記給水管から給水されているときは該短絡管を閉じ、前記給水管から給水されていないときには該短絡管を開ける短絡管開閉手段とを備えると共に、前記給水管から供給される水の一部を前記給湯管に混入させるバイパス管と、該バイパス管に設けられて該バイパス管の開度を調節するバイパス開度調節手段と、前記給水管から供給される水の温度を検出する給水温度センサと、前記熱交換器の出口付近の湯の温度を検出する熱交温度センサとを備え、前記給湯温度センサは該バイパス管と前記給湯管との合流点の下流側の温度を検出し、前記給湯制御手段は、前記給湯制御の終了後所定時間の間、或いは前記熱交温度センサの検出温度が所定温度以下となるまでの間、前記流水センサにより流水が検出されない状態であるときに、その時点での前記熱交温度センサによる検出温度の湯が前記熱交換器から出湯されたならば、前記給湯温度センサの検出温度が前記給湯目標温度と一致するように、該熱交温度センサの検出温度と前記給水温度センサの検出温度とに応じて、前記バイパス管の開度を前記バイパス開度調節手段により調節し、前記給湯制御の実行中は、前記給湯温度センサによる検出温度が前記給湯目標温度と一致するように、前記バイパス管の開度を前記バイパス開度調節手段により調節することを特徴とする。
【００１８】
かかる本発明によれば、短絡管開閉手段は、前記給水管から給水がなされていないとき、即ち給湯停止中は前記短絡管を開ける。これにより、前記熱交換器の入口側と出口側とが連通して循環路が形成され、該熱交換器の下部の湯と上部の湯との間の対流や置換が生じ易くなって、前記熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一化する時間が短縮される。したがって、前記熱交換器内の湯の温度が均一でない状態で、給湯が開始される可能性が小さくなり、給湯開始時に給湯温度の変動により使用者に不快感を生じさせることを防止することができる。
【００１９】
尚、前記給水管から前記熱交換器への給水がなされて、前記加熱手段による水の加熱が行われているときに前記短絡管を開けると、前記熱交換器への給水流量が非常に少なくなって該熱交換器内で湯が沸騰し、該熱交換器の劣化を生じるおそれがある。そのため、本発明では前記給水管から給水されているときは前記短絡管を閉じるようにしている。
【００２６】
前記バイパス管と前記バイパス開度調節手段とは、給湯開始時に、一端上昇した給湯温度がその後低下する所謂冷水サンドを防止するために設けられたものである。即ち、前記バイパス管を設けることで、同一流量の給湯を行う際に、前記熱交換器内に滞留した湯が全て出湯されるまでの時間を長くすることができ、前記給湯制御が開始されてから、前記加熱手段の加熱量が所定レベルに到達するまでの遅れ時間内に、該熱交換器内に滞留していた湯が全て出湯されることを防止することができる。また、前記バイパス開度調節手段を設け、前記熱交換器からの出湯温度の変動に応じて、該バスパス開度調節手段により前記バイパス管の開度を調節することで、前記給湯管からの給湯温度が低下することを防止することができる。
【００２７】
しかし、前記バイパス開度調節手段として一般に用いられる水量サーボや比例電磁弁等のアクチュエータの作動速度には上限がある。そのため、前記給湯制御の再開時に、前記熱交換器内に滞留していた湯の温度のばらつきが大きく、該熱交換器からの出湯温度が前記バイパス開度調節手段の作動速度の上限を超える速度で変化したときには、バイパス管の開度の調節が遅れて前記冷水サンドが生じてしまう。
【００２８】
かかる場合に、本発明によれば、給湯停止時に、前記短絡管開閉手段により前記短絡管が開けられ、前記熱交換器の入水側と出湯側とが短絡される。そのため、給湯停止時の前記熱交換器内の湯の温度の均一化が促進されるので、従来のように前記熱交換器内の湯の温度のばらつきが大きい状態で前記給湯制御が再開され上述した冷水サンドが生じることを防止することができる。
【００２９】
また、本発明は、給水管により供給された水を加熱手段により加熱する熱交換器と、該熱交換器で加熱された湯が出湯される給湯管と、該給湯管から給湯される湯の温度を検出する給湯温度センサと、前記熱交換器を通過する流水の有無を検出する流水センサと、該流水センサにより流水が検出されているときに、前記給湯温度センサの検出温度が所定の給湯目標温度と一致するように、前記加熱手段の加熱量を調節する給湯制御手段とを備えた給湯装置において、前記熱交換器の入水側と出湯側とを短絡させる短絡管と、前記給水管から給水されているときは該短絡管を閉じ、前記給水管から給水されていないときには該短絡管を開ける短絡管開閉手段とを備えると共に、前記給水管から供給される水の一部を前記給湯管に混入させるバイパス管と、該バイパス管に設けられて該バイパス管の開度を調節するバイパス開度調節手段と、前記給水管から供給される水の温度を検出する給水温度センサと、前記熱交換器の出口付近の湯の温度を検出する熱交温度センサとを備え、前記給湯温度センサは該バイパス管と前記給湯管との合流点の下流側の温度を検出し、前記給湯制御手段は、前記流水センサにより流水が検出されない状態であるときに、前記熱交温度センサの検出温度が所定の保温開始温度未満となったときには、前記加熱手段を所定の保温目標温度に応じて決定される加熱時間の間作動させる保温制御を行い、該保温制御の実行中は、前記熱交温度センサによる検出温度の湯が前記熱交換器から出湯されたならば、前記給湯温度センサの検出温度が前記給湯目標温度と一致するように、該熱交温度センサの検出温度と前記給水温度センサの検出温度とに応じて、前記バイパス管の開度を前記バイパス開度調節手段により調節し、前記給湯制御の実行中は、前記給湯温度センサによる検出温度が前記給湯目標温度と一致するように、前記バイパス管の開度を前記バイパス開度調節手段により調節することを特徴とする。
【００３０】
上述したように、給湯停止中に前記保温制御を行い、前記熱交換器内に滞留した湯の保温を行うことで、前記給湯制御を開始してから、実際に前記給湯管から給湯がなされるまでの時間を短縮することができる。
【００３１】
しかし、前記給湯制御を開始した時に、前記熱交換器内に滞留した湯の温度のばらつきが大きく、該熱交換器からの出湯温度が前記バイパス開度調節手段の作動速度の上限を超える速度で変化したときには、バイパス管の開度の調節が遅れて前記冷水サンドが生じてしまう。
【００３２】
かかる場合に、本発明によれば、給湯停止時に、前記短絡管開閉手段により前記短絡管が開けられる。そのため、前記短絡管により前記熱交換器の入水側と出湯側とを短絡させた状態で、前記加熱装置により前記熱交換器内に滞留した湯が加熱され、加熱停止後も短絡状態が継続される。そのため、給湯停止時の前記熱交換器内の湯の温度の均一化が促進されるので、従来のように前記熱交換器内の湯の温度のばらつきが大きい状態で前記給湯制御が開始され上述した冷水サンドが生じることを防止することができる。
【００３３】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施の形態の一例を図１〜図３を参照して説明する。図１は本発明の給湯装置の全体構成図、図２は図１に示した給湯装置に備えられたリモコンの外観図、図３は図１に示した給湯装置に備えられた短絡管開閉手段の構成図である。
【００３４】
図１を参照して、給湯装置１は、給湯部２と、追焚き部３とからなり、コントローラ４により給湯部２と追焚き部３とを制御する構成となっている。
【００３５】
給湯部２は、コントローラ４からの制御信号により作動する給湯バーナ５（本発明の加熱手段に相当）によって加熱される給湯熱交換器６（本発明の熱交換器に相当）、図示しない水道管と接続されて給湯熱交換器６に給水する給水管７、コントローラ４からの制御信号により給水管７の開度を調節する水量サーボ８、給水温度ＴＷを検出してコントローラ４に出力する給水温度センサ９、給湯熱交換器６を通過する流水の有無を検出してコントローラ４に出力する流水センサ１０、給湯熱交換器６で加熱された湯が出湯される給湯管１１、給水管７に給水される水の一部を給湯管１１に混合させるバイパス管１２、コントローラ４からの制御信号によりバイパス管１２の開度を調節するバイパスサーボ１３（本発明のバイパス開度調節手段に相当）、給湯管１１とバイパス管１２との合流点の下流の給湯配管２５中の湯の温度を検出してコントローラ４に出力する給湯温度センサ１４、給湯熱交換器６の出口付近の湯の温度ＴＨを検出してコントローラ４に出力する熱交温度センサ１５、給湯熱交換器６の入水側と出湯側とを短絡する短絡管５８、及び短絡管５８を開閉する短絡管開閉手段５９を備える。
【００３６】
また、給湯バーナ５に燃料ガスを供給するガス供給管１６には、コントローラ４からの制御信号により開閉される元ガス電磁弁１７、及び給湯ガス電磁弁１８，１９と、コントローラ４からの制御信号によりその開度が調節される給湯ガス比例弁２０とが備えられる。
【００３７】
２１は給湯バーナ５に燃焼用空気を供給する給湯燃焼ファンであり、コントローラ４からの制御信号によりその回転速度が可変される。２２はコントローラ４からの制御信号によりイグナイタ２３を介して高電圧が印加され、給湯バーナ５に点火する給湯点火プラグであり、２４は給湯バーナ５の燃焼状態を検出してコントローラ４に出力する給湯フレームロッドである。２７は給湯熱交換器６内の圧力が上昇したときに圧力を逃がし、また、給湯熱交換器６や給湯管１１内の水を抜くための加圧安全弁兼水抜栓である。
【００３８】
ここで、図３を参照して、短絡管５８の途中に設けられた短絡管開閉手段５９は、球形の弁体８０と、給湯熱交換器６の入水側に設けられた抜止め８１と、給湯熱交換器６の出湯側に設けられた弁座８２とからなる感圧応動弁である。
【００３９】
給水管７から給水されているとき（このとき、水流センサ１０により水流が検知される）は、給湯熱交換器６の入水側からの水圧により短絡管５８の上流側と下流側とで圧力差が生じ、弁体８０が弁座８２に密着して、短絡管５８が閉じられる。
【００４０】
また、給水管７からの給水が停止されると（このとき、水流センサ１０により水流が検知されなくなる）ウォータハンマが生じ、瞬間的に、それまで加わっていた圧力と逆の方向の圧力、即ち給湯熱交換器６の出湯側からの圧力が弁体８０に加わる。そのため、弁体８０が、それまで密着していた弁座８２から離れて短絡管５８が開けられる。
【００４１】
これにより、給水管７からの給水の有無に応じて、短絡管開閉手段５９により短絡管５８が開閉される。尚、給湯停止中は、短絡管５８の上流側と下流側との圧力差がないため、弁体８０は移動しない。
【００４２】
一方、図１を参照して、追焚き部３は、コントローラ４からの制御信号により作動する風呂バーナ４０によって加熱される風呂熱交換器４１、コントローラ４からの制御信号により浴槽４２内の湯を循環路４３，風呂熱交換器４１を介して循環させる循環ポンプ４４、浴槽４２内の湯の温度を検出してコントローラ４に出力する風呂温度センサ４５、及び循環路４３中の水流の有無を検出してコントローラ４に出力する水流スイッチ４６を備える。
【００４３】
また、風呂バーナ４０に燃料ガスを供給するガス供給管１６には、コントローラ４からの制御信号により開閉される風呂ガス電磁弁４７と、燃料ガスの供給量を一定に保つためのガスガバナ４８とが備えられる。
【００４４】
４９は風呂バーナ４０に燃焼用空気を供給する風呂燃焼ファンであり、コントローラ４からの制御信号によりその回転速度が可変される。５０はコントローラ４からの制御信号によりイグナイタ２３から高電圧が印加されて、風呂バーナ４０に点火する風呂点火プラグである。５１は風呂バーナの燃焼状態を検出してコントローラ４に出力する風呂フレームロッドである。
【００４５】
また、循環路４３は、コントローラ４からの制御信号により開閉される注湯電磁弁５２，風呂給湯管５３，三方弁５４を介して給湯配管２５と接続される。これにより、注湯電磁弁５２を開弁することで、給湯部２から浴槽４２への給湯が行われる。尚、５６は浴槽４２への給湯流量を検出してコントローラ４に出力する流量センサ、５７は浴槽４２内の湯の水位を静水圧により検出し、コントローラ４に出力する水位センサである。
【００４６】
コントローラ４は、給湯制御手段３１と追焚き制御手段３２とを含んで、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ等により構成され、リモコン３０によって指示される各種運転モードに応じて給湯部２と追焚き部３の制御を行う。
【００４７】
次に、図２を参照して、リモコン３０は、給湯装置１全体の運転開始と運転停止とを指示する運転スイッチ６０と、浴槽４２に所定湯張り量の給湯をし、該給湯後に所定沸き上げ温度までの追焚きを行う自動運転の開始を指示する自動スイッチ６１と、給湯配管２５への給湯目標温度（本発明の給湯目標温度に相当）を設定する給湯温度スイッチ６２と、内蔵時計の時刻を設定する時計時刻設定モードを指定する時計設定スイッチ６３と、前記自動運転の予約時間を設定する予約時刻設定モードを指定する予約設定スイッチ６４と、時計時刻設定モード及び予約時刻設定モードにおいて、各時刻の設定を行う時設定スイッチ６５，分設定スイッチ６６と、前記自動運転の予約をセットする予約運転スイッチ６７と、給湯熱交換器６内の湯の温度を所定範囲に保つ保温運転の実行を指示する保温スイッチ６８と、給湯温度や時刻等を表示する表示部６９とを有する。
【００４８】
使用者が、リモコン３０の運転スイッチ６０を操作すると、給湯装置１全体が運転待機状態となり、運転スイッチ６０に内蔵された運転ランプ７０が点灯する。この状態で、使用者が給湯配管２５の先端に接続されたカラン２６を開けると、給水管７への給水が開始され、流水センサ１０で流水が検出される。コントローラ４は、流水センサ１０からの出力により、給水管７への給水の開始を認識したときは給湯燃焼ファン２１を作動させ、元ガス電磁弁１７，給湯ガス電磁弁１８，１９，給湯ガス比例弁２０を開弁し、イグナイタ２３に高電圧を印加して給湯点火プラグ２２に火花放電を生じさせて給湯バーナ５の点火処理を行う。
【００４９】
コントローラ４に備えられた給湯制御手段３１は、給湯フレームロッド２４の出力により、給湯バーナ５の点火がなされたことを認識したときは、給湯温度センサ１４の検出温度と、リモコン３０で設定された給湯目標温度とが一致するように、給湯ガス比例弁２０の開度、給湯燃焼ファン２１の回転速度、給湯ガス電磁弁１８，１９の開閉、水量サーボ８の開度、及びバイパスサーボ１３の開度を調節する給湯制御を実行する。これにより、カラン２６から使用者の設定した前記給湯目標温度での給湯が行われる。
【００５０】
また、使用者が、リモコン３０の自動スイッチ６１を操作すると、コントローラ４は上述した自動運転を開始し、先ず注湯電磁弁５２を開弁する。注湯電磁弁５２の開弁により、給水管７への給水が開始され、流水センサ１０で流水が検出されると、上述した使用者がカラン２６を開けたときと同様にして、給湯バーナ５が点火され、給湯管１１から、注湯電磁弁５２、風呂給湯管５３、三方弁５４、及び循環路４３を経由して前記給湯目標温度での給湯が開始される。
【００５１】
コントローラ４は、流量センサ５６からの出力に基づいて浴槽４２への給湯量を累積し、累積値が前記湯張り量に達した時に、注湯電磁弁５２を閉弁し、浴槽４２への所定量の給湯（湯張り）を終了する。
【００５２】
コントローラ４は浴槽４２への湯張り終了後、風呂温度センサ４５の出力により浴槽４２内の湯の温度を検出し、検出温度が前記沸き上げ温度未満であったときには、該沸き上げ温度まで、浴槽４２内の湯を昇温させる。
【００５３】
この昇温を行うため、コントローラ４に備えられた追焚き制御手段３２は、風呂ポンプ４４を作動させて浴槽４２内の湯を循環路４３を介して循環させると共に、風呂燃焼ファン４９を作動させ、元ガス電磁弁１７，風呂ガス電磁弁４７を開弁し、イグナイタ２３を介して風呂点火プラグ５０に高電圧を印加して火花放電を生じさせ、風呂バーナ４０の点火処理を行う。
【００５４】
そして、追焚き制御手段３２は、風呂フレームロッド５１の出力により、風呂バーナ４０の点火がなされたことを認識したときは、風呂温度センサ４５の検出温度が、前記沸き上げ温度に達するまで、風呂バーナ４０の燃焼を継続する。これにより、浴槽４２内の湯が前記沸き上げ温度まで昇温される。
【００５５】
尚、追焚き制御手段３２は、浴槽４２内の湯が前記沸き上げ温度となった後、４時間の間は、浴槽４２内の湯の温度がほぼ該沸き上げ温度に保たれるように、風呂バーナ４０を断続的に燃焼させる風呂保温動作を行う。そして、この風呂保温動作中はリモコン３０の表示部６９に保温マーク７２が表示される。
【００５６】
また、使用者が、リモコン３０の自動スイッチ６１を操作したときに、水位センサ５７に出力により、既に浴槽４２に湯張りがなされた状態であることを認識したときには、コントローラ４は浴槽４２への湯張りは行わず、上述した沸き上げ温度までの追焚きのみを行う。
【００５７】
また、使用者が予約運転スイッチ６７を操作したときは、予約運転がセットされ、リモコン３０の表示部７１に予約マーク７１が表示される。そして、予約設定スイッチ６４及び時スイッチ６５，分スイッチ６６で予め設定された予約時刻になったときに上述した自動運転が実行される。
【００５８】
次に、使用者が保温スイッチ６８を操作したときは、給湯制御手段３１は給湯熱交換器６内の湯の温度を、所定時間の間（例えば１時間）、所定温度範囲内に保つ保温制御を実行する。この保温制御は、使用者がカラン２６を開いてから、実際にカラン２６に給湯されるまでの時間（遅れ時間）を短縮するための処理である。
【００５９】
上述したように、給湯バーナ５が点火されるのは、流水センサ１０により熱交換器６への給水の開始が認識された時である。そしてこの時、給湯配管２５，給湯管１１，及び熱交換器６には水が滞留した状態にある。そのため、カラン２６から給湯されるのは、給湯配管２５，給湯管１１，及び熱交換器６に滞留していた水が給水された後となる。尚、給湯熱交換器６内の配管の長さは、例えば２．５ｍである。
【００６０】
そこで、予め給湯熱交換器６内の湯を保温しておくことで、給湯が開始される前に給水される水の量を、給湯配管２５と給湯管１１内の滞留分だけに減少することができ、使用者がカラン２６を開いてから、実際に給湯が開始されるまでの遅れ時間を短縮することができる。
【００６１】
ここで、保温制御は、流水センサ１０により、流水が検出されていないとき、即ち、給水管７からの給水が行われていないときに行われる。そのため、保温制御は、短絡管開閉手段５９により短絡管５８が開けられた状態、即ち、短絡管５８により、給湯熱交換器６の入水側と出湯側とが連通した状態で、給湯熱交換器６に滞留した湯が給湯バーナ５で加熱される。また、給湯バーナの停止後も、給湯熱交換器６の入水側と出湯側とが連通した状態に保たれる。
【００６２】
これにより、保温制御の実行中において、給湯熱交換器６内の湯が短絡管５８を介して対流、置換し易くなり、給湯熱交換器６内の湯の温度が均一化するのに要する時間が短くなる。したがって、保温制御の実行中に、使用者がカラン２６を開けて、保温制御から給湯制御に移行したときに、給湯熱交換器６から出湯される湯の温度が大きく変動することを抑制することができる。
【００６３】
そして、給湯制御手段３１は、保温制御の実行中は、熱交温度センサ１５の検出温度の湯が給湯熱交換器６から出湯されたならば、給湯温度センサ１４で検出される湯の温度が前記給湯目標温度となるように、熱交温度センサ１５の検出温度と給水温度センサ９の検出温度に応じてバイパスサーボ１３の開度を調節する。
【００６４】
そのため、保温制御から給湯制御に移行したときの、給湯熱交換器６からの出湯温度の変動を抑制することで、バイパスサーボ１３の開度の調節量が小さくて済み、給湯熱交換器６からの出湯温度の変動に応じたバイパスサーボ１３の調節が遅れることを防止することができる。したがって、カラン２６からの給湯温度を一定に保つことができ、カラン２６からの給湯開始後に、給湯温度が低下する所謂冷水サンドが生じることを防止することができる。
【００６５】
尚、本実施の形態では、給湯停止中に前記保温制御を行う給湯装置について説明したが、前記保温制御を行わない給湯装置においても、給湯熱交換器の入水側と出湯側とを短絡する短絡管と、該短絡管を開閉する短絡管開閉手段を設け、給湯停止中は該短絡管を開けるようにすることで、前記給湯制御の終了後の給湯停止中に、給湯熱交換器内の湯の温度の均一化を促進させることができる。
【００６６】
そして、このように給湯停止中の給湯熱交換器内の湯の温度を均一化することで、前記給湯制御が再開されたときに、給湯熱交換器からの出湯温度が大きく変動することを抑制し、前記冷水サンドが生じることを防止することができる。
【００６７】
また、本実施の形態では、バイパス管１２とバイパスサーボ１３とを備えた給湯装置を示したが、これらを備えない給湯装置に対しても、短絡管５８と短絡管開閉手段５９とを設けることで、給湯停止中の給湯熱交換器６内の湯の温度の均一化を促進させることができ、給湯制御の開始時、及び給湯制御の再開時に給湯熱交換器６からの出湯温度（この場合は給湯温度となる）の変動を抑制することができる。
【００６８】
尚、本実施の形態では、短絡管開閉手段として図３に示した感圧応動弁を用いたが、感圧応動弁の構造はこれに限られるものではなく、また、他の構成、例えば短絡管の途中に電磁開閉弁を設け、水流センサによる水流の検出の有無に応じて該電磁弁を開閉制御するように短絡管開閉手段を構成してもよい。
【００６９】
また、本実施の形態では、加熱手段としてガスバーナを用いた給湯装置を示したが、灯油バーナや電気ヒータ等を加熱手段とした給湯装置に対しても本発明の適用が可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の給湯装置の全体構成図。
【図２】図１に示した給湯装置に備えられたリモコンの外観図。
【図３】図１に示した給湯装置に備えられた短絡管開閉手段の構成図。
【符号の説明】
１…給湯装置、２…給湯部、３…追焚き部、４…コントローラ、５…給湯バーナ、６…給湯熱交換器、７…給水管、８…水量サーボ、９…給水温度センサ、１０…流水センサ、１１…給湯管、１２…バイパス管、１３…バイパスサーボ、１４…給湯温度センサ、１５…熱交温度センサ、１６…ガス供給管、１７…元ガス電磁弁、１８，１９…給湯ガス電磁弁、２０…給湯ガス比例弁、２１…給湯燃焼ファン、２２…給湯点火プラグ、２３…イグナイタ、２４…給湯フレームロッド、２５…給湯配管、２６…カラン、２７…過圧安全弁兼水抜栓、３０…リモコン、３１…給湯制御手段、３２…追焚き制御手段、４０…風呂バーナ、４１…風呂熱交換器、４２…浴槽、４３…循環路、４４…循環ポンプ、４５…風呂温度センサ、４６…水流スイッチ、４７…風呂ガス電磁弁、４８…風呂ガスガバナ、４９…風呂燃焼ファン、５０…風呂点火プラグ、５１…風呂フレームロッド、５２…注湯電磁弁、５３…風呂給湯管、５４…三方弁、５６…流量センサ、５７…水位センサ、５８…短絡管、５９…短絡管開閉手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hot water supply device that supplies hot water to a bathtub, a kitchen, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in an instant gas hot water supply apparatus, a heat exchanger that is heated by a gas burner and raises the temperature of water supplied from a water supply pipe, a hot water supply pipe from which the hot water is discharged from the heat exchanger, and a hot water supply to the hot water supply pipe 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an apparatus provided with a hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of hot water to be supplied and a flowing water sensor for detecting the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the heat exchanger.
[0003]
In such a gas water heater, when the user opens the callan connected to the tip of the hot water supply pipe, water supply to the heat exchanger is started, and the flowing water sensor detects flowing water passing through the heat exchanger. Then, the gas burner operates in response to the detection of the flowing water, and heating of the water passing through the heat exchanger is started. Then, hot water supply control for adjusting the combustion amount of the gas burner is performed so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor matches a predetermined hot water supply target temperature. Further, when the user closes the callan and the running water sensor stops detecting running water, the operation of the gas burner stops.
[0004]
Here, in general, the gas burners are arranged at the lower part of the heat exchanger, and the pipes in the heat exchanger are provided in a meandering manner in two or three stages from the lower side to the upper side. Therefore, at the time when the hot water supply was stopped due to the closing of the curan, the temperature of the hot water in the upper part of the heat exchanger where the heating time was longer in the heat exchanger was lower than that of the hot water in the lower part of the heat exchanger where the heating time was shorter Higher than. Such a difference in the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger gradually disappears due to convection or replacement with the lapse of time after the fire is extinguished, but since the hot water in the heat exchanger remains in the heat exchanger, It takes some time for the temperature of the hot water to become uniform.
[0005]
Therefore, when the hot water is opened before the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger becomes uniform immediately after the stop of hot water supply, hot water with a temperature difference that has accumulated in the heat exchanger is supplied as it is, and the temperature fluctuations occur. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that the user is uncomfortable.
[0006]
In addition, while the hot water supply is stopped, the gas burner is operated intermittently to keep the hot water in the heat exchanger within a predetermined temperature range, so that the hot water is actually supplied from the curan after the user opens the curan. There is known a hot water supply apparatus in which a delay time until the water supply is shortened (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-243169).
[0007]
In such a hot water supply device that keeps hot water in the heat exchanger, the gas burner operates in a state where the hot water stays in the heat exchanger, so when the heat exchanger is heated by the gas burner, Conversely, the temperature of the hot water below the heat exchanger near the gas burner is higher than the temperature of the hot water above the heat exchanger. Then, as in the case described above, it takes some time from when the operation of the gas burner stops to when the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger becomes uniform.
[0008]
Therefore, if the curan is opened before the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger becomes uniform, hot water with a temperature difference that has accumulated in the heat exchanger is supplied, and the temperature fluctuation causes discomfort to the user. There was an inconvenience of giving.
[0009]
In addition, there is a delay of several seconds from when the user opens the curan and the flowing water is detected by the flowing water sensor until the gas burner is actually ignited and reaches a predetermined combustion amount. For this reason, if all of the hot water staying in the heat exchanger before the delay time elapses, the water supplied from the water supply pipe is directly supplied from the curan without being heated. In this case, so-called cold water sand is generated immediately after the hot water supply from the heat exchanger is started by the hot water staying in the heat exchanger and the hot water supply temperature is greatly reduced.
[0010]
Therefore, in order to prevent the generation of such cold water sand, a bypass pipe that mixes a part of the water supplied from the water supply pipe directly into the hot water supply pipe without passing through a heat exchanger is provided on the bypass pipe. And a bypass opening adjusting means for adjusting the opening degree of the bypass pipe, and controlling the opening degree of the bypass pipe so as to suppress fluctuations in hot water supply temperature at the start of hot water supply. Have been.
[0011]
In the hot water supply apparatus having such a bypass pipe, the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger is set to a temperature higher than the hot water supply target temperature, and when mixed with the water supply from the bypass pipe, the hot water supply temperature from the curran The opening degree of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening degree adjusting means so that the target temperature becomes the hot water supply target temperature.
[0012]
Therefore, when performing hot water supply at the same flow rate, it is possible to take a longer time until all the hot water staying in the heat exchanger is discharged as compared with a hot water supply device having no bypass pipe, and as described above, Before the delay time elapses from the start of hot water supply, it is possible to suppress all hot water staying in the heat exchanger from being discharged. Then, by adjusting the opening degree of the bypass pipe by the bypass opening degree adjusting means in accordance with the fluctuation of the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the hot water supply temperature from the curan from lowering, and to generate the cold water sand. Can be prevented.
[0013]
However, there is an upper limit to the operation speed of an actuator such as a water volume servo or a proportional solenoid valve which is generally used as the bypass opening adjustment means. Therefore, the curan is opened in a state where the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger greatly varies as immediately after the stop of the hot water supply described above, and the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger exceeds the upper limit of the operation speed of these actuators. When it fluctuates, there is a disadvantage that the adjustment of the opening degree of the bypass pipe is delayed and the above-mentioned cold water sand is generated.
[0014]
In addition, as mentioned above, tube A hot water supply device of the type that adjusts the opening degree of the gas, by operating the gas burner intermittently while the hot water supply is stopped, so that the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger is kept within a predetermined heat retaining temperature range even when the hot water supply is stopped. According to this, even when the elapsed time from the stoppage of hot water supply to the restart of hot water supply is long, the hot water supply from the curan is actually started after the user opens the curan. The time until the time can be shortened.
[0015]
However, as described above, since the gas burner is generally arranged below the heat exchanger, when the gas burner is operated with the hot water remaining in the heat exchanger, the temperature of the hot water below the heat exchanger decreases. Is higher than the temperature of the hot water above. Therefore, in this state, when the callan is opened and the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger fluctuates at a speed exceeding the upper limit of the operating speed of the bypass opening adjusting means, the opening adjustment of the bypass pipe is delayed and the above-described cold water There was an inconvenience that sand was generated.
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply apparatus that solves the above-mentioned disadvantages and prevents a user from feeling uncomfortable due to a change in hot water supply temperature at the start of hot water supply.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger for heating water supplied by a water supply pipe by a heating means, a hot water supply pipe from which hot water heated by the heat exchanger is discharged, and a water supply pipe. A hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water to be supplied, a flowing water sensor for detecting the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the heat exchanger, and detecting the hot water supply temperature sensor when the flowing water is detected by the flowing water sensor. A hot water supply device comprising hot water supply control means for adjusting a heating amount of the heating means so that the temperature matches a predetermined hot water supply target temperature, wherein a short-circuit tube for short-circuiting a water inlet side and a hot water outlet side of the heat exchanger; A short-circuit pipe opening / closing means for closing the short-circuit pipe when water is supplied from the water supply pipe, and opening the short-circuit pipe when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe. A bypass pipe for mixing a part of water supplied from the water supply pipe into the hot water supply pipe; a bypass opening adjustment means provided in the bypass pipe to adjust an opening degree of the bypass pipe; A hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of water supplied from a pipe; and a heat exchange temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of hot water near an outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein the hot water supply temperature sensor includes the bypass pipe and the hot water supply pipe. The hot water supply control means, for a predetermined time after the end of the hot water supply control, or until the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, If the hot water of the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor at that time is discharged from the heat exchanger when the running water sensor is not detecting running water, the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor is equal to the hot water supply target. Warm In accordance with the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor, the opening degree of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening degree adjusting means so that the hot water supply control is being executed. Adjusts the opening degree of the bypass pipe by the bypass opening adjusting means so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the hot water supply target temperature. It is characterized by the following.
[0018]
According to the present invention, the short-circuit pipe opening / closing means opens the short-circuit pipe when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe, that is, while hot water supply is stopped. Thereby, the inlet side and the outlet side of the heat exchanger communicate with each other to form a circulation path, and convection and displacement between the lower hot water and the upper hot water of the heat exchanger easily occur, and The time during which the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger becomes uniform is reduced. Therefore, the possibility that hot water supply is started in a state where the temperature of hot water in the heat exchanger is not uniform is reduced, and it is possible to prevent a user from feeling uncomfortable due to a change in hot water supply temperature at the start of hot water supply. it can.
[0019]
Incidentally, when water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger and the short-circuit pipe is opened while the water is being heated by the heating means, the flow rate of water supplied to the heat exchanger is extremely small. As a result, hot water may boil in the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger may be deteriorated. Therefore, in the present invention, the short-circuit pipe is closed when water is being supplied from the water supply pipe.
[0026]
The bypass pipe and the bypass opening degree adjusting means are provided to prevent so-called cold water sand in which the temperature of the hot water once increased at the start of hot water supply and thereafter decreases. That is, by providing the bypass pipe, it is possible to lengthen the time until all the hot water staying in the heat exchanger is discharged when hot water is supplied at the same flow rate, and the hot water supply control is started. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent all the hot water staying in the heat exchanger from being discharged within a delay time until the heating amount of the heating means reaches a predetermined level. Further, the hot water supply from the hot water supply pipe is provided by providing the bypass opening degree adjusting means and adjusting the opening degree of the bypass pipe by the bus path opening degree adjusting means in accordance with the variation of the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger. It is possible to prevent the temperature from lowering.
[0027]
However, there is an upper limit on the operation speed of an actuator such as a water volume servo or a proportional solenoid valve which is generally used as the bypass opening adjustment means. Therefore, when the hot water supply control is resumed, the temperature of the hot water staying in the heat exchanger greatly varies, and the temperature at which the hot water from the heat exchanger exceeds the upper limit of the operation speed of the bypass opening degree adjusting means. , The adjustment of the opening degree of the bypass pipe is delayed, and the cold water sand is generated.
[0028]
In such a case, according to the present invention, when the hot water supply is stopped, the short-circuit pipe is opened by the short-circuit pipe opening / closing means, and the inlet side and the outlet side of the heat exchanger are short-circuited. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger when the hot water supply is stopped is promoted to be uniform, so that the hot water supply control is restarted in a state where the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger varies greatly as in the related art, and It is possible to prevent a cold water sand from being generated.
[0029]
Also, The present invention provides a heat exchanger for heating water supplied by a water supply pipe by a heating means, a hot water supply pipe from which hot water heated by the heat exchanger is discharged, and a temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe. A hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting, a flowing water sensor for detecting the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the heat exchanger, and when the flowing water sensor detects flowing water, the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor is a predetermined hot water supply target temperature. In a hot water supply apparatus provided with hot water supply control means for adjusting a heating amount of the heating means so as to coincide with a short-circuit pipe for short-circuiting a water inlet side and a hot water side of the heat exchanger, water is supplied from the water supply pipe. And a short-circuit pipe opening / closing means for opening the short-circuit pipe when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe. A bypass pipe for mixing a part of water supplied from the water supply pipe into the hot water supply pipe, bypass opening adjustment means provided in the bypass pipe to adjust an opening degree of the bypass pipe, and a supply from the water supply pipe; A hot water temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of hot water near an outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein the hot water temperature sensor is a junction between the bypass pipe and the hot water pipe. Detecting the temperature on the downstream side of the point, the hot water supply control means, when the flowing water sensor is in a state where no flowing water is detected, when the detected temperature of the heat exchange temperature sensor is less than a predetermined heat retention start temperature, Performing a heat retention control for operating the heating means for a heating time determined according to a predetermined heat retention target temperature, and during execution of the heat retention control, hot water at a temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor is supplied from the heat exchanger. Hot spring Then, the opening degree of the bypass pipe is changed according to the detected temperature of the heat exchange temperature sensor and the detected temperature of the feed water temperature sensor so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the target hot water supply temperature. The bypass opening degree adjusting means adjusts the opening degree of the bypass pipe by the bypass opening degree adjusting means so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the hot water supply target temperature during the execution of the hot water supply control. It is characterized by adjusting.
[0030]
As described above, the hot water supply is actually performed from the hot water supply pipe after the hot water supply control is started by performing the heat retention control during the stop of hot water supply and performing the heat retention of the hot water staying in the heat exchanger. The time until the time can be shortened.
[0031]
However, when the hot water supply control is started, the temperature of the hot water staying in the heat exchanger varies greatly, and the temperature of the hot water from the heat exchanger exceeds the upper limit of the operating speed of the bypass opening adjusting means. When it changes, the adjustment of the opening degree of the bypass pipe is delayed and the cold water sand is generated.
[0032]
In such a case, according to the present invention, when the hot water supply is stopped, the short-circuit tube is opened by the short-circuit tube opening / closing means. Therefore, in a state where the water inlet side and the hot water outlet side of the heat exchanger are short-circuited by the short-circuit tube, the hot water staying in the heat exchanger is heated by the heating device, and the short-circuit state continues even after the heating is stopped. You. For this reason, the uniformity of the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger when the hot water supply is stopped is promoted, so that the hot water supply control is started in a state where the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger has a large variation as in the related art, and It is possible to prevent a cold water sand from being generated.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a water heater of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of a remote controller provided in the water heater shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a short-circuit tube opening / closing means provided in the water heater shown in FIG. FIG.
[0034]
Referring to FIG. 1, hot water supply apparatus 1 includes a hot water supply unit 2 and a reheating unit 3, and has a configuration in which controller 4 controls hot water supply unit 2 and the reheating unit 3.
[0035]
The hot water supply unit 2 includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 6 (corresponding to a heat exchanger of the present invention) heated by a hot water supply burner 5 (corresponding to a heating means of the present invention) operated by a control signal from a controller 4, and a water pipe (not shown). A water supply pipe 7 for supplying water to the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 and a water quantity servo 8 for adjusting the opening of the water supply pipe 7 based on a control signal from the controller 4, and a water supply temperature for detecting the water supply temperature TW and outputting it to the controller 4. A sensor 9, a running water sensor 10 which detects the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 and outputs the same to the controller 4, a hot water supply pipe 11 from which hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 is supplied, and a water supply pipe 7. A bypass pipe 12 for mixing a part of the water to be supplied to the hot water supply pipe 11 and a bypass servo 13 for adjusting the opening of the bypass pipe 12 by a control signal from the controller 4 (bypass opening adjusting means of the present invention) ), A hot water supply temperature sensor 14 that detects the temperature of hot water in a hot water supply pipe 25 downstream of a junction of the hot water supply pipe 11 and the bypass pipe 12 and outputs the detected temperature to the controller 4, and hot water near an outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. A heat exchange temperature sensor 15 for detecting the temperature TH of the hot water supply and outputting it to the controller 4, a short-circuit tube 58 for short-circuiting the inlet side and the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6, and a short-circuit tube opening / closing means 59 for opening and closing the short-circuit tube 58 Prepare.
[0036]
A gas supply pipe 16 for supplying fuel gas to the hot water supply burner 5 has a source gas solenoid valve 17 opened and closed by a control signal from the controller 4, and hot water supply gas solenoid valves 18 and 19, and a control signal from the controller 4. And a hot water supply gas proportional valve 20 whose opening degree is adjusted by the control unit.
[0037]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a hot water supply combustion fan that supplies combustion air to the hot water supply burner 5, and its rotation speed is varied by a control signal from the controller 4. Reference numeral 22 denotes a hot water supply ignition plug that receives a high voltage through an igniter 23 according to a control signal from the controller 4 and ignites the hot water supply burner 5. It is a frame rod. Reference numeral 27 denotes a pressurization safety valve and a water drainage tap for releasing pressure when the pressure in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 rises and for draining water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 and the hot water supply pipe 11.
[0038]
Here, referring to FIG. 3, the short-circuit pipe opening / closing means 59 provided in the middle of the short-circuit pipe 58 includes a spherical valve body 80, a retaining stopper 81 provided on the water inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6, It is a pressure-sensitive responsive valve comprising a valve seat 82 provided on the tapping side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6.
[0039]
When water is supplied from the water supply pipe 7 (at this time, the water flow is detected by the water flow sensor 10), the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the short-circuit pipe 58 due to the water pressure from the water inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. Occurs, the valve element 80 comes into close contact with the valve seat 82, and the short-circuit pipe 58 is closed.
[0040]
Further, when the water supply from the water supply pipe 7 is stopped (at this time, the water flow is no longer detected by the water flow sensor 10), a water hammer is generated, and the pressure in the opposite direction to the pressure applied up to that moment, that is, The pressure from the tapping side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 is applied to the valve body 80. Therefore, the valve body 80 is separated from the valve seat 82 that has been in close contact with it, and the short-circuit tube 58 is opened.
[0041]
Thereby, the short-circuit pipe 58 is opened and closed by the short-circuit pipe opening / closing means 59 in accordance with the presence or absence of water supply from the water supply pipe 7. During the stop of hot water supply, there is no pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the short-circuit pipe 58, so that the valve body 80 does not move.
[0042]
On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 1, reheating unit 3 is provided with a bath heat exchanger 41 heated by a bath burner 40 operated by a control signal from controller 4 and a hot water in bath tub 42 by a control signal from controller 4. Circulating path 43, circulating pump 44 circulating through bath heat exchanger 41, bath temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature of hot water in bath tub 42 and outputting to controller 4, and detecting the presence or absence of water flow in circulating path 43. And a water flow switch 46 for outputting to the controller 4.
[0043]
The gas supply pipe 16 that supplies the fuel gas to the bath burner 40 includes a bath gas solenoid valve 47 that is opened and closed by a control signal from the controller 4 and a gas governor 48 that keeps the supply amount of the fuel gas constant. Be provided.
[0044]
Reference numeral 49 denotes a bath combustion fan for supplying combustion air to the bath burner 40, the rotation speed of which is varied by a control signal from the controller 4. Reference numeral 50 denotes a bath ignition plug to which a high voltage is applied from the igniter 23 according to a control signal from the controller 4 to ignite the bath burner 40. Reference numeral 51 denotes a bath frame rod for detecting the combustion state of the bath burner and outputting the detected state to the controller 4.
[0045]
The circulation path 43 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 25 via a pouring solenoid valve 52, a bath hot water supply pipe 53, and a three-way valve 54 which are opened and closed by a control signal from the controller 4. Thereby, hot water is supplied from hot water supply unit 2 to bathtub 42 by opening pouring electromagnetic valve 52. Reference numeral 56 denotes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of hot water supplied to the bathtub 42 and outputs the same to the controller 4. Reference numeral 57 denotes a water level sensor that detects the level of hot water in the bathtub 42 by hydrostatic pressure and outputs the same to the controller 4.
[0046]
The controller 4 includes a hot water supply control unit 31 and a reheating unit 32, and is configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the hot water supply unit 2 and the reheating unit 3 according to various operation modes instructed by the remote controller 30. Perform control.
[0047]
Next, referring to FIG. 2, remote controller 30 provides operation switch 60 for instructing the start and stop of the operation of hot water supply device 1 as a whole, and supplies a predetermined amount of hot water to bathtub 42, and after the hot water supply, a predetermined boiling water An automatic switch 61 for instructing the start of an automatic operation for reheating to an increased temperature, a hot water supply temperature switch 62 for setting a hot water supply target temperature to the hot water supply pipe 25 (corresponding to the hot water supply target temperature of the present invention), and a built-in clock. A clock setting switch 63 for specifying a clock time setting mode for setting a time; a reservation setting switch 64 for specifying a reservation time setting mode for setting a reservation time for the automatic operation; and a clock time setting mode and a reservation time setting mode. A time setting switch 65 for setting each time, a minute setting switch 66, a reservation operation switch 67 for setting the reservation of the automatic operation, and a temperature of hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. The has a heat retaining switch 68 for instructing the execution of the maintenance operation to maintain a predetermined range, and a display unit 69 for displaying the hot water temperature and time, and the like.
[0048]
When the user operates the operation switch 60 of the remote controller 30, the entire hot water supply device 1 enters an operation standby state, and the operation lamp 70 built in the operation switch 60 is turned on. In this state, when the user opens the callan 26 connected to the end of the hot water supply pipe 25, water supply to the water supply pipe 7 starts, and the flowing water sensor 10 detects flowing water. When the controller 4 recognizes the start of water supply to the water supply pipe 7 based on the output from the flowing water sensor 10, the controller 4 operates the hot water supply combustion fan 21, and the original gas solenoid valve 17, the hot water supply gas solenoid valves 18 and 19, and the hot water supply gas proportion The valve 20 is opened, and a high voltage is applied to the igniter 23 to cause a spark discharge in the hot water supply spark plug 22 to perform the ignition processing of the hot water supply burner 5.
[0049]
When the hot water supply control means 31 provided in the controller 4 recognizes from the output of the hot water supply frame rod 24 that the hot water supply burner 5 has been ignited, the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 14 and the temperature set by the remote control 30 are set. The opening degree of the hot water supply gas proportional valve 20, the rotation speed of the hot water supply combustion fan 21, the opening and closing of the hot water supply gas solenoid valves 18 and 19, the opening degree of the water amount servo 8, and the opening of the bypass servo 13 so that the hot water supply target temperature matches. The hot water supply control for adjusting the degree is executed. Thereby, hot water is supplied from the curan 26 at the hot water supply target temperature set by the user.
[0050]
When the user operates the automatic switch 61 of the remote controller 30, the controller 4 starts the above-described automatic operation, and opens the pouring solenoid valve 52 first. Water supply to the water supply pipe 7 is started by the opening of the pouring solenoid valve 52, and when flowing water is detected by the flowing water sensor 10, the hot water supply burner 5 is opened in the same manner as when the user opens the callan 26. Is ignited, and hot water supply at the hot water target temperature is started from the hot water supply pipe 11 via the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 52, the bath hot water supply pipe 53, the three-way valve 54, and the circulation path 43.
[0051]
The controller 4 accumulates the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 42 based on the output from the flow rate sensor 56, and closes the pouring solenoid valve 52 when the accumulated value reaches the filling level, so that The fixed amount of hot water (hot water) ends.
[0052]
The controller 4 detects the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 42 based on the output of the bath temperature sensor 45 after the bathing of the bathtub 42 is completed, and when the detected temperature is lower than the boiling temperature, the bathtub is cooled to the boiling temperature. The temperature of the hot water in 42 is raised.
[0053]
In order to raise the temperature, the additional heating control means 32 provided in the controller 4 operates the bath pump 44 to circulate the hot water in the bathtub 42 through the circulation path 43 and also operates the bath combustion fan 49. Then, the original gas solenoid valve 17 and the bath gas solenoid valve 47 are opened, and a high voltage is applied to the bath ignition plug 50 via the igniter 23 to generate spark discharge, and the bath burner 40 is ignited.
[0054]
When the additional heating control means 32 recognizes from the output of the bath frame rod 51 that the bath burner 40 has been ignited, the additional temperature of the bath until the temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 45 reaches the boiling temperature. The combustion of the burner 40 is continued. Thereby, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 42 is raised to the boiling temperature.
[0055]
Note that the additional heating control means 32 controls the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 42 to be substantially maintained at the boiling temperature for four hours after the hot water in the bathtub 42 reaches the boiling temperature. A bath warming operation for intermittently burning the bath burner 40 is performed. Then, during the bath heat keeping operation, a heat keeping mark 72 is displayed on the display section 69 of the remote controller 30.
[0056]
When the user operates the automatic switch 61 of the remote controller 30 and recognizes from the output of the water level sensor 57 that the bathtub 42 has already been filled with water, the controller 4 sends the signal to the bathtub 42. No hot water is applied, but only additional heating up to the above-mentioned boiling temperature is performed.
[0057]
When the user operates the reservation operation switch 67, the reservation operation is set, and the reservation mark 71 is displayed on the display unit 71 of the remote controller 30. Then, when the reservation time set in advance by the reservation setting switch 64, the hour switch 65, and the minute switch 66 comes, the above-described automatic operation is executed.
[0058]
Next, when the user operates the heat retention switch 68, the hot water supply control means 31 keeps the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined time (for example, one hour). Execute This heat retention control is a process for reducing the time (delay time) from when the user opens the curan 26 to when the hot water is actually supplied to the curan 26.
[0059]
As described above, the hot water supply burner 5 is ignited when the flowing water sensor 10 recognizes the start of supplying water to the heat exchanger 6. At this time, water remains in the hot water supply pipe 25, the hot water supply pipe 11, and the heat exchanger 6. Therefore, the hot water is supplied from the curan 26 after the water staying in the hot water supply pipe 25, the hot water supply pipe 11, and the heat exchanger 6 is supplied. The length of the pipe in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 is, for example, 2.5 m.
[0060]
Therefore, by keeping the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 in advance, the amount of water to be supplied before the hot water supply is started can be reduced to only the remaining amount in the hot water supply pipe 25 and the hot water supply pipe 11. Thus, the delay time from when the user opens the curran 26 to when the hot water supply is actually started can be reduced.
[0061]
Here, the heat retention control is performed when the flowing water sensor 10 does not detect flowing water, that is, when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe 7. Therefore, the heat retention control is performed in a state in which the short-circuit pipe 58 is opened by the short-circuit pipe opening / closing means 59, that is, in a state in which the inlet side and the outlet side of the hot-water supply heat exchanger 6 are communicated by the short-circuit pipe 58. The hot water staying in 6 is heated by hot water supply burner 5. Further, even after the hot water supply burner is stopped, the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 is maintained in a state where the water inlet side and the hot water outlet side communicate with each other.
[0062]
Thereby, the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 is easily convected and replaced via the short-circuit tube 58 during the execution of the heat retention control, and the time required for the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 to be equalized. Becomes shorter. Therefore, when the user opens the curan 26 and shifts from the heat retention control to the hot water supply control during execution of the heat retention control, it is possible to suppress a large fluctuation in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. Can be.
[0063]
Then, during the execution of the heat retention control, if hot water having a temperature detected by heat exchange temperature sensor 15 is discharged from hot water supply heat exchanger 6 during hot water retention control, the temperature of hot water detected by hot water supply temperature sensor 14 is changed. The opening degree of the bypass servo 13 is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor 15 and the temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 9 so that the hot water supply target temperature is reached.
[0064]
Therefore, by suppressing the fluctuation of the tapping temperature from the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 when the control is shifted from the heat retention control to the hot water supply control, the amount of adjustment of the opening degree of the bypass servo 13 can be small, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 The delay of the adjustment of the bypass servo 13 according to the variation of the hot water temperature can be prevented. Therefore, the hot water supply temperature from the curan 26 can be kept constant, and the occurrence of so-called cold water sand in which the hot water temperature decreases after the hot water supply from the curan 26 starts can be prevented.
[0065]
In the present embodiment, the hot water supply device that performs the heat retention control while the hot water supply is stopped has been described. However, even in the water supply device that does not perform the heat retention control, a short circuit that short-circuits the water inlet side and the water outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger. A pipe and a short-circuit pipe opening / closing means for opening and closing the short-circuit pipe are provided. When the hot-water supply is stopped, the short-circuit pipe is opened so that the hot-water supply in the hot-water supply heat exchanger is stopped during the hot-water supply stop. Temperature can be made uniform.
[0066]
By thus equalizing the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger during the hot water supply stop, it is possible to suppress a large fluctuation in the hot water supply temperature from the hot water supply heat exchanger when the hot water supply control is restarted. However, the occurrence of the cold water sand can be prevented.
[0067]
Further, in the present embodiment, the hot water supply device provided with bypass pipe 12 and bypass servo 13 has been described, but short-circuit pipe 58 and short-circuit pipe opening / closing means 59 may be provided for a hot water supply apparatus without these. Therefore, it is possible to promote the uniformity of the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 during the hot water supply stoppage, and to start the hot water supply control and restart the hot water supply control at the outlet temperature of the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 (in this case, Becomes the hot water supply temperature).
[0068]
In this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive responsive valve shown in FIG. 3 is used as the short-circuit tube opening / closing means. However, the structure of the pressure-sensitive responsive valve is not limited to this. An electromagnetic open / close valve may be provided in the middle of the pipe, and the short-circuit pipe open / close means may be configured to control the open / close of the electromagnetic valve depending on whether or not a water flow is detected by a water flow sensor.
[0069]
Further, in the present embodiment, a hot water supply device using a gas burner as a heating means is shown, but the present invention is also applicable to a hot water supply device using a kerosene burner, an electric heater, or the like as a heating means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a hot water supply device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a remote controller provided in the water heater shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a short-circuit tube opening / closing means provided in the hot-water supply device shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water supply apparatus, 2 ... Hot water supply part, 3 ... Additional heating part, 4 ... Controller, 5 ... Hot water supply burner, 6 ... Hot water supply heat exchanger, 7 ... Water supply pipe, 8 ... Water quantity servo, 9 ... Water supply temperature sensor, 10 ... Flowing water sensor, 11 hot water supply pipe, 12 bypass pipe, 13 bypass servo, 14 hot water temperature sensor, 15 heat exchange temperature sensor, 16 gas supply pipe, 17 original gas solenoid valve, 18, 19 hot water supply gas Solenoid valve, 20 hot-water supply gas proportional valve, 21 hot-water supply combustion fan, 22 hot-water supply ignition plug, 23 igniter, 24 hot-water supply frame rod, 25 hot-water supply pipe, 26 callan, 27 overpressure safety valve and drain valve, REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 remote controller 31 hot water supply control means 32 additional heating control means 40 bath burner 41 bath heat exchanger 42 bath tub 43 circulation path 44 circulation pump 45 bath temperature sensor 46 … Water current switch 47, bath gas solenoid valve, 48, bath gas governor, 49, bath combustion fan, 50, bath ignition plug, 51, bath frame rod, 52, pouring solenoid valve, 53, bath water pipe, 54, three-way valve, 56 ... Flow sensor, 57 ... Water level sensor, 58 ... Short-circuit tube, 59 ... Short-circuit tube opening / closing means

Claims

A heat exchanger for heating the water supplied by the water supply pipe by the heating means, a hot water supply pipe from which the hot water heated by the heat exchanger is discharged, and a hot water supply temperature for detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe A sensor, a flowing water sensor for detecting the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the heat exchanger,
A hot-water supply apparatus comprising: a hot-water supply control unit that adjusts a heating amount of the heating unit so that a detected temperature of the hot-water supply temperature sensor matches a predetermined hot-water supply target temperature when running water is detected by the running water sensor. At
A short-circuit pipe for short-circuiting the water inlet side and the hot water side of the heat exchanger; and a short-circuit pipe for closing the short-circuit pipe when water is supplied from the water supply pipe and opening the short-circuit pipe when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe. With opening and closing means ,
A bypass pipe for mixing a part of water supplied from the water supply pipe into the hot water supply pipe, bypass opening adjustment means provided in the bypass pipe to adjust an opening degree of the bypass pipe, and a supply from the water supply pipe; A hot water temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of hot water near an outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein the hot water temperature sensor is a junction between the bypass pipe and the hot water pipe. Detecting the temperature downstream of the point,
The hot water supply control means, for a predetermined time after the end of the hot water supply control, or until the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, when the flowing water sensor is in a state where flowing water is not detected, If the hot water at the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor at that time is discharged from the heat exchanger, the temperature of the heat exchange temperature sensor is adjusted so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the hot water supply target temperature. In accordance with the detected temperature and the temperature detected by the feedwater temperature sensor, the opening of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening adjusting means,
During the execution of the hot water supply control, the opening degree of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening degree adjusting means such that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the hot water supply target temperature .

A heat exchanger for heating the water supplied by the water supply pipe by the heating means, a hot water supply pipe from which the hot water heated by the heat exchanger is discharged, and a hot water supply temperature for detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe A sensor, a flowing water sensor for detecting the presence or absence of flowing water passing through the heat exchanger,
A hot-water supply apparatus comprising: a hot-water supply control unit that adjusts a heating amount of the heating unit so that a detected temperature of the hot-water supply temperature sensor matches a predetermined hot-water supply target temperature when running water is detected by the running water sensor. At
A short-circuit pipe for short-circuiting the water inlet side and the hot water side of the heat exchanger; and a short-circuit pipe for closing the short-circuit pipe when water is supplied from the water supply pipe and opening the short-circuit pipe when water is not supplied from the water supply pipe. With opening and closing means,
A bypass pipe for mixing a part of water supplied from the water supply pipe into the hot water supply pipe, bypass opening adjustment means provided in the bypass pipe to adjust an opening degree of the bypass pipe, and a supply from the water supply pipe; A hot water temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of hot water near an outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein the hot water temperature sensor is a junction between the bypass pipe and the hot water pipe. Detecting the temperature downstream of the point,
The hot water supply control means, when the flowing water is not detected by the flowing water sensor, when the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor is less than a predetermined heat retention start temperature, the heating means to a predetermined heat retention target temperature Performing a heat retention control to be operated for a heating time determined in accordance therewith; during the execution of the heat retention control, if hot water having a temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor is discharged from the heat exchanger, the hot water supply temperature sensor The opening degree of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening degree adjusting means in accordance with the temperature detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature coincides with the target temperature of hot water supply. And
During the execution of the hot water supply control, the opening degree of the bypass pipe is adjusted by the bypass opening degree adjusting means such that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor matches the hot water supply target temperature .