JP3599029B2

JP3599029B2 - Water heater

Info

Publication number: JP3599029B2
Application number: JP2002030523A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 高弓福田; 敏克前田; 裕展田中
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-07
Also published as: JP2003232568A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、水道管に接続された給湯装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の給湯装置は図２に示すように、水を加熱する加熱容器を有する加熱ユニットと、水道管から前記加熱容器への給水経路に設けられた給水を制御する給水弁と、前記加熱容器への給水量を検知する給水量検知手段を備えていた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記従来の構成では、給水弁の故障や断水等により、給水弁を開口して給水動作をしているのに給水出来ない時、それを検知できず加熱容器を空焼きや給水弁の連続駆動により給水弁が劣化する可能性があった。また、給水弁の故障等により、給水弁を閉口して給水停止しているのに給水している時、それを検知できず、加熱容器より水が溢れて感電の原因となる可能性があった。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記従来の課題を解決するために本発明は、給水弁の動作と給水量検知手段から検知される給水量を監視する監視手段を設けた。
【０００５】
【発明の実施の形態】
請求項１に記載の発明は、水を加熱する加熱容器を有する加熱ユニットと、水道管から前記加熱容器への給水経路に設けられた給水を制御する給水弁と、前記加熱容器への給水量を検知する給水量検知手段と、前記給水弁の開閉状況と前記給水量検知手段により検知される給水量から、前記給水弁または前記給水量検知手段を監視する監視手段を備えた給湯装置とする。
【０００６】
本構成によれば、給水弁が閉口しているのに給水している時に異常であると検知が出来、また給水弁が開口しているのに給水していない時に異常と検知することが可能となる。
【０００７】
請求項２に記載の発明は、監視手段は、前記給水弁が開口し給水動作を行っているにも関わらず、前記給水量検知手段が検知する所定時間の給水量が所定量以下の時、加熱を停止する請求項１記載の給湯装置とする。
【０００８】
本構成によれば、加熱を停止することにより加熱容器の空焼きを防止することが出来る。
【０００９】
請求項３に記載の発明は、監視手段は、前記給水弁が閉口し給水停止を行っているにも関わらず、前記給水量検知手段が検知する所定時間の給水量が所定量以上の時、加熱を停止する請求項１記載の給湯装置とする。
【００１０】
本構成によれば、給水弁の故障等により給水が続けられ、加熱容器内の水が溢れて漏水した場合に於いても、加熱を停止しているので感電を防止できる。
【００１１】
請求項４に記載の発明は、監視手段は、前記給水弁が開口し給水動作を行っているにも関わらず、前記給水量検知手段が検知する所定時間の給水量が所定量以下の時、給水を停止する請求項１記載の給湯装置とする。
【００１２】
本構成によれば、断水等により給水弁が開口しているのに給水が行われていない時、給水弁の連続開口する事による劣化を防止することが出来る。
【００１３】
請求項５に記載の発明は、前記給水量検知手段が給水量を検知する時期を給水弁が開口してから所定の時間が経過した後とした請求項２，４の何れかに記載の給湯装置とする。
【００１４】
本構成によれば、給水弁が開口した直後は給水量が不安定であり、給水弁が閉口してから所定時間の経過後に検知することにより安定した給水量を検知でき、検知精度が上がる。
【００１５】
請求項６に記載の発明は、前記給水量検知手段が給水量を検知する時期を給水弁が閉口してから所定の時間が経過した後とした請求項３に記載の給湯装置とする。
【００１６】
本構成によれば、給水弁が閉口した直後は若干給水される可能性があり、給水弁が閉口してから所定時間の経過後に検知することにより、検知精度が上がる。
【００１７】
請求項７に記載の発明は、加熱停止または給水停止を報知する報知手段を備えた請求項２〜６のいずれか１項に記載の給湯装置とする。
【００１８】
本構成によれば、利用者は給水弁や給水量検知手段の異常または断水であることが確認でき、他の部分を調べることなく、その部分の処置ができる。
【００１９】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
以下、本発明の実施例１について図面を参照にしながら説明する。図１はキッチンユニットに組み込んだ給湯装置の構成図である。図１において、１は水道管で、２は弁を開閉することによって加熱容器１３への給水制御を行う給水弁で、３は水の通過水量を検知する給水量検知手段である。この水量検知手段３は、水が通過すると、内部の羽根が回転して、その回転軸に磁石が取り付けられ磁石の通過回数をホールＩＣで検知して、ホールＩＣからのパルス数をカウントすることにより通過水量を検知する仕組みとなっている。５はキッチンユニット１１内部に収めれらた給湯装置の加熱ユニットで、内部に水を入れる加熱容器１３がある。
【００２０】
水道管１から分岐した給水路４は、給水弁２と給水量検知手段３を介して加熱容器５に接続している。加熱容器５の底部には水を加熱するヒータ８と加熱容器の湯温を検出するサーミスタ９とが取り付けられている。６は水位を検知する水位検知手段でコモン電極棒６ａと対向する電極棒６ｂ間に流れる電流により水の有無を検知する。また、加熱容器１３内の水または湯をキッチンユニット１３上部に導水するポンプ７が取り付けられ、出湯口１０から出水または出湯される。１２は給水弁２の開閉状況と水量検知手段３からの信号から得られる給水量を監視し、その結果により給水弁を閉じたり加熱を停止したり、または報知手段に信号を出す監視手段である。
【００２１】
実際の動作について、図１を参照にしながら説明する。電源を投入すると、給水弁２が開き水道管１から水が給水経路４を通り加熱容器１３に給水される。給水経路４途中に設けられた給水量検知手段３は通過水量を検知し信号を監視手段１２に送る。
【００２２】
また、水位電極６のコモン電極棒の６ａと電極棒６ｂ間には所定の電圧が印可されており、加熱容器１３が空の状態から給水され、電極棒６ｂの先端に水が到達するとコモン電極６ａと電極棒６ｂ間に電流が流れ、その電流を検知して電極棒６ｂの位置に水位が到達したと検知する。監視手段１２は給水弁２を開口し、水位６ｂの位置を検知してから給水量検知手段３からの信号により所定の給水量が検知されると給水弁２を閉口して給水を停止する。
【００２３】
また、水位６ｂを検知すると加熱ヒータ８を通電し加熱容器１３内の水を加熱する。サーミスタ９による検知温度が９５℃に達すると加熱ヒータ９をオフし、その後オン、オフしながら保温を行う。また、使用者によりポンプが駆動されて加熱容器５内の水が排出されて水位が電極棒ｂの位置よりも低くなると、再び給水弁２を開き給水を開始する。
【００２４】
監視手段１２により給水弁２を開口後、給水量検知手段３からのパルス数が所定時間（例えば１秒）内で所定数（例えば１０パルス）以下の時、異常であると認識し、給水弁を閉口して給水の停止や加熱停止または異常であることの報知を報知手段１４により行う。前記例は給水弁開口直後の給水量を検知したが、給水弁２を開口後所定時間（例えば１０秒）経過してから検知を行う事も考えられる。
【００２５】
また、監視手段１２により給水弁閉口後、給水量検知手段３からのパルス数が所定時間（例えば１秒）内で所定数（１０パルス）以上の時、異常である認識し、加熱停止や異常であることの報知を報知手段１４により行う。前記例は給水弁２を閉口後所定時間（例えば１０秒）経過してから検知を行う事も考えられる。
【００２６】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、給水弁の開閉状態と給水量検知手段により検知される給水量を監視することにより、断水の検知または給水弁や給水量検知手段等の故障を検出でき、加熱を停止や給水停止をすることにより、加熱容器の空焼きまたは加熱容器からの水の溢れや感電を防ぐことができ、利用者に安全で信頼性の高い給湯器を提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１を示すキッチンユニットに組み込んだ給湯装置の水回路構成図
【図２】従来の給湯器を示す構成図
【符号の説明】
１水道管
２給水弁
３給水量検知手段
４給水経路
５加熱ユニット
１２監視手段
１３加熱容器
１４報知手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hot water supply device connected to a water pipe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional hot water supply apparatus has a heating unit having a heating vessel for heating water, a water supply valve provided in a water supply path from a water pipe to the heating vessel, and a water supply valve for controlling the water supply. Water supply amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water supply.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, when the water supply valve is opened and the water supply operation is not possible due to the water supply valve failure or water cutoff, the water supply cannot be detected. There was a possibility that the water supply valve would be deteriorated by continuous driving. Also, due to a failure of the water supply valve, etc., when water is supplied even though the water supply valve is closed and water supply is stopped, it cannot be detected, and water may overflow from the heating container and cause electric shock. Was.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention is provided with monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the water supply valve and the amount of water supply detected by the water supply amount detection means.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 includes a heating unit having a heating vessel for heating water, a water supply valve provided in a water supply path from a water pipe to the heating vessel, and a water supply amount to the heating vessel. And a monitoring unit for monitoring the water supply valve or the water supply amount detection means based on the open / close state of the water supply valve and the water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection means. .
[0006]
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect an abnormality when water is supplied while the water supply valve is closed, and it is possible to detect an abnormality when water is not supplied when the water supply valve is open. It becomes.
[0007]
According to the invention described in claim 2, the monitoring means is configured such that, even though the water supply valve is open and performing a water supply operation, when a water supply amount for a predetermined time detected by the water supply amount detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heating is stopped.
[0008]
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the baking of the heating container by stopping the heating.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the invention, when the water supply amount for a predetermined period of time detected by the water supply amount detection unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the monitoring unit is configured to stop the water supply by closing the water supply valve, The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heating is stopped.
[0010]
According to this configuration, even when the water supply is continued due to a failure of the water supply valve and the water in the heating vessel overflows and leaks, the electric shock can be prevented because the heating is stopped.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, when the water supply amount for a predetermined time detected by the water supply amount detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the monitoring unit performs the water supply operation by opening the water supply valve, The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply is stopped.
[0012]
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent deterioration due to continuous opening of the water supply valve when water is not supplied even though the water supply valve is open due to water cutoff or the like.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 is the hot water supply according to any one of claims 2 and 4, wherein the time when the water supply amount detecting means detects the water supply amount is after a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply valve was opened. Equipment.
[0014]
According to this configuration, the water supply amount is unstable immediately after the water supply valve is opened, and a stable water supply amount can be detected by detecting the water supply amount after a lapse of a predetermined time since the water supply valve is closed, thereby increasing the detection accuracy.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 6 is the hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timing at which the water supply amount detection means detects the water supply amount is a predetermined time after the water supply valve is closed.
[0016]
According to this configuration, there is a possibility that a small amount of water may be supplied immediately after the water supply valve is closed, and the detection accuracy is increased by detecting the water supply after a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply valve was closed.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 7 is the hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further including a notification unit configured to notify a stop of heating or a stop of water supply.
[0018]
According to this configuration, the user can confirm that the water supply valve or the water supply amount detecting means is abnormal or the water supply is interrupted, and can perform treatment on that part without checking other parts.
[0019]
【Example】
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply device incorporated in a kitchen unit. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a water pipe, 2 denotes a water supply valve for controlling water supply to the heating container 13 by opening and closing the valve, and 3 denotes a water supply amount detecting means for detecting an amount of passing water. When the water passes, the internal vanes rotate, and a magnet is attached to the rotating shaft, and the number of passages of the magnet is detected by the Hall IC, and the number of pulses from the Hall IC is counted. The system detects the amount of water passing through. Reference numeral 5 denotes a heating unit of the hot water supply device housed in the kitchen unit 11, and there is a heating container 13 in which water is put inside.
[0020]
A water supply channel 4 branched from the water pipe 1 is connected to a heating vessel 5 via a water supply valve 2 and a water supply amount detecting means 3. At the bottom of the heating vessel 5, a heater 8 for heating water and a thermistor 9 for detecting the temperature of hot water in the heating vessel are attached. Numeral 6 denotes a water level detecting means for detecting the water level by detecting the presence or absence of water by a current flowing between the common electrode bar 6a and the electrode bar 6b facing the common electrode bar 6a. In addition, a pump 7 for guiding water or hot water in the heating container 13 to the upper part of the kitchen unit 13 is attached, and water is discharged or discharged from the tap 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes monitoring means for monitoring the opening / closing state of the water supply valve 2 and the amount of water supply obtained from the signal from the water amount detection means 3, and closing or stopping the heating of the water supply valve or outputting a signal to the notification means according to the result. .
[0021]
The actual operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the power is turned on, the water supply valve 2 is opened, and water is supplied from the water pipe 1 to the heating container 13 through the water supply path 4. The water supply amount detecting means 3 provided in the middle of the water supply path 4 detects the amount of passing water and sends a signal to the monitoring means 12.
[0022]
A predetermined voltage is applied between the common electrode rod 6a of the water level electrode 6 and the electrode rod 6b. Water is supplied from an empty state of the heating vessel 13 and when the water reaches the tip of the electrode rod 6b, the common electrode is discharged. A current flows between 6a and the electrode rod 6b, and the current is detected to detect that the water level has reached the position of the electrode rod 6b. The monitoring means 12 opens the water supply valve 2, detects the position of the water level 6 b, and when a predetermined water supply amount is detected by a signal from the water supply amount detection means 3, closes the water supply valve 2 to stop water supply.
[0023]
When the water level 6b is detected, the heater 8 is energized to heat the water in the heating vessel 13. When the temperature detected by the thermistor 9 reaches 95 ° C., the heater 9 is turned off, and then the heat is maintained while being turned on and off. Further, when the pump is driven by the user and the water in the heating vessel 5 is discharged and the water level becomes lower than the position of the electrode rod b, the water supply valve 2 is opened again to start water supply.
[0024]
After the water supply valve 2 is opened by the monitoring means 12, when the number of pulses from the water supply amount detection means 3 is less than a predetermined number (for example, 10 pulses) within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), it is recognized as abnormal, and the water supply valve is recognized. Is closed and the notification of the stop of the water supply, the stop of the heating, or the abnormality is performed by the notification unit 14. In the above example, the water supply amount is detected immediately after the water supply valve is opened. However, the detection may be performed after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed after the water supply valve 2 was opened.
[0025]
Further, when the number of pulses from the water supply amount detecting means 3 is equal to or more than a predetermined number (10 pulses) within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the water supply valve is closed by the monitoring means 12, it is recognized as abnormal, and the heating is stopped or abnormal. Is notified by the notifying means 14. In the above example, detection may be performed after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed after the water supply valve 2 is closed.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by monitoring the open / close state of the water supply valve and the water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection means, it is possible to detect a water cutoff or a failure of the water supply valve or the water supply amount detection means. By stopping the heating or stopping the water supply, it is possible to prevent the baking of the heating container, the overflow of the water from the heating container and the electric shock, and to provide a safe and reliable water heater to the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water circuit of a water heater incorporated in a kitchen unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conventional water heater.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water pipe 2 Water supply valve 3 Water supply amount detection means 4 Water supply path 5 Heating unit 12 Monitoring means 13 Heating vessel 14 Notification means

Claims

A heating unit having a heating container for heating water, a water supply valve for controlling water supply provided in a water supply path from a water pipe to the heating container, and a water supply amount detection unit for detecting a water supply amount to the heating container, A water heater comprising a monitoring means for monitoring the water supply valve or the water supply amount detection means based on the open / close state of the water supply valve and the water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection means.

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means stops heating when the water supply amount for a predetermined time detected by the water supply amount detection means is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, even though the water supply valve is open and performing the water supply operation. .

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means stops heating when the water supply amount for a predetermined time detected by the water supply amount detection means is equal to or more than the predetermined amount, even though the water supply valve is closed and the water supply is stopped. .

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means stops water supply when the water supply amount for a predetermined time detected by the water supply amount detection means is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, even though the water supply valve is open and performing the water supply operation. .

The hot water supply device according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the time when the water supply amount detecting means detects the water supply amount is after a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening of the water supply valve.

4. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the time when the water supply amount detecting means detects the water supply amount is after a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply valve was closed.

The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a stop of heating or a stop of water supply.