JP3666459B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric water heater that learns a usage pattern for each household and operates according to this usage pattern.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of electric water heater uses a sparing heat retention timer function, and when the usage situation is low, such as at midnight, the user can set the timer to a low heat retention temperature setting for a certain period of time to reduce power consumption. I was planning.
[0003]
In addition, for example, a time setting means for setting a plurality of times and a hot water temperature setting means for setting a plurality of hot water temperatures are provided, and the user sets a use pattern in advance, so that the heat retention temperature is set at a plurality of times. Some have switched settings to reduce power consumption.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional electric water heater, the user must set a timer or the user must set a use pattern in advance, which is very time-consuming. Furthermore, when it is desired to change the usage pattern, it is necessary to redo the setting, and there is a problem that it is very troublesome.
[0005]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, learns usage patterns for each home, and automatically switches the heat-retention temperature setting during use / non-use based on this basic usage pattern to reduce power consumption. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric water heater that can automatically correct a basic use pattern even if a user's use pattern suddenly changes and can provide a user with desired hot water.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the electric water heater of the present invention stores a usage state for a predetermined period and sets a basic usage pattern according to the usage state, and an auxiliary learning unit for correcting the basic usage pattern. It is made to operate | move by the pattern learned by the basic usage pattern and the auxiliary learning means.
[0007]
With this configuration, the usage pattern for each home is learned, and based on this basic usage pattern, the temperature setting is automatically switched between use and non-use to reduce power consumption. Even if it suddenly changes, the basic usage pattern can be automatically corrected to provide the user with the desired hot water.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in claim 1 stores a container for storing a liquid, heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container, and a use state for a predetermined period, and sets a basic use pattern according to the use state Life learning means, and auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic usage pattern, and operates with the basic usage pattern and a pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means. By using an electric water heater that raises the temperature during the time , learn the usage pattern for each home, and automatically switch between the temperature setting when using or not using this basic usage pattern to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, even if the user's usage pattern suddenly changes, the basic usage pattern can be automatically corrected to provide the user with the desired hot water. Furthermore, since the high temperature heat retention setting is extended for a long time , the temperature of the hot water can be reliably increased even when hot water is likely to be used, and the desired hot water can be provided to the user.
[0009]
The invention described in claim 2 stores a container for storing a liquid, heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container, and a use state for a predetermined period, and sets a basic use pattern according to the use state Life learning means, and auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic use pattern, and operates with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means. The auxiliary learning means has a water heating operation by a reheating switch. By using the electric water heater that stores the time zone, even if there is a water heating operation by a reheating switch other than the basic usage pattern, it is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water in the time zone during which the water heating operation was performed.
[0010]
The invention described in claim 3 stores a container for storing a liquid, heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container, and a use state for a predetermined period, and sets a basic use pattern according to the use state. Life learning means, and auxiliary learning means for correcting the basic usage pattern, which operates with the basic usage pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and is used in the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means The band stores a predetermined number of days, subtracts 1 when it is updated on the 1st, repeats until it reaches 0, and if it is used in this time period before the predetermined number of days elapses, the number of days in this time period By using an electric water heater that returns the count to a predetermined number of days, it is possible to reliably provide the desired hot water even when the usage pattern of the user has changed significantly.
[0011]
The invention described in claim 4 stores a container for storing a liquid, heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container, and a use state for a predetermined period, and sets a basic use pattern according to the use state An electric water heater that operates in accordance with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and that changes the temperature setting when not in use every time Thus, when hot water is highly likely to be used, the desired hot water can be provided even if the heat retention temperature setting is low.
[0012]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a container for storing a liquid, 2 is a heating means for heating the liquid in the container 1, and has a first heating means and a second heating means having a watt output smaller than this. 3 is a temperature detecting means for contacting the container 1 to detect the temperature of the liquid in the container 1, 5 is a boiling detecting means, and the temperature rising gradient obtained from the temperature detecting means 3 is a predetermined temperature rising gradient (in this embodiment). 30 seconds / 0.5 ° C.), the boiling of the liquid in the container 1 is detected.
[0014]
Reference numeral 6 denotes control means. When the temperature detection means 3 detects a temperature lower than the heat retention boundary temperature (about 90 ° C. in this embodiment), the heating means 2 is driven, and then the boiling detection means 5 detects boiling and heating. The means 2 is configured to stop. 7 is a life learning means, which stores a use state such as a hot water operation, a hot water operation, and when water is supplied, for a predetermined period (14 days in this embodiment), and sets a basic use pattern. Reference numeral 8 denotes reheating means for forcibly reheating the heat-retaining liquid. By this operation, the control means 6 and the heating means 2 are driven and reheated. Reference numeral 9 denotes auxiliary learning means for storing the usage state for one day for each unit time (10 minutes in this embodiment) (in this embodiment, 144 days of data for one day).
[0015]
The control means 6 automatically controls the heating means 2 so as to maintain the temperature of the temperature control pattern created by correcting the basic use pattern set by the life learning means 7 with the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means 9. To do.
[0016]
A hot water supply means 10 includes a hot water switch 10b, a water conduit 10h that sends liquid from the bottom of the container 1 to the outside, and a pump 10i that is configured in the water conduit and sends liquid to the outside. Reference numeral 14 denotes an informing means for displaying and notifying operations such as boiling water and keeping warm.
[0017]
In FIG. 2, the heating means 2 includes a first heating element 2a for heating the liquid in the container 1 and a second heating element for heating and keeping the liquid in the container with a heating power smaller than that of the first heating element 2a. 2b, and relay contacts 2c and 2d connected in series with the AC power source 11 and relay coils 2e and 2f for controlling the relay contacts 2c and 2d. A current is passed through the relay coils 2e and 2f. The relay contacts 2c and 2d are closed.
[0018]
The temperature detecting means 3 generates a divided voltage value by the temperature sensing element 3a for converting the temperature into a resistance value, and the temperature sensing element 3a and the resistance 3b, and converts the voltage into a binary code. Is input. The A / D converter 3c sets a range of about 30 to 120 ° C. in increments of a unit temperature width (about 0.5 ° C. in the present embodiment), and outputs a signal every time the unit temperature rises.
[0019]
The reheating unit 8 is an input unit for forcibly reheating the liquid being kept, and includes a switch 8a and resistors 8b and 8c. The notification means 14 notifies the end of boiling by the buzzer 14a, and displays that the water is being heated or kept warm by the LEDs 14b and 14c.
[0020]
The hot water discharge means 10 is a lock that outputs a motor 10a for driving the electric pump 10i by operating the hot water switch 10b, a hot water switch 10b connected in series with the motor 10a, a transistor 10c, and a signal for turning on the transistor 10c. The release switch 10e is configured.
[0021]
The hot water can be discharged when the unlocking switch 10b is on in the unlocked state where the unlock switch 10e is on and the transistor 10c is on. Therefore, in the locked state where the lock release switch 10e is off and the transistor 10c is off, the hot water cannot be discharged even if the hot water switch 10b is turned on. Further, if the next hot water is not discharged for a certain period of time (10 seconds in this embodiment) after the end of the hot water, the transistor 10c is turned off again so that the hot water cannot be discharged only by turning on the hot water switch 10b. ing.
[0022]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer), which realizes the operations of the life learning means 7, the boiling detection means 5, the auxiliary learning means 9, and the control means 6 by executing a program. Reference numeral 12 denotes a DC power source.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the life learning means 7 and the auxiliary learning means 9 of the program stored in the microcomputer 13 in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
First, if the usage state does not end the predetermined period (14 days) in S100, the usage state is stored by the life learning means 7 in S101 to create a basic usage pattern. Then, when the predetermined period ends in S100, the basic usage pattern is completed. Next, in S102, the control means 6 controls the heating means 2 with the basic usage pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means 9 (144 data / day every 10 minutes). Then, in S103, it is determined whether or not one day has ended as the usage status of the device. If it is determined that the device has ended, the learning pattern of the auxiliary learning unit 9 in S104 is determined based on the pattern stored by the auxiliary learning unit 9 in this day. Is updated, the process returns to the original S100, and the following is repeated. If the day is not over in S103, the process returns to S102 and the heating means 2 is controlled as before.
[0025]
Here, the operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows the actual usage in a predetermined period (14 days). Based on this, the basic usage pattern shown in FIG. 4B is set. When the basic use pattern is not set, the life learning means 7 uses the hot water operation, the hot water operation, the use state such as when water is supplied, etc., at the usage time per unit time (in this embodiment, 10 minutes). The band is set to 1, and the non-use time zone is set to 0, and accumulated for a predetermined period (14 days in this embodiment) and stored.
[0026]
Hereinafter, each use state for setting the basic use pattern will be described.
[0027]
When the use state is the hot water operation, the hot water switch 10b is pushed, so the state where the hot water switch 10b is on is “1 as the use time zone”, and the off state where the hot water switch 10b is not pushed is “non-use time zone”. Is stored as “0”.
[0028]
In the case of the water heating operation, since the reheating switch 8a is pushed, the state where the reheating switch 8a is on is “1 as the use time zone”, and the off state where the reheating switch 8a is not pushed is “non-use time zone” Is stored as “0”.
[0029]
When water is supplied, the temperature of the liquid in the container 1 decreases. Therefore, when the temperature detecting means 3 detects the temperature decrease, “1 as the use time zone”, and “0 as the non-use time zone” otherwise. Remember.
[0030]
Next, when the predetermined period ends, the data for 14 days accumulated for each time zone is used / not used for every predetermined time. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, a time zone in which the integrated value has been used for a predetermined number of days (in this embodiment, 2 days) or more is “1 as a usage time zone”, and other times are “not in use”. The basic usage pattern of FIG. 4B (144 data / day every 10 minutes in this embodiment) is set so that the time zone becomes “0”.
[0031]
Moreover, as a method of setting the basic usage pattern, in addition to the above, the life learning means 7 sets the usage time zone as 1, the non-use time zone as -1, and stores data for 14 days for each time zone, In the use / non-use determination at every predetermined time, a time zone in which the integrated value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (1 in this embodiment) is “1 as a use time zone”, and other times are “non-use time zones” Various basic usage pattern setting methods are conceivable, such as “0”.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the auxiliary learning means 9 will be described. The auxiliary learning means 9 stores the usage state for one day every unit time (in this embodiment, 10 minutes) (144 data / day every 10 minutes in this embodiment). The timer for measuring the unit time is synchronized with the timer for measuring the unit time of the basic usage pattern. Here, the usage state may include a hot water operation, a hot water operation, a case where water is supplied, etc., but any combination may be used. Each learning content will be described below. Of these, FIG. 4B shows the case of the hot water operation.
[0033]
In the case of the hot water operation, since the hot water switch 10b is pushed, the state where the hot water switch 10b is turned on is “1 as the use time zone”, and the off state where the hot water switch 10b is not pushed is “0 as the non-use time zone”. Remember.
[0034]
In the case of the water heating operation, since the reheating switch 8a is pushed, the state where the reheating switch 8a is on is “1 as the use time zone”, and the off state where the reheating switch 8a is not pushed is “non-use time zone” Is stored as “0”.
[0035]
When water is supplied, the temperature of the liquid in the container 1 decreases. Therefore, when the temperature detecting means 3 detects a temperature decrease, “1 as a use time zone”, otherwise “0 as a non-use time zone”. Remember.
[0036]
In the above, only the usage time zone is set to 1 (high temperature heat retention setting), but there is also a method in which the usage time zone and the previous and next time zones (each 10 minutes in this embodiment) are also set to 1. In this case, changing to the high temperature heat retention setting 10 minutes before starting the use operation can surely increase the temperature of the hot water when the use operation is performed. Further, extending the high temperature heat retention setting for 10 minutes can surely increase the temperature of the hot water even when the possibility of using the hot water is high.
[0037]
In addition, there is a method in which the predetermined time (in this embodiment, 20 minutes) is set to 1 from the time zone in which the use operation was performed. In this case, extending the high temperature heat retention setting for 20 minutes can surely increase the temperature of hot water even when hot water is likely to be used.
[0038]
Next, a method for correcting the basic usage pattern will be described with reference to FIG. When the basic usage pattern shown in FIG. 4B and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means 9 shown in FIG. 4C are completed, logical OR is performed in the respective time zones, as shown in FIG. The corrected temperature control pattern is completed.
[0039]
Then, the control means 6 is based on the temperature control pattern of FIG. 4D, and is kept at a high temperature during the use time zone 1 (98 ° C. in this embodiment) and kept at a low temperature during the non-use time zone 0 (this implementation). In the example, the heating means 2 is automatically controlled so as to be 60 ° C.).
[0040]
Here, when the predetermined period of 14 days has not ended, the basic usage pattern of FIG. 4A is not completed, so that an initial pattern prepared in advance can be used as the basic usage pattern, A basic usage pattern that is not completed may be used. Also, on the first day of the auxiliary learning means 9, it is possible to use a pattern prepared in advance or leave all of them in a non-use time zone. And when one day passes, the pattern of FIG.4 (c) will be updated with the pattern which the auxiliary learning means 9 memorize | stored in this one day.
[0041]
The auxiliary learning means 9 described above stores the usage state for each predetermined time as “usage time zone is 1” and “non-use time zone is 0”. In this embodiment, it is assumed that 3 days) ”and“ the non-use time zone is 0 ”. In this case, the use time zone is stored for three consecutive days. In the update of the pattern stored by the auxiliary learning means 9 (S104 in FIG. 3), 1 is subtracted except for 0 in each time zone. In other words, 3 is stored in the time zone when there is a single use, so 1 is subtracted at the end of the day and it is repeated for 3 days until it reaches 0. That is, when a predetermined number of days (3 days) elapses, the storage of this time zone is erased and the time zone becomes zero. Thus, if there is a single use, the time zone can be learned as the usage time zone for 3 consecutive days. Also, when there is no use, the value is maintained as it is. Here, if there is a use in this time zone before the predetermined number of days elapses, the use state is returned to “usage time zone 3” and stored again.
[0042]
As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the patterns stored by the auxiliary learning means 9 are sequentially updated, so that even if the user's usage pattern changes greatly, the basic usage pattern is corrected and the desired pattern is surely obtained. Hot water can be provided.
[0043]
Further, in the case of a large change for each day of the week, the auxiliary learning means 9 is provided with a clock / calendar function, and the usage state is learned every unit time (10 minutes in this embodiment) for each day of the week (this book) In the embodiment, it is seven days from Monday to Sunday). The control means 6 corrects the basic usage pattern with the pattern for each day of the week learned by the auxiliary learning means 9. Thereby, even when a user's usage pattern changes with day of the week, a basic usage pattern is correct | amended reliably and desired hot water can be provided reliably.
[0044]
By the way, although the low temperature insulation in the non-use time zone was set to a constant 60 ° C., it was changed every hour and kept at 60 ° C. when not using much hot water at night, and 85 ° C. when using hot water well in the daytime. It is also possible to set the temperature. Thereby, desired hot water can be provided quickly when hot water is highly likely to be used.
[0045]
In this embodiment, although not shown in the figure, when a power failure occurs during learning, an internal timer is operated by a backup power source to continue learning. Further, in the present embodiment, the boiling water is controlled to be performed only by the first heating element 2a, but a configuration in which the second heating element 2b is also used for boiling water is also possible.
[0046]
In this embodiment, the hot water operation is stored when the state of the hot water switch 10b is on. However, it is stored when the state of the lock release switch 10e is on, It is also possible to store the operating state.
[0047]
Further, in this embodiment, the expressions “predetermined period, predetermined time, and predetermined time” are used, but these values differ depending on design factors such as the capacity, shape, heating means output, etc. This is because there is a need for each model.
[0048]
As mentioned above, each modification in a present Example can be freely combined and used according to the objective, and does not necessarily exist independently.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the invention described in claims 1 to 4 , the usage pattern for each home is learned, and based on this basic usage pattern, the heat insulation temperature setting is automatically switched between use / non-use, The power consumption can be reduced, and even if the user's usage pattern suddenly changes, the basic usage pattern is automatically corrected to provide the user with the desired hot water.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric water heater in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the electric water heater. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric water heater. (B) The figure which shows the basic usage pattern of the electric water heater (c) The figure which shows the pattern learned by the correction learning means of the electric water heater (d) The figure which shows the temperature control pattern of the electric water heater (e) Diagram showing temperature control status of electric water heater 【Explanation of symbols】
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2 Heating means 3 Temperature detection means 5 Boiling detection means 6 Control means 7 Life learning means 8 Reheating means 9 Auxiliary learning means

Claims (4)

  A container for storing a liquid; a heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container; a life learning means for storing a use state for a predetermined period and setting a basic use pattern according to the use state; and the basic use An electric water heater that includes auxiliary learning means for correcting a pattern, operates in accordance with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and the auxiliary learning means raises the heat retention temperature for a predetermined time from the time period in which the pattern is used .   A container for storing a liquid; a heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container; a life learning means for storing a use state for a predetermined period and setting a basic use pattern according to the use state; and the basic use An electric water heater comprising auxiliary learning means for correcting a pattern, which operates in accordance with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and wherein the auxiliary learning means stores a time zone during which the water heating operation is performed by the reheating switch. A container for storing a liquid; a heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container; a life learning means for storing a use state for a predetermined period and setting a basic use pattern according to the use state; and the basic use An auxiliary learning means for correcting a pattern, which operates with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and stores a predetermined number of days when the auxiliary learning means has used the pattern learned. When the update is completed on the 1st, 1 is subtracted, and it is repeated until it reaches 0, and if it is used in this time period before the predetermined number of days has passed, Water heater.   A container for storing a liquid; a heating means for heating or keeping the liquid in the container; a life learning means for storing a use state for a predetermined period and setting a basic use pattern according to the use state; and the basic use An electric water heater comprising auxiliary learning means for correcting a pattern, which operates in accordance with the basic use pattern and the pattern learned by the auxiliary learning means, and changes the temperature setting when not in use every time.

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