JP3767010B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water heater that heats tap water and supplies hot water at a desired temperature.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Water heaters used for general households include instantaneous water heaters, bath water heaters, and central heating devices. These all use gas or petroleum as fuel. For this reason, ancillary facilities such as piping and storage tanks for supplying and storing fuel gas or oil are required. Also, safety equipment is required to prevent oxygen deficiency during combustion and ignition due to fuel leakage.
[0003]
There is also a water heater that uses a heater as a heat source, which is simpler in terms of equipment. Among these, the type of hot water stored at a plurality of stages has been developed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Even if the conventional electric water heater can store hot water at a plurality of stages, the temperature range that can be used is limited. That is, it is inconvenient when used as a drinking water for washing dishes or when it is desired to use in a wide temperature range such as for green tea, coffee and tea. That is, it is necessary to wait until the temperature of the water stored in large quantities decreases or rises to a temperature suitable for the application.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the problems of the conventional configuration, the present invention is a water heater that can supply water in a wide range of temperatures from room temperature to boiling temperature in a short time.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the first aspect of the present invention, the heating element disposed in the heating pipe is induction-heated by the high-frequency magnetic field generated by the heating coil, and flows into the water pipe through the inflow pipe directly connected to the water pipe through the flow rate adjusting means. The hot water heater is configured to heat tap water passing therethrough and supply water at a temperature set in the temperature setting means from a water supply pipe.
[0007]
Further, the detected temperature of the temperature sensing means while higher than the temperature set in the temperature setting means, to open the switching valve to the bypass pipe side,
Controlled so as to increase the flow rate of tap water flowing by adjusting the flow amount adjusting means in the inlet tube, and a water heater which can be reliably provide water of a predetermined temperature from a water supply pipe.
[0008]
【Example】
Example 1
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the water heater of this embodiment. 1 includes a drain pipe 3 having a switching valve 2 at the top, an inflow pipe 6 having flow rate adjusting means 5 connected to a water pipe 4 at the bottom, a heating coil 7 for generating a high-frequency magnetic field at the outer periphery, and heating inside This is a cylindrical heating tube provided with a heating element 8 that generates heat upon receiving a high-frequency magnetic field generated by a coil 7. Although the heating tube 1 is made of resin in this embodiment, there is no problem even if it is made of a metal that is not induction-heated. The flow rate adjusting means 5 uses a proportional control valve in this embodiment, but there is no need to limit the type as long as the flow rate can be adjusted. The heating element 8 is made of a cylindrical metal and has a large number of holes through which water flowing from the inflow pipe 6 passes as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the heating element 8 is a cylindrical metal having a large number of holes through which tap water flows. However, the heating element 8 may be a pipe-like or non-magnetic substance having a stitch-like hole. A spherical or granular magnetic body or non-magnetic body may be a magnetic body or non-magnetic body formed of a single metal plate or a combination of a plurality of metal plates as long as it is induction-heated.
[0009]
The switching valve 2 is connected to a water supply pipe 9 for supplying water having a predetermined temperature and a bypass pipe 10 for discharging water that has not reached the predetermined temperature. Reference numeral 11 denotes power supply means for supplying a high-frequency current to the heating coil 7, and is constituted by an inverter circuit that switches a commercial power source to convert it to a high frequency. Reference numeral 12 denotes a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of water provided in the drain pipe 3, and is constituted by a thermistor or the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a temperature setting means for setting a water temperature that the user wants to use. The signals of the temperature setting means 13 and the temperature detection means 12 are transmitted to the control means 14. The control means 14 receives the signal and controls the switching valve 2, the flow rate adjusting means 5 and the power supply means 11.
[0010]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the user operates the temperature setting means 13 to set the temperature of water to be used and presses a switch (not shown), the apparatus starts its operation. That is, the control means 14 controls the flow rate adjusting means 5 to introduce tap water having an appropriate flow rate into the heating pipe 1 from the inflow pipe 6. At the same time, the power supply means 11 is started to operate. The power supply unit 11 converts the commercial power source into a high frequency and supplies a high frequency current to the heating coil 7. The heating coil 7 receives this high frequency current and generates a high frequency magnetic field. This high frequency magnetic field is linked to the heating element 8 provided in the tap water flow path in the heating pipe 1. Since the heating element 8 is made of a magnetic material, when it receives this high frequency magnetic field, it is heated by induction to generate heat to a high temperature. The heating element 8 has a large number of holes through which tap water flows, and the tap water introduced into the heating element 8 from the inflow pipe 6 is heated by the heating element 8. Accordingly, the water exiting the heating element 8 has a temperature set in the temperature setting means 13, and the user can use this water from the water supply pipe 9.
[0011]
At this time, the control means 14 is programmed in advance with the relationship between the temperature conditions set in the temperature setting means 13, the flow rate of tap water flowing from the inflow pipe 6, and the power supplied to the heating coil 7. Therefore, the temperature of the tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 9 is the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13.
[0012]
As described above, in this embodiment, the tap water introduced from the inflow pipe 6 directly connected to the water pipe 4 through the flow rate adjusting means 5 is induction-heated by the heating coil 7, the heating element 8, and the power supply means 16. By doing so, the water having the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13 can be supplied from the water supply pipe 9 in a short time. Moreover, the temperature which can be set to this temperature setting means 13 is a wide range from normal temperature to a boiling temperature, and is a very convenient water heater.
[0013]
Further, at this time, if the control means 14 controls the switching valve 2 to reach a predetermined temperature and controls to drain water from the bypass pipe 10, it is surely set in the temperature setting means 13. Water having a certain temperature can be supplied from the water supply pipe 9. That is, for example, when the setting is changed to increase or decrease the temperature set by the user in the temperature setting means 13, the temperature of the water staying in the heating tube 1 is the previous set temperature. It is. Therefore, when the temperature of the water is lower or higher than the newly set temperature in the temperature setting means 13, the control means 14 controls the switching valve 2 to the bypass pipe 10 side. Thus, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 12 reaches the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13, the switching valve 2 is again controlled to the water supply pipe 9 side.
[0014]
Even if the control means 14 controls the flow rate adjusting means 5 to adjust the flow rate of tap water flowing into the inflow pipe 6 when the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13 is changed, the same applies. The effect can be obtained. That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means 12 is lower than the temperature set by the temperature setting means 13, the flow rate of tap water flowing into the inflow pipe 6 is reduced, and when the temperature is high, the temperature is high. It controls to do.
[0015]
( Reference Example 1 )
Next, a first reference example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of this reference example. In this reference example, a drainage pipe 3 having a switching valve 2 is provided at the top of a cylindrical heating pipe 1, and inflow pipes 6 a and 6 b having a flow rate adjusting means 5 connected to a water pipe 4 are provided at the bottom. Are connected to a water supply pipe 9 for supplying water having a predetermined temperature, a bypass pipe 10a for discharging water having a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, and circulation pipes 10b and 10c connected to the pump 16. The circulation pipe 10c is connected to the second switching valve 15 connected to the inflow pipe 6a and the inflow pipe 6b. The control unit 14 receives the signals from the temperature setting unit 13 and the temperature detection unit 12 and controls the switching valve 2, the second switching valve 15, the pump 16, the flow rate adjusting unit 5, and the power supply unit 11. Is.
[0016]
The operation of this reference example will be described below. For example, when the user changes the setting to increase the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13, the detected temperature of the temperature detecting means 12 is lower than the changed temperature. At this time, the control means 14 sets the switching valve 2 to the circulation pipe 10b side and sets the second switching valve 15 to the circulation pipe 10c side, and simultaneously drives the pump 16. For this reason, the water in the heating pipe 1 is circulated again into the heating pipe 1 from the circulation pipes 10b and 10c. By this circulation, the circulating water is heated by the heating element 8 and reaches the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13. Thus, when the temperature detection means 12 detects a predetermined temperature, the control means 14 switches the switching valve 2 to the water supply pipe 9 side and the second switching valve 15 to the inflow pipe 6b side. Thus, the tap water supplied from the inflow pipe 6b and the inflow pipe 6a via the flow rate adjusting means 5 is heated by the heating element 8 to reach the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13 and supplied from the water supply pipe 9. .
[0017]
Further, when the user changes the setting to lower the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 12 is higher than the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13. At this time, the control means 14 changes the switching valve 2 to the bypass pipe 10a side. For this reason, the high temperature water in the heating pipe 1 is discharged outside from the bypass pipe 10a. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection means 12 reaches a predetermined temperature, the control means 14 switches the switching valve 2 to the water supply pipe 9 side. In this way, water having a predetermined temperature by the power supply means 11 and the flow rate adjusting means 5 can be supplied from the water supply pipe 9.
[0018]
As described above, according to this reference example, particularly when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 12 is lower than the temperature set in the temperature setting means 13, the circulation pipes 10 b and 10 c and the pump 16 are used in the heating pipe 1. It is possible to achieve a water heater that can save water by circulating it in the water.
[0019]
( Reference Example 2 )
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second reference example of the present invention. In this reference example, the control means 14 is configured to drive the notification means 17. The notification means 17 includes a notification unit 15a such as a buzzer and a display unit 15b such as a light emitting element. That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 12 has a temperature difference of a predetermined amount or more from the temperature set by the temperature detecting means 12, the control means 14 drives the notifying means 15 to notify the use failure, The use is notified when the temperature difference decreases.
[0020]
As described above, according to the present reference example, the switching valve 2, the second switching valve 15, the bypass pipe 10 or 10 a, and the circulation pipes 10 b and 10 c are simpler than the configuration of the first embodiment and the first reference example. With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain water at a predetermined temperature simply by looking at the notification of the notification means 15.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
The invention described in claim 1 includes a drain pipe having a switching valve at the top, an inflow pipe having flow rate adjusting means connected to the water pipe at the bottom, and a heating coil for generating a high-frequency magnetic field at the outer periphery. Inside, a cylindrical heating pipe having a heating element that generates heat upon receiving a high-frequency magnetic field generated by the heating coil, a water supply pipe and a bypass pipe connected to the switching valve, and a power supply for supplying a high-frequency current to the heating coil Means, temperature detection means provided in the drain pipe, temperature setting means for the user to specify the temperature, and control of the switching valve / flow rate adjustment means or power supply means in response to signals from the temperature setting means and the temperature detection means As a configuration provided with the control means, it is possible to realize a water heater that can be directly connected to the water pipe via the flow rate adjusting means and can supply water in a wide range of temperatures from room temperature to boiling temperature in a short time.
[0022]
Further, the control means during the detected temperature of the temperature detection means is not higher than the temperature set in the temperature setting means, switches the switching valve to the bypass pipe side,
A structure for controlling the flow rate of tap water flowing by adjusting the flow amount adjusting means to the inlet pipe multi Kusuru so, but can realize water heater can reliably provide water of a predetermined temperature.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a water heater as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a heating element. FIG. 3 is a first reference example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a water heater as a second reference example of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating pipe 2 Switching valve 3 Drain pipe 4 Water pipe 5 Flow rate adjustment means 6 Inflow pipe 6a Inflow pipe 6b Inflow pipe 7 Heating coil 8 Heating element 9 Water supply pipe 10 Bypass pipe 10a Bypass pipe 10b Circulation pipe 10c Circulation pipe 11 Electric power supply means 12 Temperature detection means 13 Temperature setting means 14 Control means 15 Notification means 16 Pump

Claims (1)

The drainage tube is at the top with a switching valve, the bottom of the inlet tube having a flow regulating means connected to the water pipe, the heating coil on the outer peripheral portion for generating a high-frequency magnetic field, the heating coil generates inside a cylindrical heating tube with a heating element that generates heat by receiving a high-frequency magnetic field, a water supply pipe and the bypass pipe connected to said switching valve, and a power supply means for supplying a high-frequency current to the heating coil, said drain pipe a temperature detecting means provided, control user to control the temperature setting means for specifying the temperature, the switching valve, the flow rate adjusting means or said power supply means in response to a signal of said temperature detecting means and the temperature setting means and means, the control means, between the temperature detected by said temperature detecting means is not higher than the set temperature to the temperature setting means may switch the switching valve to the bypass pipe side, the flow rate adjusting means Adjusting water heater be controlled so as to increase the flow rate of tap water flowing through the inlet tube.

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