JP3893073B2

JP3893073B2 - Electric water heater

Info

Publication number: JP3893073B2
Application number: JP2002082157A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 秀博寄能; 浩之高浜; 睦敏甲斐
Original assignee: 株式会社長府製作所
Priority date: 2002-03-22
Filing date: 2002-03-22
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-22
Also published as: JP2003279124A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、浴槽及び給湯口に同時に湯を供給することができる電気温水器に関し、特に給湯口への給湯中に浴槽へのお湯はりを開始した場合に給湯口への給湯の給湯温度の変動を緩やかにすることができる電気温水器に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図１は従来の電気温水器を示す構成図である。
図１において、１ａは従来の電気温水器、２は水または湯を貯める貯湯タンク、３ａ、３ｂは貯湯タンク２に配設され貯湯タンク２内の水を加熱するヒータ、４は貯湯タンク２内の水又は湯の温度を検出する缶体温度センサ、５は加熱により体積膨張した湯を逃がすための逃し弁、５ａは空気抜き弁、６ａは後述の浴槽Ｘに供給する湯を適温にするためのお湯はり混合弁、６ｂは後述の蛇口Ｚに供給する湯を適温にするための給湯混合弁、７ａはお湯はり混合弁６ａにフィードバックをかけるためのお湯はり温度を検出するふろ温度センサ、７ｂは給湯混合弁６ｂにフィードバックをかけるため給湯温度を検出する給湯温度センサ、８は浴槽Ｘに接続されるふろ配管口、９はお湯はり混合弁６ａから浴槽への給湯回路を開閉するお湯はり電磁弁、１０は浴槽Ｘへの湯の供給量を測定するふろ流量センサ、１１は蛇口Ｚが開かれたか否かを検出する給湯用フローセンサ、１２は蛇口Ｚが接続される給湯口、１３は貯湯タンク２及びお湯はり混合弁６ａ、給湯混合弁６ｂに水源からの水を供給する給水口、１４は水源から給水される水の圧力を減圧する減圧弁、１６は貯湯タンク２の排水を行う排水栓、２１は全体の制御を行う制御装置部、２２は給湯温度設定を行う給湯用設定部、２３はお湯はり温度設定を行う浴室用設定部、Ｘは浴槽、Ｙは浴槽Ｘ内への湯の吐出口に配設された浴槽アダプタ、Ｚは給湯口１２から湯が供給される蛇口である。
【０００３】
以上のように構成された従来の電気温水器について、その動作を図を用いて説明する。なお、給湯口１２は単一の蛇口Ｚに限らず複数の蛇口に接続されてもよい。
【０００４】
まず、水源から給水口１３を介して給水された水は減圧弁１４により減圧され貯湯タンク２に流れ込む。ヒータ３ａ、３ｂに通電されると貯湯タンク２内の水が加熱される。貯湯タンク２内の湯の温度は給湯用設定部２２等で予め設定されており、この設定された温度（例えば９０℃）を缶体温度センサ４が検出すると、制御装置部２１はヒータ３ａ、３ｂへの通電を停止させる。ヒータ３ａ、３ｂにより加熱している際に貯湯タンク２内の水が膨張した場合、この膨張した水は逃し弁５から排水される。
【０００５】
蛇口Ｚから給湯される湯の給湯温度は、予め給湯用設定部２２で設定されている。台所等の蛇口Ｚを開くと、制御装置部２１は設定されている給湯温度設定に基づいた給湯温度となるように給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置を制御し、貯湯タンク２内の湯と給水口１３から供給される水とを適温になるように混合するとともに、給湯温度センサ７ｂから入力される値に基づき給湯混合弁６ｂにフィードバックをかける。
【０００６】
浴槽Ｘへのお湯はり温度は、予め浴室用設定部２３で設定される。浴室用設定部２３により設定されるお湯はり温度設定としては、高温の湯を差し湯する高温差し湯動作設定、適温の湯を足し湯する足し湯動作設定、低温の湯を差し湯する低温差し湯動作設定等がある。この設定に基づく浴槽Ｘへの給湯動作としては、高温差し湯動作、足し湯動作、低温差し湯動作の３つのパターンがある。
【０００７】
浴槽Ｘ内のお湯の温度を上げたい場合は、高温差し湯動作を行う。高温差し湯動作を行うには、まず浴室用設定部２３で高温差し湯スイッチを押す。これにより、高温差し湯の指令が制御装置部２１に入力され、ふろ温度センサ７ａの検出温度が高温（例えば６０℃）になるようにお湯はり混合弁６ａを制御するとともに、お湯はり電磁弁９を開いて浴槽Ｘへの高温差し湯動作を開始させる。浴槽Ｘへの高温差し湯開始後、ふろ流量センサ１０により、積算流量をカウントし、一定量（例えば２０Ｌ）に到達すると、お湯はり電磁弁９を閉じ高温差し湯動作を完了する。
【０００８】
浴槽Ｘ内のお湯の量を増やしたい場合は、足し湯を行う。足し湯動作は、まず浴室用設定部２３で、足し湯スイッチを押す。これにより足し湯の指令が制御装置部２１に入力される。制御装置部２１は、ふろ温度センサ７ａの検出温度が浴室用設定部２３で設定されている浴槽湯温となるようにお湯はり混合弁６ａを制御するとともに、お湯はり電磁弁９を開いて浴槽Ｘへの足し湯を開始させる。浴槽Ｘへの足し湯開始後、ふろ流量センサ１０により、積算流量をカウントし、一定量（例えば２０Ｌ）に到達すると、お湯はり電磁弁９を閉じ足し湯を完了する。
【０００９】
低温差し湯を行うには、まず浴室用設定部２３で、低温差し湯スイッチを押す。これにより低温差し湯の指令が出力され、制御装置部２１が、お湯はり混合弁６ａを制御するとともに、お湯はり電磁弁９を開いて浴槽Ｘへの低温差し湯を開始させる。浴槽Ｘへの低温差し湯開始後、ふろ流量センサ１０により、積算流量をカウントし、一定量（例えば２０Ｌ）に到達すると、お湯はり電磁弁９を閉じ低温差し湯動作を完了する。
【００１０】
ここで、給湯温度設定が例えば４０℃に設定された蛇口Ｚから給湯中に、浴槽Ｘへ例えば高温差し湯が開始された場合、湯を浴槽Ｘに供給する浴槽給湯配管と、湯を蛇口Ｚに供給する蛇口給湯配管のそれぞれに独立させてお湯はり混合弁６ａと給湯混合弁６ｂを設けているので、制御装置部２１が、浴槽Ｘへの高温差し湯を継続させたまま、設定されている温度（４０℃）となるように給湯混合弁６ｂを制御し、貯湯タンク２内の湯と水を適温に混合するとともに、給湯温度センサ７ｂが検出した温度に基づき給湯混合弁６ｂにフィードバックをかける。このように、従来の電気温水器は、異なる温度設定に設定された蛇口Ｚへの給湯と浴槽Ｘへのお湯はりが同時に行われても、浴槽のお湯はりを一時的に待機させる必要がなく継続してお湯はりを行っていた。
【００１１】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の電気温水器では、以下のような課題を有していた。
（１）給湯温度設定が例えば４０℃に設定された蛇口Ｚから給湯中に、浴槽Ｘへ例えば高温差し湯が開始された場合、高温差し湯の開始時に一時的にお湯はり側に流れ込む湯量を取られるため給湯側に流れ込む湯量が弁の開度に関わらず減少し給湯温度が一時的に下がる。給湯混合弁９には給湯温度センサ７ｂが検出した温度に基づきフィードバックをかけているため、前述した給湯温度の低下により給湯混合弁６ｂの湯側の弁体が大きく開く。これにより、一度低下した給湯温度は、高温差し湯開始前よりも大きく上昇する。このように、蛇口Ｚからの給湯温度が乱れ、安定せず使用性に欠けるという課題を有していた。
（２）また、給湯温度設定が例えば４０℃に設定された蛇口Ｚから給湯と浴槽Ｘへの例えば高温差し湯とが同時に行われている際に高温差し湯が終了した場合も、同様の理由により蛇口Ｚからの給湯温度が乱れ、安定せず使用性に欠けるという課題を有していた。
【００１２】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、給湯中にお湯はりが開始された又は終了した場合であっても、給湯混合弁の湯の流入側と水の流入側の各々の弁体の位置を設定されたオフセット量ずらすことができると共に、給湯温度に基づきフィードバックをかけて給湯混合弁の弁体の位置を制御し給湯側の給湯温度の変動を緩やかにすることができる電気温水器を提供することを目的とする。
【００１３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために本発明の電気温水器は、以下の構成を有している。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項１に記載の電気温水器は、全体を制御する制御装置部と、貯湯タンクと、前記貯湯タンク内の水を加熱するヒータと、前記貯湯タンク内の湯と水源から供給される水とを混合し浴槽へ供給するお湯はり混合弁と、前記貯湯タンク内の湯と水源から供給される水とを混合し給湯口へ供給する給湯混合弁と、を備え、少なくとも前記給湯混合弁は前記給湯温度が予め設定された給湯温度設定になるように給湯温度をフィードバックして湯の流入側と水の流入側の各々の弁体の位置が制御される電気温水器であって、前記制御装置部が、前記給湯中に前記浴槽への湯の供給（以下、お湯はりという）の開始及び終了を判定するお湯はり開始・終了判定手段と、前記お湯はりの開始時の前記給湯混合弁の弁体の位置を判定しメモリに記憶する給湯混合弁位置判定手段と、前記お湯はりの終了時に前記給湯混合弁の弁体の位置を前記メモリに記憶した前記お湯はりの開始時の弁体の位置に戻す給湯混合弁動作手段と、を備えた構成を有している。
【００１５】
この構成により、以下のような作用を有する。
（１）お湯はり開始・終了判定手段により給湯中にお湯はりが開始されたことを判定し、給湯混合弁位置判定手段によりお湯はりの開始時の給湯混合弁の湯の流入側と水の流入側の各々の弁体の位置を判定しメモリに記憶し、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段により給湯中にお湯はりが終了したことを判定した場合に、給湯混合弁の弁体の位置をメモリに記憶したお湯はりの開始時の弁体の位置に戻すことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの終了による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができる。
【００１６】
請求項２に記載の電気温水器は、請求項１に記載の発明において、前記お湯はり混合弁から前記浴槽への経路に配設されたお湯はり電磁弁と、前記お湯はり電磁弁を開閉させるお湯はり電磁弁動作手段と、前記お湯はり電磁弁の開閉を判定するお湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段と、を有し、前記お湯はり開始・終了判定手段による前記お湯はりの開始又は終了の判定は、前記お湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段による前記お湯はり電磁弁の開閉の判定に基づいて判定される構成を有している。
【００１７】
この構成により、請求項１の作用に加え、以下のような作用を有する。
（１）お湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段によるお湯はり電磁弁の開閉の判定に基づいて、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段によりお湯はりの開始又は終了を判定することができる。
【００１８】
請求項３に記載の電気温水器は、請求項１又は２に記載の発明において、前記制御装置部が、浴室用設定部により設定されたお湯はり温度設定を判定するお湯はり温度設定判定手段と、給湯用設定部により設定された給湯温度設定を判定する給湯温度設定判定手段と、を有し、前記給湯中の前記お湯はりの開始時において、前記お湯はり温度設定判定手段により判定された前記お湯はり温度設定が、所定の温度より高い湯が供給される高温差し湯である場合は、前記給湯温度設定判定手段により判定された前記給湯温度設定に基づいて前記給湯混合弁の弁体の位置を予め設定されたオフセット量変動させる構成を有している。
【００１９】
この構成により、請求項１又は２の作用に加え、以下のような作用を有する。
（１）給湯中のお湯はりの開始時において、お湯はり温度設定判定手段により判定されたお湯はり温度設定が高温差し湯である場合に、給湯温度設定判定手段により判定された給湯温度設定に基づいて給湯混合弁の弁体の位置をオフセット量変動させてフィードバック制御を行うことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの開始による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができる。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施の形態について、図を用いて説明する。
（実施の形態１）
図２（ａ）は本実施の形態１における電気温水器のブロック図であり、図２（ｂ）は中央処理装置を示すブロック図である。なお、本実施の形態１における電気温水器の全体構成は従来の技術で示した図１と同様である。
【００２１】
図２（ａ）において、３はヒータ、４は缶体温度センサ、６ａはお湯はり混合弁、６ｂは給湯混合弁、７ａはふろ温度センサ、７ｂは給湯温度センサ、９はお湯はり電磁弁、１０はふろ流量センサ、１１は給湯用フローセンサ、２１は制御装置部、２２は給湯用設定部、２３は浴室用設定部であり、これらは図１において説明したものと同様であるので同一の符号を付けて説明を省略する。
３１は制御装置部２１のマイコン、３２は中央処理装置、３３はメモリ、３４は入力回路、３５は出力回路、３６はＡ／Ｄ変換器、３７〜４０は駆動回路である。
図２（ｂ）において、５１は給湯温度センサ７ｂからの信号に基づいて給湯温度を判定する給湯温度判定手段、５２は給湯用設定部２２の設定に基づいて給湯温度設定を判定する給湯温度設定判定手段である。本実施の形態１においては、給湯温度設定は３７℃〜５０℃までは１℃刻みで設定可能であり、それ以上は５℃刻み、即ち５５℃と６０℃に設定可能である。また、給湯用設定部２２における給湯温度設定は、設定値に上限値（この場合は６０℃）を設けることが好ましい。これにより、誤操作等により高温の湯が出湯することによる火傷等を防止することができる。
５３は給湯混合弁６ｂの湯の吐出側と水の吐出側の各々の弁体の位置を判定する給湯混合弁位置判定手段、５４は給湯混合弁６ｂを動作させる給湯混合弁動作手段、５５はお湯はり電磁弁９の開閉を行うお湯はり電磁弁動作手段、５６はお湯はり電磁弁９の開閉を判定するお湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段、５７はふろ温度センサ７ａからの信号に基づいてお湯はり温度を判定するお湯はり温度判定手段、５８は浴室用設定部２３の設定に基づいてお湯はり温度設定を判定するお湯はり温度設定判定手段である。本実施の形態１においては、お湯はり温度設定としては、高温の湯を差し湯する高温差し湯動作、適温の湯を足し湯する足し湯動作、低温の湯を差し湯する低温差し湯動作がある。
５９はお湯はり混合弁６ａを動作させるお湯はり混合弁動作手段、６０はお湯はりの開始及び終了を判定するお湯はり開始・終了判定手段である。本実施の形態１においては、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段６０はお湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段５６の判定に基づいてお湯はりの開始及び終了を判定する。
【００２２】
以上のように構成された本実施の形態１における電気温水器１について、以下その動作を図を用いて説明する。
図３は本実施の形態１における電気温水器の給湯時の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【００２３】
まず、図１に示す蛇口Ｚが開かれ給湯が開始される。次に、図３において、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段６０はお湯はりが開始されたか否かを判定する（Ｓ１）。お湯はりが開始されたと判定された場合は、給湯混合弁位置判定手段５３は給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置を判定する。判定された弁体の位置はメモリ３３に記憶される（Ｓ２）。続いて、お湯はり温度設定判定手段５８は浴室用設定部２３により設定されたお湯はり温度設定が高温差し湯であるか否かを判定する（Ｓ３）。お湯はり温度設定が高温差し湯であると判定された場合は、給湯温度設定判定手段５２により判定された給湯温度設定に基づいて給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置を予め設定されたオフセット量の大きさだけ変動させる（Ｓ４）。
【００２４】
図４は給湯温度設定と給湯混合弁の弁体の位置との関係を示す関係図である。なお、図４においては、給湯のみが行われている場合と給湯とお湯はりが同時に行われている場合の各々について、給湯温度設定と給湯混合弁の弁体の位置との関係を示している。
図４に示すように、給湯とお湯はりが同時に行われる場合の給湯混合弁の弁体の位置は、給湯のみが行われる場合の弁体の位置からオフセット量だけずれた位置になる。なお、給湯用設定部２２による給湯温度設定が３７℃〜５０℃である場合は、給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置のオフセット量はＡに設定される。給湯用設定部２２による給湯温度設定が５５℃又は６０℃である場合は、給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置のオフセット量はＢに設定される。
【００２５】
続いて、図３において、給湯混合弁６ｂは、給湯温度が給湯用設定部２２で設定された給湯温度設定になるように給湯温度センサ７ｂにより検出された給湯温度をフィードバックして弁体の位置を制御する（Ｓ５）。次に、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段６０はお湯はりが終了したか否かを判定する（Ｓ６）。お湯はりが終了したと判定された場合は、給湯混合弁動作手段５４は、Ｓ２においてメモリ３３に記憶したお湯はり開始時の給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置に給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置を戻し（Ｓ７）、その弁体の位置を基準として、給湯温度が給湯用設定部で設定された給湯温度設定になるように給湯温度センサ７ｂにより検出された給湯温度をフィードバックして弁体の位置を制御する（Ｓ８）。Ｓ６において、お湯はりが終了していないと判定された場合は、Ｓ５のフィードバック制御を継続する。
【００２６】
図５は、本実施の形態１における電気温水器の動作を示すタイミングチャートである。
図５において、７１は給湯用フローセンサ１１の水流の検出、非検出を示し、７２はお湯はり電磁弁９の開閉を示し、７３は給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置（ポテンショ）を示し、７４は給湯温度センサ７ｂにより検出される給湯温度を示す。また、αは給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置に加算されるオフセット量である。
【００２７】
図５に示すように、給湯が開始されると、給湯混合弁６ｂが開かれ、給湯用フローセンサ１１はその水流を検出し、給湯温度センサ７ｂは給湯温度を検出する。ここで、お湯はり電磁弁９が開かれお湯はりが開始されると、給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置はオフセット量αだけずれた位置に設定される。お湯はり電磁弁９が閉じお湯はりが終了すると、給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置はお湯はり開始時の弁体の位置に戻る。
【００２８】
以上のように、本実施の形態１における電気温水器１は構成されているので、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段６０により給湯中にお湯はりが開始されたことを判定し、給湯混合弁位置判定手段５３によりお湯はりの開始時の給湯混合弁６ｂの湯の流入側と水の流入側の各々の弁体の位置を判定し、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段６０により給湯中にお湯はりが終了したことを判定した場合に、給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置をお湯はりの開始時の弁体の位置に戻すことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの終了による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができるという作用を有する。
【００２９】
また、お湯はり温度設定判定手段５８により判定されたお湯はり温度設定が高温差し湯である場合に、給湯温度設定判定手段５２により判定された給湯温度設定に基づいて給湯混合弁６ｂの弁体の位置を設定されたオフセット量変動させ、設定されたオフセット量を基準として弁体の位置のフィードバック制御を行うことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの開始による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができるという作用を有する。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明の電気温水器によれば、以下のような有利な効果が得られる。
【００３１】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、
（１）お湯はり開始・終了判定手段により給湯中にお湯はりが開始されたことを判定し、給湯混合弁位置判定手段によりお湯はりの開始時の給湯混合弁の湯の流入側と水の流入側の各々の弁体の位置を判定しメモリに記憶し、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段により給湯中にお湯はりが終了したことを判定した場合に、給湯混合弁の弁体の位置をメモリに記憶したお湯はりの開始時の弁体の位置に戻すことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの終了による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができる電気温水器を提供することができる。
【００３２】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１の効果に加え、
（１）お湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段によるお湯はり電磁弁の開閉の判定に基づいて、お湯はり開始・終了判定手段によりお湯はりの開始又は終了を判定することができる電気温水器を提供することができる。
【００３３】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項１又は２の効果に加え、
（１）給湯中のお湯はりの開始時において、お湯はり温度設定判定手段により判定されたお湯はり温度設定が高温差し湯である場合に、給湯温度設定判定手段により判定された給湯温度設定に基づいて給湯混合弁の弁体の位置を設定されたオフセット量変動させフィードバック制御を行うことができるので、給湯中のお湯はりの開始による給湯温度の急激な変動を緩和しその変動を緩やかにすることができる電気温水器を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】従来及び実施の形態１における電気温水器を示す構成図
【図２】（ａ）実施の形態１における電気温水器のブロック図
（ｂ）中央処理装置を示すブロック図
【図３】実施の形態１における電気温水器の給湯時の動作を示すフローチャート
【図４】給湯温度設定と給湯混合弁の弁体の位置との関係を示す関係図
【図５】実施の形態１における電気温水器の動作を示すタイミングチャート
【符号の説明】
１、１ａ電気温水器
２貯湯タンク
３ａ、３ｂヒータ
４缶体温度センサ
５逃し弁
５ａ空気抜き弁
６ａお湯はり混合弁
６ｂ給湯混合弁
７ａふろ温度センサ
７ｂ給湯温度センサ
８ふろ配管口
９お湯はり電磁弁
１０ふろ流量センサ
１１給湯用フローセンサ
１２給湯口
１３給水口
１４減圧弁
１６排水栓
２１制御装置部
２２給湯用設定部
２３浴室用設定部
３１マイコン
３２中央処理装置
３３メモリ
３４入力回路
３５出力回路
３６Ａ／Ｄ変換器
３７、３８、３９、４０駆動回路
５１給湯温度判定手段
５２給湯温度設定判定手段
５３給湯混合弁位置判定手段
５４給湯混合弁動作手段
５５お湯はり電磁弁動作手段
５６お湯はり電磁弁動作判定手段
５７お湯はり温度判定手段
５８お湯はり温度設定判定手段
５９お湯はり混合弁動作手段
６０お湯はり開始・終了判定手段
Ｘ浴槽
Ｙ浴槽アダプタ
Ｚ蛇口[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric water heater that can supply hot water to a bathtub and a hot water outlet at the same time, and in particular, when a hot water supply to the bathtub is started during hot water supply to the hot water outlet, fluctuations in the hot water temperature of the hot water to the hot water outlet It is related with the electric water heater which can be made loose.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional electric water heater.
In FIG. 1, 1a is a conventional electric water heater, 2 is a hot water storage tank for storing water or hot water, 3a and 3b are heaters that are disposed in the hot water storage tank 2 and heat water in the hot water storage tank 2, and 4 is in the hot water storage tank 2. Can temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of water or hot water, 5 is a relief valve for escaping the volume-expanded hot water by heating, 5a is an air vent valve, 6a is for making hot water to be supplied to the bathtub X described later at an appropriate temperature A hot water mixing valve, 6b is a hot water mixing valve for bringing hot water supplied to a faucet Z, which will be described later, to an appropriate temperature, 7a is a bath temperature sensor for detecting the hot water temperature for feeding back the hot water mixing valve 6a, and 7b A hot water temperature sensor for detecting a hot water temperature for applying feedback to the hot water mixing valve 6b, 8 a bath piping port connected to the bathtub X, 9 a hot water electromagnetic for opening and closing a hot water circuit from the hot water mixing valve 6a to the bathtub 10 is a bath flow sensor for measuring the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub X, 11 is a hot water flow sensor for detecting whether or not the faucet Z has been opened, 12 is a hot water outlet to which the faucet Z is connected, and 13 is hot water storage. A water supply port for supplying water from the water source to the tank 2 and the hot water mixing valve 6a and the hot water mixing valve 6b, 14 is a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of water supplied from the water source, and 16 is a waste water for draining the hot water storage tank 2. 21 is a controller unit for controlling the whole, 21 is a hot water supply setting unit for setting hot water supply temperature, 23 is a bathroom setting unit for setting hot water beam temperature, X is a bathtub, and Y is hot water in the bathtub X. A bathtub adapter, Z, is a faucet to which hot water is supplied from the hot water supply port 12.
[0003]
About the conventional electric water heater comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using figures. The hot water inlet 12 is not limited to a single faucet Z and may be connected to a plurality of faucets.
[0004]
First, the water supplied from the water source through the water supply port 13 is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 14 and flows into the hot water storage tank 2. When the heaters 3a and 3b are energized, the water in the hot water storage tank 2 is heated. The temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is preset by the hot water supply setting unit 22 and the like, and when the can body temperature sensor 4 detects the set temperature (for example, 90 ° C.), the control unit 21 detects the heater 3a, The energization to 3b is stopped. When the water in the hot water storage tank 2 expands while being heated by the heaters 3a and 3b, the expanded water is drained from the relief valve 5.
[0005]
The hot water supply temperature of hot water supplied from the faucet Z is set in advance by the hot water supply setting unit 22. When the faucet Z of the kitchen or the like is opened, the controller 21 controls the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b so that the hot water temperature is set based on the set hot water temperature, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is controlled. The water supplied from the water supply port 13 is mixed at an appropriate temperature, and feedback is applied to the hot water supply mixing valve 6b based on the value input from the hot water supply temperature sensor 7b.
[0006]
The hot water temperature for the bathtub X is set in advance by the bathroom setting unit 23. The hot water temperature setting set by the bathroom setting unit 23 includes a hot water hot water operation setting for hot water hot water, an additional hot water operation setting for adding hot water, and a low temperature hot water hot water hot water setting. There are hot water operation settings. There are three patterns of hot water supply operation to the bathtub X based on this setting: high temperature hot water operation, additional hot water operation, and low temperature hot water operation.
[0007]
When it is desired to raise the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub X, a hot water supply operation is performed. In order to perform the hot water supply operation, first, the hot water supply switch is pressed in the bathroom setting unit 23. As a result, a hot water hot water command is input to the control device 21, and the hot water mixing valve 6a is controlled so that the temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 7a is high (for example, 60 ° C.), and the hot water solenoid valve 9 Is opened and the hot water supply operation to the bathtub X is started. After the hot water supply to the bathtub X is started, the accumulated flow rate is counted by the bath flow sensor 10, and when it reaches a certain amount (for example, 20 L), the hot water solenoid valve 9 is closed to complete the hot water supply operation.
[0008]
To increase the amount of hot water in bathtub X, add additional hot water. In the addition hot water operation, first, the bathroom setting unit 23 pushes the addition hot water switch. As a result, a command for adding hot water is input to the control unit 21. The control device unit 21 controls the hot water mixing valve 6a so that the temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 7a becomes the bath water temperature set by the bathroom setting unit 23, and opens the hot water solenoid valve 9 to open the bath. Start adding hot water to X. After the start of adding hot water to the bathtub X, the accumulated flow rate is counted by the bath flow sensor 10, and when a certain amount (for example, 20 L) is reached, the hot water solenoid valve 9 is closed and the hot water is completed.
[0009]
In order to perform low temperature hot water, first, the bathroom setting unit 23 presses the low temperature hot water switch. As a result, a low-temperature hot water command is output, and the controller 21 controls the hot water mixing valve 6a and opens the hot water electromagnetic valve 9 to start low-temperature hot water supply to the bathtub X. After the low-temperature hot water supply to the bathtub X is started, the accumulated flow rate is counted by the bath flow sensor 10, and when a certain amount (for example, 20 L) is reached, the hot water solenoid valve 9 is closed to complete the low-temperature hot water operation.
[0010]
Here, for example, when hot water supply to the bathtub X is started during the hot water supply from the faucet Z whose hot water supply temperature setting is set to 40 ° C., for example, the bathtub hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water to the bathtub X and the hot water faucet Z Since the hot water mixing valve 6a and the hot water mixing valve 6b are provided independently for each of the faucet hot water supply pipes to be supplied to the controller, the control device unit 21 is set while continuing the hot water supply to the bathtub X. The hot water mixing valve 6b is controlled so as to reach a certain temperature (40 ° C.), hot water and water in the hot water storage tank 2 are mixed at an appropriate temperature, and feedback is provided to the hot water mixing valve 6b based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 7b. Call. As described above, the conventional electric water heater does not need to temporarily wait for the hot water in the bathtub even if the hot water supply to the faucet Z set to different temperature settings and the hot water to the bathtub X are simultaneously performed. We continued hot water filling.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional electric water heater has the following problems.
(1) When hot water supply is started to the bathtub X during hot water supply from the faucet Z whose hot water supply temperature setting is set to 40 ° C., for example, the amount of hot water that temporarily flows into the hot water supply side at the start of the hot water supply Therefore, the amount of hot water flowing into the hot water supply side decreases regardless of the opening of the valve, and the hot water supply temperature temporarily decreases. Since the feedback is applied to the hot water supply mixing valve 9 based on the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 7b, the hot water side valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve 6b is largely opened due to the decrease in the hot water supply temperature described above. Thereby, the hot-water supply temperature once lowered increases more than before the start of the hot water supply. Thus, the hot water supply temperature from faucet Z was disturbed, and it had the subject that it was not stable and lacked usability.
(2) The same reason is also obtained when the hot water supply ends when the hot water supply from the faucet Z whose hot water supply temperature setting is set to 40 ° C., for example, to the bathtub X is simultaneously performed. As a result, the hot water supply temperature from the faucet Z is disturbed, and there is a problem that it is not stable and lacks usability.
[0012]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and even when hot water is started or terminated during hot water supply, the hot water inflow side and the water inflow side of the valve bodies of the hot water mixing valve An electric water heater that can shift the set offset amount, and can control the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve by feedback based on the hot water temperature to moderate fluctuations in the hot water temperature on the hot water side The purpose is to provide.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the electric water heater of the present invention has the following configuration.
[0014]
The electric water heater according to claim 1 of the present invention is supplied from a control unit that controls the whole, a hot water storage tank, a heater that heats water in the hot water storage tank, and hot water and water sources in the hot water storage tank. A hot water mixing valve that mixes and supplies water to the bathtub, and a hot water mixing valve that mixes the hot water in the hot water storage tank with water supplied from a water source and supplies the hot water to the hot water outlet. The valve is an electric water heater that controls the position of each valve body on the hot water inflow side and the water inflow side by feeding back the hot water temperature so that the hot water temperature becomes a preset hot water temperature setting, Hot water start / end determination means for determining the start and end of hot water supply to the bathtub (hereinafter referred to as hot water beam) during the hot water supply, and the hot water mixing at the start of the hot water beam come to memory to determine the position of the valve body of the valve A hot water supply mixing valve position determining means for, with hot water mixing valve operation means for returning the position of the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve at the end of the hot water beam at the position at the start of the valve body of the water beam stored in said memory, It has the composition provided with.
[0015]
This configuration has the following effects.
(1) The hot water beam start / end determining means determines that hot water has started during hot water supply, and the hot water mixing valve position determining means determines the hot water inflow side of the hot water mixing valve and the inflow of water at the start of the hot water beam. The position of each valve body on the side is determined and stored in the memory, and when the hot water start / end determination means determines that the hot water beam has ended during hot water supply, the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve is stored in the memory. Since it is possible to return to the position of the valve body at the start of the stored hot water beam, it is possible to alleviate the rapid fluctuation of the hot water temperature due to the end of the hot water beam during the hot water supply and to moderate the fluctuation.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electric water heater according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the hot water solenoid valve disposed in the path from the hot water mixing valve to the bathtub and the hot water solenoid valve are opened and closed. The hot water solenoid valve operating means and the hot water solenoid valve operation judging means for judging whether the hot water solenoid valve is opened or closed, and the hot water start / end judgment means judges whether the hot water starts or ends. The hot water solenoid valve operation determining means determines whether the hot water solenoid valve is opened or closed.
[0017]
With this configuration, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is provided.
(1) The start or end of the hot water beam can be determined by the hot water beam start / end determination means based on the determination of the opening / closing of the hot water solenoid valve by the hot water electromagnetic valve operation determining means.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electric water heater according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control device section is configured to determine a hot water temperature setting set by the bathroom setting section. Hot water supply temperature setting determination means for determining the hot water supply temperature setting set by the hot water supply setting unit, and at the start of the hot water beam during the hot water supply, the hot water beam temperature setting determination means determines the water beam temperature setting, if a high temperature feed water to higher than a predetermined temperature hot water is supplied, the position of the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve based on the hot water temperature setting judgment means and the hot water supply temperature is determined by the setting Is configured to vary a preset offset amount.
[0019]
With this configuration, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the following operation is provided.
(1) Based on the hot water supply temperature setting determined by the hot water supply temperature setting determination means when the hot water beam temperature setting determined by the hot water beam temperature setting determination means is high-temperature hot water at the start of hot water supply during hot water supply. Since the feedback control can be performed by varying the offset amount of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve, rapid fluctuations in the hot water temperature due to the start of hot water during hot water supply can be reduced and the fluctuations can be moderated. .
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
Fig.2 (a) is a block diagram of the electric water heater in this Embodiment 1, FIG.2 (b) is a block diagram which shows a central processing unit. In addition, the whole structure of the electric water heater in this Embodiment 1 is the same as that of FIG. 1 shown by the prior art.
[0021]
In FIG. 2A, 3 is a heater, 4 is a can temperature sensor, 6a is a hot water mixing valve, 6b is a hot water mixing valve, 7a is a bath temperature sensor, 7b is a hot water temperature sensor, and 9 is a hot water solenoid valve. 10 is a bath flow sensor, 11 is a hot water flow sensor, 21 is a control unit, 22 is a hot water setting unit, and 23 is a bathroom setting unit, which are the same as those described in FIG. A description will be omitted with reference numerals.
Reference numeral 31 denotes a microcomputer of the control unit 21, 32 denotes a central processing unit, 33 denotes a memory, 34 denotes an input circuit, 35 denotes an output circuit, 36 denotes an A / D converter, and 37 to 40 denote drive circuits.
In FIG. 2B, 51 is a hot water supply temperature determining means for determining the hot water supply temperature based on a signal from the hot water supply temperature sensor 7 b, and 52 is a hot water supply temperature setting for determining the hot water supply temperature setting based on the setting of the hot water supply setting unit 22. It is a determination means. In the first embodiment, the hot water supply temperature can be set in increments of 1 ° C. from 37 ° C. to 50 ° C., and higher than that can be set in increments of 5 ° C., that is, 55 ° C. and 60 ° C. In addition, the hot water supply temperature setting in the hot water supply setting unit 22 is preferably provided with an upper limit value (in this case, 60 ° C.). As a result, it is possible to prevent burns or the like due to hot water coming out due to erroneous operation or the like.
53 is a hot water mixing valve position determining means for determining the position of each of the hot water discharge side and the water discharge side of the hot water mixing valve 6b, 54 is a hot water mixing valve operating means for operating the hot water mixing valve 6b, and 55 is Hot water solenoid valve operating means for opening and closing the hot water solenoid valve 9, 56 hot water solenoid valve operation judging means for judging opening and closing of the hot water solenoid valve 9, 57 based on a signal from the bath temperature sensor 7a The hot water temperature determining means for determining the temperature and 58 is the hot water temperature setting determining means for determining the hot water temperature setting based on the setting of the bathroom setting unit 23. In the first embodiment, the hot water temperature setting includes a hot water hot water operation that pours hot water, an addition hot water operation that adds hot water, and a low temperature hot water operation that pours low temperature hot water. is there.
Reference numeral 59 denotes hot water mixing valve operating means for operating the hot water mixing valve 6a, and reference numeral 60 denotes hot water start / end determination means for determining the start and end of the hot water beam. In the first embodiment, the hot water start / end determination means 60 determines the start and end of the hot water based on the determination by the hot water solenoid valve operation determination means 56.
[0022]
The operation of the electric water heater 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation during hot water supply of the electric water heater in the first embodiment.
[0023]
First, the faucet Z shown in FIG. 1 is opened and hot water supply is started. Next, in FIG. 3, the hot water start / end determination means 60 determines whether the hot water start has been started (S1). When it is determined that the hot water beam has been started, the hot water mixing valve position determining means 53 determines the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b. The determined position of the valve body is stored in the memory 33 (S2). Subsequently, the hot water temperature setting determining means 58 determines whether or not the hot water temperature setting set by the bathroom setting unit 23 is a high-temperature hot water supply (S3). When it is determined that the hot water beam temperature setting is high-temperature hot water, the position of the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve 6b is set to a preset offset amount based on the hot water supply temperature setting determined by the hot water supply temperature setting determination means 52. The size is changed (S4).
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram showing the relationship between the hot water supply temperature setting and the position of the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the hot water supply temperature setting and the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve for each of the case where only hot water is being supplied and the case where hot water supply and hot water are being performed simultaneously. .
As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve when hot water supply and hot water filling are performed simultaneously is shifted from the position of the valve body when only hot water supply is performed by an offset amount. In addition, when the hot water supply temperature setting by the hot water supply setting unit 22 is 37 ° C. to 50 ° C., the offset amount of the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b is set to A. When the hot water supply temperature setting by the hot water supply setting unit 22 is 55 ° C. or 60 ° C., the offset amount of the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b is set to B.
[0025]
Subsequently, in FIG. 3, the hot water mixing valve 6 b feeds back the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 7 b so that the hot water temperature becomes the hot water temperature setting set by the hot water supply setting unit 22. Is controlled (S5). Next, the hot water start / end determination means 60 determines whether the hot water has ended (S6). If it is determined that the hot water beam has ended, the hot water mixing valve operating means 54 stores the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b at the position of the hot water mixing valve 6b at the start of the hot water beam stored in the memory 33 in S2. The position is returned (S7), and the valve body is fed back with the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 7b so that the hot water temperature is set to the hot water temperature set by the hot water supply setting unit with reference to the position of the valve body. Is controlled (S8). If it is determined in S6 that the hot water is not finished, the feedback control in S5 is continued.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the electric water heater according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 5, 71 indicates the detection and non-detection of the water flow of the hot water flow sensor 11, 72 indicates the opening and closing of the hot water solenoid valve 9, 73 indicates the position (potential) of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b, 74 indicates the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 7b. Α is an offset amount added to the position of the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve 6b.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 5, when hot water supply is started, the hot water supply mixing valve 6b is opened, the hot water supply flow sensor 11 detects the water flow, and the hot water supply temperature sensor 7b detects the hot water supply temperature. Here, when the hot water solenoid valve 9 is opened and hot water is started, the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b is set to a position shifted by the offset amount α. When the hot water solenoid valve 9 is closed and the hot water beam is finished, the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve 6b returns to the position of the valve body at the start of the hot water beam.
[0028]
As described above, since the electric water heater 1 according to the first embodiment is configured, the hot water start / end determination means 60 determines that hot water has started during hot water supply, and determines the hot water supply mixing valve position. The means 53 determines the position of each valve element on the hot water inflow side and the water inflow side of the hot water mixing valve 6b at the start of the hot water supply, and the hot water start / end determination means 60 ends the hot water supply during hot water supply. When it is determined that the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve 6b can be returned to the position of the valve body at the start of the hot water supply, the hot water temperature is rapidly changed due to the end of the hot water supply during the hot water supply. It has the effect that it can be relaxed and its fluctuations can be moderated.
[0029]
Further, when the hot water beam temperature setting determined by the hot water beam temperature setting determining means 58 is a high-temperature hot water supply, the valve body of the hot water supply mixing valve 6b is based on the hot water supply temperature setting determined by the hot water supply temperature setting determining means 52. The position of the offset can be changed, and the feedback control of the position of the valve body can be performed based on the set offset, so that sudden fluctuations in the hot water temperature due to the start of hot water during hot water can be alleviated. The effect is that the fluctuation can be moderated.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electric water heater of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
[0031]
According to the invention of claim 1,
(1) The hot water beam start / end determining means determines that hot water has started during hot water supply, and the hot water mixing valve position determining means determines the hot water inflow side of the hot water mixing valve and the inflow of water at the start of the hot water beam. The position of each valve body on the side is determined and stored in the memory, and when the hot water start / end determination means determines that the hot water beam has ended during hot water supply, the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve is stored in the memory. Since it is possible to return to the position of the valve body at the start of the stored hot water beam, we provide an electric water heater that can alleviate sudden fluctuations in the hot water temperature due to the end of hot water during hot water supply and moderate the fluctuations can do.
[0032]
According to invention of Claim 2, in addition to the effect of Claim 1,
(1) To provide an electric water heater capable of determining the start or end of a hot water beam by hot water start / end determination means based on the determination of opening and closing of the hot water solenoid valve by the hot water solenoid valve operation determining means. Can do.
[0033]
According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect of Claim 1 or 2,
(1) Based on the hot water supply temperature setting determined by the hot water supply temperature setting determination means when the hot water beam temperature setting determined by the hot water beam temperature setting determination means is high-temperature hot water at the start of hot water supply during hot water supply. Because the feedback control can be performed by changing the set offset amount of the valve body position of the hot water mixing valve, the rapid fluctuation of the hot water temperature due to the start of hot water during hot water supply can be reduced and the fluctuation made gentle It is possible to provide an electric water heater that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric water heater in the prior art and in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 (a) is a block diagram of the electric water heater in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 (b) is a block diagram showing a central processing unit. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of hot water supply of the electric water heater in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram showing the relationship between hot water temperature setting and the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve. Timing chart showing the operation of the instrument 【Explanation of symbols】
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Electric water heater 2 Hot water storage tank 3a, 3b Heater 4 Can body temperature sensor 5 Relief valve 5a Air vent valve 6a Hot water mixing valve 6b Hot water mixing valve 7a Bath temperature sensor 7b Hot water temperature sensor 8 Bath piping port 9 Hot water solenoid valve DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flow sensor 11 Hot water flow sensor 12 Hot water inlet 13 Water inlet 14 Pressure reducing valve 16 Drain plug 21 Control device 22 Hot water setting unit 23 Bathroom setting unit 31 Microcomputer 32 Central processing unit 33 Memory 34 Input circuit 35 Output circuit 36 A / D converter 37, 38, 39, 40 Drive circuit 51 Hot water supply temperature determining means 52 Hot water temperature setting determining means 53 Hot water mixing valve position determining means 54 Hot water mixing valve operating means 55 Hot water solenoid valve operating means 56 Hot water solenoid valve operating means 56 Operation determining means 57 Hot water beam temperature determining means 58 Hot water beam temperature setting determining means 59 Hot water beam mixing valve operating means 6 0 Hot water start / end judgment means X Bathtub Y Bathtub adapter Z Faucet

Claims

A hot water mixing valve for mixing a controller unit for controlling the whole, a hot water storage tank, a heater for heating water in the hot water storage tank, hot water in the hot water storage tank and water supplied from a water source and supplying the mixed water to the bathtub And a hot water mixing valve that mixes hot water in the hot water storage tank and water supplied from a water source and supplies the mixed hot water to a hot water outlet, at least the hot water mixing valve is set to a hot water temperature setting in which the hot water temperature is set in advance. An electric water heater in which the position of each valve body on the inflow side of water and the inflow side of water is controlled by feeding back the hot water supply temperature,
The control unit is
Hot water start / end determination means for determining the start and end of hot water supply to the bathtub (hereinafter referred to as hot water beam) during the hot water supply;
Hot water mixing valve position determining means for determining the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve at the start of the hot water beam and storing it in a memory ;
Hot water mixing valve operating means for returning the position of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve to the position of the valve body at the start of the hot water beam stored in the memory at the end of the hot water beam;
An electric water heater characterized by comprising.

A hot water solenoid valve disposed in a path from the hot water mixing valve to the bathtub; Electromagnetic valve operation determination means,
The determination of the start or end of the hot water beam by the hot water beam start / end determination means is made based on the opening / closing determination of the hot water solenoid valve by the hot water solenoid valve operation determination means. Item 2. An electric water heater according to item 1.

Hot water temperature setting determination means for determining the hot water beam temperature setting set by the setting section for bathroom, and hot water supply temperature setting determination means for determining the hot water supply temperature setting set by the setting section for hot water supply, Have
At the start of the hot water beam in the hot water supply, if the determined the water beam temperature set by the hot water beam temperature setting determination means is a high temperature feed water to higher than a predetermined temperature hot water is supplied, the hot water supply The electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the offset amount of the valve body of the hot water mixing valve is changed based on the hot water supply temperature setting determined by the temperature setting determination means.