JP4708304B2 - Hot water circulation heating system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water circulation heating system that heats air introduced from a heated space using hot water heated by burning gas in a heat source machine.

There is known a hot water circulation heating system in which gas supplied via a gas meter is burned by a heat source machine, and heated air heated thereby is used to heat air introduced from a space to be heated.
The gas meter measures the total amount of gas used at the gas use location including the heat source machine. In addition, the gas meter determines that an abnormality such as a gas leak has occurred and shuts off the gas supplied from the gas supply source when the total amount of gas used does not change for a long time (for example, 140 minutes). it can.
Here, for example, when the outside air temperature is low, the temperature of the heated space is likely to decrease again even if the heated space is heated by the hot water circulation heating system. Therefore, especially when the set temperature of heating is set high, the hot water circulation heating system continues to request high temperature hot water from the heat source machine. Thereby, the heat source machine continues to burn the gas continuously at the same pace. Since the total amount of gas used does not change for a long time, the gas meter may be shut off even though the gas is normally burned in the heat source machine. This phenomenon is hereinafter referred to as “mis-interruption of gas by gas meter”.

  Therefore, in the hot water circulation heating system of Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the hot water requested for the heat source device is constant over a set time, information for intentionally stopping the heat source device for a certain period, or for a certain period of time Information requesting hot water of different temperature is output to the heat source machine. Thereby, the heat source unit stops supplying hot water for a certain period to the hot water circulation heating system or changes the temperature of hot water supplied for a certain period. Thereby, the quantity of the gas combusted in order that a heat source machine supplies warm water to a warm water circulation type heating system changes. Therefore, the hot water circulation heating system changes the total amount of gas measured by the gas meter, and prevents the gas from being erroneously shut off by the gas meter.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-248172

Even using the technique described in Patent Document 1, it may not be possible to avoid erroneous gas blockage by a gas meter.
For example, a plurality of hot water use terminals such as a bathroom heater / dryer and a fan convector may be connected to the same heat source machine. In this case, even if any one of the hot water circulation heating systems outputs information for stopping the heat source unit to the heat source unit in order to avoid erroneous shut-off of the gas by the gas meter, it is connected to the same heat source unit. When the hot water use terminal is operating, the heat source machine does not stop. And the heat source machine continues to burn gas at the same pace. In this case, a certain hot water circulation heating system is connected to the same heat source device even if it outputs information requesting hot water of a different temperature to the heat source device in order to avoid erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter. When the other hot water use terminals are operating in the same state, the heat source unit does not change the temperature of the hot water supplied to each hot water use terminal. And the heat source machine continues to burn gas at the same pace. As a result, this hot water circulation heating system cannot change the amount of gas used by the heat source unit, and cannot change the total amount of gas measured by the gas meter. Therefore, a situation occurs in which it is not possible to avoid erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water circulation heating system that can reliably avoid erroneous shutoff of gas by a gas meter.

(Invention of Claim 1)
The present invention is embodied in a hot water circulation heating system in which gas supplied via a gas meter is combusted by a heat source unit, and hot water heated thereby is used to heat air introduced from a heated space.
The warm water circulation heating system includes a warm water circulation path for flowing warm water introduced from a heat source machine and returning the heat source machine to the heat source machine, an air circulation path for flowing air introduced from a heated space and returning it to the heated space, and a hot water circulation path. Gas use status discrimination that performs heat exchange between the hot water and air in the air circulation path, and determines whether the change in the gas usage of the heat source unit and the heat source unit is within the set time When the means and the gas use state determination means determine that the gas use amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time, the temperature of the hot water returned to the heat source machine is changed to change its heat load. The first thermal load changing means for changing is provided.
The present invention is useful as a hot water circulation heating system, particularly when embodied in a bathroom heating dryer.

When the temperature of the returned warm water is low for the heat source machine, many gases are burned to heat the temperature of the warm water to the target temperature (the temperature of the supplied warm water). If the temperature of the returned hot water is high, less gas is needed for this.
According to this hot water circulation heating system, when there is a possibility that the gas meter may erroneously shut off the gas, that is, when it is determined that the gas usage amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time, The heat load of can be changed. Therefore, even if a plurality of hot water use terminals including a hot water circulation heating system are connected to the heat source machine, the amount of gas used in the heat source machine can be changed intentionally. By changing the total amount of gas metered by the gas meter, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter.

(Invention of Claim 2)
A circulation fan that promotes the air flow in the air circulation path is provided, and the first heat load changing means can change the temperature of the hot water that is returned from the hot water circulation path to the heat source unit by changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan. preferable.
If the rotational speed of the circulation fan is changed to decrease, the amount of air introduced into the air circulation path decreases. Accordingly, the amount of heat exchanged with the air out of the amount of heat of the hot water supplied to the hot water circulation heating system by the heat source device is reduced. In this case, the hot water supplied by the heat source unit returns to the heat source unit while being relatively hot. When the hot water returned to the heat source machine is heated to the target temperature, the amount of gas used by the heat source machine decreases.
If the rotational speed of the circulation fan is changed in the direction of increasing, the amount of air introduced into the air circulation path increases. Accordingly, the amount of heat exchanged with the air out of the amount of heat of the hot water supplied to the hot water circulation heating system by the heat source device increases. In this case, the hot water supplied by the heat source machine becomes relatively cool and returns to the heat source machine. When heating the hot water returned to the heat source machine to the target temperature, the amount of gas used by the heat source machine increases.
By changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan, the amount of gas used in the heat source machine can be easily changed.

(Invention of Claim 3)
The present invention is also embodied in the following hot water circulation heating system.
The hot water circulation heating system has a hot water circulation path for flowing hot water introduced from a heat source machine and returning it to the heat source machine, an air circulation path for flowing air introduced from a heated space and returning it to the heated space, and hot water in the hot water circulation path Heat exchange means for heat exchange between the air and the air in the air circulation path to heat the air, and gas use state judgment means for judging whether a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit is within a set time When the gas use state determination means determines that the gas use amount of the heat source device has not changed over the set time, the heat usage of its own is changed by changing the circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path. Second thermal load changing means for changing the load is provided.

When the amount of circulating hot water is large for the heat source machine, a large amount of gas is burned in order to heat the temperature of the hot water to the target temperature (the temperature of the supplied hot water). When the circulation amount of hot water is small, the gas for this may be small.
According to this hot water circulation heating system, when there is a possibility that the gas meter may erroneously shut off the gas, that is, when it is determined that the gas usage amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time, The heat load of can be changed. Therefore, even if a plurality of hot water use terminals including a hot water circulation heating system are connected to the heat source machine, the amount of gas used in the heat source machine can be changed intentionally. The total amount of gas metered by the gas meter can be changed. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter.

(Invention of Claim 4)
It is preferable to provide a control valve that adjusts the amount of hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path, and the second thermal load changing means changes the circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path by changing the open / close state of the control valve. .
If the control valve is changed in the closing direction, the circulation amount of the warm water flowing through the warm water circulation path is reduced. Therefore, the amount of hot water that the heat source device supplies to the hot water use terminal decreases, and the amount of gas used by the heat source device decreases.
If the direction of opening the control valve is changed, the circulation amount of the warm water flowing through the warm water circulation path is increased. Therefore, the amount of hot water supplied from the heat source device to the hot water use terminal increases, and the amount of gas used by the heat source device increases.
By changing the open / close state of the control valve, the amount of gas used in the heat source device can be easily changed.

(Invention of Claim 5)
The present invention is also embodied in the following hot water circulation heating system.
The hot water circulation heating system is introduced from the heat source device, heat source device setting means capable of outputting at least one of information requesting the heat source device to turn off the heat source device and information indicating the temperature of the requested hot water, from the heat source device A hot water circulation path for flowing warm water back to the heat source machine, an inlet temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature index of the hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path, and an air circulation path for flowing the air introduced from the heated space and returning it to the heated space Heat exchange between the hot water in the hot water circulation path and the air in the air circulation path to determine whether there is a change in the amount of gas used by the heat exchange means for heating the air and the heat source unit during the set time. When the gas use state discriminating means for discriminating and the gas use state discriminating means discriminate that the gas use amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time, the heat source machine setting means causes the heat source machine to To turn off the machine If the temperature index of the hot water detected by the inlet temperature detection means does not change after the information to be requested or the information to change the temperature of the requested hot water is output, the third thermal load change to change its own thermal load Means.
The third heat load changing means may change its own heat load by changing the temperature of the hot water returned to the heat source machine, or by changing the circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path. The heat load may be changed.

In the hot water circulation heating system of the present invention, when there is a possibility that the gas meter may erroneously shut off the gas, that is, when it is determined that the gas usage amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time, Then, “preliminary processing” is executed to output information requesting the heat source unit to turn off the heat source unit or information for changing the temperature required for the heat source unit.
As the state of the heat source machine after that, the following two states can be considered.
The first state is a state in which the temperature of the hot water detected by the inlet temperature detecting means does not change because the heat source device does not follow the information output from the hot water circulation heating system. This can occur, for example, when a hot water use terminal is connected to the heat source device in addition to the hot water circulation heating system. In this case, even if the hot water circulation heating system outputs information to stop the heat source unit to the heat source unit, the heat source unit will stop if another hot water use terminal connected to the same heat source unit is operating. do not do. The heat source machine continues to burn gas at the same pace. In addition, even if the hot water circulation heating system outputs information requesting hot water of different temperature to the heat source machine, other hot water use terminals connected to the same heat source machine are operating in the same state The heat source unit does not change the temperature of the hot water supplied to each hot water use terminal. The heat source machine continues to burn gas at the same pace. In this state, the temperature of the hot water detected by the inlet temperature detection means does not change.
The second state is a state in which the temperature of the hot water detected by the inlet temperature detecting means changes according to the information output from the hot water circulation heating system.

Here, when the hot water circulation heating system changes its own thermal load, the heating capacity of the introduced air is slightly reduced. The hot water circulation heating system is a bathroom heating dryer, and when the drying operation is performed, the drying capacity is slightly reduced. It takes time to return the temporarily reduced heating capacity and drying capacity to the original levels, and the heating efficiency and drying efficiency slightly decrease.
On the other hand, if the time for which the heat source unit is turned off is short, or if the time for the temperature of the hot water supplied from the heat source unit to drop is short, the heating capacity and the drying capacity will not be significantly reduced.
The hot water circulation heating system according to the present invention first determines whether the state of the heat source unit is the first state or the second state as a result of executing the above-described “preliminary processing”. However, only when it is determined that the state is the first state, its own thermal load is changed. In addition, when it is determined that the state is the second state, it is not necessary to change its own heat load because the amount of gas used in the heat source device has already been changed by the “preliminary processing”. .
Thereby, in order to avoid the erroneous interruption | blocking of the gas by a gas meter, the frequency | count of changing own heat load can be reduced as much as possible. By using the hot water circulation heating system of the present invention, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous gas blockage by a gas meter, and to suppress the reduction in heating capacity and drying capacity caused by this avoidance operation as much as possible.

(Invention of Claim 6)
The hot water circulation heating system includes a heat source unit setting unit capable of outputting information indicating the required temperature of the hot water to the heat source unit, and the gas use state determining unit is configured so that the heat source unit setting unit maintains the same temperature over a set time. When the information shown is output to the heat source machine, it is preferable to determine that the gas usage amount of the heat source machine has not changed over the set time.
According to this, in order to determine whether or not the change in the gas usage amount of the heat source unit is within the set time, the gas use state determination unit and the temperature set value output to the heat source unit by itself and its output time It only has to be recognized. It is easy for the gas use state determination means to determine whether or not the change in the gas use amount of the heat source unit is within the set time.

(Invention of Claim 7)
The hot water circulation heating system includes an inlet temperature detection unit that detects a temperature index of hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path, and the gas use state determination unit has the same temperature index detected by the inlet temperature detection unit over a set time. When the temperature is indicated, it may be determined that the gas usage amount of the heat source device has not changed over the set time.
The temperature index of the hot water inlet temperature detected by the inlet temperature detecting means indicates the temperature as a result of the heat source machine burning the gas and heating the hot water. The gas use state determining means of the present invention determines whether or not the temperature index indicates the same temperature over the set time in order to determine whether or not the change in the gas use amount of the heat source unit is within the set time. This can be accurately determined.

(Invention of Claim 8)
The hot water circulation heating system includes a circulation fan that propels the flow of air introduced into the air circulation path, and the gas use state determination unit is configured such that when the number of rotations of the circulation fan is the same over the set time, You may discriminate | determine that the gas usage-amount of a heat source machine has not changed over setting time.
When the rotation speed of the circulation fan changes, the temperature of the water returned from the hot water circulation path to the heat source machine changes. Thereby, it is assumed that the amount of gas used in the heat source device changes and the total amount of gas used in the gas meter changes. Therefore, the gas use state determining means of the present invention determines the set value of the rotational speed of its circulation fan and its set value in order to determine whether or not the change in the gas use amount of the heat source unit is within the set time. Since it is only necessary to recognize the time for setting, this can be easily determined.

  According to the hot water circulation heating system of the present invention, by changing the amount of gas used in the heat source unit, the total amount of gas measured by the gas meter is changed, and it is reliably avoided that the gas is erroneously shut off by the gas meter. can do.

The main features of the embodiments described below are listed.
(First Feature) The gas meter can shut off the gas supplied from the gas supply source when the total amount of gas used does not change over a long period of time.
(2nd characteristic) The heat source machine is supplying hot water to the several high temperature terminal containing a warm water circulation type heating system.
(3rd characteristic) A warm water circulation type heating system is a bathroom heating dryer.
(Fourth feature) The control valve is a thermally operated valve.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a bathroom heater / dryer embodying the hot water circulation heating system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The bathroom heater / dryer of this embodiment is connected to a heat source machine together with a fan convector. Gas is supplied to the heat source machine via a gas meter. This gas meter shuts off the gas supply when the total amount of gas used does not change over a long period of time (140 minutes in this embodiment). When the temperature of hot water supplied from the heat source unit (inlet temperature) is determined to be constant over a specified period of time, the bathroom heater / dryer will determine its own heat load. "Load variation processing" that can be changed is executed.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a bathroom heating dryer and a fan convector are connected to a heat source machine. FIG. 2 is a view showing an appearance of a bathroom heating dryer. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the controller of the bathroom heater / dryer for preventing erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the circulation fan and the temperature of the hot water.

As shown in FIG. 1, gas is supplied to the heat source device 3 via a gas meter 10.
The heat source unit 3 burns the supplied gas to heat the hot water, and supplies this hot water from the hot water supply port 31 to the bathroom heating dryer 1 via the hot water forward path 4. Then, the heat source unit 3 reheats the hot water returned from the hot water recovery port 32 through the hot water return path 5 after circulating in the bathroom heating dryer 1 and supplies the heated water to the bathroom heating dryer 1. Similarly, the fan convector 2 is connected to the heat source unit 3 through a warm water forward path and a warm water return path.
Further, the heat source device 3 is provided with a terminal 33 to which the signal line 6 is connected. The bathroom heater / dryer 1 has information for requesting supply of hot water (information for requesting to turn on the heat source unit 3), information for stopping supply of hot water (information for requesting to turn off the heat source unit 3), Information indicating the required temperature of the hot water is output to the heat source unit 3 via the signal line 6 and the terminal 33. Similarly, the fan con vector 2 also outputs information requesting the supply of hot water, information for stopping the supply of hot water, and information indicating the required temperature of the hot water to the heat source unit 3. The heat source unit 3 determines the temperature of the hot water to be supplied or stopped (the heat source unit 3 is turned on or off) and the temperature of the hot water to be supplied based on the information input from each hot water usage terminal. And gas is fueled as needed, the warm water which returned from the warm water return path is heated, and it supplies to each warm water use terminal.
In each hot water use terminal, the hot water introduced from the heat source device 3 is circulated, and heat exchange is performed with the air in the heated room introduced by each hot water use terminal. Thereby, each warm water use terminal can supply the heated air to the space to be heated.

Here, the detailed structure of the bathroom heating dryer 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2.
The bathroom heater / dryer 1 is covered with a casing 101 made of resin or the like. The bathroom heater / dryer 1 is supplied with a power supply voltage via a power connector 19 and a leakage breaker 19a.
The bathroom heater / dryer 1 includes a controller 17 that controls the operation of the bathroom heater / dryer 1. The controller 17 is connected to an operation unit 18 for switching modes such as a bathroom heating operation and a drying operation and for setting a heating temperature. The operation unit 18 may be a remote controller, and the operation unit 18 and the controller 17 may communicate wirelessly. Based on the mode and temperature set by the operation unit 18, the controller 17 requests information for requesting the supply of hot water from the connection terminal 17 a via the signal line 6, information for stopping the supply of hot water, and a request. Outputs information indicating the temperature of hot water to be used. The heat source unit 3 supplies hot water having a necessary temperature to the bathroom heating dryer 1 as necessary based on the information.

Moreover, the bathroom heater / dryer 1 includes a hot water inlet 11 to which the hot water outgoing path 4 is connected, and a hot water outlet 12 to which the hot water return path 5 is connected.
The warm water inlet 11 is connected to one end of the warm water circulation path 11a. The other end of the hot water circulation outward path 11 a is connected to the heat supply side inlet of the heat exchanger 15. The heat supply side outlet of the heat exchanger 15 is connected to one end of the hot water circulation return path 12a. The other end of the warm water circulation return path 12 a is connected to the warm water outlet 12. The warm water introduction port 11, the warm water circulation path 11a, the heat supply side path of the heat exchanger 15, and the path through which the warm water circulates between the warm water circulation return path 12a and the warm water outlet 12 are referred to as "warm water circulation path".
The warm water circulation path 11a is provided with a thermal valve (control valve) 11b and a thermistor 11c. The thermal valve 11b is controlled to open and close by the controller 17. Thereby, the circulation amount of the warm water introduced into the warm water circulation outward path 11a can be changed. In the state where the thermal valve 11b is closed, the hot water is not introduced into the hot water circulation path 11a. The controller 17 can calculate the temperature of the introduced hot water (hereinafter referred to as inlet temperature) by the thermistor 11c.
Further, a thermistor 12b is provided in the warm water circulation return path 12a. The controller 17 can calculate the temperature of warm water returned to the heat source unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as outlet temperature) by the thermistor 12b.

On the other hand, the bathroom heater / dryer 1 includes an air inlet 13 and an air outlet 14.
Air sucked from the air inlet 13 is introduced into the heat demand side inlet of the heat exchanger 15. The warmed air sent from the heat demand side outlet of the heat exchanger 15 is sent from the air outlet 14 to the bathroom. Note that a louver 14d is disposed at the air outlet 14, and the direction in which air is sent out can be changed. The direction of the louver 14d is controlled by the controller 17.
A path through which air flows between the air inlet 13, the air circulation forward path 13a, the heat demand side path of the heat exchanger 15, the air circulation return path 14a, and the air outlet 14 is referred to as an "air circulation path". . A circulation fan 14b is provided in the air circulation path. The circulation fan 14b positively introduces cold air in the bathroom into the air circulation path, sends out warm air heated by the heat exchanger 15, and promotes the air flow in the air circulation path. The controller 17 can change the rotation speed of the circulation fan motor 14c (not shown in FIG. 1) to change the rotation speed of the circulation fan 14b.
Although the case where the circulation fan 14b is disposed in the air circulation return path 14a has been described in FIG. 1, the circulation fan 14b may be disposed in the air circulation forward path 13a.
The thermistor 13b is provided in the air circulation outward path 13a. The controller 17 can calculate the temperature (room temperature) of the bathroom air by the thermistor 13b.
The bathroom heater / dryer 1 further includes a ventilation fan 16. The ventilation fan 16 exhausts the air in the bathroom to the outside of the bathroom through the casing 101 of the bathroom heater / dryer 1. The rotational speed of the ventilation fan 16 can be changed by the controller 17.

With this configuration, the warm water sent from the warm water supply port 31 of the heat source device 3 circulates through the warm water circulation path and returns to the heat source device 3. In the middle, the heat exchanger 15 exchanges heat with the air introduced into the heat exchanger 15 and returns to the heat source unit 3 with its temperature lowered. The air heated by the heat exchanger 15 is returned from the air outlet 14 into the bathroom.
When the drying operation is set in the operation unit 18, the bathroom heating dryer 1 heats the bathroom air and exhausts the humid air in the bathroom by the ventilation fan 16. Thereby, while warming the air in the bathroom, it is possible to evacuate wet air as appropriate and dry wet clothes and the like dried in the bathroom.

As described above, in the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of hot water use terminals (bathroom heating dryer 1 and fan convector 2) are connected to the same heat source unit 3.
The bathroom heater / dryer 1 is a hot water use terminal that often has the same operation state continued for several hours. For example, when the drying operation described above is executed in the bathroom heater / dryer 1, it takes a long time to request the heat source machine 3 for high-temperature hot water in order to dry the laundry dried in the bathroom. In particular, when the original temperature in the bathroom is low, the temperature of the outside air is often low. In this case, even if the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 is operated, the air in the bathroom once warmed is likely to be cooled. Therefore, the time for which high-temperature hot water is continuously requested from the heat source unit 3 is particularly long. In such a case, the state of gas combustion in the heat source unit 3 does not change, and the amount of gas used in the heat source unit 3 does not change over a long period of time. If the total amount of gas used does not change over a long period of time (for example, 140 minutes or more), the gas meter 10 erroneously shuts off the gas.

Therefore, the operation for the controller 17 of the bathroom heater / dryer 1 to avoid erroneous gas shutoff by the gas meter 10 (refer to FIG. 1 together) will be described below using the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. This operation is executed when the bathroom heating dryer 1 is performing a drying operation.
A program for executing this operation is stored in the storage means of the controller 17. Then, the microcomputer of the controller 17 reads and executes the program from the storage unit as appropriate.

In the process of step S10 shown in FIG. 3, the controller 17 operates the motor of the circulation fan 14b. Further, the motor of the ventilation fan 16 is operated. Further, the thermal valve 11b is opened. Thereby, warm water can be introduced into the warm water circulation path. Moreover, the information which requests | requires 80 degreeC warm water is output to the heat source unit 3. This information is input from the controller 17 to the heat source unit 3 through the signal line 6 and the terminal 33.
The controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S12, and calculates the current inlet temperature of the hot water by the thermistor 11c (refer to FIG. 1 together). And it memorize | stores as a reference | standard inlet temperature of warm water. A counter TA (stability recognition time counter) whose value is incremented when the change in the inlet temperature is within a predetermined range, and a counter TK (change recognition) whose value is incremented when the change in the inlet temperature exceeds the predetermined range Substitute "0" for the time counter.
Then, the controller 17 proceeds to the processing of step S14, and determines whether or not the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the current inlet temperature from the reference inlet temperature is 3 ° C. or less. When the absolute temperature is 3 ° C. or lower (YES in step S14), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S16. If the absolute temperature is less than 3 ° C. (NO in step S14), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S22.
In the process of step S16, the controller 17 assigns “0” to the counter TK and increments the value of the counter TA.
The controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S18, and determines whether or not the value of the counter TA exceeds the “stability determination time TAMAX”. Note that the “stability determination time TAMAX” indicates whether or not the state in which the amount of gas used in the heat source unit 3 remains unchanged for the “set time” because the state where the change in the inlet temperature is within the predetermined range continues. This is the “set time” (threshold time) when determining whether or not. When the value of the counter TA is equal to or less than the “stability determination time TAMAX” (NO in step S18), the controller 17 returns to the process in step S14. When the value of the counter TA exceeds the “stability determination time TAMAX” (YES in step S18), the process proceeds to step S20.
In the process of step S20, the controller 17 executes a “load fluctuation process” for changing its own thermal load, and returns to the process of step S12. Details of the “load fluctuation process” will be described later.

If it is determined in step S14 that the absolute temperature is less than 3 ° C. (NO in step S14) and the process proceeds to step S22, the controller 17 increments the counter TK.
The controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S24, and determines whether or not the value of the counter TK exceeds the “change determination time TKMAX”. The “change determination time TKMAX” continues for a time sufficient to determine that the state where the change in the inlet temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined range is a state where there is a change in the amount of gas used in the heat source unit 3. This is a threshold time for determining whether or not the value is set, and is a preset value. When the value of the counter TK is equal to or less than the “change determination time TKMAX” (NO in step S24), the controller 17 returns to the process in step S14. If the value of the counter TK exceeds the “change determination time TKMAX” (YES in step S24), the controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S26.
In the process of step S26, the controller 17 substitutes “0” for the counter TA. Further, the current inlet temperature of the hot water is stored as the reference inlet temperature, and the process returns to the process of step S14.

As described above, when the state in which the change in the inlet temperature is within the predetermined range continues for more than the stability determination time TMAX in the processes of steps S12, S14, S16, and S18, the controller 17 It is possible to determine that the amount of gas used has not changed over the stability determination time TMAX, and to execute “load fluctuation processing” to be described later.
Further, in the processes of steps S12, S14, S22, S24, and S26, when the state where the change in the inlet temperature is not less than the predetermined range continues beyond the change determination time TKMAX, the use of the gas of the heat source unit 3 is used. It is possible to determine that the amount has changed and continue the operation state as it is.
The processing of these steps S12, S14, S16, S18, S22, S24, and S26 is an example of the “gas use state determining means” recited in the claims.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the details of the “load variation process” shown in step S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described.
In the “load variation process”, the controller 17 first outputs an instruction to turn off the heat source unit 3 in step S202.
The controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S204, and calculates the current inlet temperature of the hot water by the thermistor 11c. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change compared with the reference inlet temperature. If it is determined that there is a change (YES in step S204), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S212. If it is determined that there is no change (NO in step S204), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S206.
In the process of step S206, the controller 17 determines whether or not the state in which the inlet temperature has changed has continued for a predetermined time, and a time period during which it can be determined that the amount of gas used in the heat source unit 3 has changed has elapsed. If the time has not elapsed (NO in step S206), the process returns to step S204. If the time has elapsed (YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S208.
In the process of step S208, the controller 17 changes its own thermal load of the bathroom heating dryer 1. The controller 17 changes its own thermal load by changing the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b.

Here, the relationship between the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b and the heat load will be described with reference to FIG.
When the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b increases, the air circulation in the air circulation path is further promoted. Thereby, heat exchange becomes active by increasing the amount of heat exchange target in the heat exchanger 15, and the warm water returning from the bathroom heating dryer 1 to the heat source unit 3 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The temperature (outlet temperature) decreases.
When the temperature of the returned warm water is low for the heat source unit 3, a large amount of gas is burned in order to heat the temperature of the warm water to the target temperature (substantially the same as the inlet temperature indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5). Therefore, if the rotation speed of the circulation fan 14 is changed, the heat load for the heat source device 3 is changed, and the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 is changed.

Returning to FIG. 4, after completing the process of step S <b> 208, the controller 17 proceeds to the process of step S <b> 210. Here, the controller 17 determines whether or not a threshold time (a preset time) for determining that the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 has changed has elapsed. If it has not elapsed (NO in step S208), it waits. If it has elapsed (YES in step S208), the process proceeds to step S212.
In step S212, the controller 17 restores the heat load changed in step S206. That is, the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b is restored. Then, 80 ° C. hot water is requested from the heat source unit 3.

In this way, the controller 17 first outputs information requesting that the heat source unit 3 be turned off to the heat source unit 3 in the processes of steps S202, S204, and S206. The heat source device 3 may not follow the information output from the controller 17, and the inlet temperature detected by the thermistor 12b may not change. This can occur when a plurality of hot water use terminals including the bathroom heating dryer 1 are connected to the heat source unit 3 as in the present embodiment (see also FIG. 1). For example, if the controller 17 of the bathroom heater / dryer 1 outputs information requesting that the heat source unit 3 to be turned off to the heat source unit 3 (step S202), and the fan convector 2 is operating, the heat source unit 3 is Do not turn off. Therefore, the inlet temperature detected by the thermistor 12b does not change. In this case, the bathroom heater / dryer 1 changes its thermal load according to an instruction from the controller 17. In this embodiment, the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b is changed in steps S208 and S210.
As described above, first, “preliminary processing” that requires the heat source device 3 to be turned off is executed, and if the inlet temperature does not change, the heat load is changed.
The “load fluctuation process” of step S20 of the present embodiment is “first heat load changing means” that changes its own heat load by changing the temperature of the hot water returned to the heat source unit, as described in the claims. This is an example of “third thermal load changing means” for determining whether or not to change its own thermal load after executing “preliminary processing”.

According to the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the gas meter 10 may erroneously block the gas (when the inlet temperature of the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 is determined to be constant over a predetermined time). First, information that requests that the heat source unit 3 be turned off is output to the heat source unit 3. If the inlet temperature still does not change, the heat load is changed by changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan 14b and changing the temperature of the hot water returned to the heat source unit 3.
Thereby, even if a plurality of hot water use terminals including the bathroom heater / dryer 1 are connected to the heat source unit 3 (the fan convector 2 is connected in the first embodiment), the gas used by the heat source unit 3 The amount of usage can be deliberately changed. As a result, the total amount of gas detected by the gas meter changes, and it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter 10.
In the “load fluctuation process” of the bathroom heater / dryer 1 according to the present embodiment, first, the result of performing “preliminary process” that outputs information requesting the heat source unit 3 to turn off the heat source unit 3. If the inlet temperature does not change, the heat load is changed.
Thereby, in order to avoid the erroneous interruption | blocking of the gas by the gas meter 10, the frequency | count of changing own heat load can be reduced as much as possible. If the bathroom heating dryer 1 of a present Example is used, the fall of the heating capability and drying capability which generate | occur | produce by the operation | movement which avoids the erroneous interruption | blocking of the gas by the gas meter 10 can further be suppressed as much as possible.

  The controller 17 of the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 of the first embodiment first outputs “information for requesting that the heat source unit 3 to be turned off” to the heat source unit 3 in “load fluctuation processing” in step S20 “preliminary process”. (Step S202 shown in FIG. 4), but in the “load fluctuation process” of step S20, the user's own thermal load may be changed as it is.

  The controller 17 of this embodiment is trying to output information requesting to turn off the heat source device 3 to the heat source device 3 as “preliminary processing” of “load fluctuation processing”. You may try changing the temperature of the hot water. In step S204, it may be similarly determined whether or not there is a change in the inlet temperature.

Further, the controller 17 may change the opening degree of the thermal valve 11b as a means for changing its own thermal load in step S208 of the “load fluctuation process”.
When the amount of circulation is large for the heat source unit 3 even if the returned warm water is at the same temperature, many gases are burned in order to heat the temperature of the warm water to the target temperature. When the amount of circulating hot water that has returned is small, the amount of gas used for this purpose may be small.
Therefore, if it changes to the direction which closes the control valve 11b, the quantity of the hot water supplied to the bathroom heating dryer 1 will decrease. Therefore, the total amount of hot water that the heat source device 3 supplies to the hot water use terminal decreases, and the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 decreases. Or if it changes to the direction which opens the control valve 11b, the quantity of the hot water supplied to the bathroom heating dryer 1 will increase. Therefore, the total amount of hot water that the heat source device 3 supplies to the hot water use terminal increases, and the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 increases. Thereby, the bathroom heating dryer 1 can change the usage-amount of the gas of the heat-source equipment 3. FIG. Thereby, the circulation amount of the warm water which flows through a warm water circulation path | route can be changed, and the bathroom heating dryer 1 can change the usage-amount of the gas of the heat-source equipment 3. FIG.
The “load fluctuation processing” in this case is an implementation of the “second heat load fluctuation means” described in the claims, which changes its own thermal load by changing the circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path. It is an example.
Note that the concept of “changing the opening degree of the thermal valve 11b” includes the concept of “closing the thermal valve 11b”.

Further, the controller 17 changes the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b as means for changing its thermal load in step S208 of “load fluctuation processing”, but even if the rotational speed of the ventilation fan 16 is changed. Good.
If the rotational speed of the ventilation fan 16 is changed to decrease, the amount of warm air in the bathroom discharged outside the bathroom is reduced. Thereby, comparatively warm air is introduced into the air circulation path 13a from the bathroom. Accordingly, the amount of heat exchanged with the air in the amount of heat of the hot water supplied to the bathroom heating dryer 1 by the heat source device 3 decreases, and the supplied hot water returns to the heat source device 3 while being relatively hot. When the hot water returned from the heat source unit 3 is heated to the target temperature (80 ° C. in this embodiment), the amount of gas used is reduced. Or if it changes to the direction which increases the rotation speed of the ventilation fan 16, the comparatively cold air close | similar to the external temperature from a bathroom will be introduce | transduced into an air circulation path. Therefore, when the heat source device 3 heats the returned warm water to the target temperature, the amount of gas used increases. Thereby, the temperature of the warm water returned to the heat source device 3 can be changed, and the bathroom heating dryer 1 can change the amount of gas used in the heat source device 3.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the bathroom heating dryer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The bathroom heater / dryer 1 according to the present embodiment determines that the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 is constant over a predetermined time when the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b is constant over a predetermined time.
Since the configuration of the bathroom heating dryer 1 is the same as the configuration of the bathroom heating dryer 1 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
The bathroom heating / drying machine 1 of the second embodiment is different from the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 of the first embodiment in order to determine whether or not the change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 is within the set time. (Steps S12, S14, and S26 shown in FIG. 3) are different. In the following, only the steps different from the first embodiment will be described. Other steps are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In step S12a of the second embodiment corresponding to step S12 of the first embodiment, the controller stores the current set rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b as a reference rotational speed. Further, when the current set rotational speed is the same as the reference rotational speed, a counter TA (stability recognition time counter) that is incremented when the current set rotational speed is different from the reference rotational speed. “0” is substituted into a counter TK (change recognition time counter) whose value is incremented. Then, the controller proceeds to the process of step S14a.
In step S14a corresponding to step S14 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the reference rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b matches the current rotational speed. If they match (YES in step S14a), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S16. If they do not match (NO in step S14a), the controller 17 proceeds to the process in step S22.
In step S26a corresponding to step S26 of the first embodiment, the controller 17 substitutes “0” for the counter TA. In addition, the current set rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b is stored as a reference rotational speed, and the process returns to step S14a.
As described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the change in the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 is within the set time based on the rotational speed of the circulation fan 14b.
In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the circulation fan is not monitored, but the set rotation speed and the reference rotation speed are compared. However, the rotation speed of the circulation fan is monitored and the change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 is changed. It may be determined whether or not is within the set time.

In addition, in order to discriminate | determine whether the change of the gas usage-amount of the heat-source equipment 3 does not go over setting time, you may use the information which shows the temperature of the warm water requested | required of the heat-source equipment 3. FIG.
A controller determines the temperature of the warm water requested | required of the heat-source equipment 3 by the operation mode (bathroom heating operation, drying operation, etc.) operated with the operation part 18 (refer FIG. 1 collectively), for example. And this information is output to the heat-source equipment 3 (operation | movement of the heat-source equipment setting means described in the claim). Based on this information, the heat source unit 3 burns the gas and heats the hot water, so that a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 can be determined.
According to this configuration, the controller determines whether or not a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source device 3 has occurred during the set time, based on the temperature information requested by the heat source device 3 and the output time of the information. The controller process is simple.

  Also, the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 has a change in the outlet temperature (the temperature of the warm water returning to the heat source unit 3 and the temperature of the warm water calculated by the thermistor 12b), the room temperature in the bathroom (the temperature of the air calculated by the thermistor 13b). Based on the change, the rotational speed of the ventilation fan 16, and the like, it can be determined whether or not the change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 is within the set time. If these parameters change, the amount of gas used for combustion until the temperature of the hot water supplied by the heat source unit 3 is heated to the target temperature changes, so that the change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit 3 can be determined. it can.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
In addition, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

The gas meter 10 includes a reference time for shutting off the gas based on the total amount of gas used by the gas use location including the heat source device 3 (a reference for detecting a case where the total amount of gas used does not vary over a long period of time). Some have a function of changing time (for example, 140 minutes).
For example, when the total amount of gas used is 0.25 (kg / h) or more and less than 0.42 (kg / h), the initial reference time is set to 160 minutes. Therefore, the gas is shut off when the total amount of gas used does not change over 160 minutes. However, when the total amount of gas used has not changed over 100 minutes, but is changed when it exceeds 100 minutes, this reference time is changed to a value obtained by multiplying 100 minutes by 2.2. Thereafter, the gas is shut off when the total amount of gas used does not change over 220 minutes. That is, the gas meter can determine that it is normal even if the same gas usage amount continues for 100 minutes, and can learn to lengthen the reference time.
For this reason, on the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 side, depending on the operation state of the bathroom heating / drying machine 1 (states such as required set temperature, inlet temperature, outlet temperature, rotation speed of the circulation fan, etc.) It is preferable that the “stability determination time TAMAX” for determining that the amount has not changed over the set time can be changed. According to this, it is possible to prevent the heat load of the bathroom heating dryer 1 from being changed unnecessarily in order to cope with a change in the reference time of the gas meter 10 and to prevent erroneous gas blockage by the gas meter.

The structure by which the bathroom heating dryer 1 is connected to the heat source machine 3 with the fan convector 2 is shown. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the bathroom heating dryer. It is a flowchart of the program for the controller 17 of the bathroom heating dryer 1 to execute in order to avoid interruption | blocking of the gas supply by the gas meter 10. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the subroutine of step S20 shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of the circulation fan 14b, and a thermal load. 4 is a flowchart of another program for the controller to execute in order to avoid interruption of gas supply by the gas meter 10.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathroom heating dryer 2 Fan convector 3 Heat source machine 4 Warm water outbound path 5 Warm water return path 6 Signal line 10 Gas meter 11 Hot water introduction port 11a Hot water circulation outbound path 11b Thermal valve 11c, 12b, 13b Thermistor 12 Hot water feed outlet 12a Hot water circulation return path 13 Air Air inlet 14a Air outlet 14a Air outlet 14b Circulating fan 14c Circulating fan motor 15 Heat exchanger 16 Ventilation fan 17 Controller 17a Signal terminal 18 Operation unit 19 Connector 19a Earth leakage breaker 31 Hot water supply port 32 Hot water recovery port 33 Terminal 101 casing

Claims (8)

It is a hot water circulation heating system that burns gas supplied through a gas meter in a heat source machine, uses the heated hot water, and heats air introduced from the space to be heated,
A hot water circulation path for flowing hot water introduced from the heat source machine and returning it to the heat source machine;
An air circulation path for flowing air introduced from the heated space and returning it to the heated space;
Heat exchange means for performing heat exchange between the hot water in the hot water circulation path and the air in the air circulation path to heat the air;
Gas use state determining means for determining whether or not a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit is within a set time; and
When the gas use state determining means determines that the gas use amount of the heat source device has not changed over a set time, the temperature of the hot water returned to the heat source device is changed, thereby changing its own heat load. A hot water circulation heating system comprising first heat load changing means for changing the temperature. A circulation fan for promoting the air flow in the air circulation path;
Said first thermal load changing means, by changing the rotational speed of the circulation fan, hot water circulation of claim 1, wherein varying the temperature of the hot water from the hot water circulation path back to the heat source unit Heating system. It is a hot water circulation heating system that burns gas supplied through a gas meter in a heat source machine, uses the heated hot water, and heats air introduced from the space to be heated,
A hot water circulation path for flowing hot water introduced from the heat source machine and returning it to the heat source machine;
An air circulation path for flowing air introduced from the heated space and returning it to the heated space;
Heat exchange means for performing heat exchange between the hot water in the hot water circulation path and the air in the air circulation path to heat the air;
Gas use state determining means for determining whether or not a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit is within a set time; and
When the gas use state determination means determines that the gas use amount of the heat source device has not changed over a set time, by changing the circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path, A hot water circulation heating system comprising second heat load changing means for changing the heat load. A control valve for adjusting the amount of hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path;
4. The hot water circulation heating system according to claim 3 , wherein the second heat load changing unit changes a circulation amount of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path by changing an open / close state of the control valve. It is a hot water circulation heating system that burns gas supplied through a gas meter in a heat source machine, uses the heated hot water, and heats air introduced from the space to be heated,
Heat source unit setting means capable of outputting at least one of information requesting the heat source unit to turn off the heat source unit and information indicating the temperature of the requested hot water;
A hot water circulation path for flowing hot water introduced from the heat source machine and returning it to the heat source machine;
Inlet temperature detection means for detecting a temperature index of hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path;
An air circulation path for flowing air introduced from the heated space and returning it to the heated space;
Heat exchange means for performing heat exchange between the hot water in the hot water circulation path and the air in the air circulation path to heat the air;
Gas use state determining means for determining whether or not a change in the amount of gas used by the heat source unit is within a set time; and
When the gas usage state determination unit determines that the gas usage amount of the heat source unit has not changed over a set time, the heat source unit setting unit turns off the heat source unit to the heat source unit. If the temperature index of the hot water detected by the inlet temperature detecting means does not change after that, the information for requesting that or the information for changing the temperature of the requested hot water is output. A hot water circulation heating system comprising a heat load changing means. The heat source device includes a heat source device setting means capable of outputting information indicating the temperature of the requested hot water,
The gas use state determination means changes the gas use amount of the heat source machine over a set time when the heat source machine setting means outputs information indicating the same temperature to the heat source machine over a set time. It is discriminate | determined that it has not performed , The hot water circulation type heating system of any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned . Inlet temperature detection means for detecting a temperature index of hot water introduced into the hot water circulation path,
When the temperature index detected by the inlet temperature detection means indicates the same temperature over a set time, the gas use state determination unit does not change the gas use amount of the heat source unit over the set time The warm water circulation heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the warm water circulation heating system is determined. A circulation fan for propelling the flow of air introduced into the air circulation path;
The gas use state determining means determines that the gas use amount of the heat source unit has not changed over the set time when the rotation speed of the circulation fan is the same over the set time. The hot water circulation heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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