JP4893010B2 - Hot water storage water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remaining hot water amount calculation device in a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus that uses electric power to boil hot water.

  Conventionally, in hot water storage water heaters that use midnight power to boil the entire tank, all the water filled in the hot water tank is boiled in the midnight hours when electricity charges are cheap, and the daytime The general idea was to cover the hot water used. For this reason, the capacity of the hot water storage tank has been selected in accordance with the upper limit of the amount of hot water used in one day.

  And as a means for confirming how much hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank, a plurality of temperature detectors for detecting the internal temperature of the hot water storage tank, a lower limit temperature for hot water temperature, and lower than the lower limit temperature for water temperature Each detected temperature having an upper limit temperature and detected by the temperature detector is compared with the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature, and each detected temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature, between the lower limit and the upper limit temperature, or the upper limit temperature. In some cases, each detected temperature is displayed for each installation position of each of the temperature detectors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, ratio calculation means for calculating each detected temperature of the plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors as a ratio to the boiling target temperature, and graph information creation for graphing the remaining hot water amount based on each ratio calculated by the ratio calculation means And the graph information created by the graph information creating means are displayed in a graph on the display unit of the remote controller. Furthermore, a residual heat amount calculating means for calculating the residual heat amount in the hot water storage tank from the detected temperatures of a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors, and a residual heat amount ratio calculation for calculating a ratio of the residual heat amount calculated by the residual heat amount calculating means to the target hot water storage heat amount And a ratio calculated by the remaining hot water amount ratio calculating means are displayed on the display unit of the remote controller as the remaining hot water amount (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-50353 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-360956

  However, in the conventional hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus, a large hot water storage tank adapted to the upper limit of the amount of hot water used, for example, 360L or 420L is used to boil up using cheap late-night power of the electricity bill supplied at night, In general, there is a use form in which a large amount of hot water boiled with midnight electric power covers the amount of hot water used for one day.

  Therefore, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, the remaining hot water display of the hot water storage tank is also displayed as it is at the detected temperature at each position of the hot water storage tank, displayed as a percentage of the target temperature, and further converted to the remaining heat amount. However, even if the state of the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank is displayed as it is, for example, it is displayed as a ratio to the target residual heat amount, there is no particular sense of incongruity.

  However, in the configuration having a large hot water storage tank as in the conventional hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus, the outer shape of the product becomes large, a wide installation space is required, and installation in a narrow space in an apartment house or the like becomes difficult. In particular, there is a problem that the range of use is limited, especially when the trend toward a declining birthrate and a decrease in the number of families as in recent years, and the amount of hot water used per day does not require a large amount of hot water as in the past. In order to cope with this, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus in which the volume of the hot water storage tank is reduced and the equipment is miniaturized has been commercialized.

  In that case, the amount of hot water storage is drastically reduced compared to the conventional method, so that the amount of hot water used in the day cannot be covered with only the amount of hot water heated up in the middle of the night. It is necessary to secure a certain amount of hot water by frequently performing hot water boiling operation in the time zone.

  Further, when the volume of the hot water storage tank is reduced, the state of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank is displayed as it is to check the remaining hot water amount. For example, when the tank capacity is 100 L, a standard bathtub (200 L) is used. ), The user feels uncomfortable with the illusion that the amount of hot water is insufficient. Actually, since hot hot water is stored, there is no shortage of hot water, but the method of displaying the amount of hot water based on the tank capacity (100 L) is misleading to the user. In addition, the change in the amount of remaining hot water during the additional boiling operation or use of hot water during the daytime period can not be confirmed until the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank has stabilized, It was inconvenient in terms of usability.

  The present invention solves the above problems, and based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, respectively, the amount of hot water at the standard operating temperature under the same conditions. By converting, subtracting and adding, the latest available amount of hot water is obtained in real time, and the temperature can be changed when converting to hot water, so that the usage environment varies depending on the household and seasons. Because the amount of hot water that can be used can be determined, the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water tank, regardless of the size of the hot water tank. The object is to provide a good hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hot water storage tank for storing hot water by forming hot water in the upper part and water and a temperature layer in the lower part , a load path for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank to the load side, and the hot water storage Heating means for heating the hot water in the tank, hot water amount calculating means for calculating the amount of hot water available at a reference temperature from the amount of heat held by the hot water in the hot water storage tank excluding a predetermined amount of hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and flowing out from the load path the use amount calculating means for calculating a used hot water in terms of the reference temperature from the heat, and the supply amount calculating means for calculating an additional usable amount converted from the amount of heat flowing from the heating unit to the reference temperature, the amount of hot water from the heat and it can be arbitrarily set the reduced temperature setting means the reference temperature at the time of conversion, obtained from the calculation result of the supply amount calculating means and the hot water operation means and the use amount calculation means hot water It is obtained by a structure having a usable hot water calculating means for calculating the available hot water based.

  According to the above invention, the amount of heat held by the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is obtained, and how much hot water can be used when the hot water is continuously discharged from the amount of heat that is normally used (for example, 40 ° C.). Therefore, it is easy to determine how much hot water can be used under standard operating conditions with the amount of hot water stored, regardless of the size of the hot water tank. It can be used appropriately according to the amount of hot water that can be used. In addition, by adopting a configuration with a conversion temperature setting means that can arbitrarily set the reference temperature (converted temperature) when converting from the amount of heat to the amount of hot water, it corresponds to the usage environment that varies depending on the usage environment and seasons that vary from home to home Since the amount of hot water that can be used can be determined, for example, in households that use a slightly higher hot water temperature, the conversion temperature can be set to 45 ° C, which is higher than the standard temperature of 40 ° C. By determining the amount of hot water, and when the outdoor temperature in winter decreases, the operating temperature also increases, so the converted temperature is also set high, and by determining the amount of hot water that can be used at the time of continuous hot water at this temperature, changes in each home or season The amount of hot water that can be used under the usage conditions according to the conditions can be easily obtained, and the usability can be improved.

  Also, obtain the amount of heat consumed by the hot water supply curan, bath hot water circuit, and bath reheating circuit connected to the load path, respectively, and obtain the amount of usable hot water based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means from that amount of heat. Since it is converted to the amount of hot water used indicating the amount of hot water used at the same hot water temperature as when the water was used, each household or The change in the amount of hot water that can be used can be checked in real time in conjunction with the consumption state of the load route according to the seasonal change, and the user can easily check how much can be used while watching the change. Can improve usability. Further, when the amount of stored hot water is reduced and the heating means is operated and the additional boiling operation is started, the amount of heat supplied from the heating means is obtained, and the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means in the same manner as described above is obtained from the amount of heat. The amount of hot water that can be used is calculated based on the amount of hot water that was supplied at the same temperature as when the amount of hot water that can be used was calculated. By doing so, it is possible to check in real time changes in the amount of hot water that can be used in accordance with changes in each household or season in conjunction with the heating operation state of the heating means, and the user can observe the changes while watching the changes. It can be easily confirmed how much it can be used, and the usability can be improved.

  As described above, based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, each is converted into the amount of hot water at the same use temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. Since the latest usable hot water volume is calculated in real time by subtraction / addition processing, the current available hot water volume is known as a temperature condition or a value close to it, regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank. In addition, the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank simply by looking at the value, so that the usability can be greatly improved.

  Therefore, even if the capacity of the hot water storage tank is, for example, about 100 L smaller than a general bathtub volume (200 L), the available hot water volume can be calculated as 300 L, and the value can be displayed. Can see that the value of the hot water can be filled in the bathtub, and after the hot water filling in the bathtub is finished, it can be confirmed in real time that the amount of available hot water has decreased to 100L. When the raising operation is started, it is possible to confirm in real time that the amount of hot water that can be used gradually increases from 100 L, and in particular, as a remaining hot water amount confirmation device for a hot water storage hot water supply device having a small hot water storage tank capacity. It is the best one.

And since the predetermined amount at the upper part of the hot water storage tank is not added to the amount of hot water that can be used, even if an error occurs during the heat amount calculation, the error amount is covered by the amount of hot water at the upper part of the tank, so On the other hand, the situation where there is no actual amount of hot water can be avoided.

  According to the present invention, based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, each is converted into the amount of hot water at the same use temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. Since the latest usable hot water volume is calculated in real time by performing subtraction / addition processing, the hot water volume can be easily determined in accordance with the usage conditions according to each home or season. Regardless of the size of the hot water, the current amount of hot water that can be used can be known as the temperature condition at which it is actually used, or a value close to it. Since the usage status can be grasped, usability can be dramatically improved. In particular, it is optimal as a remaining hot water amount confirmation device for a hot water storage type hot water supply device having a small hot water storage tank capacity.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water storage tank for storing hot water by forming hot water in the upper part and water and a temperature layer in the lower part , a load path for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the load side, and heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank Heating means, hot water amount calculating means for calculating the amount of hot water available at a reference temperature from the amount of heat held by the hot water in the hot water tank excluding a predetermined amount of hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank, and the reference temperature from the amount of heat flowing out from the load path Used amount calculating means for calculating the amount of used hot water converted to the above, supply amount calculating means for calculating an additional usable amount converted from the amount of heat flowing in from the heating means into the reference temperature , and the above-mentioned when converting the amount of heat into the amount of hot water a reduced temperature setting means which arbitrarily sets the reference temperature, the hot water operation means and on the basis of the used amount calculating means and hot water obtained from the calculation result of the supply quantity calculating means available hot water It is characterized in that it comprises the available hot water calculating means for calculating.

  The amount of heat held by the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank can be obtained, and the amount of hot water that can be used when the hot water is discharged continuously at the standard hot water temperature (eg 40 ° C) can be used. Since it is converted to the amount of hot water, it can be easily determined and used regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water stored can be used under standard operating conditions. Appropriate usage according to the amount of hot water becomes possible. In addition, by adopting a configuration with a conversion temperature setting means that can arbitrarily set the reference temperature (converted temperature) when converting from the amount of heat to the amount of hot water, it corresponds to the usage environment that varies depending on the usage environment and seasons that vary from home to home Since the amount of hot water that can be used can be determined, for example, in households that use a slightly higher hot water temperature, the conversion temperature can be set to 45 ° C, which is higher than the standard temperature of 40 ° C. By determining the amount of hot water, and when the outdoor temperature in winter decreases, the operating temperature also increases, so the converted temperature is also set high, and by determining the amount of hot water that can be used at the time of continuous hot water at this temperature, changes in each home or season The amount of hot water that can be used under the usage conditions according to the conditions can be easily obtained, and the usability can be improved.

  Also, obtain the amount of heat consumed by the hot water supply curan, bath hot water circuit, and bath reheating circuit connected to the load path, respectively, and obtain the amount of usable hot water based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means from that amount of heat. Since it is converted to the amount of hot water used indicating the amount of hot water used at the same hot water temperature as when the water was used, each household or The change in the amount of hot water that can be used can be checked in real time in conjunction with the consumption state of the load route according to the seasonal change, and the user can easily check how much can be used while watching the change. Can improve usability. Further, when the amount of stored hot water is reduced and the heating means is operated and the additional boiling operation is started, the amount of heat supplied from the heating means is obtained, and the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means in the same manner as described above is obtained from the amount of heat. The amount of hot water that can be used is calculated based on the amount of hot water that was supplied at the same temperature as when the amount of hot water that can be used was calculated. By doing so, it is possible to check in real time changes in the amount of hot water that can be used in accordance with changes in each household or season in conjunction with the heating operation state of the heating means, and the user can observe the changes while watching the changes. It can be easily confirmed how much it can be used, and the usability can be improved.

  As described above, based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, each is converted into the amount of hot water at the same use temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. Since the latest usable hot water volume is calculated in real time by subtraction / addition processing, the current available hot water volume is known as a temperature condition or a value close to it, regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank. In addition, the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank simply by looking at the value, so that the usability can be greatly improved.

  Therefore, even if the capacity of the hot water storage tank is, for example, about 100 L smaller than a general bathtub volume (200 L), the available hot water volume can be calculated as 300 L, and the value can be displayed. Can see that the value of the hot water can be filled in the bathtub, and after the hot water filling in the bathtub is finished, it can be confirmed in real time that the amount of available hot water has decreased to 100L. When the raising operation is started, it is possible to confirm in real time that the amount of hot water that can be used gradually increases from 100 L, and in particular, as a remaining hot water amount confirmation device for a hot water storage hot water supply device having a small hot water storage tank capacity. It is the best one.

And since the predetermined amount at the upper part of the hot water storage tank is not added to the amount of hot water that can be used, even if an error occurs during the heat amount calculation, the error amount is covered by the amount of hot water at the upper part of the tank, so On the other hand, the situation where there is no actual amount of hot water can be avoided.

The second invention is characterized in that, in particular, in the first invention, the conversion temperature setting means is configured such that a user can arbitrarily set a reference temperature by operating a switch of an operation unit. It is.

  And, since the reference temperature (converted temperature) when converting the amount of heat into the amount of hot water can be set arbitrarily by operating the switch provided on the operation unit, it can be used in different usage environments and seasons depending on the season. The amount of hot water that can be used can be determined. For example, in households that use a slightly higher hot water temperature, the conversion temperature can be set to 45 ° C., which is higher than the standard temperature of 40 ° C., and the amount of hot water that can be used during continuous hot water can be determined at this temperature. Since the use temperature also rises when the outside air temperature of the city becomes low, the converted temperature can be set high, and the amount of hot water that can be used at the time of continuous taping can be obtained at this temperature, so the use conditions according to the change in each home or season The amount of hot water that can be used in can be easily determined, and the usability can be improved.

In a third aspect of the invention, particularly in the first aspect of the invention, the converted temperature setting means automatically sets the reference temperature according to the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature detected by the outside air temperature detector or the feed water temperature detector. It is characterized by doing so.

  And, since the reference temperature (converted temperature) when converting from the amount of heat to the amount of hot water is automatically set according to the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature, the amount of hot water that can be used according to the operating temperature varies depending on the season. In winter, the amount of hot water that can be used at a slightly higher working temperature is obtained, and in summer, the amount of hot water that can be used is obtained, so that the amount of hot water that can be used efficiently can be obtained.

The fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect of the invention, the reference temperature is set higher as the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature decreases.

And since the use temperature becomes higher in the winter when the outside air temperature or the water supply temperature falls, the amount of hot water that can be used in accordance with the actual use can be determined by setting the reference temperature high.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the hot water amount calculating means obtains the amount of heat held for each layer from temperatures detected by a plurality of temperature detectors provided in the hot water storage tank, Calculates the amount of available hot water converted to the reference temperature set by the converted temperature setting means, and if the temperature detected by the temperature detector is equal to or lower than a predetermined judgment temperature, it can be judged that there is no remaining hot water. It is characterized by not adding to the amount of hot water.

And in the stacked type hot water storage system that circulates the water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the upper part and heats it in the circulation process to store hot water in layers from the upper part of the tank, By determining the amount of heat held for each layer based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, and at the temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means from the amount of stored heat The amount of hot water that can be used can be determined. Also, when it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature detector is low and not suitable for use, it is not added to the amount of hot water that can be used, so the amount of hot water that can be used under the use conditions set by the conversion temperature setting means is accurately calculated. Can be sought .

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular , in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the hot water amount calculation means has / without remaining hot water based on a temperature detected by the temperature detector and a determination temperature for determining presence / absence of remaining hot water. When it is detected that the information has been switched, the amount of usable hot water is calculated.

  When it is determined that the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detectors provided in the hot water storage tank are not suitable for use, or when it is determined that the temperature has returned to an appropriate temperature, the hot water storage tank is held again at that time. The amount of heat is calculated, and the calculation is performed to convert the amount of hot water that can be used when it is continuously discharged at the hot water temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. The change in the amount of hot water that can be used when the heating is performed or the boiling operation is performed can be verified at a predetermined timing, and the amount of hot water that can be used can be obtained with high accuracy.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular , in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the usage amount calculation means flows out from a flow rate and a tapping temperature detected by a flow rate detector and a tapping temperature detector provided in the load path. The amount of heat is obtained, the amount of use converted to the reference temperature set by the converted temperature setting means is calculated, and subtraction correction of the amount of usable hot water obtained by the amount of hot water calculation means is performed.

  Then, based on the flow rate and the hot water temperature detected by the flow rate detector and the hot water temperature detector provided in the hot water supply circuit connected to the currant constituting the load path and the bath hot water circuit connected to the bathtub water circulation circuit, the hot water supply and bath Since the amount of heat used at the time of hot water filling is calculated and converted to the amount of hot water used in the same temperature condition as when the amount of usable hot water is calculated based on the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means from the amount of heat, The amount of hot water used in the load path can be obtained with high accuracy, and by subtracting the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculation means using this hot water amount, the current available hot water amount can be obtained in real time. Since the user can confirm the change in the amount of hot water that can be used in conjunction with the state of use, the user-friendliness can be improved.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular , in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the usage amount calculation means obtains the amount of heat used in the bath reheating circuit provided in the load path, and is set by the converted temperature setting means. The use amount converted into the reference temperature is calculated, and the subtraction correction of the usable hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means is performed.

  And the flow rate of the circulation pump provided in the bath reheating circuit that is configured by arranging the bath heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the bath water in the middle of the circulation path that returns the hot water taken out from the upper part of the hot water tank, and the hot water tank Use at the same temperature conditions as when the amount of heat used in the bath heat exchanger is obtained from the outlet temperature and return temperature from the water, and the amount of usable hot water is obtained based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means from the amount of heat Since it is converted to the amount of hot water, the hot water equivalent value used in the bath reheating circuit that constitutes the load path can be obtained accurately, and the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculation means using this hot water amount equivalent value. By performing subtraction correction, the current amount of hot water that can be used can be obtained in real time, and the user can check the change in the amount of hot water that can be used in conjunction with the bath reheating operation state. It is possible to achieve order, the usability of.

In a ninth aspect of the invention, in particular , in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the supply amount calculating means obtains the amount of boiling per predetermined time when the boiling operation is started, and the conversion temperature setting means While calculating the supply hot water amount converted into the set reference temperature, addition correction of the usable hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means is performed.

  Then, when the heating operation by the heating means is started, the heating amount at a given time is obtained from the heating capacity, the boiling temperature, and the feed water temperature at that time, and the converted temperature setting means is set from the boiling amount. Since the amount of hot water that can be used is converted into the amount of hot water that can be used in the same temperature conditions as when the amount of hot water that can be used is calculated based on the converted temperature, the amount of hot water that can be used from the heating means must be obtained accurately. By using this additional available hot water amount, the current usable hot water amount can be obtained in real time by adding and correcting the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means. Since the change in the amount of hot water that can be used in conjunction with the state can be confirmed, the usability can be improved.

In a tenth aspect of the invention, particularly in the ninth aspect of the invention, the supply amount calculating means changes the heating capacity in accordance with the temperature of incoming water to the variable capacity heating means, obtains the amount of boiling for every predetermined time, and converts the converted temperature It is characterized in that the amount of hot water converted into the reference temperature set by the setting means is calculated.

  And when the heating capacity is changed according to the incoming water temperature, such as decreasing the heating capacity as the incoming water temperature supplied to the heating means increases and increasing the heating capacity as the incoming water temperature decreases. The amount of boiling can be calculated based on the changed heating capacity, and additional use can be made under the same temperature conditions as when the amount of hot water that can be used is calculated based on the converted temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. Since the amount of hot water supplied is converted into the amount of hot water to be used, the amount of additional usable hot water supplied from the heating means can be obtained with high accuracy. By performing addition correction, the current amount of hot water that can be used can be obtained in real time, and the user can change the amount of hot water that can be used in conjunction with the heating operation by the heating means. It is possible to sure, it is possible to usability of.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the supply amount calculating means changes the heating capacity in accordance with the heating operation mode of the variable capacity heating means, obtains the heating amount per predetermined time, and converts The amount of hot water converted into the reference temperature set by the temperature setting means is calculated.

  And according to the boiling operation mode, the total boiling-up operation performed at a specific time zone at night is the normal capacity, and the additional boiling operation performed when the remaining hot water volume is reduced during the daytime period is the high power capability. When the heating capacity is changed, the boiling amount is calculated based on the changed heating capacity, and the same amount as when the available hot water volume is calculated based on the converted temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means from the heated amount. Therefore, the amount of additional usable hot water supplied from the heating means can be obtained with high accuracy, and the amount of hot water calculating means can be calculated using the amount of additional usable hot water. By adding and correcting the available hot water amount obtained in step 1, the current available hot water amount can be obtained in real time, and the user can be connected to the heating operation state by the heating means. It is possible to confirm the change in the available hot water that, it is possible to usability of.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention, particularly in any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the invention, the usable hot water amount calculating means is a usage amount determined by the usage amount calculating means with respect to the usable hot water amount determined by the hot water amount calculating means. The present invention is characterized in that the current usable hot water amount is constantly updated by performing subtraction correction and addition correction with the amount of hot water obtained by the supply amount calculating means.

  Based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, it is converted into the amount of hot water at the standard operating temperature under the same conditions, and subtraction / addition processing is performed. Since the latest available hot water volume is calculated in real time, regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank, the current available hot water volume can be known as the actual temperature condition or a value close to it. The usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water tank can be grasped intuitively only by looking at the value, so that the usability can be dramatically improved.

The thirteenth invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to twelfth inventions, in particular, a display means is provided to display the current usable hot water amount obtained by the usable hot water amount calculating means. Is.

  Based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, it is converted into the amount of hot water at the standard operating temperature under the same conditions, and subtraction / addition processing is performed. The latest available hot water volume is obtained in real time and the change state is displayed on the display means. Therefore, regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank, the current available hot water volume is at or close to the actual temperature condition. Since it can be known as a value and the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank simply by looking at the value, the usability can be greatly improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  A hot water supply pipe 2 for supplying high-temperature hot water to a plurality of loads is provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1. The hot water supply pipe 2 a serves as a hot water supply path to the currant 24, and the hot water supply pipe 2 b serves as a hot water supply path to the hot water filling circuit 19 a. A hot water discharge pipe 2c is provided as a hot water supply route to the circuit 29a. A hot water storage tank 1 has a water supply pipe 3 connected to a pressure reducing valve 3a and a check valve 3b.

  The hot water supplied from the hot water discharge pipe 2 a is mixed with the water supplied from the water supply pipe 3 and the hot water mixing valve 20 to the set temperature, and then discharged from the currant 24. The flow rate discharged from the hot water is detected by the flow rate detector 22, the hot water temperature after mixing is detected by the hot water temperature detector 21, and the detected data is fed back to the mixing control of the hot water supply mixing valve 20 to thereby set the hot water at the set temperature. Like to get. In addition, it is possible to calculate the amount of heat used at the time of Karan hot water using the detection data.

  The hot water supplied from the hot water outlet pipe 2b is mixed with the water supplied from the water supply pipe 3 and the set temperature by the bath mixing valve 15 by opening the opening / closing valve 17, and then the bath water circulation path 31 is supplied from the bath hot water filling circuit 19a. It is supplied to the bathtub 30 via. At this time, the flow rate of the hot water filling circuit 19a is detected by the flow rate detector 18, the hot water temperature after mixing is detected by the hot water temperature detector 16, and this detection data is fed back to the mixing control of the bath mixing valve 15. While obtaining hot water of set temperature, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 30 is calculated | required. It is also possible to calculate the amount of heat used when bathing with the detection data.

  Hot water supplied from the tapping pipe 2c is returned to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 through a recirculation circuit 29a by a circulation pump 27 through a recirculation circuit 29a. The bath reheating operation is performed by exchanging heat with the bathtub water flowing through the water circulation path 31. At this time, the outlet temperature of the bath heat exchanger 26 is detected by the temperature detector 28, and the inlet temperature is substituted with the temperature detected by the temperature detector 7 d attached to the uppermost part of the hot water storage tank 1. Furthermore, the circulation flow rate can be substituted by using the control data of the circulation pump 27, and the amount of heat used in the bath reheating operation can be obtained from the above inlet temperature, outlet temperature, and circulation flow rate.

  As described above, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 is supplied from the hot water discharge pipes 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and consumed by the load circuit composed of the hot water supply means 25, the bath hot water filling means 19, and the bath reheating means 29. The

  Next, the structure of the hot water storage tank 1 will be described. The lower part and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 are communicated with each other by a boiling pipe 4, and the water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 is led to a heat exchanger 6 by a boiling pump 5. Then, it is heated by the heat exchanger 6 to become hot water, and is led to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1. When the hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 2, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 3 into the hot water storage tank 1, and in the hot water storage tank 1, the hot water is separated into the upper part and the water is separated into the lower part due to the difference in specific gravity. Accumulated in layers.

  The hot water storage tank 1 is provided with a plurality of remaining hot water temperature detectors 7 for detecting the hot water temperature from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 at each position. Here, the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 a disposed at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 1, the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 b disposed above the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 a, and the uppermost portion of the hot water storage tank 1 are disposed. The remaining hot water temperature detector 7d and a remaining hot water temperature detector 7c disposed below the remaining hot water temperature detector 7d are provided. For example, if the total capacity of the hot water storage tank 1 is 150L, the remaining hot water temperature detector 7a is disposed at a position of 130L, and when the remaining hot water temperature detector 7a detects the hot water temperature above a predetermined temperature, the hot water storage tank 1 has a remaining hot water amount detection function for determining that 130 L or more is stored as the available hot water amount. Similarly, the remaining hot water temperature detector 7b is disposed at a position of 100L, and when the remaining hot water temperature detector 7b detects a hot water temperature of a predetermined temperature or higher, the amount of hot water that can be used in the hot water storage tank 1 is 100L or higher. Judged to be stored. Further, the remaining hot water temperature detector 7c is disposed at a position of 50L and the remaining hot water temperature detector 7d is disposed at a position of 20L, and outputs signals for determining whether 50L and 20L are stored as the remaining hot water amounts, respectively. As a criterion for determining the effective remaining hot water amount, for example, when each remaining hot water temperature detector 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d falls below 45 ° C., it is determined that there is no remaining hot water amount, and it is determined that boiling out of water is necessary. . When the detected temperature reaches, for example, 60 ° C. or higher or a set temperature, it is determined that there is a remaining amount of hot water, and boiling is stopped. That is, the remaining hot water temperature detectors 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are installed positions of the remaining hot water amount detectors 7d, 7c, 7b, and 7a arranged at the respective positions when the detected temperature is, for example, 60 ° C. or higher or the set temperature. There is hot water until it falls below 45 ° C, and it is determined that there is no hot water. Chattering is prevented by using 45 ° C. and 60 ° C. or a set temperature as a judgment temperature.

  Next, the heating means 14 constituting the heat source will be described. The heating means 14 is constituted by a heat pump cycle in which the compressor 10, the radiator 6, the expansion valve 12, and the evaporator 11 are connected by piping. This heat pump cycle preferably uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant and is operated in a state exceeding the critical pressure on the high pressure side. By using such a heat pump cycle, hot water close to 90 ° C. can be stored, and hot water storing about 65 ° C. considering Legionella bacteria can be stored at a high COP.

  An incoming water temperature detector 13 a is provided in the boiling pipe 4 leading to the heat exchanger 6, and a tapping temperature detector 13 b is provided in the boiling pipe 4 on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 6. Moreover, the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an outside air temperature detector 13c that detects the outside air temperature. The three-way valve 8 connected to the heating pipe 4 changes the heating path. When the hot water temperature is not rising at the beginning of the heating, the heating path is switched to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 to circulate the hot water. When the temperature detector 13b detects a predetermined temperature, the three-way valve 8 is switched to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 to store hot water at a set temperature. The three-way valve 8 can also be used for anti-freezing operation by switching to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 and circulating it when the outside air temperature is extremely low.

  In the above configuration, during the boiling operation, the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 are operated. For example, when the boiling temperature is 90 ° C., the boiling pump 5 is adjusted to an appropriate flow rate and controlled so that the temperature of the tapping temperature detector 13b becomes 90 ° C. The temperature of the tapping water can also be controlled by controlling the heat pump cycle such as the rotational speed of the compressor 10 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 12. With the above operation, hot water of 90 ° C. is stored in the hot water storage tank 1 in order from the top, and when the incoming water temperature detector 13a detects a predetermined temperature, for example, 60 ° C., the hot water of 90 ° C. has reached the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1. Judgment is made, the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 are stopped, and the boiling operation is finished.

  Moreover, in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, a first predetermined time zone and a second predetermined time zone are set. The first predetermined time zone is, for example, a midnight time zone from 23:00 to 7 o'clock, which includes a time zone in which the heating means 14 is operated and the whole amount heating operation is performed, and includes a peak shift time zone. . The peak shift time zone is a time zone in which the whole amount boiling operation is waited. The second predetermined time zone is, for example, a daytime time zone from 7 o'clock to 23 o'clock, and as a general rule is a time zone during which no full-boiling operation is performed. In this peak shift time zone and the second predetermined time zone, the hot water boiling operation is performed when it is determined that the amount of hot water is insufficient in the full-boiling operation performed in the first predetermined time zone.

  The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment is based on the data of the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32 for obtaining the temperature at each position of the tank by a plurality of temperature detectors 7 provided in the hot water storage tank 1 and the data of the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32. The remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 for determining the current remaining hot water amount in the tank, the remaining hot water amount setting means 34 for setting the remaining hot water amount as a reference for determining the start and stop of the hot water boiling operation, A hot water boiling operation discriminating means 35 for comparing the amount of remaining hot water in the tank obtained by the hot water amount detecting means 33 and the reference value set by the remaining hot water amount setting means 34 to determine the start and stop of the hot water boiling heating operation; And a heat source device temperature detecting means 36 for obtaining temperatures detected by various temperature sensors provided in the heating means 14. The hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 sets the boiling hot water temperature based on the signals from the hot water boiling operation discriminating means 35 and the heat source device temperature detecting means 36 and sets the capacities of the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10. I do. The boiling operation control unit 39 controls the capacities of the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 based on the set contents in the hot water temperature / capacity level changing unit 38. The operation unit 37 has setting means for various operation modes, and the user can arbitrarily set a desired operation condition. For example, when the setting is input by the bath automatic setting means, the hot water temperature / capacity level A setting signal is output to the changing means 33 and an operation start signal is output to the bath filling means 19 and the bath reheating means 29. For the bath hot water filling means 19, hot water stored from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 and cold water from the water supply pipe 3 are mixed so that the hot water temperature is set in advance. To supply. Thereafter, a heat retaining operation or the like is performed on the bath chasing means 29 so as to maintain a preset bath temperature.

  The remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 obtains the hot water temperature at each position in the hot water storage tank 1 from the temperature detected by the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 by the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32 and transmits it from the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32. The amount of effective remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is calculated based on the information to be obtained. As a specific method, as described above, upper and lower reference temperatures (for example, 45 ° C. and 60 ° C. or higher) and remaining hot water are used. The temperature detected by the temperature detector 7 is compared. If the temperature is lower than the lower reference temperature, it is determined that there is no remaining hot water at each position. If the temperature is higher than the upper reference temperature, it is determined that there is remaining hot water at each position. Thus, a signal indicating how much the current effective remaining hot water amount is is output.

  The hot water remaining amount setting means 34 arbitrarily sets the amount of remaining hot water, the amount of remaining hot water, the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of remaining hot water according to time, and starts the hot water boiling operation performed during the daytime and peak shift times. The conditions and stop conditions are set in a pattern. Here, the activated remaining hot water amount is a set value of the remaining hot water amount at which the hot water boiling operation is started. When the effective remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 1 falls below the activated remaining hot water amount, the hot water boiling operation is started. Specifically, when the effective remaining hot water amount signal output from the hot water remaining amount detecting means 33 falls below the starting remaining hot water amount signal set by the remaining hot water amount setting means 34, a boiling start signal is output. The remaining hot water amount is a set value of the remaining hot water amount at which the hot water boiling operation is stopped. When the effective remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 1 exceeds this stopped remaining hot water amount by the boiling operation, the hot water boiling operation is performed. Stop. Specifically, when the remaining hot water amount signal output from the remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 exceeds the remaining hot water amount signal set by the remaining hot water amount setting means 34, a boiling stop signal is output.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of remaining hot water are set to arbitrary values according to time, and the appropriate amount of hot water is obtained by efficient boiling operation corresponding to the use situation of hot water according to the life pattern. I try to secure it. To explain in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, for example, from 7 am to 10 am in the morning, the amount of hot water used is relatively high, but a large amount of hot water is heated in the hot water storage tank 1 due to the entire night boiling operation. Since the amount of hot water is secured and it is possible to use this hot water, the amount of remaining hot water for start-up in this time zone is set to a low level so that it is difficult to enter the hot water boiling operation. Even if the amount of hot water used increases and it enters into the boiling out operation, it is not necessary to use a large amount of boiling water in consideration of the fact that hot water is not used much in the subsequent time zone. Therefore, the amount of remaining hot water during this period is set to a small value so that the amount of boiling water is reduced.

  Next, from 10:00 to 17:00, it is a time zone in which the amount of hot water used is the smallest in one day, and this time zone is set to be lower than the amount of remaining hot water starting from 7:00 to around 10:00, Set it to a state where it is more difficult to enter the hot water boiling operation. Then, by setting the amount of remaining hot water to be even smaller, it is possible to limit the heating operation during the daytime hours when the power rate is high. And in the time zone where the amount of hot water used is the largest in the day from 17:00 to around 20:00 including the bathing time zone, to set the starting remaining hot water amount to the maximum and prepare for the bathing time zone Start the boiling operation in advance, operate to ensure the required amount of hot water, and start the hot water boiling operation even if the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is slightly reduced by starting the hot water filling operation, By performing the boiling operation during the hot water filling operation, the amount of hot water is secured when the shower is used thereafter. Further, the remaining hot water amount during this time period is set to the highest value so that substantially the entire hot water storage tank 1 is boiled. Then, after 20:00 when the bathing time period ends, the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of remaining hot water are set small, and the amount of boiling water is refrained, so that the boiling rate in the low-night time period when the electricity rate is low is increased. . And after 23:00, it becomes a midnight time zone, and the peak shift time zone passes and the whole amount boiling operation is started. Naturally, the amount of remaining hot water for starting and the amount of remaining hot water for stopping are set to be small in this peak shift time zone, and the amount of hot water to be heated is refrained.

  As described above, by setting the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of hot water to stop at any time, it is possible to ensure an appropriate amount of hot water through efficient boiling operation corresponding to the usage of hot water according to the lifestyle pattern. Can do.

  The hot water boiling operation discriminating means 35 is a hot water storage tank 1 which is calculated by the remaining hot water amount and the remaining hot water amount and hot water remaining amount detecting means 33 which are set finely according to the time zone as described above by the hot water remaining amount setting means 34. Is compared with the amount of remaining effective hot water, and it is determined whether the hot water boiling operation should be started or the hot water boiling operation should be stopped, and the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 and the boiling operation control are determined. A signal is output to the means 39. The heat source device temperature detection means 36 outputs the temperature signals detected by the incoming water temperature detector 13a, the hot water temperature detector 13b, and the outside air temperature detector 13c to the hot water temperature / capability level changing means 38 and the boiling operation control means 39. .

  With the above configuration, for example, the fact that the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 corresponding to the set value of the activated remaining hot water amount set by the hot water remaining hot water amount setting means 34 has fallen below 45 ° C. via the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32. When detected by the hot water remaining amount detecting means 33, the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 sets the same boiling temperature (for example, 85.degree. C.) as that used for the total amount boiling operation, and performs the hot water boiling operation. . In this hot water boiling operation, an operation signal is output from the boiling operation control means 39 to the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 based on the set temperature. Also, the hot water temperature detection means 36 detects the hot water temperature at the hot water temperature detector 13b, and the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 adjusts the hot water temperature to a target boiling temperature (for example, 85 ° C.). The capacities of the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 are changed. The amount of boiling hot water is increased by the above boiling operation, and it is detected that the remaining hot water temperature detector 7 corresponding to the set value of the remaining hot water amount set by the hot water remaining amount setting means 34 exceeds the set temperature. When detected by the hot water remaining amount detecting means 33 via the means 32, the operation of the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 is stopped by the boiling operation control means 39. In addition, when setting the amount of remaining hot water to the maximum, the temperature of the bottom remaining water temperature detector 7a may reach the set temperature, and the heat source machine temperature, which is a stop condition when boiling the entire amount, The detection means 36 detects the incoming water temperature at the incoming water temperature detector 13a, and when this incoming water temperature reaches the target boiling temperature (for example, 85 ° C.), the boiling operation control means 39 causes the boiling pump 5 and the compressor 10 to The operation may be stopped. The outside air temperature at the outside air temperature detector 13c is detected by the heat source device temperature detecting means 36, and the target boiling temperature is changed according to the outside air temperature, or the capacity setting of the compressor 10 is changed. It is configured.

  Next, the control flow of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the boiling water temperature / capacity is determined by the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 (step 1). Then, from the current time, it is determined whether or not it is a daytime time zone (second predetermined time zone) (step 2). If the present time is the second predetermined time zone, the remaining hot water temperature detecting means 32 obtains the temperature at each position of the hot water storage tank 1 from the temperatures detected by the remaining hot water temperature detectors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, Based on the information, it is determined whether or not the tank remaining hot water amount calculated by the remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 is less than the starting remaining hot water amount set for each time zone by the remaining hot water amount setting means 34 (step 3). .

  In step 3, when the tank available remaining hot water amount calculated by the hot water remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 is not less than the starting remaining hot water amount, the remaining hot water monitoring is continued (step 4). In Step 3, when the tank remaining amount of hot water falls below the amount of remaining activated hot water, the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 causes the capacity of the compressor 10 to be higher than the capacity during the boiling operation (for example, 4.5 kW). The capacity is changed to a high capacity (for example, 9 kW) (step 5), and the hot water boiling operation is performed (step 6).

  Then, the tank effective remaining hot water amount calculated by the remaining hot water amount detecting means 33 from the detected temperatures of the remaining hot water temperature detectors 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d is set by the hot water remaining hot water amount setting means 34 for each time zone. It is determined whether or not the amount of remaining hot water is exceeded (step 7).

  In Step 7, when the tank effective remaining hot water amount does not exceed the stopped remaining hot water amount, the hot water boiling operation is continued (Step 6). If it is determined in step 7 that the amount of remaining hot water in the tank exceeds the amount of remaining hot water, the hot water boiling operation is stopped (step 8).

  If it is determined in step 2 that it is not the second predetermined time zone, it is determined whether or not it is a peak shift time zone (step 9).

  If it is determined in step 9 that it is a peak shift time zone, the amount of remaining hot water is detected from the temperature detected by the remaining hot water temperature detectors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, as in the case of the daytime time zone. It is determined whether or not the tank effective remaining hot water amount calculated by the means 33 is less than the starting remaining hot water amount set for each time zone by the hot water remaining hot water amount setting means 34 (step 10).

  In step 10, if the amount of remaining hot water in the tank is not less than the amount of remaining hot water, monitoring of the remaining hot water is continued (step 11). In Step 10, when the remaining amount of hot water in the tank is lower than the amount of remaining hot water, the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 makes the capacity of the compressor 10 higher than the capacity during full boiling operation (for example, 4.5 kW). The capacity is changed (for example, 9 kW) (step 12), and a hot water boiling operation is performed (step 13).

  Then, it is determined whether the amount of remaining hot water in the tank exceeds the amount of remaining hot water set by the hot water remaining amount setting means 34 (step 14).

  If the tank remaining hot water amount does not exceed the stop remaining hot water amount in step 14, the hot water boiling operation is continued (step 13). If it is determined in step 14 that the amount of remaining hot water in the tank exceeds the amount of remaining hot water, the hot water boiling operation is stopped (step 15).

  If it is determined in step 9 that it is not the peak shift time zone, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the incoming water temperature detection means 13a has reached the predetermined temperature at the end of the second predetermined time zone (step 16). ).

  If it is determined in step 16 that the temperature detected by the incoming water temperature detecting means 13a has not reached the predetermined temperature, the whole amount boiling operation is performed as planned (step 17). If it is determined in step 16 that the temperature detected by the incoming water temperature detection means 13a is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the whole amount boiling operation is not performed (step 18).

  The boiling operation is performed in the steps as described above, and an effective remaining hot water amount necessary for the hot water storage tank 1 is ensured.

  Next, the remaining hot water amount confirmation device in the hot water storage type hot water supply device having the above configuration and function will be described.

  In the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, based on the information of the remaining hot water temperature detection means 32 for obtaining the temperature at each position in the tank height direction from the detection data of the plurality of temperature detectors 7 provided in the hot water storage tank 1. The amount of heat held by the amount of remaining effective hot water currently in the hot water storage tank 1 is calculated. The remaining hot water temperature detection means 32 compares a predetermined determination temperature with the detection temperature of the temperature detector 7. When the temperature is lower than the determination temperature, it is determined that there is no remaining hot water amount. Then, the information is transmitted to the hot water amount calculation means 40 as heat amount calculation information. However, the predetermined amount of hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 is excluded from the effective remaining hot water amount to obtain the remaining hot water amount. For example, when it is set so as to exclude 10 L at the upper part of the tank, when the temperature detector 7d provided at the uppermost part of the tank detects a temperature equal to or higher than the determination temperature, only 10 L is used for the calorie calculation as the effective remaining hot water amount. When 20 L is excluded, even if the temperature detector 7d detects a temperature equal to or higher than the determination temperature, the remaining amount of hot water is processed. This is a measure to avoid the situation where there is no actual hot water volume for the calculation result with hot water volume, by covering the error with the hot water volume at the top of the tank even if an error occurs during the heat volume calculation. is there.

  Then, the calculated amount of heat is converted into a usable hot water amount that indicates how much hot water can be used in the case of continuous hot water at a hot water temperature that is typically used for hot water filling or bathing, for example 40 ° C. A hot water amount calculating means 40 for calculating is provided. In addition, the conversion temperature that becomes the reference temperature when converting into the usable hot water amount by the hot water amount calculation means 40 can be arbitrarily set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 by the operation of a switch provided in the operation unit 37, For example, in a home where a lot of hot water is used, the conversion temperature is set to 45 ° C., which is higher than the standard temperature 40 ° C., and the amount of hot water that can be used at the time of continuous hot water can be obtained at this temperature. By setting in advance according to the usage environment of each home, it is possible to easily determine the amount of hot water that can be used in accordance with the usage pattern that varies depending on the home, and the usability can be improved.

  If the temperature signal detected by the outside air temperature detector 13c or the feed water temperature detector 3c is input to 49 and automatically set in accordance with the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature, the conversion temperature varies depending on the season. The amount of hot water that can be used according to the operating temperature can be determined, and in the winter when the outside air temperature or the water supply temperature decreases, the operating temperature also increases, so the converted temperature is set higher, and the operating temperature is lower in summer. By determining the amount of hot water that can be used by setting the conversion temperature a little lower, it is possible to determine the amount of hot water that can be used in accordance with the actual condition of use. In addition, when not setting with the conversion temperature setting means 49, the amount of usable hot water by a standard use environment can be calculated | required by setting standard use temperature, for example, 40 degreeC.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means 40 is a zero point on the display where the predetermined hot water amount (20 L) in the upper part of the hot water tank 1 is left, and the lowest point of the hot water tank 1. The display process is performed while shifting between (150L) and when the total tank volume (150L) is equal to or higher than the judgment temperature, the amount of hot water that can be used is displayed using the actual tank capacity, By displaying the amount of available hot water while shifting from a fixed amount to the total amount of the tank in a predetermined relationship, it is possible to display the amount of available hot water based on the amount of hot water close to the actual amount of hot water while avoiding abnormal display due to errors. Is.

  When the hot water amount calculation means 40 determines that the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detectors 7 provided in the hot water storage tank 1 are not suitable as standard operating temperatures, or when it has determined that the temperature has returned to an appropriate temperature. Then, calculate the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 1 again at that time, and convert it to the amount of usable hot water that indicates how much hot water can be used when the hot water is used at the standard hot water temperature. Like to do. By performing this process, it is possible to verify the change in the amount of available hot water when used halfway or when the boiling operation is performed, and the amount of available hot water can be accurately obtained. Further, when an error occurs between the usable hot water amount obtained by recalculation and the display data, the display data is corrected step by step based on a predetermined correction condition. Thus, the display data can be changed smoothly without a sense of incongruity that the display is suddenly changed by correcting the errors step by step at a predetermined timing instead of correcting the errors at once.

  Further, the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 2a and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 3 are mixed at a predetermined temperature by the mixing valve 20 and the amount of heat used by the hot water supply means 25 for discharging hot water from the currant 24 is determined as the hot water temperature detector 21. And the amount of hot water at the same temperature as when the amount of hot water that can be used is calculated based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49 from the amount of heat. It has hot water supply amount calculation means 41 which calculates in terms of the amount of hot water used indicating whether or not it has been used.

  The hot water supplied from the hot water pipe 2b and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 3 are mixed at a predetermined temperature by the mixing valve 15 and supplied to the bath water circulation circuit 31 from the hot water bathing circuit 19a. The amount of heat used is calculated based on the data detected by the filling temperature detector 16 and the filling flow rate detector 18, and the amount of usable hot water is obtained from the amount of heat based on the converted temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49. There is a hot water filling amount calculating means 42 which calculates the amount of hot water used to indicate how much hot water has been used at the hot water temperature under the same conditions as that of the hot water.

  Also, the hot water supplied from the hot water outlet pipe 2c is returned to the lower part of the tank by a predetermined circulation amount via the bath reheating circuit 29a, and the bath water circulating in the bathtub water circulation circuit 31 in the bath heat exchanger 26 in the circulation process The amount of heat consumed by heat exchange is calculated based on the inlet and outlet temperatures of the bath heat exchanger 26 and the circulation flow rate. At this time, the outlet temperature is detected by the temperature detector 28, and the inlet temperature is substituted by the temperature detected by the temperature detector 7 d attached to the uppermost part of the hot water storage tank 1. Furthermore, the circulation flow rate can be substituted by using the control data of the circulation pump 27, such as the rotation pulse, duty ratio, current value, etc., and is used in the bath reheating operation from the above inlet temperature, outlet temperature and circulation flow rate. Heat quantity can be obtained. And it converts into the amount of hot water used which shows what amount of hot water will be used in the hot water temperature of the same conditions as when the amount of usable hot water was calculated | required from the calorie | heat amount based on the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49. The reheating hot water amount calculating means 43 is calculated.

  Then, the amount of hot water used is calculated based on the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 from the amount of heat flowing out from the load path by the hot water supply amount calculation means 41, the hot water filling amount calculation means 42 and the reheating water amount calculation means 43. By configuring the calculation means, the amount of hot water used in the load path can be obtained with high accuracy, and by subtracting the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculation means 40 using this amount of hot water used, The amount of available hot water can be obtained in real time, and the user can confirm the change in the amount of available hot water linked to the state of use, so the usability can be improved.

  Further, when the boiling operation is started by the boiling operation control means 39, the hot water storage tank is heated from the heating means 14 by the boiling operation based on the information of the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 and the heat source unit temperature detecting means 36. 1 is calculated how much heat is supplied, and how much hot water is supplied at the same temperature as when the amount of usable hot water is calculated based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49 from the amount of heat. It has boiling water amount calculation means 44 for calculating by converting into an additional usable hot water amount indicating whether or not the heat amount flowing from the heating means to the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 is calculated. By configuring the supply amount calculating means for calculating the additional usable amount based on this, the amount of additional usable hot water supplied from the heating means 14 can be accurately obtained. By performing addition correction of the available hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means 40 using the additional available hot water amount, the current usable hot water amount can be obtained in real time, and the user can enter the boiling operation state by the heating means 14. Since it is possible to confirm the change in the amount of hot water that can be used in conjunction, the usability can be improved.

  Specifically, the heating capacity set by the hot water temperature / capacity level changing means 38 (for example, 4.5 KW at normal time, 2 KW at the end of boiling, 9 KW at full power) and the heat source device temperature detecting means 36 Based on the detected temperatures from the incoming water temperature detector 13a and the hot water temperature detector 13b, the amount of boiling per predetermined time is obtained, and the additional usable hot water amount is calculated based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49. Like to do. In other words, the amount of boiling is calculated according to the heating capacity that changes depending on the change in the outside air temperature or the incoming water temperature, or whether the whole quantity is heated up or added, and the heating capacity is increased especially at the end of boiling when the incoming water temperature rises. Since the boiling operation is performed with a smaller value, the calculation is performed using the reduced heating capacity when obtaining the amount of boiling.

  Then, the amount of hot water used by the used amount calculating means constituted by the hot water supply amount calculating means 41, the hot water amount calculating means 42 and the reheating hot water amount calculating means 43 is subtracted from the usable hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means 40. There is a usable hot water amount calculating means 45 for processing and adding the additional usable hot water amount supplied from the supply amount calculating means constituted by the boiling water amount calculating means 44 to obtain the current usable hot water amount. The available hot water amount obtained by the usable hot water amount calculating means 45 is updated at a predetermined timing via the display means 46 provided in the operation unit 37 and the like, and the latest data is always displayed.

  As an example of the display means 46, as shown in FIG. 5, in a remote control 48 having an operation part 37 and a display part 47, a scale of 0L-400L is provided on a part of the display part 47, and the usable hot water amount calculation means 45 is provided between them. The level indicator that changes linearly based on the data on the amount of hot water that can be used is obtained. In addition to the level indicator, the data on the amount of usable hot water may be directly displayed as numerical data, and it is limited to the present embodiment as long as it can be easily understood by the user using it. It is not something.

  The point is to provide a display form of the amount of remaining hot water in a user sense that even a small hot water storage type hot water supply device having a tank capacity of only about 100 L can supply enough hot water to a 200 L or more bathtub. Basically, the change in the amount of remaining hot water in the process of use is displayed in real time by a correction operation by calculation processing of the amount used and the amount supplied.

  Next, the calculation flow of the remaining hot water amount confirmation device in the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 100, an arbitrary converted temperature is set by the converted temperature setting means 49. At this time, when the user sets the operation unit 37, the setting signal is input to the conversion temperature setting means 49, and when the conversion temperature is automatically set by the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature, the outside air temperature detector 13c or the supply air temperature is supplied. The detection signal of the water temperature detector 3c is input to the converted temperature setting means 49 at a predetermined timing.

  In step 101, it is determined whether or not the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detectors 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d provided in the hot water storage tank 1 are equal to or higher than a predetermined determination temperature. If it is determined that there is the above, it is determined that there is an effective remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 1, and it is detected in step 102 how much the effective residual hot water amount is in the hot water storage tank 1. For example, when it is determined that the temperature detector 7b is equal to or higher than the determination temperature, it is detected that the hot water storage tank 1 has an effective remaining hot water amount of 100 L.

  And the calorie | heat amount which the effective remaining hot water amount detected at step 103 holds is calculated. In this case, the amount of heat is calculated from the temperature and the amount of hot water detected at each mounting position of the temperature detector 7 and then added to obtain the effective amount of heat. When the effective heat amount is obtained, in step 104, the effective heat amount is converted into a usable hot water amount that indicates how much hot water can be used when continuously discharged at the conversion temperature set in step 100 at the time of Karan hot water and hot water hot water, The data is sent to the display means 46 to notify the user in an easy-to-understand manner by numerical display or graph display.

  As described above, after determining how much hot water can be used under the use conditions set in step 100 as the effective remaining hot water amount stored in the hot water storage tank 1, the amount of hot water consumed on the load side is obtained under the same conditions. By obtaining and subtracting, a change in the amount of usable hot water linked to the consumption state of the hot water is obtained in real time. First, it is determined in step 105 whether or not there is hot water from the currant 24. If there is, the amount of heat consumed by the currant hot water from the flow rate detected by the flow rate detector 22 and the hot water temperature detector 21 and the hot water temperature in step 106. Is calculated and converted into a value indicating how much hot water has been used under the same conditions as when the amount of hot water that can be used is determined based on the converted temperature set in step 100, and the amount of hot water used is determined. Then, after subtraction processing is performed in step 108 to correct the amount of usable hot water, the amount of usable hot water is updated in step 109, and the data is sent to the display means 46 to update the display data.

  If it is determined in step 105 that there is no currant hot water, it is determined in step 110 whether or not there is hot water to the hot water filling circuit 19a. If there is, the flow rate detector 18 and the hot water temperature detector 16 are determined in step 111. The amount of heat consumed by the hot water supply is calculated from the flow rate detected in step 1 and the temperature of the hot water, and the amount of hot water that can be used is calculated under the same conditions as in step 112 based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49. The amount of hot water used is determined by converting it to a value indicating whether the amount of hot water used has been used. Then, after subtraction processing is performed in step 108 to correct the amount of usable hot water, the amount of usable hot water is updated in step 109, and the data is sent to the display means 46 to update the display data.

  If it is determined in step 110 that there is no hot water supply, it is determined in step 113 whether there is a reheating hot water, and if so, in step 114 the amount of heat consumed by the bath heat exchanger 26 is calculated. In step 115, the amount of hot water used is converted into a value indicating how much hot water is used under the same conditions as when the amount of available hot water is obtained based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49. Ask. Then, after subtraction processing is performed in step 108 to correct the amount of usable hot water, the amount of usable hot water is updated in step 109, and the data is sent to the display means 46 to update the display data.

  In addition, after the available hot water amount data is updated in step 109, it is determined whether or not the boiling operation is performed in step 116, and if so, based on the boiling condition set in step 117. How much hot water was supplied under the same conditions as when the amount of hot water to be used was calculated based on the converted temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 from the amount of boiling calculated in step 118. The amount of additional usable hot water is obtained by converting to a value indicating. In step 119, an addition process is performed to correct the available hot water amount. In step 120, the available hot water amount is updated, and the data is sent to the display means 46 to update the display data.

  Then, the change in the effective remaining hot water amount is monitored in step 121, and when it is determined that there is a change, the flow returns to step 101, the usable hot water amount is calculated again from the effective remaining hot water amount detection step, and the error from the display data is verified. . When an error occurs, display data is adjusted at a predetermined timing. Specifically, when the amount of usable hot water is recalculated by the hot water amount calculating means 40 and there is a negative error from the display data, the hot water amount calculating means 41, the hot water amount calculating means 42, and the reheating hot water amount calculating means 43 When subtraction correction is performed by the configured usage calculation means, correction is made in addition to the subtraction correction amount up to a predetermined amount of negative error, and the negative error with the display data is gradually adjusted. The display accuracy of the amount of hot water that can be used is improved. In addition, when there is a plus error with the display data, when the addition correction is performed by the supply amount calculation means constituted by the boiling water amount calculation means 44, the addition amount is added to the addition correction amount up to a predetermined amount of the plus error. The display accuracy of the available hot water volume is improved by gradually adjusting the plus error with the display data.

  If it is determined in step 121 that there is no change in the amount of remaining hot water and if it is determined in step 116 that there is no boiling operation, the process returns to step 105 to monitor the use state on the load side.

  If it is determined in step 101 that there is no effective remaining hot water amount, or if it is determined in step 113 that there is no reheating hot water, the process proceeds to step 116 to monitor the state of the boiling operation.

  As described above, the amount of heat held by the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is obtained, and the amount of hot water that can be used when the hot water is continuously discharged from the heat amount at the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 is shown. Since it is converted into a possible hot water volume and displayed, it shows how much can be used in the usage conditions according to changes in each home or season with the hot water storage volume currently stored, regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank. It can be easily determined and can be used appropriately according to the amount of hot water available. Further, the amounts of heat consumed by the hot water supply curan 24, the bath hot water filling circuit 19a, and the bath reheating circuit 29a connected to the load path are respectively obtained and used based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49 from the amount of heat. Because it is converted to the amount of hot water used to indicate how much hot water has been used at the same temperature as when the amount of available hot water was determined, and the amount of hot water used is subtracted from the available hot water amount and displayed. It is possible to check the change in the amount of hot water that can be used in real time in conjunction with the consumption state of the load route, and the user can easily check how much can be used while watching the change. Can be improved. Further, when the amount of stored hot water decreases and the heating means operates to start the additional boiling operation, the amount of heat supplied from the heating means 14 is obtained, and based on the converted temperature set by the converted temperature setting means 49 from the amount of heat. It is converted into an additional usable hot water amount that indicates how much hot water was supplied at the same temperature as when the available hot water amount was obtained, and the additional usable hot water amount is added to the usable hot water amount and displayed. Therefore, the change in the amount of hot water that can be used can be checked in real time according to the heating operation state of the heating means 14, and the user can easily check how much can be used while watching the change. Can improve usability.

  That is, based on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 1, the amount of heat used on the load side, and the amount of heat supplied from the heating means, each is converted into the amount of hot water at the conversion temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means 49 under the same conditions. Since the latest usable hot water volume is calculated and displayed in real time by subtraction / addition processing, the current available hot water volume is or is close to the actual temperature condition regardless of the size of the hot water storage tank. Since it can be known as a value and the user can intuitively grasp the usage status of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank simply by looking at the value, the usability can be greatly improved.

  Therefore, even if the capacity of the hot water storage tank is, for example, about 150 L which is smaller than the capacity of a general bathtub (200 L), the available hot water volume can be calculated as 300 L and the value can be displayed. Can see that the value of the hot water can be filled in the bathtub, and after the hot water filling in the bathtub is finished, it can be confirmed in real time that the amount of available hot water has decreased to 100L. When the raising operation is started, it is possible to confirm in real time that the amount of hot water that can be used gradually increases from 100 L, and in particular, as a remaining hot water amount confirmation device for a hot water storage hot water supply device having a small hot water storage tank capacity. It is the best one.

  The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus using a heat pump cycle using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, and can also be applied to a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus using a heater or gas as a heat source.

The block diagram of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus by one Example of this invention The figure which shows the operation of the hot water boiling operation of the hot water storage type water heater Control flow diagram of the hot water storage type hot water supply device Remaining hot water amount calculation flow diagram of the hot water storage system Remote control configuration diagram having display means of the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus The figure which shows the relationship between the amount of tank hot water and the display hot water of the hot water storage type hot water supply device

1 Hot water storage tank 14 Heating means 19 Bath hot water filling means (load circuit)
25 Hot water supply means (load circuit)
29 Bathing means (load circuit)
40 Hot water amount calculation means 41 Hot water supply amount calculation means (use amount calculation means)
42 Hot water amount calculation means (use amount calculation means)
43 Additional hot water calculation means (use amount calculation means)
44 Boiling hot water amount calculating means (supply amount calculating means)
45 Usable hot water amount calculation means 49 Conversion temperature setting means

Claims (13)

Hot water in the upper, the hot water storage tank for hot water storage hot water to form a water temperature layer in the lower portion, and the load path for supplying hot water of the hot water storage tank to the load side, a heating means for heating the hot water of the hot water storage tank, the Hot water amount calculation means for calculating the amount of hot water that can be used at a reference temperature from the amount of heat held by the hot water in the hot water tank, excluding the predetermined amount of hot water at the top of the hot water tank, and the amount of hot water that has been converted to a reference temperature from the amount of heat flowing out of the load path to the use amount calculation means, and a supply amount calculating means for calculating an additional usable amount converted from the amount of heat flowing from the heating unit to the reference temperature, arbitrarily set the reference temperature when converting from heat in hot water Useable temperature setting means, the hot water amount calculating means, the used amount calculating means, and the amount of hot water calculated from the calculation results of the supply amount calculating means. Hot water storage type water heater comprising an amount calculating means. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion temperature setting means is configured such that a user can arbitrarily set a reference temperature by operating a switch of an operation unit. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion temperature setting means automatically sets the reference temperature in accordance with the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature detected by the outside air temperature detector or the feed water temperature detector. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reference temperature is set higher as the outside air temperature or the water supply temperature decreases. The hot water amount calculating means calculates the amount of heat held for each layer from the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature detectors provided in the hot water storage tank, and calculates the usable hot water amount converted to the reference temperature set by the converted temperature setting means. The hot water storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is equal to or lower than a predetermined determination temperature, it is determined that there is no remaining hot water and is not added to the amount of available hot water. Water heater. The hot water amount calculation means calculates the amount of hot water that can be used when it is detected that the remaining hot water presence / absence information has been switched based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the determination temperature for determining the presence or absence of the remaining hot water. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The usage amount calculation means obtains the flow rate detected by the flow rate detector and the tapping temperature detector provided in the load path and the amount of heat flowing out from the tapping temperature, and calculates the usage amount converted to the reference temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the hot water storage type hot water supply device is configured to perform subtraction correction of the usable hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means. The usage amount calculating means calculates the amount of heat used in the bath chase circuit provided in the load path, calculates the usage amount converted to the reference temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means, and uses the hot water amount calculating means. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the amount of possible hot water is corrected for subtraction. When the boiling operation is started, the supply amount calculating means obtains the amount of boiling for every predetermined time, calculates the amount of hot water converted into the reference temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means, and obtains it by the hot water amount calculating means. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein addition correction of the amount of usable hot water is performed. The supply amount calculating means changes the heating capacity in accordance with the temperature of water entering the variable capacity heating means, obtains the amount of boiling for every predetermined time, and calculates the amount of hot water converted to the reference temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means. The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 9, wherein the hot water storage type hot water supply device is operated. The supply amount calculation means calculates the heating amount per predetermined time by changing the heating capacity according to the heating operation mode of the heating means with variable capacity, and calculates the amount of hot water converted into the reference temperature set by the conversion temperature setting means The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 9, which calculates The usable hot water amount calculating means performs subtraction correction with the used amount obtained by the used amount calculating means and addition correction with the supplied hot water amount obtained by the supplied amount calculating means with respect to the usable hot water amount obtained by the hot water amount calculating means. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the current usable hot water amount is constantly updated. The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a display means is provided to display the current usable hot water amount obtained by the usable hot water amount calculating means.