JP5130252B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater for supplying hot water to a shower in a bathroom.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system for notifying when an earthquake early warning is received. The emergency earthquake warning is a signal that is notified before the main motion (S wave) of the seismic wave arrives when an earthquake occurs. The system of Patent Literature 1 describes that an audible notification is made by sound and a visual notification is made by display.

JP 2008-298499 A

  A system for notifying information to be noted like the system of Patent Document 1 is hereinafter referred to as a notification system. The notification system includes a system that detects and notifies a suspicious person in the vicinity of a house, a fire notification system, and the like in addition to a system that notifies when an earthquake early warning is received as in Patent Document 1. Further, hereinafter, a signal that conveys information that should be noted, such as an emergency earthquake warning, a signal indicating the presence of a suspicious person, or a fire notification signal, is referred to as a warning signal.

  In the notification system of Patent Document 1, notification is made by sound or display. However, notification by sound or display is not effective for a person taking a shower in the bathroom. That is, when a shower is used in the bathroom, the sound of the shower is loud in the bathroom, and the person often cannot hear the warning sound. In addition, when taking a shower, the warm water may get into the eyes, so the warning display may not be visible.

  The present invention was created in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a water heater that supplies hot water to a shower in the bathroom, and has received a warning signal to a person taking a shower in the bathroom It is possible to provide a water heater capable of reliably recognizing.

The water heater of the present invention is a water heater that supplies hot water to a shower in the bathroom, and receives a warning signal that is an emergency earthquake warning signal received before the main motion of the earthquake arrives. When a warning signal is received by the means, it has a flow rate adjusting means for reducing the hot water flow rate from the shower.
One form of the water heater of the present invention supplies hot water to a shower in the bathroom. This water heater has a receiving means for receiving a warning signal and a flow rate adjusting means for reducing the hot water flow rate from the shower when the warning signal is received by the receiving means.
When the attention calling signal is received, the water heater notifies that the attention calling signal has been received by decreasing the hot water flow rate from the shower (that is, the flow rate of hot water flowing out of the shower). That is, the person taking a shower is made to recognize that the alert signal has been received by sensing the decrease in the hot water flow rate with a skin sensation. Because it is recognized by skin sensation regardless of sight or hearing, it can be surely recognized even when taking a shower.

In the hot water supply apparatus described above, it is preferable that the flow rate adjusting means stop the hot water from the shower when the alert signal is received by the receiving means.
Thus, by stopping the hot water from the shower, it is possible to more reliably recognize that the alert signal has been received.

The above-mentioned water heater for reducing the hot water flow rate from the shower is such that when the alert signal is received by the receiving means, the flow rate adjusting means reduces the hot water flow rate from the shower at the maximum speed possible by the flow rate adjusting means. Is preferred.
Thus, it can be made to recognize more certainly that the alert signal was received by decreasing the hot water flow rate suddenly.

Any of the water heaters described above may further include a temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the hot water discharged from the shower. In the case of the water heater, when the alert signal is received by the receiving means, if the water supply temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow rate adjusting means reduces the hot water flow rate from the shower, and the water supply temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. The temperature adjusting means can lower the temperature of the hot water from the shower.
When the temperature of the water supply (that is, the temperature of water supplied to the water heater from an external water supply source) is low, this water heater notifies the user by reducing the flow rate of hot water. Further, when the feed water temperature is high, the notification is made by lowering the hot water temperature (that is, the temperature of the hot water coming out of the shower). That is, when the water supply temperature is high, a person taking a shower is made to recognize that the alert signal has been received by sensing a decrease in the water temperature by skin sensation. Because it is recognized by skin sensation regardless of sight or hearing, it can be surely recognized even when taking a shower.
In addition, when the temperature of the hot water supply is low, such as in winter, if the hot water temperature is lowered, the hot water temperature may be unnecessarily low, which may cause discomfort to the user. When the temperature of the water supply is low, this water heater notifies the user of a decrease in the hot water flow rate. Therefore, even when the feed water temperature is low, it is possible to appropriately notify the user without causing discomfort. In addition, in a season where the water supply temperature is high such as summer, there is no possibility of causing discomfort to the user.

  It is preferable that any one of the water heaters described above can release the operation of the flow rate adjusting means after receiving the alert signal by manual operation.

Moreover, this invention provides the following water heaters. This water heater supplies hot water to the shower in the bathroom. This water heater has receiving means for receiving a warning signal and temperature adjusting means for lowering the temperature of hot water discharged from the shower when the warning signal is received by the receiving means.
This water heater notifies by lowering the hot water temperature from the shower when a warning signal is received. That is, by letting a person taking a shower sense a decrease in water temperature by skin sensation, the user is made aware that the alert signal has been received. Because it is recognized by skin sensation regardless of sight or hearing, it can be surely recognized even when taking a shower.

  According to the water heater provided by the present invention, a person taking a shower in the bathroom can surely recognize that the alert signal has been received.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water heater 10. The flowchart which shows the process which the control apparatus 28 performs when an earthquake early warning is received.

  A water heater according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the water heater 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 10 is connected to a water supply source 60 and a shower 52 in the bathroom 50. The water heater 10 can heat the water supplied from the water supply source 60 and supply the heated water to the shower 52. The water heater 10 includes a water supply pipe 30, a hot water discharge pipe 32, an upstream thermistor 12, a water quantity sensor 14, a water quantity servo 16, a heat exchanger 18, a burner 20, a downstream thermistor 22, and a remote controller 24. A receiving device 26 and a control device 28 are provided.

  The heat exchanger 18 includes a flow path through which water passes. The upstream end of the flow path of the heat exchanger 18 is connected to a water supply source 60 by a water supply pipe 30. The downstream end of the flow path of the heat exchanger 18 is connected to the shower 52 by a hot water discharge pipe 32. A hot water tap 33 is interposed in the middle of the hot water pipe 32. When the hot water tap 33 is opened, the water supplied from the water supply source 60 is supplied to the shower 52 through the water supply pipe 30, the flow path of the heat exchanger 18, and the hot water pipe 32 in order.

  The burner 20 is installed below the heat exchanger 18. The burner 20 heats the heat exchanger 18. When the burner 20 heats the heat exchanger 18, the water flowing in the flow path of the heat exchanger 18 is heated.

  The upstream thermistor 12 is installed in the water supply pipe 30. The upstream thermistor 12 detects the temperature of the water flowing through the water supply pipe 30.

  The water amount sensor 14 is installed in the water supply pipe 30. The water amount sensor 14 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 30.

  The water quantity servo 16 is installed in the water supply pipe 30. The water quantity servo 16 opens and closes the water supply pipe 30. When the water quantity servo 16 closes the water supply pipe 30, the supply of hot water to the shower 52 is stopped. Further, the water amount servo 16 can adjust the opening degree. The flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe 30 is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the water amount servo 16. That is, the amount of hot water discharged from the shower 52 is adjusted.

  The downstream thermistor 22 is installed in the tapping pipe 32. The downstream thermistor 22 detects the temperature of the hot water flowing in the hot water discharge pipe 32.

  The remote control 24 is attached to the wall surface of the bathroom 50. The remote controller 24 has a display screen, speakers, and various operation switches. The remote controller 24 is electrically connected to the control device 28. When the operation switch of the remote controller 24 is operated, various signals are transmitted to the control device 28. In addition, the control device 28 transmits various signals to the remote controller 24. Thereby, the display screen and the speaker of the remote controller 24 are controlled. In addition, the remote controller 24 shifts to the power saving mode when the state where the water heater 10 is not used continues for a predetermined time or more. In the power saving mode, no image is displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 24.

  The receiving device 26 is electrically connected to the control device 28. The receiving device 26 receives the radio signal when a signal indicating the emergency earthquake bulletin is wirelessly transmitted from the emergency earthquake bulletin system 100 operated by an external organization (for example, the Japan Meteorological Agency). The receiving device 26 converts the emergency earthquake bulletin received wirelessly into an electrical signal and inputs it to the control device 28.

  Although not shown, the control device 28 is electrically connected to the upstream thermistor 12, the water amount sensor 14, the water amount servo 16, the burner 20, the downstream thermistor 22, the remote controller 24, and the receiving device 26. The detected value of the upstream thermistor 12, the detected value of the water amount sensor 14, and the detected value of the downstream thermistor 22 are input to the control device 28. Further, a signal is input from the remote control 24 to the control device 28. Further, the earthquake early warning is input to the control device 28 from the receiving device 26. The control device 28 controls the burner 20, the water volume servo 16, and the remote controller 24 based on these input values.

  Next, normal operation of the water heater 10 will be described. When the shower 52 is used, the faucet of the tap tap 33 is opened. Then, water flows into the flow path of the heat exchanger 18 from the water supply source 60 through the water supply pipe 30, and the flow rate of water in the water supply pipe 30 is detected by the water amount sensor 14. When the water amount sensor 14 detects a flow rate equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the control device 28 ignites the burner 20. Accordingly, the water flowing in the flow path of the heat exchanger 18 is heated by the burner 20. The hot water heated by the heat exchanger 18 is supplied to the shower 52 through the hot water discharge pipe 32, and the hot water is discharged from the shower 52. The temperature and flow rate of hot water discharged from the shower 52 can be set by the remote controller 24. The control device 28 adjusts the opening degree of the water amount servo 16 so that the flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 14 becomes the set flow rate. Further, the control device 28 adjusts the heating power of the burner 20 so that the temperature detected by the downstream thermistor 22 becomes the set temperature. Accordingly, hot water having a temperature substantially equal to the set temperature is discharged from the shower 52 at a flow rate substantially equal to the set flow rate.

  Next, the operation of the water heater 10 when the receiving device 26 receives the earthquake early warning will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water heater 10 when an earthquake early warning is received. When an earthquake occurs, a radio signal indicating an emergency earthquake warning is transmitted from the emergency earthquake warning system 100. This radio signal is usually received by the receiving device 26 before the main motion of the earthquake arrives. The received earthquake early warning is input from the receiving device 26 to the control device 28. When the emergency earthquake warning is input, the control device 28 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, except when the epicenter is extremely close, the process of FIG. 2 is completed before a large shake due to the main motion occurs.

  In step S2, the control device 28 causes the remote controller 24 to execute a warning operation. That is, a warning display is displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 24 and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker of the remote controller 24. When the remote controller 24 is in the power saving mode, the remote controller 24 is caused to perform a warning operation after canceling the power saving mode of the remote controller 24. The warning display can be a message notifying that the earthquake early warning has been received, a message notifying that an earthquake will soon occur, and the like. Further, the warning sound may be an electronic sound or the like, or may be a sound that conveys the above message or the like. The control device 28 executes step S4 as soon as step S2 is executed, but the remote controller 24 continues the warning operation for a predetermined time.

  In step S4, the control device 28 determines whether or not the water heater 10 is in use. Whether or not the water heater 10 is in use is determined based on the detection value of the water amount sensor 14. When the water heater 10 is not in use, the control device 28 enters a standby state in step S14. Therefore, in this case, it is notified that the earthquake early warning has been received only by the warning display and warning sound by the remote controller 24.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the water heater 10 is in use, the control device 28 performs step S6. In step S6, the control device 28 determines whether the feed water temperature detected by the upstream thermistor 12 is 30 ° C. or higher.

  When it determines with feed water temperature being 30 degreeC or more by step S6, the control apparatus 28 implements step S8. In step S <b> 8, the control device 28 stops the combustion of the burner 20. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the shower 52 is rapidly reduced. Due to this temperature drop, a person taking a shower is notified that the earthquake early warning has been received. A person taking a shower can instantly recognize a decrease in the temperature of the hot water. Therefore, according to the drop in the hot water temperature, it is possible to reliably recognize that the earthquake early warning has been received. Moreover, since it is notified by the warning display and warning sound of the remote control 24 together with the notification due to the decrease in the hot water temperature, it is possible to immediately understand the content of the notification. As described above, the process of FIG. 2 is completed before an earthquake shake occurs. That is, step S8 is executed before an earthquake shake occurs. Therefore, an appropriate response can be promoted by warning notification. In addition, since the combustion of the burner 20 is stopped before the earthquake shakes, safety is ensured even when the water heater 10 breaks down due to the earthquake. If step S8 is implemented, the control apparatus 28 will be in a standby state in step S14.

  When it determines with feed water temperature being less than 30 degreeC by step S6, the control apparatus 28 implements step S10. In step S10, the control device 28 fully closes the water amount servo 16. At this time, the control device 28 closes the water amount servo 16 at the maximum speed at which the water amount servo 16 is possible. For this reason, the supply of hot water to the shower 52 is stopped, and the hot water from the shower 52 stops suddenly. By stopping the hot water in this way, the person taking a shower is notified that the earthquake early warning has been received. A person taking a shower can instantly recognize the stoppage of hot water. Therefore, according to the hot water stop, it is possible to reliably recognize that the emergency earthquake warning has been received. Moreover, since it is also notified by a warning display and a warning sound of the remote controller 24 together with a notification when the hot water supply is stopped, the notification content can be understood immediately. Since the hot water supply is stopped, it is possible to immediately recognize a warning display and a warning sound. As described above, the process of FIG. 2 is completed before an earthquake shake occurs. That is, step S10 is executed before an earthquake shake occurs. Therefore, an appropriate response can be promoted by warning notification.

  If step S10 is implemented, the control apparatus 28 will implement step S12. In step S12, the control device 28 stops the combustion of the burner 20. Since the burning of the burner 20 is stopped before the earthquake shakes, safety is ensured even when the water heater 10 is damaged by the earthquake. If step S12 is implemented, the control apparatus 28 will be in a standby state in step S14.

  In step S14, the control device 28 shifts to a standby state. In the standby state, the control device 28 waits for an input of a normal operation start command. Until the start command is input, the control device 28 maintains the control state before entering the standby state. That is, the control state after step S4, the control state after step S8, or the control state after step S12 is maintained. When a predetermined operation is performed by the remote controller 24, a normal operation start command is input to the control device 28. When the start command is input, the control device 28 permits normal operation in step S16. Thereby, the control device 28 ends the processing of FIG. 2 and returns to the normal operation. That is, the operation of the control device 28 after receiving the earthquake early warning can be canceled by a manual operation.

  As described above, when an emergency earthquake warning is received, the water heater 10 issues a warning due to a decrease in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the shower 52 or a stop of the hot water discharged from the shower 52. For this reason, the person taking a shower can be surely recognized that the earthquake early warning has been received. When the water supply is stopped, the water amount servo 16 reduces the hot water flow rate at the maximum possible speed and suddenly stops the hot water, so that it is possible to more reliably recognize that an emergency earthquake warning has been received.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notification method is changed according to the determination of the water supply temperature in step S6. However, you may alert | report by hot water supply stop irrespective of feed water temperature.

Moreover, in the Example mentioned above, the hot water heater 10 which alert | reports alerting | reporting when an earthquake early warning was received was demonstrated. However, as one of the reference examples , a similar warning notification may be performed when another warning signal such as a signal indicating the presence of a suspicious person or a fire notification signal is received. As another reference example , although not an alert signal, the same notification can be performed when an intercom is sounded or when an extension is called by a care recipient or the like.

  Moreover, in the Example mentioned above, the warning was alert | reported by stopping the hot water supply. However, it is not always necessary to stop the hot water completely. Even by reducing the flow rate of the hot water discharged from the shower 52, the person taking the shower can recognize that the alert signal has been received. Also in this case, it is better that the rate of decrease in the hot water flow rate is as fast as possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the alert signal (that is, the earthquake early warning) is received wirelessly, but may be received by wire. Moreover, you may receive via networks, such as HEMS (Home Energy Managing System).

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Hot water heater 12: Upstream side thermistor 14: Water quantity sensor 16: Water quantity servo 18: Heat exchanger 20: Burner 22: Downstream side thermistor 24: Remote control 26: Receiver 28: Control apparatus 30: Water supply pipe 32: Hot water pipe 33 : Hot tap 50: Bathroom 52: Shower 60: Water supply

Claims (6)

A water heater that supplies hot water to a shower in the bathroom,
A receiving means for receiving a warning signal, which is an emergency earthquake warning received before the main motion of the earthquake arrives ;
A flow rate adjusting means for lowering the hot water flow rate from the shower when a warning signal is received by the receiving means;
A water heater characterized by having.   The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate adjusting means stops hot water from the shower when the receiving means receives a warning signal.   The hot water supply according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow rate adjusting means decreases the flow rate of the hot water from the shower at the maximum speed possible by the flow rate adjusting means when the alerting signal is received by the receiving means. vessel. Temperature adjustment means to adjust the temperature of the hot water from the shower,
In addition,
When the alert signal is received by the receiving means, if the feed water temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow rate adjusting means lowers the hot water flow rate from the shower, and if the feed water temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the temperature adjusting means. Lowers the temperature of the hot water from the shower,
The water heater as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation of the flow rate adjusting means after receiving the warning signal can be canceled by a manual operation. A water heater that supplies hot water to a shower in the bathroom,
Receiving means for receiving the alert signal;
Temperature adjusting means for lowering the temperature of the hot water from the shower when a warning signal is received by the receiving means;
A water heater characterized by having.

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