JP5201033B2 - Hot water storage water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage type water heater having a hot water storage tank, and more particularly, to a display of the amount of hot water heated up by a heating means.

  Conventionally, this type of hot water storage type hot water heater can store hot water in a hot water storage tank throughout the day, but hot water is mainly boiled in the midnight hours (from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day) when electricity is the cheapest. Only a set amount is stored in the tank, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is used for hot water supply such as currants and showers, and for hot water filling in the bathtub. There are known hot water heaters and heat pump water heaters that use heat pumps as heating means.

  There are various ways to use hot water in a hot water storage tank in such a hot water storage type water heater, but hot water supply such as currants and showers, hot water filling in the bathtub, reheating operation of the bathtub water, mist operation in the bathroom However, if hot water in the hot water storage tank runs out due to increased daily usage, hot water in the hot water storage tank is added during the daytime hours when electricity charges are high. Need to boil.

  Therefore, in a conventional hot water storage type hot water heater, in order to perform an efficient and economical heating operation, the amount of hot water used for one day and the amount of reheating heat of the bath are learned, and the amount of hot water that can be compensated is set. Various learning and boiling control are performed, such that the set amount is heated in the midnight time zone. As a result, the number of heating operations during the daytime period is reduced, and an efficient and economical heating operation is possible (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in order for the user to know how much hot water is available in the hot water storage tank, the amount of available hot water is generally displayed on the display means such as a remote controller with a figure or numerical value simulating the hot water storage tank. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a remote control device that displays an operation instruction to a conventional hot water storage type hot water heater and an operation state. As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional remote control device 100 includes an operation unit 101 that gives various operation instructions to the hot water storage type hot water heater, and a display unit 102 that displays an operation status. Is provided with a hot water supply possible amount display section 103 for displaying a hot water supply possible amount simulating a hot water storage tank.

  And in conventional hot water storage type water heaters, in consideration of user convenience, the amount of heat used is adjusted automatically by learning the amount of heat used and boiling up at midnight hours. The amount of boiling water in the midnight hours is adjusted to be small and the entire hot water storage tank is not boiled. On the other hand, when the amount of heat used increases, the amount of boiling water in the midnight time zone is adjusted to be large, and the entire amount of the hot water storage tank is boiled again.

As a result, the display content on the hot water supply amount display unit 103 changes in accordance with the amount of hot water to be heated. When the amount of hot water storage is small, the hot water storage tank as shown in FIG. When there are many, it is expressed with the figure which simulated the hot water storage tank as shown in FIG.6 (b), and the user can confirm the amount of hot water in a hot water storage tank visually and intuitively.
JP 2007-139339 A

However, if the user does not know that the learning control is automatically performed, all the hot water in the hot water storage tank has been boiled until the previous day even though the user has not set the amount of hot water to be heated. However, when all the hot water in the hot water tank is not boiling today, or when all the hot water in the hot water tank has not boiled until the previous day, today it suddenly increases and when all of the hot water in the hot water tank is boiling, There is a case where anxiety that an abnormality has occurred in the hot water storage type hot water supply machine is requested and a service is requested.

  On the other hand, because there is actually an abnormality, the amount of boiling water may suddenly differ from the previous day, so the user had a problem that it was difficult to distinguish between abnormal and normal .

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. When the amount of boiling water is changed normally, the hot water storage can eliminate the user's misunderstanding and perform an efficient and economical boiling operation. An object is to provide a hot water heater.

  In order to solve the above conventional problems, a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention comprises a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a remote control device having an operation unit and a display unit. A hot water storage type hot water supply machine that automatically changes the set hot water amount to be heated by the heating means according to the daily usage amount, and performs the heating operation by the heating means to the set hot water amount at midnight hours, When there is a change in the amount of hot water to be heated, the fact that the amount of hot water to be heated has been changed is displayed on the display unit.

  Thus, the user can visually confirm that the amount of boiling water has changed, and can continue to use the hot water storage type water heater that performs an efficient and economical boiling operation with peace of mind.

  The hot water storage type hot water heater of the present invention provides a hot water storage type hot water heater that eliminates the misunderstanding of the user and can perform an efficient and economical boiling operation when the amount of the boiling water is changed normally. can do.

  A hot water storage type water heater of the first invention comprises a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a remote control device having an operation unit and a display unit. In response to this, it is a hot water storage type hot water supply machine that automatically changes the set hot water amount to be heated by the heating means, and performs heating operation by the heating means to the set hot water amount at midnight, and the hot water amount to be heated by the heating means has been changed. In this case, by displaying that the amount of boiling water has been changed on the display unit, the user can visually confirm that the amount of boiling water has changed. It is possible to continue using the hot water storage type water heater that performs the raising operation.

  In the hot water storage type water heater of the second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the period during which the amount of the boiling water is changed is displayed on the display unit is the time when the boiling operation in the midnight time zone ends or the midnight time zone. Since the operation unit was operated from the time when the operation was completed, the user confirmed the display and changed the amount of boiling water after performing an operation such as pressing a switch provided on the operation unit. Since the display indicating that this has been done is turned off, the user can be sure to see the display.

In the hot water storage type water heater of the third invention, particularly in the first invention, the display portion is provided with display contents for displaying the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of boiling water is changed in the display portion. The display period is from the time when the boiling operation in the midnight time zone ends or the time when the midnight time zone ends to the time when there is a change in the display content that displays the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank Therefore, when the amount of heated water does not match the displayed content, the display indicating that the change has been made is turned off, so that the user can be prevented from being confused, and hot water supply can be continued without the user noticing the display for a long time. Therefore, inconsistencies that occur can be prevented.

  In the hot water storage type water heater of the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the hot water from the hot water storage tank is confirmed after the end of the boiling operation in the midnight hours or after the end of the midnight hours. The display is performed during the time period used by the user by displaying that the amount of boiling water has been changed on the display unit during a predetermined time after the hot water from the hot water storage tank has stopped. In addition to increasing the number of opportunities for the user to actually see the hot water supply, the display is not given before the hot water supply is used, so that the operating conditions such as the hot water supply temperature that is normally displayed can be displayed without concealing it.

  In the hot water storage type water heater according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, after displaying that the amount of boiling water is changed on the display unit, the amount of boiling water is displayed again on the display unit. By displaying the operation method to be set, it is possible to easily return the amount of boiling water to the state before the change if the amount of boiling water automatically changed at midnight is not suitable for the user. It is a thing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump type water heater in the present embodiment. The heat pump type water heater according to the present embodiment includes a tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 3. In the present embodiment, the hot water storage type hot water heater is described as a heat pump type hot water heater, but is not limited thereto. For example, an electric water heater provided with an electric heater instead of the heat pump unit 3 or other It may be a hot water storage type water heater using a heating means.

  In FIG. 1, hot water heated by a heat pump unit 3 is stored in a hot water storage tank 2 in the tank unit 1. The low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 is supplied to the heat pump unit 3, and the high temperature water generated by the heat pump unit 3 is returned from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. And hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 2 so that a temperature layer from high temperature to low temperature is formed from the upper part to the lower part.

  In addition, the heat pump unit 3 sequentially connects a compressor 31, a water refrigerant heat exchanger 32, a pressure reducing device 33 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and an evaporator 34 that absorbs heat from the atmosphere in an annular manner through a refrigerant pipe 35. Configured. Then, the compressor 31 compresses the refrigerant to high temperature and pressure and sends it to the water refrigerant heat exchanger 32, and the water refrigerant heat exchanger 32 exchanges heat between the water and the refrigerant to generate high temperature water.

  Further, the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 and the inlet of the water-side flow path of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 32 are connected by a forward pipe 16 provided with a boiling pump 8, and the water-side flow of the heat pump unit 3 is connected. A return pipe 17 is connected between the exit of the road and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2.

  In addition, a water inlet pipe 12 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 via a pressure reducing valve 11. A hot water supply pipe 14 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2, and a hot water supply pipe 14 is connected to the hot water inlet of the mixing valve 7. A water supply pipe 13 branched from the water inlet pipe 12 is connected to the water inlet of the mixing valve 7. An outlet pipe 15 is connected to the outlet of the mixing valve 7, and is connected to a hot water supply terminal and a shower through the outlet pipe 15. A hot water supply thermistor 6 and a flow rate sensor 5 are attached to the hot water discharge pipe 15.

  Further, the remaining hot water thermistors 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4f are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 2 at predetermined positions from the upper part of the tank. In addition, the tank unit 1 is provided with a control device 18 that controls driving of the boiling pump 8 and obtains temperature information from the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f, and is electrically connected to the control device 20 provided in the heat pump unit 3. It is connected. The control device 18 is also connected to a remote control device 19 that performs various settings and displays.

  The operation and action of the hot water storage type water heater configured as described above will be described below.

  Usually, the hot water in the hot water tank 2 is stored in the hot water tank 2 at the set boiling temperature during the midnight time period (usually from 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning) when each electric power company has set a low electricity bill. The whole amount of is boiled. At the time of boiling operation, the boiling pump 8 is operated to send hot water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 to the heat pump unit 3, the temperature is raised to the set boiling temperature, and then returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. Thereby, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is boiled to the boiling temperature set from the upper part.

  In addition, an inlet pipe 13 for supplying low-temperature water from a water supply source is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2, and the water reduced to a constant pressure by the pressure reducing valve 11 is always supplied from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2. Is full of water. When the hot water supply terminal is opened, the hot water at the top of the hot water storage tank 2 is pushed out by the hot water pressure applied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 and flows into the hot water inlet of the mixing valve 7 through the hot water supply pipe 14.

  Further, water flows into the water inlet of the mixing valve 7 through the water supply pipe 13. Then, the control device 18 drives the mixing valve 7 so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 6 becomes the hot water temperature set by the remote control device 19, so that hot water having a set temperature passes through the hot water outlet pipe 15. Comes out.

  As a result, when hot water is used, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is replaced with water from the bottom. The hot water supply temperature and amount supplied to the hot water supply terminal are respectively measured by the hot water supply thermistor 6 and the flow rate sensor 5 and stored in the control device 18. The amount of heat used in one day is learned by integrating these data in one day by the control device 18.

  In addition, if the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is boiled at a high temperature, a large amount of hot water can be used in one day, but the maximum boiling temperature is maintained even though the amount of hot water used at the hot water supply terminal is small. If the whole amount is boiled, a large amount of hot water will remain at the end of the day without being used. For this reason, the hot water left without being used despite being boiled is merely dissipated and the efficiency is deteriorated.

  However, if the amount of boiling water is reduced, hot water will run out during the day. In such a case, additional boiling is performed in the daytime, but it is not economical due to high electricity charges in the daytime.

  Therefore, the hot water storage type hot water heater of the present embodiment learns the amount of hot water used for the past week, and boils the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 so that the amount of hot water can be a little larger than the average. Efficient and economical operation. In particular, even in the same household, the amount of hot water used changes considerably due to seasonal changes, etc., so it is very efficient to learn the amount of hot water used for a certain period and reflect it in the boiling temperature setting. Good boiling operation can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the amount of hot water used for one week up to the previous day is learned, and the set boiling temperature for the next boiling operation is determined according to the average used amount, but this is not limitative. For example, the boiling set temperature may be determined according to the amount of hot water used for 3 or 4 days, or the boiling set temperature may be determined according to the amount of hot water used for 2 weeks.

  Next, the configuration of the remote control device 19 will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the remote control device 19 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the remote control device 19 is configured by a display unit 30 for displaying a hot water supply set temperature and various operating conditions of the hot water storage type water heater, and a plurality of switches for changing the hot water supply set temperature and operating the hot water storage type water heater. An operation unit 31 is provided. In addition, a part of the display unit 30 is provided with a hot water supply amount display unit 40 that indicates how much hot water can be used in the hot water storage tank 2, and the hot water supply amount display unit 40 is visually and user-friendly. In order to intuitively understand the amount of hot water supply, it is shown in a diagram that simulates a hot water storage tank.

  The hot water supply possible amount display unit 40 performs display according to how much hot water is higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 45 ° C.) based on the detected temperature of the remaining hot water thermistors 4a to 4f. In the actual hot water storage tank 2, the more water is used, the more water is used from the bottom of the tank. However, in consideration of the user's visual clarity, the remaining hot water display 40 shows that hot water decreases from the top of the tank. Is displayed.

  In the hot water storage type water heater configured as described above, as described above, since the amount of hot water used for one week is learned and the boiling temperature is automatically changed, when the user looks at the remote control device 19 the next morning, Depending on the amount of boiling water at midnight, the entire amount is not heated at the maximum temperature, so that the memory indicated by the hot water supply capacity display unit 40 is one memory less than the amount of boiling water on the previous day. Such a situation occurs because the learning control as described above is performed, and the boiling control is normally performed. However, depending on the user, there is no knowledge about the learning control in advance and the entire amount is controlled. If it is natural to be boiled, there may be a sense of anxiety that a hot water storage water heater has failed or an abnormality has occurred, and a repair request may be made. On the other hand, since there is a real abnormality, there is a possibility that boiling is stopped halfway, and it cannot be determined whether it is normal or abnormal.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present embodiment, when the amount of boiling water is changed, after the completion of boiling in the midnight time zone, the display unit 30 of the remote control device 19 has a display as shown in FIG. “Notice of change in boiling water level” is displayed.

  A message prompting the user to confirm is also displayed, and the display is continued until the user presses a predetermined switch (for example, a confirmation switch). When the predetermined switch is pressed, why the amount of boiling water is changed. The reason is displayed and the normal display is restored. This allows the user to know that the instrument is normal, so that the user can continue to use it with peace of mind.

  In addition, although the message indicating that the amount of boiling water has been changed is displayed on the display unit 30 after the end of boiling in the midnight time zone, the message is displayed at the same timing as the end of the midnight time zone. Also good. In this case, when the midnight time zone is set from 23:00 to 7:00, the message is displayed at the timing of 7:00 the next time.

  In addition, the display unit 30 is provided with a hot water supply amount display unit 40 for displaying the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2, and a period for displaying that the amount of boiling water has been changed is displayed during the hot water supply amount display unit 40. Until when there is a change.

For example, as a result of boiling all the amount in the midnight time zone, it is assumed that a figure simulating a hot water storage tank whose memory is full is displayed on the hot water supply amount display unit 40 at the end of boiling. And even if the “notice of boiling water amount change” is displayed after the boiling operation is completed or after midnight, the user does not see the “notice of boiling water amount change” displayed on the remote control device 19. When hot water supply from the hot water supply terminal is started and a large amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is used, the hot water storage capacity display unit 40 is changed to a diagram simulating a hot water storage tank with one memory decreased.

  And when it becomes a figure simulating a hot water storage tank with one memory reduced, if "Notice of change in boiling water amount" is displayed to the user, the memory is actually boiling up to the full tank. Regardless, since the memory is reduced by one, the amount of hot water actually boiled and the amount displayed on the hot water supply amount display section 40 do not match, and the user may be confused. There is sex.

  Therefore, in such a case, not only the change in the amount of boiling water at midnight is lost, but the content of “notice of change in amount of boiling water” may not be appropriate. In the present embodiment, the amount of hot water supply display 40 is displayed. When the display is changed, the “notification of boiling water amount change” display is turned off.

  In addition, after the end of boiling operation in the midnight hours or after the end of the midnight hours, the hot water from the hot water storage tank 2 is confirmed, and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 2 is stopped for a predetermined time. Alternatively, a message indicating that the amount of boiling water has been changed may be displayed on the display unit 30.

  Normally, the display of the remote control device 19 is equipped with a power saving function for turning off the display because electricity is wasted if it is lit until the hot water supply is not used. When the hot water supply is used or when the switch is operated, the display is turned on, then displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) and then turned off. In this case, the “Notice of Boiling Hot Water Volume Change” display will also turn off, so the “Notice of Boiling Hot Water Volume Change” will be displayed for a certain period of time after the hot water supply is used. It is.

  In addition, since the display is performed during the time period used by the user, there are more opportunities for the user to actually see it, and since the display is not given before using the hot water supply, it is normally displayed. The operating status such as the hot water temperature can be displayed without hiding it.

  In addition, there may be a case where it is desired to return to the original without changing the amount of boiling water. For example, if one member of the family has not traveled for about 10 days, the amount of hot water used will be reduced and the amount of hot water will be changed. It can end up. In order to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to select whether the boiling water amount changed on the “Notice of boiling water amount change” screen is left as it is or to return it to the original state, and to return it to the original state. In some cases, the operation can be easily restored.

  Next, the operation of FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, in STEP 01, after the boiling operation in the midnight time is completed, “notification of boiling water amount change” is displayed on the display unit 30. Then, a message prompting the user to confirm is also displayed, and when the user operates the operation unit 31 for confirmation, the process proceeds to STEP02.

  In STEP02, a message indicating why the amount of boiling water has been changed is displayed, and after a while, the display automatically changes to STEP03. In the present embodiment, the state automatically changes to STEP03 after 10 seconds have passed in STEP02.

In STEP 03, a message for confirming whether or not to return the amount of boiling water to the original is displayed. By putting such a message, it is possible to perform a boiling operation according to the user's preference. When leaving the amount of boiling water in STEP03 as is,
Proceed to 04 to return to the normal display. When changing the amount of boiling water in STEP03, the process proceeds to STEP05, a display for changing the amount of boiling water is performed, the process proceeds to STEP06, and the display returns to the normal display. And at the time of the next boiling, it boiles at the original boiling set hot water amount.

  As described above, when the “Notice of boiling water amount change” is displayed, it is possible to reset the boiling water amount at the same time so that the boiling operation can be performed according to the user's preference. It can be carried out.

  As described above, the hot water storage type hot water heater according to the present invention can remove the user's anxiety by notifying the contents of automatic operation by learning with a notification display on a remote controller or the like. It can be used for the machine.

The block diagram of the hot water storage type hot water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention Configuration diagram of a remote control according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Transition diagram of display unit in embodiment 1 of the present invention Transition diagram of display unit in embodiment 1 of the present invention Remote control configuration diagram of a conventional hot water storage type water heater (A) Configuration diagram of hot water supply possible amount display unit (b) Configuration diagram of hot water supply possible amount display unit

1 Tank unit 2 Hot water storage tank 3 Heat pump unit (heating means)
4a to 4f The remaining hot water thermistor (hot water storage temperature detection means)
5 Flow sensor 6 Hot water supply thermistor 8 Boiling pump 18 Control device 19 Remote control device

Claims (5)

A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a remote control device having an operation section and a display section, and a set hot water volume to be boiled by the heating means according to the daily usage Is a hot water storage type hot water heater that performs boiling operation with the heating means up to the set hot water amount at midnight, and when the amount of hot water heated by the heating means is changed, the display A hot water storage type hot water heater that displays that the amount of boiling water has been changed in the section. The period for indicating that the amount of boiling water has been changed on the display section is from the time when the boiling operation in the midnight time zone ends or the time when the midnight time zone ends until the operation of the operation unit is performed. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1. The display unit is provided with display contents for displaying the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and during the period when the display unit displays that the amount of hot water to be heated is changed, the heating operation in the midnight time zone is performed. The hot water storage hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein the hot water storage hot water supply is from when the hot water storage tank is displayed to when there is a change in display content for displaying the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank. Machine. The hot water from the hot water storage tank is confirmed after the end of boiling operation in the late night time period or after the end of the late night time period, and the hot water from the hot water storage tank is stopped for a predetermined time after the hot water is stopped. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays that the amount of boiling water is changed. 5. The operation method for resetting the amount of boiling water is displayed on the display unit after displaying that the amount of boiling water is changed on the display unit. 6. Hot water storage water heater.