JP5785902B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater.

  Conventionally, the amount of hot water used, which is the product of the difference between the temperature at which hot water is discharged from the hot water supply terminal and the temperature of the hot water supply, and the flow rate value at the hot water supply terminal, is accumulated, and variations are preserved. A water heater has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-117462 A

  However, determining the optimum operation mode based on the amount of hot water used and variations has a problem that the calculation becomes complicated.

  Further, the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid stored in the tank not only decreases when actually used for hot water supply, but also decreases due to heat dissipation. The amount of heat that is reduced by this heat dissipation varies depending on the temperature difference from the surroundings, and therefore varies from time to time. For example, it is often the case when the ambient temperature is low, such as in winter, and it is less when the ambient temperature is high, such as in summer. Therefore, when the amount of hot water used is determined by the product of the differential temperature and the flow rate value at the hot water supply terminal, the amount of heat decreased every time cannot be accurately reflected, and the accuracy of the recommended heating operation mode does not decrease. There is a problem of not getting.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the water heater which can determine the heating operation mode recommended based on a use condition with a simple process and with sufficient precision.

The present invention includes a heat source for generating a hot liquid, a tank for storing the hot liquid, to control the heat source, and a control unit that having a control terminal that the user operates a display unit, wherein The control unit has a plurality of midnight time zone operation modes in which the amount of heat of the high temperature liquid stored in the midnight time zone using the heat source is different , and is recommended based on the residual heat amount of the high temperature liquid in the tank at a predetermined time. that midnight to determine the time zone operation mode, the operation terminal associates and displays the plurality of late night hours operation mode as the display element, the recommended plurality of midnight time zone operating mode the determined on the display element And an operation unit for selecting the plurality of midnight time zone operation modes by a user.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the heating operation mode recommended based on a use condition can be determined with a simple process and with sufficient precision.

The block diagram showing the example of the water heater based on embodiment of this invention is shown. The external view of the operation terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. 1 shows a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The setting screen of the heating operation mode in the midnight time zone operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. The setting screen of the heating operation mode in the normal time zone operation according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Hereinafter, the water heater 11 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the water heater 11. The water heater 11 is an electric water heater, and includes a tank unit 16 including a tank 12 for storing hot water, and a heat pump unit 13 that is a heat source for heating water to be stored in the tank 12. The water supply from the water supply source (for example, the water pipe 19) is supplied by the pipe 20. Specifically, the water heater 11 is a so-called heat pump water heater that heats low-temperature water supplied from a water supply source by the heat pump unit 13 to generate hot water, and stores the generated hot water in the tank 12.

  The hot water heater 11 includes a general hot water supply path 21 that supplies hot water to the general hot water supply terminal 17 such as a faucet, a shower, and a mixer tap, and a bathtub hot water supply path 40 that supplies hot water to the bathtub terminal provided in the bathtub 15.

  The general hot water supply path 21 heats the low-temperature water from the water pipe 19 with hot water in the tank 12 and heats it to generate hot water for hot water supply, and the hot water in the tank 12 supplies hot water to the hot water heat exchanger. 14 and a pump 28 to be introduced into the vehicle. In this case, the tank 12 functions as a storage tank that stores hot water as a heat medium that exchanges heat with low-temperature water.

  The general hot water supply path 21 includes a water supply temperature detection unit 22 that detects the temperature of the water supply, a hot water supply temperature detection unit 23 that detects the temperature of the hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 14, and a flow rate that detects the flow rate flowing through the general hot water supply path. And a detector 24.

  The bathtub hot water supply path 40 includes a bathtub hot water mixing valve 41 that mixes low-temperature water from a water source and hot water in the tank 12 to generate hot water for hot water supply. The bathtub hot-water supply path 40 includes a bathtub hot-water supply temperature detection unit 42 that detects the temperature of hot water supplied from the water heater to the bathtub 15, and a flow rate detection unit 43 that detects a flow rate through the bathtub hot-water supply path 40.

  Further, the water heater 11 exchanges heat of the bathtub water taken out from the bathtub 15 with hot water stored in the tank 12 (in this case, functioning as a heat medium) and the additional heat exchanger 18 and returns it to the bathtub 15. A memorial circuit 45 is provided. The memorial circuit 45 includes a bath water temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature of the bath water before the chasing, a memorial temperature detecting unit 46 for detecting the temperature of the bath water after the chasing, and a pump 47 for circulating the bath water. Have In addition, although the bath water temperature detection part for detecting the temperature of the bath water before the chasing is necessary for the chasing control, the bath water temperature detecting part is the bath hot water temperature detecting part 42 of the bath hot water supply path 40. Substituting.

  Furthermore, the water heater 11 includes an operation terminal 6 that is operated by a user to perform hot water heating, chasing, hot water supply, and the like, and a main body that comprehensively controls the entire water heater 11 according to operation commands and the like from the operation terminal 6. Side control board 10. The operation terminal 6 is a device generally called a bath remote controller or a kitchen remote controller. An external view of a bath remote controller which is an example of the operation terminal 6 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration for performing data communication between the main body side control board 10 and the operation terminal 6.

  The main body side control board 10 is a main body side microcomputer 7 for controlling the operation of each part of the water heater 11, a main body side data storage means 8 for storing control data in the main body side microcomputer 7, and for communication with the outside of the board. Communication section 9.

  On the other hand, the operation terminal 6 includes an operation unit 4 for performing an artificial operation, a display unit 5 for displaying various information, an operation terminal side microcomputer 1 for controlling operations, and a microcomputer internal storage device for storing data. And the operation terminal side data storage means 2 for storing data held by the main body side control board 10 and the communication unit 3 for communicating with the main body side control board 10 are provided as main parts. The display unit 5 functions as a notification unit. In addition, a speaker provided in the operation terminal 6 also functions as a notification unit.

  The operation terminal 6 and the main body side control board 10 function as a control unit for the entire water heater 11 and control various operations of the water heater. For example, the main body side control board 10 controls the heating operation in which the high temperature liquid is generated using the heat source, and the operation terminal 6 performs the control to calculate the use amount of the hot water, the use heat amount, and the like. Moreover, the control part of such a water heater 11 has a plurality of modes different from each other for various operations.

  Heating operation includes boiling operation that heats and stores hot water at midnight (midnight time operation), and hot water prevention operation that heats and stores hot water during normal time other than midnight time (normal time) Belt driving). The normal time zone is sometimes called daytime time zone.

  The control unit of the water heater 11 has a plurality of modes (heating operation modes) in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid generated using the heat source is different, and is recommended based on the amount of residual heat of the high-temperature liquid in the tank for a predetermined time. Determine the mode. The determined mode is notified to the user by the notification means. Details of these will be described later.

  The residual heat amount is calculated using the thermistor 30 provided along the height direction of the tank 12, but various specific methods are conceivable. For example, based on the temperature detected by each thermistor 30 and its height, a method of adding the amount of heat of the high temperature liquid for each height position, or setting a predetermined temperature as a determination value as to whether or not it is a high temperature liquid, There is a method of calculating the amount of heat based on the amount of high-temperature liquid equal to or greater than the value.

  First, the boiling operation will be described. The boiling operation is a heating operation performed for the purpose of supplying the amount of heat used for one day (mainly normal time). The boiling operation is provided with a plurality of midnight time zone operation modes in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid stored in the midnight time zone is different as the heating operation mode. Specifically, the midnight time zone operation mode includes an “automatic saving” mode excellent in actual use efficiency and an “automatic extra” mode in which the amount of heat in the tank 12 does not become insufficient. These midnight time zone operation modes are stored in the main body side data storage means 8. Each mode is selected by the user from the operation unit 4 of the operation terminal 6. Based on the mode selected by the user, the main body side microcomputer 7 determines the amount of heat to perform boiling at midnight, and heats the water in the tank 12 using the heat pump unit 13.

  Next, a method for determining a recommended mode in the boiling operation will be described. The recommended mode is determined based on the amount of residual heat of the hot liquid in the tank 12 at a predetermined time. In this way, the recommended mode can be determined with a simple process and with high accuracy based on the use state.

  The predetermined time is a time (for example, 23:00) when shifting from a normal time zone to a midnight time zone. Since the midnight time zone is a time zone in which the amount of heat increases due to operation at midnight time zone, the accuracy can be further improved by determining the recommended mode based on the residual heat amount detected at such a transition time. Further, most of the heat is used in the normal time zone, and it is preferable to use the residual heat amount at the end of the normal time zone in order to grasp the heat usage in the normal time zone. However, the predetermined time is not limited to the time, and may be a time having a certain width.

  Specifically, the control unit determines the reference residual heat amount based on the residual heat amount for a predetermined time for a plurality of days, and recommends based on the degree of deviation of the residual heat amount on the current day from this reference residual heat amount. Determine the mode to be played. In this way, the recommended mode does not change frequently even if there is a variation in the amount of residual heat, so the stability of the recommended mode can be improved. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to change the setting frequently, and the user's confidence in the water heater can be enhanced. However, the recommended mode may be determined based only on the remaining heat amount on the day.

  Specifically, the standard deviation of the residual heat amount for the past one week is calculated, and the “larger selection” mode is set if the difference between the average and the minimum is equal to or greater than a predetermined magnification of the standard deviation. In other cases, the “auto save” mode is set. Here, the predetermined magnification is, for example, 1.5 times or more. However, the degree of deviation may be determined based on whether a predetermined threshold value (for example, an average value) is exceeded instead of using the standard deviation.

  The calculation based on the amount of residual heat for the past week, for example, when implemented based on the actual usage, etc., does not take into account the amount of heat release that can vary greatly depending on the season, etc. This is because errors such as shortage may occur. On the other hand, if the calculation is based on the amount of residual heat, the accuracy is improved because the calculation is based on the temperature as a result of taking into account the amount of heat released. In addition, in order to measure the actual usage amount, etc., it is necessary to measure the amount each time the user uses hot water, add it up and store it in the main body side data storage means 8. If measurement is performed, it is only necessary to perform measurement at one point in a predetermined time, and thus it is possible to perform control efficiently with simple processing.

  Next, a mode display method in midnight time zone operation will be described. The display unit 5 displays display elements 51 and 52 corresponding to at least the currently selected mode and the recommended mode among the above-described modes, and the display element 51 corresponding to the currently selected mode. The selection mode display for displaying that the current selection is performed in association with the recommended mode, and the recommended mode display 53 for displaying the recommendation in association with the display element corresponding to the recommended mode is performed. In this way, the user can easily grasp the currently selected mode and the recommended mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 5 displays display elements corresponding to the respective modes of the “Random saving” mode and the “Random Omakase” mode. In the example of FIG. 4, the “Randomly” mode is the currently selected mode, and the selection mode display that displays that the currently selected mode is associated with the currently selected “Randomly” mode display element is performed. .

  Specifically, as a selection mode display, the display element 52 is displayed in a mode different from that of the other display element 52 so that it can be distinguished from the display element 52 of the other mode. Inverted. In addition, the display element 51 in the currently selected “Randomly” mode is more conspicuous than the other display element 52 with a darker background than the other display element 52. Impressive.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 4, the “automatic saving” mode is determined as a recommended mode by the control unit. For this reason, the recommended mode display 53 for displaying the recommendation in association with the display element 52 corresponding to the “automatic saving” mode is performed. Specifically, as the recommended mode display 53, an instruction display for instructing display elements in the “automatic saving” mode is performed. The instruction display is composed of a letter “recommendation” indicating recommendation and a symbol “▽” (downward triangle or arrow) indicating the display element.

  As described above, the selection mode display is a reverse display of the display element, and the recommended mode display 53 is an instruction display for instructing the display element 52, so that the user is different from the currently selected mode and the recommended mode. Even in this case, the intention of each display can be clearly distinguished and understood without confusion.

  The water heater 11 can select a mode corresponding to the display element 51 or 52 by operating the operation unit 4 and selecting a specific display element 51 or 52. When the user wants to select a recommended mode, the mode can be easily changed by performing a key operation (moving the cursor and pressing enter) in the state of the screen of FIG.

  Next, normal time zone operation will be described. The normal time zone operation is a heating operation in which when the hot water in the tank 12 decreases or the hot water falls below a predetermined temperature, the heating operation is automatically performed even in the normal time zone to prevent shortage of hot water.

  The normal time zone operation is provided with a plurality of normal time zone operation modes in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid stored in the normal time zone other than the midnight time zone is different as the heating operation mode. The hot water prevention setting is stored in the main body side data storage means 8, and the setting content is selected by the user from the operation terminal 6.

  By the way, in this water heater, as described above, the recommended midnight time zone operation mode is determined based on the residual heat amount, while the normal time zone operation mode is set regardless of the residual heat amount. This is because normal time zone operation complements midnight time zone operation, and the usage status of normal time zone varies greatly depending on the user. This is because it is not always preferable to determine the recommended normal time zone operation mode based on the above.

  The normal time zone operation mode consists of a normal time zone operation execution mode in which heating operation is performed and a normal time zone operation non-execution mode in which heating operation is not performed. The recommended mode is set to the normal time zone operation execution mode. The This is because the normal time zone operation complements the midnight time zone operation, so it is preferable to recommend the normal time zone operation execution mode from the viewpoint of preventing hot water shortage. However, with regard to the normal time zone operation mode, a recommended mode may be determined based on the residual heat amount as in the midnight time zone operation mode.

  Furthermore, the normal time zone operation execution mode is composed of a plurality of modes in which the amount of heat of the generated high-temperature liquid is different, and the recommended mode is set to the smaller amount of heat of the generated high-temperature liquid. This is because it is preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving to recommend the normal time zone operation execution mode in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid to be generated is smaller, even though the normal time zone operation execution mode is recommended from the viewpoint of prevention of running out of hot water. . That is, when there are at least three normal time zone operation modes in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid to be generated is different, recommending modes other than the least mode and the most modes, thereby favoring both hot water prevention and energy saving. Can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, as the normal time zone operation mode, the normal time zone operation execution mode (“small amount” and “full amount” mode in the example of FIG. 5) and the normal time zone operation non-execution mode (in the example of FIG. 5, "Off" mode) is provided, and as the normal time zone operation execution mode, the normal time zone operation execution small mode ("small amount" mode in the example of FIG. 5) and the normal time zone operation execution large mode (FIG. 5). In the example, a “full amount” mode) is provided.

  The “small amount” mode is a mode in which boiling is performed only a little when the amount of hot water is low, and the “total amount” mode is that the entire tank 12 is heated even if the amount of hot water is slightly decreased. The “off” mode is a mode in which automatic boiling operation is not performed during a normal time period. Specifically, in the “small amount” mode, when the temperature sensor at the upper part of the tank 12 falls below a predetermined temperature, about 75 L is boiled up. Boil 12 whole.

  The “small amount” mode is recommended because it is difficult to run out of water by performing boiling operation before the hot water runs out, and boiling operation is automatically performed only when there is little hot water in the hot water storage tank. Therefore, when it is unnecessary, the boiling operation is not performed and the actual use efficiency is excellent.

  Next, a mode display method in the normal time zone operation will be described with reference to FIG. Display elements 61, 62, and 63 corresponding to at least the currently selected mode and the recommended mode among the modes as described above are displayed and associated with the display element 62 corresponding to the currently selected mode. A selection mode display for displaying the currently selected state is performed, and a recommended mode display 64 for displaying the recommendation in association with the display element corresponding to the recommended mode is performed. In this way, the user can easily grasp the currently selected mode and the recommended mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, display elements 61, 62, and 63 corresponding to the “off”, “small amount”, and “total amount” modes are displayed on the display unit 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the “small amount” mode is the currently selected mode, and a selection mode display that displays that the currently selected item is associated with the currently selected “small amount” mode display element 62 is performed. Specifically, the selection mode display is displayed in a different manner from the other display element so that it can be distinguished from the display element of the other mode, and the background and characters are reversed with respect to the other mode. ing. In addition, the currently selected “small amount” mode display element 62 has a darker background compared to the other and stands out from the other so that the user can be impressed that it is currently selected. It has become.

  Further, as described above, in this water heater, the “small amount” mode is recommended as the mode for the normal time zone operation. For this reason, a recommended mode display 64 for displaying a recommendation in association with the display element 62 corresponding to the “small amount” mode is performed. Specifically, as the recommended mode display 64, an instruction display for indicating the display element 62 in the “small amount” mode is performed. The instruction display is composed of a letter “small amount” indicating recommendation and a symbol “「 ”(downward triangle or arrow) indicating the display element.

  As described above, the selection mode display is a display element reverse display, and the recommended mode display 64 is an instruction display indicating the display element, so that the user can select the same mode as the currently selected mode. In addition, the intent of each display can be clearly distinguished and understood without confusion.

  The water heater 11 can select a mode corresponding to the display element 61 or 63 by operating the operation unit 4 and selecting a specific display element 61 or 63. When the user wants to select a recommended mode or another mode, the user can easily change the mode by performing key operations (moving the cursor and pressing enter) in the state of the screen of FIG. it can.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, the structure can be changed suitably.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the heat pump type hot water heater has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention uses a high temperature liquid generated by heating of a heater or combustion of gas, oil, or the like. If it has a hot water storage tank to store, it can be applied regardless of the type of heat source.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although heating operation mode was demonstrated to the example as several modes provided with respect to predetermined | prescribed operation | movement, several modes are not limited to heating operation mode, for example, the brightness of a screen It may be a mode related to setting of the operation terminal such as sheath and volume.

  In the above-described embodiment, the selection mode display and the recommended mode display are described as examples that are displayed in different display modes. For example, the selection mode display also indicates the display element corresponding to the currently selected mode. It may be performed by an instruction display.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which all of a plurality of modes provided for a predetermined operation are displayed. However, the currently selected mode and the recommended mode are selected from the plurality of modes. Only the corresponding display element may be displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation terminal side microcomputer 2 Operation terminal side data storage means 3, 9 Communication part 4 Operation part 5 Display part 6 Operation terminal 7 Main body side microcomputer 8 Main body side data storage means 10 Main body side control board 11 Water heater 12 Tank 13 Heat pump unit 16 Tank unit 30 Thermistors 51, 52, 61, 62, 63 Display elements 53, 64 Recommended mode display

Claims (4)

A heat source that produces a hot liquid;
A tank for storing the high-temperature liquid;
Controlling said heat source, and a control unit that having a control terminal that the user operates a display unit,
The control unit has a plurality of midnight time zone operation modes in which the heat amount of the high temperature liquid stored in the midnight time zone using the heat source is different , and is recommended based on the residual heat amount of the high temperature liquid in the tank at a predetermined time. To determine the midnight driving mode,
The operation terminal displays the plurality of midnight time zone operation modes as display elements, displays the determined recommended plurality of midnight time zone operation modes in association with the display elements, and the plurality of midnight time zones. A water heater having an operation unit for selecting an operation mode by a user .   The control unit determines a reference residual heat amount based on a residual heat amount in a predetermined time for a plurality of days, and recommends a recommended mode based on a degree that the residual heat amount of the day deviates from the reference residual heat amount. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water heater is determined. The control unit has a plurality of normal time zone operation modes in which the amount of heat of the high-temperature liquid stored in a normal time zone other than the midnight time zone is different ,
The hot water supply according to claim 1, wherein the operation terminal includes an operation unit that displays the plurality of normal time period operation modes as display elements and selects the plurality of normal time period operation modes by a user. Machine. The hot water heater according to claim 3, wherein a recommended normal time zone operation mode among the plurality of normal time zone operation modes is set regardless of the residual heat amount.