JP5827865B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water heater that supplies water by heating water with a burner.

A water heater that heats water using heat from a burner and supplies hot water to a hot water tap (faucet or shower) operates with power supplied from a fan that supplies air to the burner or a remote control for operation. Many electric devices are provided (for example, refer patent document 1).
The water heater operates these electric devices with electric power from a commercial power source and supplies hot water at a predetermined temperature to the hot water tap.

JP2011-163711A

However, the power supply from the commercial power supply may stop due to disasters, accidents, etc., and conventional water heaters cannot supply hot water to the hot water tap when the power supply from the commercial power supply stops. There was a problem.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a water heater that includes a secondary battery and supplies hot water using power stored in the secondary battery at the time of a power failure.

A water heater according to the first to fifth aspects of the invention that meets the above-described object is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times and that operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power failure. The electric device provided in the container includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continuously receives power from the secondary battery during a power failure. And a part or all of the controlled devices are started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch.

Water heater according to the first invention, wherein the power supply to the controlled device initiated by a particular operating switch is blocked after a predetermined time by the timer, the power supply to the controlled device, a new piece of the It is resumed by a specific activation switch.

In the water heater according to the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that a sound is emitted before the power supply to the controlled device started by the specific operation switch is cut off.

Water heater according to the second invention, wherein the controlled device, if there is bath equipment which operates when the hot water filling into tubs, or reheating the bath tub is performed, power failure, the secondary battery The power supply to the bathtub-related equipment is not started even by the specific operation switch.

Water heater according to the third invention, the in the controlled device, there is normally a heater to prevent freezing starts to operate by a predetermined operating condition when the power during a power failure, from the secondary battery to the heater The supply is not started even by the predetermined operating condition, and the heater remains stopped until the power failure ends.

Water heater according to the fourth invention, the upper limit of temperature that can be set as a hot water supply temperature, power failure becomes a normal low value in comparison with the time.

Water heater according to the fifth invention, the to the controlled device, there is a proportional valve for regulating the flow rate of the hot water mixing valve and hot water to adjust the hot water temperature, the mixing valve and the proportional valve during normal The state where operation is possible is maintained, and at the time of a power failure, a predetermined opening degree is secured and a stop state is established.

The water heater according to the first to fifth inventions includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which power is supplied via the control device, in the electric device provided in the water heater. The apparatus is continuously supplied with power from the secondary battery, and part or all of the controlled devices are started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch. Therefore, hot water can be supplied by power supply from the secondary battery at the time of a power failure, and power consumption is always higher than when power is supplied from the secondary battery to the controlled device at the time of a power failure. Therefore, it is possible to lengthen the time for supplying hot water by operating with the power of the secondary battery.

Water heater according to the first invention, the power supply to the controlled device initiated by a particular operating switch is blocked after a predetermined time by the timer, the power supply to the controlled device, a new specific activation switch Therefore , it is possible to reliably avoid a situation where power consumption is continued by supplying power to the controlled device even though hot water is not supplied.

In the hot water heater according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is used in advance that the operation of the controlled device is stopped when a sound is generated before the power supply to the controlled device started by the specific operation switch is cut off. Can be informed.

In the water heater according to the second invention, the power supply from the secondary battery to the bathtub-related equipment is not started even under a predetermined operating condition at the time of a power failure, and the water heater according to the third invention is from the secondary battery. Power supply to the heater is not started even under the specified operating conditions, and the heater remains stopped until the power failure ends, so the controlled devices that can operate during a power failure are limited, and the power consumption of the secondary battery is reduced. It can be surely suppressed.

Water heater according to the fourth invention, the upper limit of temperature that can be set as the hot water supply temperature, in the event of a power failure, since usually a lower value than that in the, it is possible to suppress the power consumption to be used to heat the hot water, It is possible to ensure a long hot water supply time using the power of the secondary battery.

Water heater according to the fifth invention, the mixing valve and the proportional valve is actuated, because the stopped state to ensure a predetermined opening at the time of power failure, the mixing valve and the proportional valve, in order to ensure a predetermined opening Thus, after the power is consumed, the power is not consumed, and the power consumed for the hot water supply at the time of a power failure can be suppressed.

It is explanatory drawing of the water heater based on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the signal connection of a microcomputer.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is operated by power supply from a commercial power supply 11 at normal times, and is operated by power supply from a secondary battery 12 at power failure, Hot water of a predetermined temperature is supplied to the faucet 13 and the shower 14. Details will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 10 includes a burner 15 and a heat exchanger 17 connected to the water supply pipe 16, and heats water supplied from the water supply pipe 16 to the heat exchanger 17 by the burner 15. .
The burner 15 is supplied with liquid fuel (kerosene in the present embodiment) by a pump 18 connected to the burner 15, and heats water passing through the heat exchanger 17 by combustion gas generated by burning the liquid fuel. . Since the heating power of the burner 15 is adjusted by the supply amount of the liquid fuel supplied via the pump 18, the heating amount of the water passing through the heat exchanger 17 is changed by adjusting the operation level of the pump 18. Can do.
A fan 19 that sends air to the burner 15 is provided in the vicinity of the burner 15. When the burner 15 is used, the fan 19 operates to supply air to the burner 15. The burner 15 is provided with an igniter (not shown), which is an example of an ignition device. In the present embodiment, a burner device 19a in which the burner 15, the pump 18 and the fan 19 are integrated is used.

The hot water outlet side of the heat exchanger 17 is connected to a hot water supply passage 22 that supplies hot water at a set temperature to the faucet 13 and the shower 14, and a hot water supply passage 21 that supplies hot water to the bathtub 20 is connected to the hot water supply passage 22. It is connected.
In the hot water supply flow path 22, water is mixed with the hot water sent from the heat exchanger 17, and the mixing valve 24 for adjusting the hot water supply temperature and the flow rate of hot water to be supplied (that is, hot water flowing out from the heat exchanger 17) are adjusted. Proportional valve 25 is provided.
When the hot water from the heat exchanger 17 exceeds the set temperature, the water is mixed with the hot water from the heat exchanger 17 by the mixing valve 24, and the temperature of the hot water supplied to the faucet 13 and the shower 14 is lowered. The mixing valve 24 adjusts the mixing ratio of hot water and water from the heat exchanger 17 by changing the opening degree.
The proportional valve 25 adjusts the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water supply passage 22 by changing the opening degree.

The water supply pipe 16 is provided with a temperature sensor 26 for measuring the temperature of water supplied to the heat exchanger 17 and the mixing valve 24, and the temperature of hot water flowing out from the heat exchanger 17 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 17. A temperature sensor 27 is provided for measuring the above. The mixing ratio of hot water and water in the mixing valve 24 is determined based on the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 26 and 27.
Further, the hot water supply passage 22 is provided with a temperature sensor 28 for measuring the temperature of the hot water discharged from the mixing valve 24, and whether or not the temperature of the hot water supplied to the faucet 13 or the shower 14 is a set temperature. It can be detected by the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 28.

The hot water filling channel 21 is connected to the hot water supply channel 22 on the downstream side of the temperature sensor 28. The hot water channel 21 is provided with an opening / closing valve 23, and when performing hot water filling to the bathtub 20, the open / close valve 23 is opened, and hot water is supplied to the bathtub 20 through the hot water channel 21. And when hot water filling to the bathtub 20 is completed, the on-off valve 23 is closed.

A chasing circuit 31 provided with a circulation pump 29 and a heat exchanger 30 is connected to the bathtub 20.
When the circulation pump 29 is activated, the hot water in the bathtub 20 circulates in the reheating circuit 31, and the hot water in the bathtub 20 returns to the bathtub 20 through the heat exchanger 30. Since the heat exchanger 30 heats the hot water passing through the heat exchanger 30 using the heat of the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the burner 15, the hot water that passes through the heat exchanger 30 and returns to the bathtub 20 Compared to hot water going to the heat exchanger 30, the temperature becomes higher.
Note that when the circulating pump 29 is operated and hot water is circulated through the reheating circuit 31, the on-off valve 23 is closed.
Further, heaters 32, 32a and 32b for preventing freezing are attached to the hot water supply passage 22, the reheating circuit 31 and the water supply pipe 16, respectively. In the present embodiment, the heater 32 is attached to a pipe forming the hot water supply flow path 22 and the heater 32a is attached to the circulation pump 29. However, the heater may be attached to another place. The heaters 32, 32 a, and 32 b operate at a normal operation time (that is, when power is supplied from the commercial power supply 11), for example, when the outside air temperature becomes a predetermined temperature or less according to a predetermined operation condition.

The water heater 10 includes many electric motors including a burner 15, a pump 18, a fan 19, an on-off valve 23, a mixing valve 24, a proportional valve 25, temperature sensors 26 to 28, a circulation pump 29, and heaters 32, 32a, and 32b. Devices (devices that operate when supplied with electric power) are provided, and a control device 33 (an example of an electric device) is connected to these electric devices.
The control device 33 includes a power supply circuit 33a that electrically connects the commercial power supply 11 and the electric device, and a microcomputer 33b (an example of a computing unit) on which various programs are mounted. The power supply circuit 33a and the microcomputer 33b are also electric devices.

At normal times, that is, when the commercial power supply 11 is in a state in which power can be supplied, electric power (including the microcomputer 33b) connected to the power supply circuit 33a is supplied with power from the commercial power supply 11 via the power supply circuit 33a. Is supplied.
As shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer 33b includes a burner 15, a pump 18, a fan 19, an on-off valve 23, a mixing valve 24, a proportional valve 25, temperature sensors 26 to 28, a circulation pump 29, and heaters 32, 32a, and 32b. These electric devices can be operated by signal connection and transmitting a command signal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 10 is provided with a secondary battery 12, and power is supplied from the secondary battery 12 to the electric device when a power failure occurs, that is, when power supply from the commercial power supply 11 is stopped. Is done.
The secondary battery 12 is electrically connected to the commercial power supply 11 via a converter 35 that converts alternating current power into direct current power, and is normally charged by supplying power from the commercial power supply 11. As the secondary battery 12, a lead storage battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or the like can be employed.

An inverter 36 is provided on the power output side of the secondary battery 12. The inverter 36 operates by being supplied with power from the secondary battery 12 during a power failure, and converts the DC power output from the secondary battery 12 into AC power. The AC power output from the inverter 36 is supplied to the power supply circuit 33a.

A switch 37 is provided between the inverter 36 and the control device 33 to switch the power supply source to the power supply circuit 33a.
When the power supplied from the commercial power supply 11 is cut off, the switch 37 electrically connects the inverter 36 and the power supply circuit 33a, and electrically connects the inverter 36 and the power supply circuit 33a. When power supply from the commercial power supply 11 is resumed, the commercial power supply 11 and the power supply circuit 33a are electrically connected. By switching the switch 37 in this way, power from the commercial power supply 11 is normally supplied to the power supply circuit 33a, and power from the secondary battery 12 is supplied to the power supply circuit 33a via the inverter 36 during a power failure. To be.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the secondary battery 12 is electrically connected to a service outlet 38 via an inverter 36. In the event of a power failure, the water heater 10 can convert the DC power from the secondary battery 12 into AC power by the inverter 36 and supply the converted AC power to an external device via the service outlet 38.
Note that the secondary battery 12, the converter 35, and the inverter 36 are disposed in the housing 39 together with the control device 33, the burner 15, the fan 19, and the like.

The secondary battery 12 is formed in the housing 39, provided in the air supply path 40 through which air is taken in from the outside by the operation of the fan 19, and disposed on the upstream side of the fan 19 in the air supply path 40. Therefore, the secondary battery 12 is air-cooled by the air flowing through the air supply path 40 while the fan 19 is operating.
A temperature sensor 41 is signal-connected to the microcomputer 33b. The temperature sensor 41 is one of electric devices and operates by being supplied with electric power from the commercial power supply 11 or the secondary battery 12 via the electric power supply circuit 33a, and measures the surface temperature of the secondary battery 12.

When the surface temperature of the secondary battery 12 obtained from the temperature sensor 41 is normally equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature set in advance in a range of 60 to 90 ° C.), the microcomputer 33b does not operate the burner 15. Even during use, the fan 19 is operated to air-cool the secondary battery 12.
Therefore, the secondary battery 12 is suppressed from continuing the high temperature state.
Since the secondary battery generally has a short life if the high temperature state continues, the air cooling by the fan 19 is effective in extending the life of the secondary battery 12.

In the present embodiment, power is not supplied from the secondary battery 12 to the temperature sensor 41 during a power failure (that is, the surface temperature of the secondary battery 12 is not measured), and the operation of the fan 19 uses the burner 15. The design is limited to the time when the secondary battery 12 is charged. On the other hand, when the power is supplied from the secondary battery 12 to the temperature sensor 41 even during a power failure and it is detected that the surface temperature of the secondary battery 12 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the burner 15 is not combusted. Even at times, the fan 19 can be operated to air-cool the secondary battery 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hot water remote controller 42 disposed in a living room or a kitchen and a bathroom remote controller 43 disposed in the bathroom are signal-connected to the microcomputer 33b. A user of the water heater 10 can set the hot water temperature of the bathtub 20 and the temperature of hot water supplied to the faucet 13 and the shower 14 by operating the hot water remote controller 42 and the bathroom remote controller 43. The hot water remote controller 42 and the bathroom remote controller 43 have a screen for displaying the input temperature and the like, and a plurality of input buttons for operation.
The hot water remote controller 42 and the bathroom remote controller 43 are also electrically connected to the power supply circuit 33a, as shown in FIG. 1, and are normally supplied with power from the commercial power supply 11 and during a power failure, The secondary battery 12 operates with power supplied.

Normally, hot water supply to the shower 14 and the faucet 13, hot water filling to the bathtub 20 and reheating of the bathtub 20 are started by predetermined operations, respectively, and all electric devices (microcomputer 33b, inverter 36 and switch 37 are turned on). Except for this, a command signal is transmitted from the microcomputer 33b as appropriate.
Here, the electric devices include a control device 33 (microcomputer 33b and power supply circuit 33a) and a controlled device to which power is supplied via the control device 33. Hereinafter, the control device 33 and these controlled devices will be distinguished, and the movement of the water heater 10 during a power failure will be described. Moreover, let the to-be-controlled apparatus operate | move when the hot water filling to the bathtub 20 or the chasing of the bathtub 20 is performed be a bathtub related apparatus. In the present embodiment, the on-off valve 23 and the circulation pump 29 correspond to bathtub-related equipment.

The microcomputer 33b prohibits the filling of the bathtub 20 and the chasing of the bathtub 20 during a power failure. Specifically, power is not supplied from the secondary battery 12 to the on-off valve 23 and the circulation pump 29, which are bathtub-related devices, regardless of what operation is performed by the hot water remote controller 42 or the bathroom remote controller 43.
Further, at the time of a power failure, power is not supplied from the secondary battery 12 to the heaters 32, 32a, 32b and the temperature sensor 41, and the power failure of the heaters 32, 32a, 32b and the temperature sensor 41 ends. The power consumption of the secondary battery 12 is suppressed during a power failure. Accordingly, the heaters 32, 32a, and 32b do not operate even when the outside air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature during a power failure.

On the other hand, a part of controlled equipment except the bathtub related equipment and the heaters 32, 32a, 32b, specifically, the burner 15, the pump 18, the fan 19, the mixing valve 24, the proportional valve 25, and the temperature sensors 26 to 28. In the case of power failure, power is supplied from the secondary battery 12 by a specific operation switch.
The specific operation switch is a specific input button provided on each of the hot water remote controller 42 and the bathroom remote controller 43, and when a power failure occurs, power supply from the secondary battery 12 is started by operating this input button. . Hereinafter, the burner 15, the pump 18, the fan 19, the mixing valve 24, the proportional valve 25, and the temperature sensors 26 to 28 are collectively referred to as “part of controlled devices”.

The control device 33 is continuously supplied with power from the secondary battery 12 at the time of a power failure. The AC power output from the inverter 36 is supplied to the power supply circuit 33a via the switch 37, and the AC power from the secondary battery 12 is supplied to the microcomputer 33b via the switch 37 and the power supply circuit 33a. Is done.
The microcomputer 33b switches the state of the power supply circuit 33a when detecting that the specific operation switch is made in the hot water remote controller 42 or the bathroom remote controller 43. As a result of this switching, power supply from the secondary battery 12 is started to some controlled devices for which power supply from the secondary battery 12 has been stopped, and the faucet 13 and the shower 14 can supply hot water. It becomes.

The microcomputer 33b has a timer function and can detect that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supplying the power of the secondary battery 12 to some controlled devices. When the microcomputer 33b detects that a predetermined time has elapsed since the microcomputer 33b began to supply the power of the secondary battery 12 to some controlled devices, the power supply from the secondary battery 12 to some controlled devices is cut off, The hot water is not supplied to the faucet 13 and the shower 14.

The hot water remote controller 42 and the bathroom remote controller 43 emit an alarm sound to stop the hot water supply to the user before the power supply to some controlled devices started by a specific operation switch is cut off. Inform in advance.
Then, when the secondary battery 12 has a surplus capacity (that is, when the secondary battery 12 stores power), the power from the secondary battery 12 to some controlled devices is generated by a new specific operation switch. Supply is resumed, and hot water can be supplied to the faucet 13 and the shower 14.

Further, the mixing valve 24 and the proportional valve 25 are kept in a state where they can be operated at normal times and are appropriately operated, and the mixing valve 24 suppresses fluctuations in the temperature of hot water supplied to the faucet 13, the shower 14, and the bathtub 20. The proportional valve 25 adjusts the flow rate. However, at the time of a power failure, the mixing valve 24 and the proportional valve 25 secure a predetermined opening and enter a stopped state. Therefore, at the time of a power failure, the mixing valve 24 and the proportional valve 25 do not operate after reaching a predetermined opening degree and do not consume power. For this reason, the water heater 10 is in a state where the overall power consumption is suppressed.
At the time of a power failure, as the hot water supply temperature, the upper limit value of the temperature that can be set by the hot water remote controller 42 or the bathroom remote controller 43 is lower than that at the normal time. For example, the upper limit, which was 60 ° C. during normal times, becomes 40 ° C. during a power failure. By performing such control, the upper limit of the operation level of the pump 18 is limited, and consumption of the electric power charged in the secondary battery 12 is suppressed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all changes in conditions and the like that do not depart from the gist are within the scope of the present invention.
For example, the burner may be a gas fuel type.
In addition, at the time of a power failure, the target of starting the power supply from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch can be the entire controlled device, not a part of the controlled device.

10: Water heater, 11: Commercial power supply, 12: Secondary battery, 13: Faucet, 14: Shower, 15: Burner, 16: Water supply pipe, 17: Heat exchanger, 18: Pump, 19: Fan, 19a: Burner Device: 20: Bathtub, 21: Hot water filling channel, 22: Hot water supply channel, 23: Open / close valve, 24: Mixing valve, 25: Proportional valve, 26-28: Temperature sensor, 29: Circulation pump, 30: Heat exchange 31: reheating circuit, 32, 32a, 32b: heater, 33: control device, 33a: power supply circuit, 33b: microcomputer, 35: converter, 36: inverter, 37: switch, 38: outlet for service, 39: Housing, 40: Air supply path, 41: Temperature sensor, 42: Hot water remote control, 43: Bathroom remote control

Claims (6)

It is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times, and operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power outage,
The electric device provided in the water heater includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which electric power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continues from the secondary battery during a power failure. Power is supplied to the controlled device, and part or all of the controlled device is started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch, and power to the controlled device is started by the specific operation switch. Supply is interrupted after a predetermined time by a timer, and power supply to the controlled device is resumed by the new specific operation switch. 2. The water heater according to claim 1 , wherein a sound is generated before power supply to the controlled device started by the specific operation switch is cut off. It is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times, and operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power outage,
The electric device provided in the water heater includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which electric power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continues from the secondary battery during a power failure. Power is supplied to the controlled device, and a part or all of the controlled device is started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch. There is a bathtub-related device that operates when reheating is performed, and in the event of a power failure, power supply from the secondary battery to the bathtub-related device is not started even by the specific operation switch. vessel. It is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times, and operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power outage,
The electric device provided in the water heater includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which electric power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continues from the secondary battery during a power failure. Power is supplied to the controlled device, and a part or all of the controlled device is started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch, and the controlled device is normally operated according to a predetermined operating condition. There is a heater that starts and prevents freezing, and at the time of a power failure, the power supply from the secondary battery to the heater is not started even by the predetermined operating condition, and the heater remains stopped until the power failure ends A water heater characterized by that. It is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times, and operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power outage,
The electric device provided in the water heater includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which electric power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continues from the secondary battery during a power failure. In some or all of the controlled devices, the power supply from the secondary battery is started by a specific operation switch, and the upper limit of the temperature that can be set as the hot water supply temperature is during a power failure, A water heater characterized by a lower value than normal. It is a water heater that operates by power supply from a commercial power source during normal times, and operates by power supply from a secondary battery during a power outage,
The electric device provided in the water heater includes a control device and a plurality of controlled devices to which electric power is supplied via the control device, and the control device continues from the secondary battery during a power failure. Power is supplied to the controlled device, and a part or all of the controlled device is started to supply power from the secondary battery by a specific operation switch, and the controlled device includes a mixing valve and a hot water supply for adjusting a hot water supply temperature. There is a proportional valve that adjusts the flow rate of hot water, and the mixing valve and the proportional valve maintain a state in which they can be operated in a normal state, and in a power failure, a predetermined opening degree is ensured to be in a stopped state. A water heater.

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