JP5869549B2 - Heat source machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat source device such as a water heater or a heater.

  In a heat source device such as a water heater, as seen in Patent Document 1 and the like, a heated water passage provided via a heat exchanger heated by a heating source such as a burner, and a heated water passage in parallel Ratio of the water flow rate of each of the connected bypass passage, the water supply passage and the hot water passage connected to the upstream side and the downstream side of the heated passage and the bypass passage, and the heated passage and the bypass passage (hereinafter, 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, what is provided with bypass ratio changing means (such as an electric control valve) for changing a bypass ratio) is known.

JP-A-8-278057

  By the way, in recent years, in a heat source machine (for example, a water heater) as shown in Patent Document 1, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water path can be controlled to a slimy temperature (a temperature at which the amount of increase from the water temperature is small). In particular, those in which the maximum value of the variable range of the bypass ratio that can be realized by the bypass ratio changing means is set to a relatively large bypass ratio have come into widespread use.

  In particular, in such a heat source machine having a relatively large maximum value of the bypass ratio, when the abnormality of the bypass ratio changing means due to disconnection of the electric motor that drives the valve mechanism of the bypass ratio changing means occurs, the bypass ratio May continue to be maintained at the maximum value or a value close to the maximum value (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as bypass ratio abnormality). And in such a case, it became clear by the inventor's various experiments, examinations, and examinations that the following problems occur.

  That is, when the bypass ratio abnormality occurs due to an abnormality of the bypass ratio changing means, particularly when the flow rate of water flowing into the heated water passage and the bypass passage is relatively small (for example, the end of the hot water passage). When the opening of the hot-water tap provided in is small), the water flow rate of the heated water passage becomes minute.

  In such a situation, when the heating source is operated to heat the water in the heated water passage through the heat exchanger, the hot water in the heated water passage in the heat exchanger rapidly rises excessively. As a result, excessively heated hot water may be supplied to the downstream side of the hot water outlet.

  Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the bypass ratio changing means, it is desirable to detect it and notify the occurrence of the abnormality.

  However, in this case, if it is necessary to change the bypass ratio in order to control the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet to the target temperature, an attempt to detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means Even in a state where the ratio changing means can operate normally, the bypass ratio during execution of the abnormality detection process becomes inappropriate, and the control performance of the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet is reduced. There is a risk of damage.

  Therefore, the process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means does not have a risk of impairing the temperature control performance (temperature control performance) of the hot water supplied to the tap water path, or the situation is sufficiently low. It is desirable to do in.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and provides a heat source apparatus capable of detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means so as not to impair the temperature control performance of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the heat source apparatus of the present invention includes a heated water passage provided via a heat exchanger heated by a heating source, and a bypass passage connected in parallel to the heated water passage. A water supply passage connected to the upstream side of the heated water passage and the bypass passage, a hot water passage connected to the downstream side of the heated water passage and the bypass passage, and a water flow rate of the heated water passage A bypass ratio changing means for changing a bypass ratio which is a ratio of a water flow rate of the bypass passage, and a temperature of hot water supplied to the downstream side of the tap water passage when the water supply passage is passed to a target temperature. As a temperature control process, a heat source including a temperature control unit that variably controls the heating amount of the heating source and variably controls the bypass ratio via the bypass ratio changing unit. Machine,
Determining whether the operating state of the heat source device is a predetermined specific state that does not require the bypass ratio changing means to operate so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process The basic configuration includes an abnormality detection means for executing an abnormality detection process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means, on condition that the operating state of the heat source device is the specific state .

According to such a basic configuration , the abnormality detection means does not require the operation of the bypass ratio changing means so that the operating state of the heat source machine changes the bypass ratio for the temperature control process. The occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means is detected on the condition that the specific state is set.

  In a situation where it is necessary to operate the bypass ratio changing unit so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process, the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection unit is not executed. For this reason, the temperature control unit can execute the temperature control process so as to appropriately control the bypass ratio to a required value.

Therefore, according to the basic configuration , the abnormality detection means can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means so as not to impair the temperature control performance of the hot water supplied to the tap water passage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the basic configuration, when a request for starting the operation of the heating source is generated for the temperature control process, the operation check of the operation device for the heating source is performed. When a predetermined initial check condition for performing heating is satisfied, an initial check means is provided for checking the operation of the heating source operating device before starting the operation of the heating source . Then , when a request for starting the operation of the heating source is generated, a state in which the operation check of the operation device for the heating source is performed is set as the specific state when the initial check condition is satisfied. It is characterized by.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection means is executed in a state where the operation check of the operation device of the heating source is performed. In this case, the operation check is executed in a state before the operation of the heating source is started. Therefore, the abnormality detection means can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means so as not to impair the temperature control performance of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet.

In the first invention, in the case of further comprising a temperature detection means for detecting a heat exchanger hot water temperature that is a temperature of the hot water flowing out from the heat exchanger in the heated water passage, the abnormality detection means, When a request for starting the operation of the heating source is generated, the operation state of the heat source unit is in a state in which the operation check of the operation device of the heating source is performed when the initial check condition is satisfied. In addition to the above, the abnormality detection process is executed on the condition that the detected value of the temperature of the heat exchanger tapping by the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the target temperature in the temperature control process. It is preferable that this is done ( second invention).

  Here, the situation where the detected value of the heat exchanger tapping temperature is higher than the target temperature in the temperature control process is that hot water having a temperature higher than the target temperature is present in the heated water passage. It is a situation that exists. In such a situation, in order to supply hot water having a temperature that matches or substantially matches the target temperature to the downstream side of the hot water supply passage, the hot water flowing through the heated water flow passage is quickly supplied with colder water from the bypass passage side. It is desirable to mix.

Therefore, in the second invention, the abnormality detection means further detects that the abnormality is detected on the condition that the detected value of the heat exchanger tapping temperature by the temperature detection means is equal to or lower than the target temperature in the temperature control process. Execute the process.

  Thereby, when the detected value of the heat exchanger tapping temperature is higher than the target temperature, the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection means is not executed. As a result, the temperature control means can quickly control the bypass ratio to an appropriate bypass ratio before starting the operation of the heating source. As a result, it is possible to control the temperature of the hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water outlet so that it quickly or substantially matches the target temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water existing in the heated water passage. Become.

Further, the present invention (third invention) is further characterized in that, in the basic configuration, after the operation of the heating source for the temperature control process is started, the bypass ratio becomes a minimum value of the variable range of the bypass ratio. The state in which the bypass ratio changing unit is controlled is set as the specific state, and the abnormality detection unit changes the bypass ratio for the temperature control process during the execution of the abnormality detection process. The anomaly detection process is interrupted when the bypass ratio changing means is in a state to be operated.

  Here, when the temperature (water supply temperature) of the water supplied from the water supply channel to the heated water flow channel and the bypass channel is lower than the target temperature and the difference between the water supply temperature and the target temperature is relatively large In the temperature control process, in order to raise the temperature of hot water supplied to the downstream side of the tap water path as quickly as possible, the bypass ratio control valve normally has the bypass ratio continuously for a certain period of time. It is controlled to maintain a minimum bypass ratio. The situation where the bypass ratio control valve is controlled to maintain the bypass ratio at the minimum bypass ratio in this way is a situation where it is not necessary to change the bypass ratio.

Therefore, in the third invention, after the operation of the heating source for the temperature control process is started, the bypass ratio control valve is controlled so that the bypass ratio becomes the minimum value of the variable range of the bypass ratio. Was set as the specific state.

Also in the third aspect of the invention, the abnormality detection means can execute the abnormality detection process in a state where it is not necessary to change the bypass ratio, so that the bypass ratio is maintained so as not to impair the control performance of the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet. The occurrence of abnormality in the changing means can be detected .
In the third aspect of the invention, it may be necessary to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process during the execution of the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection means.
For this reason, in the third aspect of the invention, the abnormality detection means should operate the bypass ratio changing means so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process during the execution of the abnormality detection process. The abnormality detection process is interrupted when the error occurs.
According to this, since the abnormality detection process is interrupted when the bypass ratio changing means should be operated so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process, the downstream side of the outlet channel The stability of the temperature control of the hot water supplied to the can be improved.

In the basic configuration of the present invention (fourth invention), the operation stop state of the heating source is set as the specific state, and the abnormality detection means is configured to execute the abnormality detection process. The abnormality detection process is interrupted when the bypass ratio changing means is to be operated so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the abnormality detection means executes the abnormality detection process when the heating source is stopped. Therefore, also in the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio changing means so as not to impair the temperature control performance of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply passage.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, during the execution of the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection unit, the temperature control process is started while the heating source is to be started or the heating source is being operated. In some cases, the bypass ratio changing means should be operated so as to change the bypass ratio in order to start the operation.

For this reason, in the fourth invention, the abnormality detection means is in a state where the operation of the heating source should be started during the execution of the abnormality detection process, or in order to start the temperature control process. that have the abnormality detecting process is configured to suspend when it becomes to the state to operate the bypass ratio changing means to change the bypass ratio.

According to this, when it becomes the state which should start the operation of the heating source, or the state where the bypass ratio changing means should be operated so as to change the bypass ratio in order to start the temperature control process Since the abnormality detection process is interrupted when the temperature of the hot water source reaches, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water outlet is controlled so as to coincide with or substantially coincide with the target temperature. be able to.

The first invention, the third invention, and the fourth invention can be combined with each other . Therefore, in the first to third inventions, the operation stop state of the heating source can be set as another specific state of the specific state (fifth invention).

The figure which shows the structure of the heat-source equipment of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process of the principal part of the controller shown in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the principal part of the controller shown in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the principal part of the controller shown in FIG. 1 in 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the heat source machine 1 of this embodiment is a water heater, for example. The water heater 1 includes a water heater body 2 on which a burner 3 or the like as a combustion type heating source is mounted, and a remote control unit 20 for operating the water heater 1.

  The water heater main body 2 is equipped with a burner 3, a heat exchanger 4, a heated water passage 5, a bypass passage 6, a water supply passage 7 and a hot water outlet 8.

  In the present embodiment, the burner 3 is a gas burner that burns fuel gas supplied through the gas supply path 10. Combustion air is supplied to the burner 3 by the operation of the combustion fan 9 mounted on the water heater body 2. A gas proportional valve 11 for controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 3 and a gas electromagnetic valve 12 for opening and closing the gas supply path 10 are interposed in the gas supply path 10.

  While the gas electromagnetic valve 12 is opened and the combustion air is supplied to the burner 3 by the combustion fan 9, the igniter (not shown) is operated to start the combustion operation of the burner 3. And the combustion amount (heating amount) of the burner 3 is controlled by controlling the gas proportional valve 11 during the operation of the burner 3.

  The burner 3 may be a burner that burns liquid fuel such as kerosene.

  The heat exchanger 4 is disposed facing the burner 3 so as to receive the combustion heat of the burner 3.

  The heated water passage 5 is a flow path in which hot water flowing through the inside is heated via the heat exchanger 4 by the combustion heat of the burner 3, and is piped so as to pass through the heat exchanger 4 at an intermediate portion thereof. Yes.

  A temperature sensor 13 for detecting the temperature of the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 4, which is the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the heat exchanger 4, is attached to the heated water passage 5 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 4. This temperature sensor 13 corresponds to the temperature detection means in the present invention.

  The bypass passage 6 is a passage through which water flows without passing through the heat exchanger 4 (bypass), and is connected in parallel to the heated passage 5. More specifically, the bypass passage 6 has one end (upstream end) branched from the heated water passage 5 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 4, and the other end (downstream end) of the bypass passage 6 is connected to the heat exchanger 4. It is connected to the heated water passage 5 so as to merge with the heated water passage 5 on the downstream side.

  The water supply passage 7 is a flow passage for supplying water to the heated water passage 5 and the bypass passage 6, and is connected to the upstream side of the heated water passage 5 and the bypass passage 6. The upstream portion of the water supply channel 7 is led out from the water heater body 2 and connected to a water supply source pipe such as a water pipe (not shown).

  And in the connection place of the water supply path 7, the to-be-heated water channel 5, and the bypass channel 6, it is the ratio (Q2 / Q1) of the water flow rate Q2 of the bypass channel 6 with respect to the water flow rate Q1 of the to-be-heated water channel 5. A bypass ratio control valve 14 is provided as bypass ratio changing means for changing the bypass ratio.

  The bypass ratio control valve 14 is constituted by, for example, an electric three-way valve (a three-way valve driven by an electric motor such as a stepping motor), one inlet port of which is connected to the water supply path 7, and two outlet ports are covered. The heating water passage 5 and the bypass 6 are connected to each other.

  By controlling the bypass ratio control valve 14 (specifically, energization control of an electric motor that is an actuator of the bypass ratio control valve 14), the bypass ratio (Q2 / Q1) can be varied within a range of 0 to 3, for example. Can be controlled automatically.

  For example, a flow rate control valve capable of variably controlling the water flow rate is provided in each of the heated water flow channel 5 and the bypass channel 6, and the bypass ratio changing means can be configured by these flow rate control valves. It is.

  The water supply path 7 is equipped with an electric water amount control valve 15 for controlling the water flow rate (water supply flow rate) of the water supply channel 7 and a water amount sensor 16 for detecting the water supply flow rate.

  The water amount control valve 15 is a control valve that can be operated in a closed state in which the water supply passage 7 is closed. By closing the water amount control valve 15, the water flow through the water supply passage 7 (and thus the tap water passage). 8 water flow) is blocked.

  The hot water outlet 8 is a flow path for supplying hot water to hot water outlets arranged at hot water supply target places such as a kitchen, a washroom, and a bathroom, and is connected to the downstream side of the heated water passage 5 and the bypass 6. Accordingly, mixed hot water obtained by mixing hot water supplied from the heated water passage 5 and water supplied from the bypass 6 flows through the hot water outlet 8.

  A downstream side portion of the hot water supply path 8 is led out from the hot water heater main body 2, and a terminal end (downstream end) is piped so as to reach the hot water supply port of the hot water supply target portion. And, for example, a currant 18 is connected to the hot water outlet at the end of the hot water outlet 8.

  In addition, a temperature sensor 19 that detects the temperature of the mixed hot water as the temperature of hot water supplied to the hot water supply port (hot water supply temperature) is attached to the upstream side portion of the hot water outlet 8.

  The water heater main body 2 is further equipped with a controller 21 that controls operation of the water heater 1. The controller 21 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like.

  The controller 21 can communicate with the remote control unit 20 by wire or wireless, and operation information of the remote control unit 20 by the user is input from the remote control unit 20. Further, the controller 21 receives detection signals from the temperature sensors 13 and 19 and the water amount sensor 16.

  The controller 21 controls the operation of the water heater 1 through the combustion fan 9, the gas proportional valve 11, the gas electromagnetic valve 12, the bypass ratio control valve 14, and the water amount control valve 15.

  The controller 21 is a function that detects the flow of water through the water supply path 7 based on the output of the water amount sensor 16 as a function that is realized by executing an installed program or a function that is realized by a hardware configuration. During the hot water supply operation in which the water detector 31 and the burner 3 perform the combustion operation, the temperature of the mixed hot water detected by the temperature sensor 19 (hereinafter referred to as the mixed hot water temperature) matches the target hot water temperature set by the remote control unit 20. The temperature control unit 32 for executing the temperature control process for controlling the combustion amount (heating amount) and the bypass ratio of the burner 3 so as to cause the combustion operation of the burner 3 (and hence the predetermined initial check condition). When a request to start (hot water supply operation) is started (hereinafter referred to as a hot water supply request), the operation unit of the burner 3 operating device is started before the combustion operation of the burner 3 is started. The initial check processing unit 33 that performs a check (hereinafter referred to as an initial check) and the operation state of the water heater 1 are determined in advance so as not to operate the bypass ratio control valve 14 so as to change the bypass ratio. An abnormality detection unit 34 that executes an abnormality detection process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14 with the specific state being a necessary condition. The target hot water supply temperature corresponds to the target temperature in the present invention.

  The remote control unit 20 is disposed in a kitchen, a washroom, a bathroom, and the like. In FIG. 1, only a single remote control unit 20 is shown, but a plurality of remote control units 20 may be provided.

  The remote control unit 20 includes a plurality of operation switches such as an operation switch 51 for instructing the controller 21 to turn on and off the water heater 1, a temperature setting switch 52 for setting a target hot water temperature, and the target hot water temperature or error information. The display 53 which displays etc. is provided.

  In addition, the ON state of the water heater 1 means a state in which water is heated by the combustion operation of the burner 3 (that is, a hot water supply operation) when the water supply passage 7 is passed. It means a state in which the burner 3 is not burned even if water is passed through the passage 7 (and consequently the water is not heated).

  The remote control unit 20 includes a remote control circuit 54 including a microcomputer, a communication circuit, etc. (not shown). By operating the remote control circuit 54, operation information of the operation switch 51, setting information such as a target hot water supply temperature, and the like. Is transmitted to the controller 21. Further, the remote control unit 20 displays the set value of the target hot water supply temperature, error information transmitted from the controller 21, and the like on the display unit 53 by the operation of the remote control circuit 54. In this case, the error information that can be displayed on the display unit 53 includes error information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in the state where the operation switch 51 of the remote control unit 20 is turned on (the water heater 1 is in an on state), the water flow detection unit 31 causes the water supply passage 7 to pass through the water (in detail, a predetermined amount The state where water flow equal to or higher than the water flow rate is detected is a state where the hot water supply request is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the initial check condition is that a hot water supply request is generated at a predetermined time (for example, 8 minutes) from the end of the previous hot water supply operation of the water heater 1 (at the end of the combustion operation of the burner 3). It is a condition that the timing is after elapses.

  In addition, the devices (operation devices for the burner 3) on which the initial check processing unit 33 performs the operation check are the combustion fan 9, the gas proportional valve 11, and the gas electromagnetic valve 12 in this embodiment.

  Further, the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 detected by the abnormality detection unit 34 is an abnormality of the energization circuit system of the electric motor (not shown) for driving the bypass ratio control valve 14 in the present embodiment. Specifically, the abnormality is, for example, an abnormality such as a winding coil of each phase of the electric motor for driving the bypass ratio control valve 14 or disconnection of the energization path, or a short circuit of the winding coil. These abnormalities can be detected based on the detected value of the current in the energization path of the winding coil of the electric motor.

  In this embodiment, two types of specific states are set as the specific state related to the necessary condition for executing the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection unit 34. One specific state is a state in which the operation check of the operation equipment of the burner 3 is performed by the initial check processing unit 33, and the other specific state is an operation stop state of the burner 3 (specifically, a hot water supply request is made). (Operation stop state before occurrence).

  Supplementally, the temperature adjustment control unit 32, the initial check processing unit 33, and the abnormality detection unit 34 of the controller 21 correspond to the temperature adjustment control unit, the initial check unit, and the abnormality detection unit in the present invention, respectively.

  Next, the operation of the water heater 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the operation for starting the hot water supply operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  In STEP 1, the controller 21 monitors whether or not a hot water supply request has occurred.

  Specifically, the controller 21 determines whether or not the water supply passage 7 is water-flowing according to the opening of the currant 18 or the like when the operation switch 51 of the remote control unit 20 is turned on (the water heater 1 is turned on). The water flow detector 31 sequentially monitors and detects the occurrence of a hot water supply request when the water flow is detected.

  In this case, when the detected value of the water flow rate (feed water flow rate) of the water supply path 7 indicated by the output of the water amount sensor 16 is greater than a predetermined flow rate, the water flow detection unit 31 Detects water flow.

  For example, a water flow switch that is turned on when the water flow rate of the water supply channel 7 becomes larger than a predetermined flow rate is provided in the water supply channel 7 (or the hot water supply channel 8), and water supply is performed based on the output of the water flow switch. You may make it detect the water flow of the path 7. FIG.

  When the controller 21 detects the occurrence of a hot water supply request in STEP 1, it next determines in STEP 2 whether an initial check condition is satisfied.

  In the present embodiment, the initial check condition is that the timing (current time) at which the occurrence of the current hot water supply request is detected is the timing after a predetermined time (for example, 8 minutes) has elapsed since the end of the previous hot water supply operation. It is a condition. However, the initial check condition may be a condition other than the above.

  When the initial check condition is satisfied (when the determination result of STEP 2 is affirmative), the controller 21 starts the initial check of the operation equipment of the burner 3 by the initial check processing unit 33 in STEP 3.

  In the initial check process, the initial check processing unit 33 checks the operation of the combustion fan 9, the gas proportional valve 11 and the gas solenoid valve 12 (operational check for normal operation). )I do. The time required for the initial check process is, for example, about 3 seconds.

  Further, when the initial check condition is satisfied in STEP2, the controller 21 executes the determination process in STEP4. In STEP 4, the controller 21 determines whether or not the current detected value of the heat exchanger hot water temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 13 is equal to or lower than the target hot water temperature set by the remote control unit 20.

  Here, when the current detection value of the heat exchanger tapping temperature is higher than the target hot water supply temperature (when the determination result in STEP 4 is negative), the heated water passage 5 has a temperature higher than the target hot water supply temperature. Hot water is present.

  For this reason, in order to prevent hot water having a temperature higher than the target hot water supply temperature from being supplied to the hot water supply port of the hot water supply channel 8, immediately after the start of water flow through the water supply channel 7, the heated water flow channel 5 It is desirable to control the bypass ratio control valve 14 so that an appropriate amount of water is mixed with hot hot water via the bypass 6. In this case, generally, since the initial bypass ratio does not match the appropriate bypass ratio, it is necessary to control the bypass ratio control valve 14 so as to change the bypass ratio quickly.

  Therefore, if the determination result in STEP 4 is negative, the controller 21 omits the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection unit 34 and determines in STEP 8 whether or not the initial check process by the initial check processing unit 33 is completed. to decide.

  Then, when the initial check is completed (when the determination result of STEP 8 is affirmative), the controller 21 starts the control process by the temperature control unit 32 in STEP 9.

  Further, the controller 21 starts the control process by the temperature control unit 32 in STEP 9 even when the initial check condition is not satisfied in STEP 2. Here, in STEP2, the situation where the initial check condition is not satisfied is a situation where the hot water supply operation is repeated at a relatively short time interval. Since such a situation can be regarded as substantially equivalent to a situation where the hot water supply operation is continuously performed, the initial check is omitted.

  In STEP 9, the temperature control unit 32 supplies the fuel gas to the burner 3 by opening the gas electromagnetic valve 12 and supplies the combustion air to the burner 3 by operating the combustion fan 9. Then, an igniter (not shown) is operated. Thereby, the burner 3 is ignited and the combustion operation of the burner 3 is started.

  Then, the temperature control unit 32 executes a temperature control process for making the mixed hot water temperature coincide with or substantially coincide with the target hot water supply temperature. In this temperature control process, the temperature control unit 32 determines the detected value of the water flow rate (feed water flow rate) of the water supply path 7 indicated by the output of the water amount sensor 16 and the mixed hot water temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 19. By using the detected value and the target hot water temperature set by the remote control unit 20 to execute a predetermined calculation process, the target combustion amount and bypass ratio of the burner 3 for making the mixed hot water temperature coincide with the target hot water temperature. And the target value of the feed water flow rate are respectively determined.

  And the temperature control part 32 controls the fuel supply amount to the burner 3 by controlling the gas proportional valve 11 according to the target combustion amount so that the burner 3 is combusted with the target combustion amount.

  Moreover, the temperature control unit 32 controls the bypass ratio control valve 14 according to the target value of the bypass ratio, thereby controlling the actual bypass ratio to the target value and controlling the water amount according to the target value of the feed water flow rate. By controlling the opening degree of the valve 15, the actual water supply flow rate is controlled to the target value.

  Thus, the actual mixed hot water temperature is controlled so as to coincide with or substantially coincide with the target hot water temperature, and hot water supply at the target hot water temperature is performed from the hot water outlet 8. It should be noted that the target value of the feed water flow rate in the temperature control process or the opening of the water amount control valve 15 may be kept constant.

  Supplementally, when the determination result in STEP 4 is negative, the temperature adjustment control unit 32 causes the mixed hot water temperature to coincide with the target hot water supply temperature even during execution of the initial check process by the initial check processing unit 33. The target value of the bypass ratio is variably determined successively, and the bypass ratio control valve 14 is controlled according to the target value.

  If the determination result in STEP 4 is affirmative, the controller 21 causes the abnormality detection unit 34 to generate an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14 in STEP 5 in parallel with the initial check processing by the initial check processing unit 33. Anomaly detection processing to detect is started.

  In this case, the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection unit 34 is executed as follows, for example. That is, the abnormality detection unit 34 temporarily energizes the winding coils of each phase of the electric motor (not shown) for driving the bypass ratio control valve 14 (specifically, the bypass specified by the bypass ratio control valve 14). The current is temporarily energized so that the change in the ratio falls within a minute amount), and the energization current is detected by an appropriate current sensor. Then, the abnormality detection unit 34 compares the detected value of the energization current with a predetermined threshold value to generate an abnormality such as disconnection or short circuit of the winding coil of each phase of the electric motor (abnormality of the energization circuit system). Is detected.

  It should be noted that each time the energization coil 34 of the electric motor is temporarily energized, the abnormality detection unit 34 restores the original rotational position of the rotor of the electric motor (and hence the operating position of the valve body of the bypass ratio control valve 14) after the energization. It is desirable to energize the winding coil of the electric motor so as to return it to the position.

  After starting the abnormality detection process, the controller 21 monitors in STEP 6 whether or not an abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is detected by the abnormality detection process. When the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14 is detected (when the determination result in STEP 6 becomes affirmative), the controller 21 prohibits the combustion operation of the burner 3 in STEP 10 and bypasses the bypass. A command for notifying that the abnormality of the ratio control valve 14 has occurred is transmitted to the remote control unit 20.

  At this time, the remote controller control circuit 54 of the remote controller unit 20 performs an error display indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the bypass ratio control valve 14 on the display 53. Thereby, the user or the like is notified through the remote control unit 20 that the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 has occurred.

  In addition to or in place of the error display, notification by voice or alarm sound may be performed.

  If the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is not detected in STEP 6, the controller 21 determines in STEP 7 whether or not the abnormality detection process for the bypass ratio control valve 14 has been completed. The time required for the abnormality detection process is shorter than the time required for the initial check process (for example, about 1.2 to 1.6 seconds), and ends during the execution of the initial check process.

  When the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is completed without detecting the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 (when the determination result of STEP 7 becomes affirmative), the controller 21 Then, in STEP 8, it is determined whether or not the initial check process has been completed.

  When the initial check process is completed and the determination result in STEP 8 becomes affirmative, the controller 21 executes the process of the temperature control unit 32 described above in STEP 9. Thereby, the combustion operation of the burner 3 is started, and further, the combustion amount, bypass ratio, and feed water flow rate of the burner 3 are controlled so that the mixed hot water temperature matches the target hot water temperature.

  In the initial check process, if an abnormality in the operation of the combustion fan 9, the gas proportional valve 11 or the gas solenoid valve 12 is detected, the controller 21 prohibits the burner 3 from being operated in the same manner as in STEP10. At the same time, the remote control unit 20 is notified of error information indicating that the operation abnormality has been detected.

  Moreover, when the water flow of the water supply path 7 is stopped, the controller 21 detects the stop of the water flow because the detected value of the water flow rate by the water amount sensor 16 is smaller than a predetermined value. At this time, the controller 21 shuts off the supply of the fuel gas to the burner 3 by closing the gas electromagnetic valve 12. Thereby, the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped.

  Next, the operation while the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped (while the hot water supply operation is stopped when the hot water heater 1 is on) will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped, the determination result of STEP 21 becomes affirmative. At this time, in STEP 22, the controller 21 causes the abnormality detection unit 34 to start an abnormality detection process for detecting occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14. This abnormality detection process is executed in the same manner as in STEP5.

  Here, when a hot water supply request (and hence a request for the combustion operation of the burner 3) occurs during the execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14, control should be performed so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process. A request may occur.

  Therefore, the controller 21 determines whether or not a hot water supply request has occurred in STEP23 as in STEP1.

  If the determination result in STEP 23 becomes affirmative when a hot water supply request is generated during the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14, the controller 21 performs bypass ratio control by the abnormality detection unit 34 in STEP 27. The abnormality detection process for the valve 14 is interrupted. Further, the controller 21 starts the combustion operation of the burner 3 by the temperature control unit 32 and executes the temperature control process in STEP 28 as in STEP 9.

  In this case, the situation in which the determination result in STEP 23 is affirmative is a situation in which a hot water supply request is generated again immediately after the end of the previous hot water supply operation, and therefore the initial check processing by the initial check processing unit 33 is executed. Not.

  If the hot water supply request is not generated during the execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 and the determination result in STEP 23 becomes negative, the controller 21 detects the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 by the abnormality detection process. Whether or not it has been done is monitored in STEP24. When occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14 is detected (when the determination result in STEP 24 is affirmative), the controller 21 performs the combustion operation of the burner 3 in STEP 29 as in STEP 10 above. Is prohibited, and the remote control unit 20 makes a notification (error display) indicating that an abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 has occurred.

  When the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is not detected in STEP 24, the controller 21 determines in STEP 25 whether or not the abnormality detection process for the bypass ratio control valve 14 has been completed.

  Then, when the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is finished without detecting the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 (when the determination result of STEP 25 is affirmative), the controller 21 The system waits until a hot water supply request is generated (STEP 26).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the bypass ratio control valve is operated during the initial check process in which the operation check of the operation device of the burner 3 is performed by the initial check processing unit 33 or when the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped. 14 abnormality detection processing is executed by the abnormality detection unit 34.

  For this reason, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is executed in a situation where it is not necessary to change the bypass ratio, and is not executed in a situation where the bypass ratio needs to be changed for the temperature control process.

  In particular, even in the situation where the initial check process is executed, the situation where the detected value of the heat exchanger hot water temperature is higher than the target hot water temperature, that is, the temperature of hot water supplied to the hot water outlet at the downstream end of the hot water outlet 8 is determined. In a situation where it is highly necessary to appropriately control the bypass ratio before the start of the combustion operation of the burner 3 in order to match or substantially match the target hot water supply temperature, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is not executed. .

  Therefore, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 can be executed at an appropriate timing without impairing the performance of the control performance of the mixed hot water temperature by the temperature control unit 32.

  Further, if a hot water supply request is generated during the execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 while the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped (as a result, a request for the combustion operation of the burner 3 is generated), the abnormality detection process is performed. Interrupted. For this reason, as long as the bypass ratio control valve 14 is normal, the combustion operation of the burner 3 can be started in a state where the bypass ratio can be controlled via the bypass ratio control valve 14. As a result, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water outlet at the downstream end of the hot water outlet 8 can be quickly controlled to the target hot water temperature.

  Supplementally, in the present embodiment, when a hot water supply request is generated during the execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14, the abnormality detection process is interrupted. In a situation where the target value of the bypass ratio for temperature control becomes a target value that maintains the value of the bypass ratio during the combustion operation of the burner 3, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is continued. After the hot water supply request is generated, the bypass ratio control valve 14 is abnormal in a situation where a request for changing the target value of the bypass ratio from the bypass ratio value during the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped for temperature control. The detection process may be interrupted.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in a part of the control process of the controller 21, and thus the description of the same matters as the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is executed during the execution of the initial check process and when the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is executed in a specific state during the combustion operation of the burner 3 and when the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped. In this case, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 while the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Below, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 during the combustion operation of the burner 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In STEP 31, the controller 21 determines whether or not the burner 3 is in a combustion operation. When the burner 3 is in the combustion operation (when the determination result in STEP 31 is affirmative), the controller 21 further determines in STEP 32 whether or not the bypass ratio is the minimum bypass ratio. . In this case, specifically, in STEP 32, the target value of the bypass ratio that is sequentially determined by the temperature control unit 32 for temperature control is the minimum value of the variable range of the bypass ratio (zero in the present embodiment). It is determined whether or not.

  Here, in the case where the hot water supply operation is started in a situation where the feed water temperature is lower than the target hot water temperature, in order to raise the mixed hot water temperature to the target hot water temperature as early as possible, the temperature control unit 32 is In the initial stage of the hot water supply operation, the target value of the bypass ratio is continuously set to the minimum bypass ratio for a certain period of time (for example, about 6 to 8 seconds).

  For this reason, the situation where the determination result of STEP 32 is affirmative is the situation where the bypass ratio control valve 14 is controlled so that the bypass ratio is continuously maintained at the minimum bypass ratio for a certain period of time, in other words, This is a specific state that does not require changing the bypass ratio.

  Therefore, if the determination result in STEP 32 is negative, the controller 21 continues the determination process from STEP 31, while if the determination result in STEP 32 is positive, the abnormality detection unit 34 in STEP 33. Then, abnormality detection processing for detecting the occurrence of abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is started. This abnormality detection process is executed in the same manner as STEP 5 in the first embodiment.

  Next, in STEP 34, the controller 21 has a request to control the bypass ratio control valve 14 so as to change the bypass ratio by the temperature control process (specifically, the target value of the bypass ratio is changed from the minimum bypass ratio). Determine whether or not.

  In this case, when the target value of the bypass ratio determined by the temperature control unit 32 is determined to be different from the minimum bypass ratio, the determination result of STEP 34 is affirmative.

  If the determination result in STEP 34 is affirmative, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 by the abnormality detection unit 34 is interrupted in STEP 38. Further, in STEP 37, the controller 21 performs the temperature control process in the same manner as STEP 9 in the first embodiment while continuing the combustion operation of the burner 3 by the temperature control unit 32.

  If the determination result of STEP 34 is negatively maintained during execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 (when the bypass ratio is maintained at the minimum bypass ratio), the controller 21 Whether or not the occurrence of abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is detected by the detection process is monitored in STEP 35. When the occurrence of an abnormality in the bypass ratio control valve 14 is detected (when the determination result in STEP 35 is affirmative), the controller 21 determines in STEP 39 as in STEP 10 in the first embodiment. While the combustion operation of the burner 3 is prohibited, the remote control unit 20 performs notification (error display) indicating that the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 has occurred.

  When the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is not detected in STEP 35, the controller 21 determines in STEP 36 whether or not the abnormality detection process for the bypass ratio control valve 14 has been completed.

  When the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is completed without detecting the occurrence of the abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 (when the determination result in STEP 35 is affirmative), the controller 21 In STEP 37, the temperature adjustment control unit 32 executes the temperature adjustment control process while continuing the combustion operation of the burner 3.

  In addition, when the water flow of the water supply path 7 is stopped during the combustion operation of the burner 3 (during the hot water supply operation), the controller 21 detects that the detected value of the water flow rate by the water amount sensor 16 is smaller than a predetermined value. Therefore, the stop of the water flow is detected. At this time, the controller 21 shuts off the supply of the fuel gas to the burner 3 by closing the gas electromagnetic valve 12. Thereby, the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped.

  Then, when the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped, the controller 21 executes the process of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment described above, an abnormality of the bypass ratio control valve 14 occurs in a situation where the bypass ratio is maintained at the minimum bypass ratio during the combustion operation of the burner 3 or while the combustion operation of the burner 3 is stopped. Detection processing is executed by the abnormality detection unit 34.

  For this reason, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 is executed in a situation where it is not necessary to change the bypass ratio, and is not executed in a situation where the bypass ratio needs to be changed for the temperature control process.

  Therefore, the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 can be executed at an appropriate timing without impairing the performance of the control performance of the mixed hot water temperature by the temperature control unit 32.

  Further, if a hot water supply request is generated during the execution of the abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 (as a result, a request for the combustion operation of the burner 3 is generated), the abnormality detection process is interrupted. For this reason, as long as the bypass ratio control valve 14 is normal, it is possible to appropriately control the bypass ratio variably through the bypass ratio control valve 14 by the temperature control process.

[Modification]
Next, some modifications of each embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, when the initial check condition is not satisfied in STEP 2, after the combustion operation of the burner 3 is started, the processing from STEP 32 described in the second embodiment is executed, and the bypass with the smallest bypass ratio is performed. The abnormality detection process of the bypass ratio control valve 14 may be executed in a state where the ratio is maintained.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the water flow control valve 15 was provided, this water flow control valve 15 may be abbreviate | omitted.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the burner 3 was provided as a heating source, the heating source of the heat source apparatus of this invention may be heating sources other than a combustion type (electric heating type heating source etc.).

  In addition, the heat source apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a heat source apparatus that performs only a hot water supply function, but may be a bath water heater that has a hot water function for a bathtub, or a heat source apparatus such as a heating water heater that has a heating function. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water heater (heat source machine), 3 ... Burner (heating source), 4 ... Heat exchanger, 5 ... Heated water passage, 6 ... Bypass passage, 7 ... Water supply passage, 8 ... Hot water passage, 13 ... Temperature sensor ( Temperature detecting means), 14 ... Bypass ratio control valve (bypass ratio changing means), 32 ... Temperature control section (temperature control means), 33 ... Initial check processing section (initial check means), 34 ... Abnormality detection section (abnormal) Detection means).

Claims (5)

A heated water passage provided via a heat exchanger heated by a heating source, a bypass passage connected in parallel to the heated water passage, and an upstream side of the heated water passage and the bypass passage The bypass ratio, which is the ratio of the water flow rate of the bypass channel to the water flow rate of the heated water channel, the hot water channel connected to the downstream side of the heated channel and the bypass channel, and the water flow rate of the heated channel A bypass ratio changing means for controlling the temperature of the hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water supply channel when passing through the water supply channel to a target temperature, and the heating amount of the heating source is variable. And a temperature control means for variably controlling the bypass ratio via the bypass ratio changing means, and a heat source machine comprising:
Determining whether the operating state of the heat source device is a predetermined specific state that does not require the bypass ratio changing means to operate so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process An abnormality detection means for executing an abnormality detection process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality of the bypass ratio changing means, assuming that the operating state of the heat source machine is the specific state ,
When a request to start the operation of the heating source for the temperature control process occurs, when a predetermined initial check condition for performing an operation check of the operation device of the heating source is satisfied, Before starting the operation of the heating source, comprising an initial check means for performing an operation check of the operation device of the heating source,
When the request for starting the operation of the heating source is generated, the state in which the operation check of the operation device for the heating source is performed as the initial check condition is satisfied is set as the specific state. A heat source machine characterized by that. The heat source machine according to claim 1 ,
A temperature detecting means for detecting a heat exchanger tapping temperature which is a temperature of hot water flowing out of the heat exchanger in the heated water passage;
When the request for starting the operation of the heating source is generated, the abnormality detection means determines that the operating state of the heat source unit is the operation of the heating source operating device when the initial check condition is satisfied. In addition to being in a state where a check is performed, the abnormality detection process is performed on the condition that the detected value of the heat exchanger tapping temperature by the temperature detection means is a temperature equal to or lower than the target temperature in the temperature control process. A heat source machine configured to perform A heated water passage provided via a heat exchanger heated by a heating source, a bypass passage connected in parallel to the heated water passage, and an upstream side of the heated water passage and the bypass passage The bypass ratio, which is the ratio of the water flow rate of the bypass channel to the water flow rate of the heated water channel, the hot water channel connected to the downstream side of the heated channel and the bypass channel, and the water flow rate of the heated channel A bypass ratio changing means for controlling the temperature of the hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water supply channel when passing through the water supply channel to a target temperature, and the heating amount of the heating source is variable. And a temperature control means for variably controlling the bypass ratio via the bypass ratio changing means, and a heat source machine comprising:
Determining whether the operating state of the heat source device is a predetermined specific state that does not require the bypass ratio changing means to operate so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process And, provided that the operating state of the heat source machine is the specific state, provided with an abnormality detection means for executing an abnormality detection process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality of the bypass ratio changing means ,
After the operation of the heating source for the temperature control process is started, a state in which the bypass ratio changing unit is controlled so that the bypass ratio becomes a minimum value of a variable range of the bypass ratio is set as the specific state. And
When the abnormality detection unit is in a state where the bypass ratio changing unit should be operated so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process during the abnormality detection process, the abnormality detection process is performed. A heat source machine that is configured to interrupt . A heated water passage provided via a heat exchanger heated by a heating source, a bypass passage connected in parallel to the heated water passage, and an upstream side of the heated water passage and the bypass passage The bypass ratio, which is the ratio of the water flow rate of the bypass channel to the water flow rate of the heated water channel, the hot water channel connected to the downstream side of the heated channel and the bypass channel, and the water flow rate of the heated channel A bypass ratio changing means for controlling the temperature of the hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water supply channel when passing through the water supply channel to a target temperature, and the heating amount of the heating source is variable. And a temperature control means for variably controlling the bypass ratio via the bypass ratio changing means, and a heat source machine comprising:
Determining whether the operating state of the heat source device is a predetermined specific state that does not require the bypass ratio changing means to operate so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process And, provided that the operating state of the heat source machine is the specific state, provided with an abnormality detection means for executing an abnormality detection process for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality of the bypass ratio changing means ,
The operation stop state of the heating source is set as the specific state,
When the abnormality detection unit is in a state where the bypass ratio changing unit should be operated so as to change the bypass ratio for the temperature control process during the abnormality detection process, the abnormality detection process is performed. A heat source machine that is configured to interrupt . In the heat source machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
  The heat source machine, wherein the operation stop state of the heating source is set as another specific state of the specific state.