JP6036595B2 - Hot water supply apparatus and abnormality detection method for hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus and an abnormality detection method for a hot water supply apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a hot water supply apparatus capable of mixing bubbles for promoting a bathing effect into a bathtub when chasing the bathtub water stored in the bathtub. In such a hot water supply apparatus, the bath return pipe that flows from the bathtub to the hot water supply apparatus and the bath return pipe through which the circulating bath water flows from the hot water supply apparatus to the bathtub are connected to the bathtub adapter attached to the wall surface of the bathtub. At this time, when a polar bathtub adapter designated for connecting the forward and backward pipings is used, there is a possibility that a construction failure occurs in which these pipings are connected in reverse.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a mechanism that blocks a flow in a direction opposite to a predetermined flow is provided by providing a check valve in a bubble jet flow path of a bathtub adapter. According to such a configuration, since the circulating flow is not generated when the pipe is reversely connected, the builder can detect the erroneous connection.

JP 2010-96386 A

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the reverse connection determination is performed based on whether or not a circulation flow is generated, it is not possible to distinguish from other problems that induce a decrease in the circulation flow rate, such as clogging of the bottom pipe. There is. In addition, bathtub adapters are often used in a narrow space, and are required to be as compact as possible. In this respect, since the bathtub adapter of Patent Document 1 employs a check valve structure, there is a concern that the bathtub adapter becomes larger than necessary or that the cost is increased due to an increase in the number of parts. Furthermore, the bathtub adapter of Patent Document 1 has a reduced circulation flow rate due to an increase in pressure loss in the flow path due to the check valve structure, and there are also problems such as an increase in hot water time and an increase in follow-up time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that can accurately detect an erroneous connection of the bath circulation circuit with a simple configuration.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality detection method for a hot water supply apparatus that can accurately detect an erroneous connection of a bath circulation circuit with a simple configuration.

  A hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a bath passage for introducing hot water into a bathtub, a bath return passage for leading hot water from the bathtub, a bubble introduction device for generating bubbles, and heat exchange. A bath circulation circuit composed of a bath return pipe connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger, a bath return pipe connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger, and a bath return pipe, a heat exchanger and a bath piping for the hot water derived from the bathtub. The water circulation pump that circulates in this order and returns to the bathtub, the water flow detection means that emits a signal corresponding to the water flow of the water circulation circuit, and the water flow detection means based on the pulsation of the water flow detected by the water flow detection means And a control unit for determining whether or not the connection state of the circulation circuit is normal.

  Further, the abnormality detection method for a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a flow passage for introducing hot water into a bathtub, a flow return passage for deriving hot water from the bathtub, and a bubble that generates bubbles in the flow passage. An abnormality determination method for a hot water supply apparatus comprising a bath circulation circuit comprising an introduction device, a bath return pipe connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and a bath piping connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger, A circulation step that circulates hot water and water derived from the flow in the order of the return pipe, the heat exchanger, and the return pipe, and returns to the bathtub, and a water flow detection step that detects a signal corresponding to the water flow in the bottom circulation circuit during the execution of the circulation step; When the water flow detection step detects that the water flow is not normally generated more than a predetermined number of times, the flow return pipe and the flow return pipe are connected to the flow return path and the flow return path. A determining step of determining that the state is the reverse connection, but with a.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the hot water supply apparatus which can detect the reverse connection of bathing pipe and bathtub adapter with a simple structure with high precision.

  Moreover, according to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the abnormality detection method of the hot water supply apparatus which can detect the reverse connection of bathing pipe and a bathtub adapter with a simple structure accurately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a whole block diagram which shows the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram which shows hot water operation. It is a circuit block diagram which shows bathtub water circulation driving | operation. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which fractures | ruptures and shows a bathtub adapter by the vertical surface containing a central axis. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the state by which the return pipe and the forward piping were reversely connected to the bathtub adapter. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which fractures | ruptures and shows the bathtub adapter to which the bath return channel | path and the bathing channel | path were reversely connected by the vertical surface containing a central axis. It is a figure which shows the time change of the flow switch output at the time of performing bath water circulation driving | running | working in the state in which the bathtub adapter, the bath return path, and the bath path were reversely connected. It is a whole block diagram which shows the other example of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart which shows the routine with which a control part determines reverse connection of the full circuit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which fractures | ruptures and shows an ejector by the vertical surface along the flow of bathtub water.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, the description about embodiment of this invention demonstrates a hot-water supply apparatus as a hot water storage type hot-water supply machine.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a hot water storage type water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, a hot water storage type water heater 100 according to this embodiment includes a hot water storage tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 60 configured to use a heat pump cycle.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 60 are connected via a heat pump inlet pipe 41 and a heat pump outlet pipe 42. The hot water tank unit 1 includes a control unit 70. A remote controller 71 that displays the operating state of the hot water storage hot water heater 100 is connected to the controller 70. Operations of various valves, pumps, and the like included in the hot water storage tank unit 1 and the heat pump unit 60 are controlled by a control unit 70 that is electrically connected to these devices. Hereinafter, each component of the hot water storage type water heater 100 will be described.

  The heat pump unit 60 is for heating (boiling) the low temperature water led from the hot water storage tank unit 1 by a heat pump cycle. The heat pump unit 60 includes a compressor 61, a heating heat exchanger 62, an expansion valve 63, and an air heat exchanger 64, and a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle) in which these devices are connected in an annular shape by a refrigerant circulation pipe 65. It is equipped with. The heating heat exchanger 62 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation pipe 65 and the low-temperature water taken out from the hot water storage tank unit 1. The heat pump outlet side thermistor 66 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the high-temperature water that has flowed out of the boiling heat exchanger 62, and is provided in the heat pump outlet pipe 42. In order to obtain high-temperature water with the heat pump unit 60, the heat pump cycle is preferably operated at a pressure exceeding the critical pressure using carbon dioxide as the refrigerant.

  On the other hand, the hot water storage tank unit 1 includes the following various parts, piping, and the like. The hot water storage tank 10 is for storing hot water. A water supply pipe 2 for supplying city water is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10, and a hot water supply pipe 3 for supplying the stored hot water to the outside of the water heater is secondly connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10. It is branched from the tank upper pipe 44 and connected. In addition, the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 60 is introduced into the hot water storage tank 10 from the upper part of the tank, and the low temperature water is introduced from the lower part of the tank through the water supply pipe 2, thereby Hot water is stored so that a temperature difference occurs in the lower part.

  Further, the remaining hot water thermistors 11 and 12 for detecting the temperature distribution of hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 by changing the mounting height are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 10. Based on the temperature distribution acquired by these remaining hot water thermistors 11 and 12, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is grasped, and the start and stop of the hot water boiling operation in the hot water storage tank 10 by the heat pump unit 60 is controlled. Is done.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a heat source pump 21 and a use side heat exchanger 22. The heat source pump 21 is a pump for circulating hot water through various pipes to be described later in the hot water storage tank unit 1. The use side heat exchanger 22 is a heat exchanger for heating the secondary side bathtub circulating water using the high temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 10 or the heat pump unit 60.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 also includes a first three-way valve 31, a second three-way valve 32, a four-way valve 33, and a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 34. Each of the first three-way valve 31 and the second three-way valve 32 has two inlets (a port and b port) through which hot water flows and one outlet (c port) through which hot water flows out, a, The hot water path can be switched so that hot water flows in from either one of the b ports. The four-way valve 33 has two inlets (b port and c port) through which hot water flows in and two outlets (a port and d port) through which hot water flows out, and has three paths, that is, ab, The flow path configuration can be switched between b-d and c-d. The bath hot water solenoid valve 34 is provided in the middle of the bath hot water supply pipe 35 connected between the upper port of the hot water storage tank 10 and the bath forward pipe 57, and supplies the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 to the bathtub 50. It opens in case.

  The hot water storage tank unit 1 includes a tank lower pipe 40, the heat pump inlet pipe 41, the heat pump outlet pipe 42, a first tank upper pipe 43, a second tank upper pipe 44, a tank return pipe 45, and a use side heat exchange. A primary side (heat source side) inlet pipe 46, a use side heat exchanger primary side outlet pipe 47, a bypass pipe 48 and an upper return pipe 49 are provided. More specifically, the tank lower pipe 40 is a flow path that connects a takeout port (first lower part) provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 and the a port of the second three-way valve 32. The heat pump inlet pipe 41 is a flow path that connects the c port of the first three-way valve 31 and the inlet side of the heat pump unit 60, and the heat pump outlet pipe 42 is the outlet side of the heat pump unit 60 and the c port of the four-way valve 33. Is a flow path connecting the two. The first tank upper pipe 43 is a flow path that connects a take-out port (second upper part) provided between the central portion and the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 10 and the a port of the first three-way valve 31. The second tank upper pipe 44 is a flow path that connects the first upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 and the b port of the first three-way valve 31. The tank return pipe 45 is a flow path that connects the a port of the four-way valve 33 and a return port (second lower part) provided between the central part and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10. The use side heat exchanger primary side inlet pipe 46 is a flow path connected to the c port of the first three-way valve 31 and the primary side inlet of the use side heat exchanger 22, and the use side heat exchanger The primary outlet pipe 47 is a flow path that connects the primary outlet of the use side heat exchanger 22 and the b port of the first three-way valve 31. Further, the bypass pipe 48 is a flow path that branches from between the first three-way valve 31 and the inlet side of the heat pump unit 60 in the heat pump inlet pipe 41 and is connected to the b port of the four-way valve 33, and an upper return pipe. 49 is a flow path connected to the d port of the four-way valve 33 and the middle of the second tank upper pipe 44.

  Next, a circuit on the bathtub 50 side connected to the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 will be described. In the bathtub 50, the bathtub adapter 80 installed on the wall surface of the bathtub 50, the use-side heat exchanger 22, and the bath return that draws the bathtub water from the bathtub adapter 80 and flows into the inlet of the use-side heat exchanger 22. A piping 56, a bath piping 57 for allowing the bath water flowing out from the outlet of the use side heat exchanger 22 to flow into the bath adapter 80, a bath circulation pump 52, a bath outlet side thermistor 53, a bubble introducing device 55, A flow switch 58 is attached.

  More specifically, the bath circulation pump 52 circulates the bath water led out from the bath 50 through the bath adapter 80 in the order of the bath return pipe 56, the use-side heat exchanger 22, and the bath run-out pipe 57, and again the bath adapter. It is circulated to the bathtub 50 via 80 and is provided in the middle of the bath return pipe 56. Further, on the upstream side of the bath circulation pump 52 in the bath return pipe 56, the bath outlet side thermistor 53 for detecting the temperature of the bath water led out from the bath 50, and the circulating water flow rate of the bath water became a predetermined value or more. In this case, a flow switch 58 is provided as a water flow detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the circulating water flow of the bathtub water when the switch is turned on. The bubble introducing device 55 mixes bubbles into the bathtub water flowing into the bathtub 50 via the bathtub adapter 80, and is provided at a connection portion between the bath pipe 57 and the bathtub adapter 80. The introduction of air into the bubble introducing device 55 is controlled by opening and closing the air electromagnetic valve 36 connected via the air tube 37. The bathtub adapter 80 is used to connect the bath return pipe 56 and the bath forward pipe 57 to the bath 50, and is disposed on the downstream side (outflow side) of the bubble introduction device 55. Yes. In addition, about the structure of the bathtub adapter 80, the detail is mentioned later.

  Next, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, the basic driving | operation relevant to the bathtub 50 among the driving | operations of the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing hot water operation, and FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram showing bathtub water circulation operation. First, the hot water operation will be described. In this operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 34 is opened, and the hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied with the return piping 56 and the outgoing piping. 57. Thereby, hot water can be stretched in the bathtub 50.

  On the other hand, the bathtub water circulation operation is used, for example, when bathing in a state where bubbles are generated in the bathtub 50. In the bathtub water circulation operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the bath water is circulated between the bathtub 50, the bath return pipe 56, and the bath pipe 57 by operating the bath circulation pump 52. Then, by opening the air electromagnetic valve 36, air is introduced into the bubble introducing device 55 through the air tube 37. Thereby, fine bubbles are generated from the bubble introducing device 55, and the bathtub water in which the fine bubbles are mixed is supplied into the bathtub 50 through the bathtub adapter 80.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the bathtub adapter 80 and its function are demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the bathtub adapter by cutting along a vertical plane including the central axis. As shown in this figure, the bathtub adapter 80 is, for example, a polar adapter that is installed on the wall surface of the bathtub 50 and connects the bathtub 50 to the return pipe 56 and the forward pipe 57. The bathtub adapter 80 includes a bathtub fitting 81, a partition plate 82, a discharge nozzle 83, and an adapter cover 84. The partition plate 82 is provided with a suction port 85 for sucking in the bathtub water. The bathtub fitting 81 is provided with a tubular passage 87 for introducing bathtub water into the bathtub 50 and a tubular return passage 86 for extracting bathtub water from the bathtub 50. The bath return passage 86 is connected to the bath return pipe 56 of the bath circulation circuit 51. Further, the forward passage 87 is connected to the forward piping 57 of the circular circuit 51 with the bubble introduction device 55 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, a circulation circuit including the bottom return passage 86, the bottom return pipe 56, the bottom return pipe 57, and the bottom return passage 87 is referred to as a bottom circulation circuit 51.

Here, the bath return passage 86 and the bath passage 87 of the bathtub adapter 80 and the bath return pipe 56 and the bath return pipe 57 are connected by the installer when the apparatus is installed. Therefore, the filtrate return pipe 56 Fu a bath return passage 86 of the tub adapter 80 would otherwise, the place where must be connected bath forward pipe 57 to the bathtub forward path 87, thereby reversely connecting them erroneously A situation is also assumed.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating a state in which the return pipe and the forward pipe are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the bathtub adapter with the bath return passage and the bath passage reversely connected, broken away on a vertical plane including the central axis. As shown in FIG. 5, when the bath return passage 86 and the bath passage 87 are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter 80, the bath water is drawn from the bath passage 87 and flows to the bubble introducing device 55. For this reason, the bath water flows into the bubble introducing device 55 from the direction opposite to the normal direction. As a result, the bath water mixed with air bubbles flows into the bath circulation pump 52, and the bath circulation pump 52 may idle, resulting in poor circulation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the bathtub adapter 80 is reversely connected to the bath return passage 86 and the bath passage 87, the bath water is originally drawn from the discharge nozzle 83 that discharges hot water, and the bath passage 87, It will flow to the return pipe 56 through the bubble introduction device 55. Then, the bathtub water that has flowed from the forward piping 57 passes through the long return passage 86 and is discharged from the suction port 85 to the bathtub 50. Therefore, when the bath water circulation operation for generating bubbles in this reverse connection state is performed, even if the bath water circulates, the bath water containing the bubbles will be discharged from the suction port 85. However, the bath water containing bubbles cannot be satisfactorily bathed.

  Therefore, in the hot water storage type water heater 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order not to cause the above-described problem, whether the connection state of the bath circulation circuit 51 is reversely connected based on the detection result of the flow switch 58. It is decided to determine whether or not. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a time change of the flow switch output when the bathtub water circulation operation is performed in a state where the bathtub adapter, the bath return passage, and the bath passage are reversely connected. As described above, when the return pipe 56 and the forward pipe 57 are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter 80, the bathtub water mixed with the bubbles generated by the bubble introduction device 55 passes through the bath circulation pump 52. Become. As a result, when the idle circulation pump 52 is idled and the circulation flow rate becomes 0 L / min, the flow of hot water to the bubble introduction device 55 is also eliminated, and the introduction of bubbles is stopped. After the bubble introduction is stopped, the bath water circulation occurs again by the operation of the bath circulation pump 52, and when the bath water circulation occurs, the bath water in which the bubbles generated by the bubble introduction device 55 are mixed again is generated, The idle circulation pump 52 is idled. That is, when the bath return passage 86 and the bath passage 87 are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter 80, the bath water mixed with bubbles flows into the bath circulation pump 52 → the bath circulation pump 52 idles → bubble mixing stop → restarting circulation → The bath water mixed with bubbles flows into the bath circulating pump 52 → the bath circulating pump 52 idling →... Repeatedly occurs. For this reason, the output of the flow switch 58 outputs ON and OFF continuously as shown in FIG. Therefore, the controller 70 built in the hot water storage hot water heater 100 determines whether or not the output of the flow switch 58 continuously outputs ON and OFF, thereby accurately determining the connection state of the bath circulation circuit 51. Can be judged well.

  Even when the bath circuit 51 is correctly connected, for example, when a large amount of bubbles discharged from the bathtub adapter 80 to the bathtub 50 is sucked, the flow switch 58 can detect OFF. There is sex. Therefore, in the reverse connection determination, in order to improve the determination accuracy, when the flow switch 58 is detected to be turned off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the back return pipe 56 and the back forward pipe 57 are reversed to the bathtub adapter 80. It is preferable to determine that they are connected.

  The predetermined time and the predetermined number of times may be appropriately set in consideration of the pipe length or the capacity of the bath circulation pump 52, but can be set as follows, for example. That is, in order to confirm whether or not the bathtub water circulation operation in which the bubble introduction device 55 is operated to generate bubbles in the bathtub 50 operates normally, a test operation may be required. At this time, if the checker wants to stay on the spot and check the discharge state of the bubbles to about 1 minute, the predetermined time is set to 1 minute. In addition, regarding the predetermined number of times, when the air bubbles discharged from the bathtub adapter 80 are sucked into the bathtub 50 and the flow switch 58 detects that the likelihood is once, the flow switch 58 is turned off even in normal circulation. May be detected twice. In this case, if it is detected that the flow switch 58 is turned off three times or more, it is considered that the connection is abnormal. 3 times.

  In addition to the example in which the flow switch 58 detects OFF by sucking bubbles discharged from the bathtub adapter 80 into the bathtub 50, the flow switch 58 may detect OFF depending on the shape of the piping. FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating another example of the hot water storage type hot water heater according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in an apparatus including a so-called torii pipe 56 a that rises so that a part of the return pipe 56 has a gate shape for the purpose of avoiding a structure or the like, air accumulates in the upper part of the torii pipe 56 a. Sometimes. When the bathtub water is circulated in a state where air is accumulated in the torii piping 56a, the flow switch 58 is turned off because the accumulated air flows into the circulation pump 52 all at once, although the piping is normally connected. There is a possibility of detection. Regardless of the configuration shown in FIG. 8 above, the bath water circulation is not stable at the initial stage of the operation of the bath circulation pump 52, and the flow switch 58 may detect OFF.

  Therefore, it is preferable that the determination of the reverse connection between the bath circulation circuit 51 and the bathtub adapter 80 starts counting the number of times the flow switch 58 is detected OFF after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bath circulation pump 52 is activated. As a result, it is possible to effectively increase the reverse connection determination accuracy.

The predetermined time until the flow switch 58 starts to count the number of OFF detections may be appropriately set in consideration of the piping length or the capacity of the bottom circulation pump 52, but can be set as follows, for example. . That is, the maximum pipe length from the suction port 85 of the bathtub adapter 80 to the flow switch 58 is T [m], the maximum cross-sectional area of the return pipe 56 is A [m ² ], and the flow switch 58 is detected to be ON and the control unit 70 is detected. If the minimum circulation flow rate that can determine the circulation of the bath water is Q [L / min], the bath water sucked from the suction port 85 of the bathtub adapter 80 reaches the flow switch 58 at 1000 AT / Q [min]. . In other words, if the number of OFF detections of the flow switch 58 is started after 1000 AT / Q [min], the air remaining in the return pipe 56 and the torii pipe 56 a flows out to the secondary side of the flow switch 58. Thus, the number of OFF detections of the flow switch 58 due to reverse connection can be accurately counted.

  In addition, when it is determined that the bath circulation circuit 51 is reversely connected, it is preferable to perform an error display indicating a construction failure on the remote controller 71 that displays the state of the hot water supply device. The notification of the error is not limited to display on the remote controller 71, and may be performed by voice notification, for example.

  However, if it is determined in the first determination that the piping is normally connected, but it is determined in the second and subsequent determinations that the piping is reversely connected, It is conceivable that a short cycle occurs in the bathtub adapter 80 (hot water flows from the loose passage 87 to the full return passage 86 due to component damage). Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable to display an error indicating a component defect on the remote controller 71.

  Next, a specific process in which the control unit 70 determines reverse connection of the base circulation circuit 51 will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a routine in which the control unit determines reverse connection of the full circulation circuit. Note that the routine shown in FIG. 9 is a control routine executed by the control unit 70 when the installer of the hot water supply apparatus confirms the connection state of the pipe, and starts by pressing a button on the remote controller 71, for example. Is done.

  When the routine shown in FIG. 9 is started, first, bath water circulation operation is started (step S1). Here, specifically, the bath circulation pump 52 is operated and the air solenoid valve 36 is opened. Accordingly, the bathtub water is circulated between the bathtub 50 and the bath circulation circuit 51, and bubbles are mixed into the bathtub water from the bubble introduction device 55. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the bath water circulation operation (step S2). As a result, when the predetermined period has not yet elapsed, the process of step S2 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the bath water circulation operation, the process proceeds to the next step, and the number N of times that the flow switch 58 detects OFF is counted for a predetermined time (step S3).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number N counted in step S3 is larger than a predetermined number Nt (step S4). As a result, when establishment of N> Nt is not recognized, it is determined that the bath circulation circuit 51 and the bathtub adapter 80 are normally connected (step S5), and this routine is ended. On the other hand, when establishment of N> Nt is recognized, it is determined that the bath circuit 51 and the bathtub adapter 80 are reversely connected (step S6). If reverse connection is determined in step S6, an error display is then displayed on the remote controller 71 indicating a construction failure error (step S7), and this routine ends.

  Thus, according to the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine the connection state of the bath circulation circuit with a simple configuration.

  By the way, in the hot water supply apparatus of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, although the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus 100 provided with the heat pump unit 60 is used as a hot water supply apparatus, you may apply this invention in the hot water supply apparatus provided with heating means other than a heat pump. .

  Further, in the hot water supply apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the bubble introducing device 55 is disposed between the bathing passage 87 and the bathing pipe 57. However, the arrangement of the bubble introducing device 55 is not limited to this, and may be disposed in the middle of the passageway 87, or may be separately connected between the passageway 87 and the passage pipe 57. It may be arranged in the middle of the pipe.

  Further, in the hot water supply apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the presence or absence of water flow in the bath circulation circuit 51 is detected using the flow switch 58, but other water flow detection means such as a flow rate sensor that linearly detects the amount of water. It is good also as using.

  In the hot water supply apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the control unit 70 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 determines the connection state of the bath circulation circuit 51 by executing the control routine shown in FIG. An installer of the apparatus can also determine the connection state of the bath circuit 51 using a tester or the like. Specifically, first, the installer operates the circulation pump 52 to circulate the bath water in the bath circulation circuit 51. Next, by detecting the signal of the flow switch 58 with a tester or the like, the presence or absence of water flow in the bath circuit 51 is detected. Next, from the detected signal of the flow switch 58, it is determined whether or not a state in which the water flow is not normally generated is detected more than a predetermined number of times, and is detected more than a predetermined number of times. It is determined that the connection state of the circulation circuit 51 is abnormal. By performing the abnormality determination in such a procedure, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the connection between the back return pipe 56 and the back return pipe 57 and the back return passage 86 and the back forward passage 87 is a reverse connection. It becomes.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the hot water storage type hot water heater 100 of the first embodiment described above, the device that introduces bubbles into the bath water has been described as the bubble introduction device 55, but in the second embodiment, the ejector 54 is used. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ejector broken along a vertical plane along the flow of bathtub water. As shown in this figure, the internal shape of the ejector 54 has a structure in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the primary side of the flow path, and the inner diameter increases from the most contracted diameter portion. Therefore, when the bath circulation pump 52 is operated, the bath water circulates in the bath circulation circuit 51 and a flow of hot water is generated in the ejector 54, the flow velocity of the smallest diameter portion becomes the largest in the ejector 54, and the maximum A negative pressure state having a pressure smaller than the atmospheric pressure is formed in the reduced diameter portion. As a result, air is sucked into the ejector 54 and air bubbles are mixed into the circulating bath water.

  When the ejector 54 is used in the bath circulation circuit 51 and the reverse connection of the bath return pipe 56 and the bath return pipe 57 occurs, the ejector 54 is disposed on the primary side of the bath circulation pump 52. When the ejector 54 is arranged on the primary side of the bath circulation pump 52, the ejector 54 sucks in a large amount of air by the suction pressure of the bath circulation pump 52. Therefore, a large amount of air also flows into the bath circulation pump 52, causing the slip circulation pump 52 to idle, and the intake of the ejector 54 to stop. When the intake stops, the bath circulation pump 52 draws in the bath water again, and the ejector 54 sucks in a large amount of air again. That is, when the bubble circulation circuit 51 is configured by using the bubble introduction device 55 as the ejector 54, the ejector 54 disposed on the primary side of the bath circulation pump 52 sucks in a large amount of air, so that the flow switch 58 is turned on and off. The repetition will be output more reliably. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably determine reverse connection of the bath circuit 51.

  The bubble introducing device 55 is not limited to the ejector 54 described above, and an air pump may be used. When an air pump as the bubble introduction device 55 is used, if the bath return pipe 56 and the bath forward pipe 57 are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter 80, the bath circulation pump 52 is disposed on the secondary side of the air pump. become. In this case, the air pump is operated and the air introduced into the bath circulation circuit 51 flows into the bath circulation pump 52, causing the pump to idle. When the circulation flow rate of the bottom circulation circuit 51 becomes 0 [L / min], the flow switch 58 continues to detect the OFF state. However, when the flow switch 58 is OFF despite the bath circulation pump 52 being in an operating state, not only the reverse connection of the bath return piping 56 and the bath piping 57 but also due to clogging of the piping, etc. The possibility of a decrease in the circulation flow rate is also conceivable. As a means for separating the two, the bath circulation pump 52 may be operated while the air pump is stopped. As a result, if the flow switch 58 is still detected as OFF, it can be determined that the circulating flow rate is reduced due to clogging of the piping. On the other hand, when the bath circulation pump 52 is operated with the air pump stopped, if the flow switch 58 detects ON, the bath return piping 56 and the bath piping 57 are reversely connected to the bathtub adapter 80. Can be determined.

1 Hot water storage tank unit, 36 Air solenoid valve, 37 Air tube, 50 Bathtub, 51 Bath circulation circuit, 52 Bath circulation pump, 54 Ejector, 55 Bubble introduction device, 56 Bath return piping, 57 Bath back piping, 58 Flow switch (Water flow Detection means), 70 control unit, 71 remote control, 80 bathtub adapter, 86 full return passage, 87 full return passage, 100 hot water storage type hot water heater

Claims (7)

Connected to the bath passage for introducing hot water into the bathtub, the bath return passage for extracting hot water from the bath, the bubble introducing device for generating bubbles, and the inlet of the heat exchanger. A bath circulation circuit comprising:
A bath circulation pump that circulates hot water derived from the bath in the order of the bath return piping, the heat exchanger, and the bath travel piping, and returns the bath to the bath,
A water flow detecting means for emitting a signal corresponding to the water flow of the bath circuit;
A controller that determines whether or not the connection state of the bath circulation circuit is normal based on the pulsation of the water flow detected by the water flow detection means after the bath circulation pump is operated;
A hot water supply device comprising:   When the state where the water flow is not normally generated is detected more than a predetermined number of times based on the signal of the water flow detection means, the control unit is configured to detect the flow return pipe, the flow return pipe, and the flow. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the connection state between the return passage and the forward passage is determined to be reverse connection. The water flow detection means includes a flow switch for detecting the presence or absence of a water flow,
The control unit, after operating the bath circulation pump, when the flow switch detects a state of no water flow more than a predetermined number of times, the bath return piping and the bath piping and the bath return The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection state between the passage and the forward passage is determined to be reverse connection.   The said control part determines the connection state of the said bottom circulation circuit based on the signal of the said water flow detection means after the elapsed time after operating the said circulation pump reaches predetermined time. 4. The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for notifying a user when the control unit determines that the connection state of the bath circulation circuit is not normal. .   The hot-water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bubble introduction device includes an ejector. Connected to the bath passage for introducing hot water into the bathtub, the bath return passage for extracting hot water from the bath, the bubble introducing device for generating bubbles, and the inlet of the heat exchanger. An abnormality detection method for a hot water supply apparatus comprising a bath circulation circuit comprising a bath return piping and a bath piping connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger,
A circulation step of operating a circulation pump that circulates the hot water derived from the bathtub in the order of the bath return pipe, the heat exchanger, and the bath forward pipe, and returns the bath to the bathtub;
A water flow detection step of detecting a signal corresponding to the water flow of the bottom circulation circuit during execution of the circulation step;
When the water flow detection step detects a state where water flow is not normally generated more than a predetermined number of times, connection between the back return pipe and the back forward pipe and the back return passage and the back forward passage A determination step for determining that the state is reverse connection;
An abnormality detection method for a hot water supply apparatus comprising:

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