JP6520700B2 - Hot water storage type hot water heater - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply device that stores hot water and supplies hot water.

  In general, a hot water storage type hot water heater that stores hot water boiled up by heating means such as a heat pump in a hot water storage tank is widely used. The hot water storage type hot water supply device uses the hot water extracted from the hot water storage tank to supply hot water to a faucet such as a kitchen or a washroom or a hot water destination such as a bath or a shower. Moreover, as a prior art, for example, a storage water heater as described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this hot water storage type water heater, the time zone of one day is divided into a late-night power time zone, a first daytime time zone and a second daytime time zone according to the power rate system, and current time information and setting of the power rate system Boiling of hot and cold water is controlled based on the content and the remaining hot water amount information.

JP 2004-332998 A

  The conventional hot water storage type hot-water heater can select a power rate system from a late-night power period, a first daytime period, and a second daytime period. However, if there is a power rate system other than these three types, the system can not cope with the power rate system, so the power rate may be higher than the lowest achievable rate, and the control of heating is There is a problem that it can not be optimized.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems as described above, and even when the time zone of different power rates is subdivided into four or more, the heating operation is performed in small steps at appropriate timings. The present invention is to provide a hot water storage type hot water supply device capable of securing a necessary amount of hot water storage and suppressing power costs.

A hot water storage type water heater according to the present invention comprises a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heating means for heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, a hot water usage amount desired by a user, a hot water temperature and a hot water use time A heating operation for heating the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank by controlling the heating means so as to store the hot water of the hot water storage temperature and the hot water storage amount necessary to satisfy the hot water supply load demand. A control unit to perform, and power rate information obtaining means for obtaining time range unit price information of four or more different time zones by communication with an external device; The control unit controls the heating operation based on the unit price information according to the time zone acquired by the power rate information acquiring unit, and performs the heating operation only in the time zone where the power rate is lower than other time zones. Hot water supply It is judged whether or not it is possible to satisfy the load request, and if the judgment is not satisfied, the heating operation is continued until the hot water supply load request is satisfied in order from the time zone closer to the hot water supply use time among other time zones. To do .

  According to the present invention, even when time zones of different power rates are subdivided into four or more due to power deregulation etc., it is necessary to execute heating operation little by little at appropriate timing without being conscious of the user. The amount of stored water can be secured, and the power cost can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows the hot water storage type hot water supply machine by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control which controls the presence or absence of a boiling operation based on the unit price information according to time slot | zone of an electricity bill. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure and display of a remote control. It is an explanatory view showing the example of a display of the history of boiling operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control example in the case where it can respond to a hot-water supply load request | requirement by the boiling operation in the time slot | zone with low electric power charge. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control in case the amount of hot water storage runs short in the boiling operation in the time slot | zone with low electricity rate. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control in the case of setting a hot-water supply mode. It is a flowchart for displaying on a remote control the operation rate of the power rate and the HP unit according to time zone. It is a flowchart which shows an example of control which prohibits boiling operation except the time slot | zone whose electric power charge is cheap. It is a flowchart which shows an example of control which learns the difference of a hot water supply load request | requirement and the actual hot water supply load which arose in response to the said hot water supply load request | requirement. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control for hold | maintaining the minimum hot water storage amount. The example of a display of the remote control at the time of setting of hot-water supply mode is shown.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the common elements, and the overlapping description will be omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, in this specification, "hot water" generally refers to hot water (hot water) and water.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the hot water storage type hot water supply system 35 comprises a tank unit 33, an HP unit 7 using a heat pump cycle, and a remote control 44 for the user to operate the operation state and change various setting values. ing. The HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected via the HP forward piping 14 and the HP return piping 15, and are electrically connected via wiring (not shown). The tank unit 33 incorporates a control unit 36. The control unit 36 stores in advance data on the pipe length of the pipe through which the hot and cold water flows. Thus, the control unit 36 has a function of estimating the temperature in the pipe by the combination of the outside air temperature sensor 70 and the pipe length. The operation of the various valves, pumps, and the like included in the tank unit 33 and the HP unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 36 electrically connected thereto.

  The HP unit 7 is for heating (boiling) hot water supplied from the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 8 described later or the water supply pipe 9, and constitutes a heating means. The hot water heated by the HP unit 7 is stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8 or supplied to a hot water supply target depending on the operation mode. A hot water supply target includes a hot water supply tap installed in each room, a shower, a faucet such as a pot, a hot water apparatus such as a hot water heater, a bathtub, and the like. The HP unit 7 has a compressor 1, a water refrigerant heat exchanger 3, an expansion valve 4 and an air heat exchanger 6 annularly connected by a refrigerant pipe 5, and constitutes a heat pump cycle. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 5 and the low-temperature water introduced from the hot water storage tank 8.

  The tank unit 33 incorporates various components, piping, and the like described below, including the hot water storage tank 8. The hot water storage tank 8 stores hot water heated by the HP unit 7. A third water supply pipe 9 c is connected to the water inlet 8 a provided at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8. The low temperature water supplied from a water source such as a water supply is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve 31, and then flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the third water supply pipe 9c. At the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8, a hot water introduction outlet 8d is provided. A hot water supply pipe 21 for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 to the outside of the tank unit 33 and a hot water supply pipe 13 are connected to the hot water introduction outlet 8 d.

  The hot water heated by the HP unit 7 is introduced into the hot water introduction outlet 8 d of the hot water storage tank 8. In addition, when the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 is used for hot water supply, low temperature water is supplied to the water inlet 8a of the hot water storage tank 8 from the water source such as city water via the first water supply pipe 9a and the second water supply pipe 9b. be introduced. For this reason, inside the hot water storage tank 8, the temperature stratification in which the temperature of the hot water becomes higher toward the upper side in the vertical direction and the temperature of the hot water becomes lower toward the lower side is formed. Further, on the surface of the hot water storage tank 8, a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 42, 43 are attached at different heights. These hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43 detect the temperature distribution of hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 8. The control unit 36 grasps the temperature of the stored hot water and the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 based on the detection results of the hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43, and controls the start and stop of the boiling operation described later.

  The tank unit 33 incorporates the heat source pump 12 and the heat exchanger 20 for the bath. The heat source pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot and cold water to various pipes in the tank unit 33 described later, and is provided on the HP forward pipe 14. The bath heat exchanger 20 is a heat exchanger for heating secondary side heating target water (bath water, heating water, etc.) using high temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8. In the present embodiment, as the configuration of the secondary side of the bottomed heat exchanger 20, an example of an out-going pipe 27 for circulating hot water in the bath 30 and a returning pipe 28 will be described. The bottom heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bottom pipe 27 and the bottom pipe 28. Further, in the middle of the flow-back piping 27 and the flow-return piping 28, a flow-circulation pump 29 for circulating bath water and a return-temperature sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the bath water which has come out of the bath 30; A fluctuating temperature sensor 37 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after the heat exchange from the bath heat exchanger 20 is installed. The bottom heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of a circulation path formed by the bottom piping 27, the bottom piping 28, and the bath 30.

  Further, the tank unit 33 incorporates a three-way valve 11 and a four-way valve 18. The three-way valve 11 is a flow path switching unit having a and b ports into which the hot water flows and a c port from which the hot water flows out, and switches the hot water flow path between the two paths ac and bc. Is configured as. The three-way valve 11 is any one of two flow path configurations consisting of a mode in which the water outlet piping 10 and the HP forward piping 14 are in communication, and a configuration in which the hot water outlet piping 20b and the HP forward piping 14 are in communication. It is switched to the flow path form of The four-way valve 18 is a flow path switching unit having b and c ports into which the hot and cold water flows and a and d ports from which the hot and cold water flows out. The four-way valve 18 has four paths ab, ac, bd and c-. It is comprised so that the flow path of hot and cold water may be switched between d. The four-way valve 18 communicates the HP return pipe 15 with the hot water supply pipe 13, connects the HP return pipe 15 with the first bypass pipe 16, and the first bypass pipe 16 and the second bypass pipe 17. Are switched to any one of four flow path configurations including a configuration in which the hot water supply piping 13 and the second bypass piping 17 are in communication.

  The tank unit 33 further includes a water outlet pipe 10, a hot water inlet pipe 20a, a first bypass pipe 16, a hot water outlet pipe 20b, and a second bypass pipe 17. The water outlet pipe 10 connects the water outlet 8 b provided at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 and the a port of the three-way valve 11. The HP forward pipe 14 connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 to the inlet side of the HP unit 7. The HP return pipe 15 connects the outlet side of the HP unit 7 to the c port of the four-way valve 18. The hot water supply pipe 13 connects the d port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water introduction outlet 8 d of the hot water storage tank 8. The first bypass pipe 16 connects the a port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water inlet 8 c provided between the central portion and the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 8. The hot water introduction pipe 20 a branches from the middle of the hot water supply pipe 13 and is connected to the primary side inlet of the heat exchanger 20 for bath. The hot water lead-out pipe 20 b connects the primary side outlet of the bottom heat exchanger 20 and the b port of the three-way valve 11. The second bypass pipe 17 branches from a portion of the HP forward pipe 14 between the heat source pump 12 and the HP unit 7 and is connected to the b port of the four-way valve 18.

  Furthermore, the tank unit 33 is provided with a first water supply pipe 9a, a second water supply pipe 9b, a hot water supply mixing valve 22, a bottom mixing valve 23, a first hot water supply pipe 24, and a second hot water supply pipe 25. One end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as water, and the other end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to the second water supply pipe 9b and the third water supply pipe 9c via the pressure reducing valve 31. 9a, 9b, 9c constitute a water supply pipe 9. The second water supply pipe 9b branches off halfway and is connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bottom mixing valve 23. Further, the hot water supply pipe 21 is branched in the middle and connected to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bottom mixing valve 23 respectively. In the middle of the second hot water supply pipe 25, an electromagnetic valve 26 for bath for opening and closing the second hot water supply pipe 25 and a flow rate sensor 45 for bath for detecting the flow rate of the hot water passing through the second hot water supply pipe 25 are provided.

  The user controls the remote controller 44 by adjusting the flow ratio of the high temperature water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 21 to the low temperature water supplied from the second water supply pipe 9 b. The hot water having the set temperature which has been set is generated, and the generated hot water is made to flow into the first hot water supply pipe 24 and the second hot water supply pipe 25, respectively. The hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is supplied from the first hot water supply pipe 24 to the faucet 50 such as a shower or currant via the hot water supply plug 34. Further, the first hot water supply pipe 24 is provided with a hot water flow sensor 51. The hot water supply water flow sensor 51 detects the flow of hot and cold water flowing through the first hot water supply pipe 24 and is connected to the control unit 36. On the other hand, the hot water adjusted to the set temperature by the mixing valve 23 for the bath is from the second hot water supply pipe 25 to the bath 30 via the electromagnetic valve 26 for the bath, the flow sensor 45 for the bath, the going pipe 27 and the return pipe 28. Supplied to

  The control unit 36 controls the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35, is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and is incorporated in the tank unit 33. The control unit 36 includes a storage circuit in which a control program and the like are stored in advance, an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic operations based on the control program, and an input / output port that inputs and outputs signals. The aforementioned various sensors, various valves, pumps and the like included in the HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected to the input / output port. The control unit 36 executes various operation operations by driving various valves, pumps, and the like based on the outputs of the sensors, the setting of the remote controller 44, and the like. As an example, the control unit 36 determines the target values of the storage water temperature and the storage amount necessary to satisfy the hot water supply load request input from the remote control 44, and the actual storage temperature and storage amount of the storage tank 8 are the above The HP unit 7 is controlled to perform the heating operation so as to match the target value.

  Further, the control unit 36 is connected to the Internet line 39 via the router 80 in the home, the home gateway 81, and the like. The home gateway 81 constitutes an HEMS (home management system). By communicating with the outside via the Internet line 39, the control unit 36 can obtain time-of-day unit price information of the power rate from the power company. Further, the control unit 36 transmits the operation information of the water heater, the current error information and the like to the HEMS. Thus, the HEMS manages various home electric appliances including the hot water storage type water heater 35.

  A remote controller 44 as an input unit is connected to the control unit 36 so as to be able to communicate with each other. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of the configuration and display of the remote control. As shown in this figure, the remote control 44 includes a display unit 60 for displaying information such as the state of the hot water storage type water heater 35, an operation unit including a switch 48 operated by the user, a speaker 46, a microphone 47 and the like. . Further, the remote controller 44 has a function of inputting a hot water supply usage amount, a hot water supply temperature, a hot water supply use time, etc. desired by the user as a hot water supply load request.

  Next, control of the hot water storage type hot water supply performed by the control unit 36 will be described. First, a boiling operation as a heating operation for heating the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 8 by the HP unit 7 will be described. In the boiling operation, first, the three-way valve 11 communicates the water outlet piping 10 with the HP forward piping 14 and closes the hot water outlet piping 20 b to shut off the flow path returned from the perforating heat exchanger 20. Further, the HP return pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 13 are communicated with each other by the four-way valve 18, and the first bypass pipe 16 is closed to block the flow path toward the hot water inlet 8 c of the hot water storage tank 8. Then, in this state, the HP unit 7 and the heat source pump 12 are driven.

  Thus, the low temperature water flowing out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 flows into the HP unit 7 sequentially through the water outlet pipe 10, the three-way valve 11, the heat source pump 12 and the HP forward pipe 14 and heated by the HP unit 7 Be done. Then, the high temperature water flowing out of the HP unit 7 flows into the hot water introduction outlet 8 d of the hot water storage tank 8 sequentially through the HP return piping 15, the four-way valve 18 and the hot water supply piping 13, and stores the hot water inside the hot water storage tank 8. Be done. Thus, high temperature water is stored from the upper side inside the hot water storage tank 8 by the boiling operation being executed, and an increase in the amount of hot water storage is detected by the hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43. . Then, the boiling operation is ended when the amount of hot water storage reaches the target value, and the heat source pump 12 and the HP unit 7 are stopped.

  Next, basic control performed by the control unit 36 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a control example of controlling the presence or absence of the heating operation based on the time-of-day unit price information of the power rate. As shown in this figure, first, in step S1, the control unit 36 acquires time-of-day unit price information of the power rate from the Internet line 39. Here, the hourly unit price information is information including relative heights (low prices) of the power rates in a plurality of time zones, and the start time and end time of each time zone. In addition, it may replace with the relative height (low price) of an electricity bill, and you may use the specific value of the electricity bill unit price in each time slot | zone. Also, in step S 1, obtain time unit price information for all time zones set by the electric power company, that is, obtain time unit price information for all time zones different from the time zones before and after the power charge unit price. Is preferred. Step S1 in FIG. 2 corresponds to a specific example of a power rate information acquiring unit that acquires unit price information classified by time zone of four or more different time zones by communication with the outside.

  The control unit 36 transmits, to the remote control 44, the obtained unit price information for the time zone of the acquired power charge, the current time, and the current operation information of the HP unit 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the unit price information by time zone is associated with the current time and displayed on the remote control 44, to which time zone the current time belongs to a plurality of time zones with different power unit prices Notify the user. Further, the control unit 36 causes the remote controller 44 to display the current operating state of the HP unit 7, that is, whether or not the heating operation is currently performed. In this way, even when individual electricity charge unit prices are set in multiple time zones, the user can view the electricity charge system of each time zone, the electricity charge unit price at the current time, and the current time only by looking at the display on the remote control 44. The state of the boiling operation can be easily grasped, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In FIG. 3, for example, when there are six time zones in which the power rates differ, the height and the price of the power rate unit price in each time zone are displayed relatively. Specifically, the “time zone where the power rate is high” corresponds to the time zone where the power rate unit price is high (for example, the time zone where the power rate unit price is the highest) as compared with other time zones. The “time zone where the power charge is cheap” corresponds to a time zone where the power rate unit price is lower than other time zones (for example, the time zone where the power rate unit price is the lowest). Further, the “normal time zone of the power charge” is equivalent to a time zone in which the power charge unit price is cheaper than the “time zone where the power charge is high” and higher than the “time zone where the power charge is low”. Note that the present invention only needs to correspond to unit price information classified by time zone of four or more time zones, and the corresponding time zone is not limited to the six time zones shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S2 in FIG. 2, it is determined whether it is necessary to boil the hot water by the boiling operation based on, for example, the unit price information according to the time zone of the power rate, the current time, and the like. The specific determination process performed in step S2 will be described later. If the determination in step S2 is established, the process proceeds to step S3, and the HP unit 7 is operated to execute the heating operation. If the determination in step S2 is not established, the present routine is ended. Thus, the control unit 36 can prioritize and execute the boiling operation in the time zone where the power rate is low, unless the hot water supply load is tight. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 36 may cause the remote controller 44 to display a history indicating the start time and the completion time of the heating operation performed by the above control. In addition, FIG. 4 is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the log | history of heating operation.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, control in a time zone in which the power rate is low will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control example in the case where it is possible to cope with the hot water supply load request by the boiling operation in the time zone where the power rate is low. In this figure, first, in step S10, it is determined whether or not it is a time zone where the power rate is low, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S11. If the determination in step S10 is not established, the present routine is ended.

  Next, in step S10, the hot water supply load request input by the user is read from the remote controller 44, and the current hot water temperature and the hot water storage amount of the hot water storage tank 8 are detected based on the detection results of the hot water temperature sensors 42, 43. Then, whether or not the hot water supply load request can be satisfied by executing the boiling operation only in the time zone where the electricity rate is low according to the current hot water storage temperature, the hot water storage amount, the water supply temperature of the hot water supply load request and the heating capacity of the HP unit 7 judge. When this determination is established, there is no need to perform the boiling operation in another time zone where the power rate is relatively high, so the process proceeds to step S12 and the boiling operation is performed. On the other hand, when the determination in step S11 is not established, the present routine is ended.

  As described above, in the control shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether the hot water supply load request can be satisfied by performing the boiling operation only in the time zone where the power cost is lower than other time zones. When the determination is established, the boiling operation is efficiently performed only in the time zone where the power cost is low. As a result, it is possible to cope with the hot water supply load request that can be supplied only in the time zone where the power cost is low, without performing the boiling operation in another time zone, and it is possible to reduce the power cost.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, control in the case where the hot water supply load request can not be satisfied only in the time zone in which the power rate is low will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control example in the case where the amount of stored hot water is insufficient in the boiling operation in the time zone in which the power rate is low. In this figure, first, in step S20, it is determined whether or not it is a time zone in which the power rate is low, and when this determination is established, this routine is ended. If the determination in step S20 is not established, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, it is determined whether the current time is near the hot water supply use time input as the hot water supply load request. As a specific example, it is determined whether the time difference between the current time and the hot water supply use time is smaller than a predetermined determination time. When the determination in step S21 is not established, the hot water supply use time is not near yet, so this routine is ended. On the other hand, when the determination in step S21 is established, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, it is determined whether it is necessary to boil the hot water. Specifically, for example, whether or not the heating operation needs to be performed by comparing the current storage amount and storage temperature of the hot water storage tank 8 with the hot-water use amount and the hot-water supply temperature input as the hot-water supply load request. Determine When the determination in step S22 is established, the current time is not a time zone in which the power rate is low, and the hot-water use time is near, and the amount of stored heat in the hot-water storage tank 8 is insufficient compared to the hot-water supply load request. It is determined that Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S23, and after the heating operation is performed, the present routine is ended. On the other hand, when the determination in step S22 is not established, a sufficient amount of heat storage in the hot water storage tank 8 exists, so this routine ends.

  As described above, in the control shown in FIG. 6, when the hot water supply load request can not be satisfied by performing the boiling operation only in the time zone in which the power rate is low, the boiling operation is performed in the other time zone closest to the hot water supply use time. It can be carried out. Also, in this control, if the hot water supply load request can not be satisfied even if the heating operation is performed over the entire time zone closest to the hot water supply use time, the time period near the hot water use time among other time bands The boiling operation can be sequentially performed, and the boiling operation can be continued until the time period when the hot water supply load requirement is satisfied. As a result, even if the system can not cope with the time zone in which the power rate is low, boiling can be efficiently performed while minimizing the increase in the power rate.

  Next, the operation when the user sets the hot water supply mode will be described. The control unit 36 has a plurality of hot water supply modes so that the user can easily input the hot water supply load request. Each hot water supply mode is a set in which one set of hot water use amount and hot water supply temperature are stored. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of control when setting the hot water supply mode. In this figure, first, in step S30, it is determined whether or not the user inputs a hot water supply load request based on the operation content of the remote control 44, for example. When this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S31. If the determination in step S30 is not established, the present routine is ended.

  In step S31, when the user inputs a desired hot water supply usage amount and hot water supply temperature with the remote control 44, these input contents are stored as one hot water supply mode. FIG. 12 shows a display example of the remote control when setting the hot water supply mode. In this example, for example, the hot water supply load demand 1 in which the hot water use amount 50L and the hot water supply temperature 42 ° C. are set and the hot water supply load demand 2 in which the hot water use amount 100 L and the hot water supply temperature 40 ° C. It is displayed as. As described above, the control unit 36 can store a plurality of hot water supply modes input by the user, and can display the stored contents on the remote control 44.

  Next, in step S32, it is determined whether or not the input of the hot water supply mode is completed, and when this determination is established, the present routine is ended. On the other hand, if the determination in step S32 is not established, the process returns to step S30, and the user inputs a new hot water supply mode. By such processing, the user can set a plurality of hot water supply modes in which a desired hot water use amount and hot water supply temperature are set.

  According to the above control, the user can set in advance a set of hot water use amount and hot water supply temperature, which are frequently used, as a plurality of hot water supply modes. As a result, when using the hot water supply, the desired hot water supply usage amount and hot water supply temperature can be easily set simply by performing an operation to select, for example, the hot water supply load request 1, the hot water supply load request 2, etc. It can be done. In the present invention, in addition to the above control, an estimated use time predicted to use an individual hot water supply mode may be set as the hot water supply use time for each hot water supply mode. As a specific example, when the hot water supply load request for one hot water supply mode is input in step S31, the estimated use time of the hot water supply load request is also input. Thereby, the control unit 36 can automatically switch the hot water supply mode even if the user does not set the hot water supply load request according to the time, and the convenience can be further improved.

  Next, a process of displaying on the remote control 44 the power rates by time zone and the operating state of the HP unit 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for displaying these. In FIG. 8, first, in step S40, the time-of-day unit price information of the power rate acquired from the Internet line 39 is displayed on the display unit 60 of the remote control 44. Subsequently, in step S41, the operation state of the HP unit 7 is displayed, and this routine is ended.

  Next, control for prohibiting the heating operation except for the time zone in which the power rate is low will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of this control. In FIG. 9, first, in step S50, it is determined whether it is a time zone in which the power rate is low. If this determination is not established, the process proceeds to step S51 to prohibit the heating operation, and then proceeds to step S52. In addition, the process of step S51 means stopping the boiling operation under execution and ignoring this even if the start condition of the boiling operation is satisfied. On the other hand, when the determination in step S50 is established, the process directly proceeds to step S52 without executing step S51.

  In step S52, it is determined whether the heating operation has been stopped in a time zone where the power rate is high, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the time slot for which the power rate is low has been reached, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, since the current time belongs to a time zone where the power rate is low, the HP unit 7 is operated to execute the boiling operation when it is determined that the heating operation is necessary from the viewpoint of the amount of stored water. On the other hand, when the determination is not established at any of steps S52 and S53, the present routine is ended.

  Thus, in the control shown in FIG. 9, the boiling operation is prohibited until the time zone when the power rate unit price is lower than the current time zone, and the heating mode is operated as needed after the time period when the power rate is low. To do. As a result, it is possible to prevent the boiling operation from being performed in an inefficient time zone, and to reduce the power consumption. Steps S50 and S51 in FIG. 9 correspond to a specific example of the heating inhibiting means.

  Next, learning control of the hot water supply load will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control for learning the difference between the hot water supply load request and the actual hot water supply load generated in response to the hot water supply load request. In this figure, first, in step S60, the difference between the hot water supply load request predicted and input by the user in advance and the actually used hot water supply load is obtained. As a specific example, in step S60, the time length from the usage start time of hot water supply to the usage end time corresponding to the expected use time of hot water supply input as the hot water supply load request, and the usage end from actual usage start time of hot water supply The time length until time is compared, and the difference of both time length is calculated | required.

  Next, in step S61, it is determined whether or not there is a difference between the two time lengths. If this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S62. If the determination in step S61 is not established, the present routine is ended. Next, in step S62, it is determined from the magnitude relationship of time length whether the hot water supply load request is larger than the actual hot water supply load, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, a correction is performed to reduce the input hot water supply load request by an amount corresponding to the difference of the time length, and the present routine is ended. As a specific example of such negative correction, for example, when the length of time actually using the hot water supply is 5 minutes shorter than the time length of the hot water supply load request, the time length of the input hot water supply load request ((1) Reduce the expected hot water supply usage time) by 5 minutes. The correction content is learned and stored by the control unit 36. Then, when setting the next hot water supply load request, for example, when the same hot water supply load request as this time is input by the user, a correction to replace the input hot water supply load request with the hot water supply load request learned this time, ie, hot water supply load Make corrections to shorten the input value of the request. The presence or absence of such correction and the amount of correction are preferably configured to be changeable by the operation of the user.

  In the above description, the difference between the input hot water supply load request and the actual hot water supply load is obtained as the time length of the hot water supply use time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the difference between elements other than the usage time of the hot water supply load may be determined and learned. As a specific example, for example, when the input hot water supply load request is the planned hot water supply amount 30 L and the hot water supply temperature 45 ° C., and the hot water supply load actually used is the hot water supply amount 20 L and the hot water supply temperature 42 ° C. And in the combination of the hot water supply temperature, learn the difference between the hot water supply load demand and the actual hot water supply load. Then, when the hot water supply load request inputted as the next schedule is the planned hot water supply amount 30 L and the hot water temperature 45 ° C., these input values are corrected to the hot water supply amount 20 L and the hot water supply temperature 42 ° C. The presence or absence of such correction and the amount of correction are preferably configured to be changeable by the operation of the user.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S62 is not established, the process proceeds to step S64. In step S64, correction is performed to reduce the input hot water supply load request by an amount corresponding to the difference of the time length, and the present routine is ended. As a specific example of such positive correction, for example, when the time length actually using hot water supply is 5 minutes longer than the time length required for the hot water supply load request, the time length of the input hot water supply load request ((1) Extend the expected hot water supply usage time) by 5 minutes. The correction content is learned and stored by the control unit 36. Then, when setting the next hot water supply load request, for example, when the same hot water supply load request as this time is input by the user, a correction to replace the input hot water supply load request with the hot water supply load request learned this time, ie, hot water supply load Make corrections to extend the input value of the request. The presence or absence of the correction and the correction amount are preferably configured to be changeable by the operation of the user.

  Further, also in step S62, as described above, learning may be performed by obtaining the difference of elements other than the use time. As a specific example, for example, when the input hot water supply load request is the planned hot water supply amount 20 L and the hot water supply temperature 42 ° C., and the hot water supply load actually used is the hot water supply amount 30 L and the hot water supply temperature 45 ° C. And in the combination of the hot water supply temperature, learn the difference between the hot water supply load demand and the actual hot water supply load. Then, when the hot water supply load request inputted as the next schedule is the planned hot water supply amount 20 L and the hot water temperature 42 ° C., these input values are corrected to the hot water supply amount 30 L and the hot water supply temperature 45 ° C. The presence or absence of the correction and the correction amount are preferably configured to be changeable by the operation of the user.

  In the control shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to learn the tendency when the user sets the hot water supply load request, the habit, and the like, and perform appropriate correction so that the hot water supply load request approaches the hot water supply performance based on the learning result. Thus, the boiling operation can be performed more efficiently, and the convenience of the user can be improved. The routine shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to a specific example of learning means.

  Next, control for maintaining the minimum amount of stored water will be described. The hot water storage type water heater 35 is configured to always hold hot water of a minimum hot water storage amount preset in the hot water storage tank 8. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control example for holding the minimum amount of stored hot water. In this figure, first, in step S70, it is determined whether the current amount of stored water is larger than the minimum amount of stored water, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S71. That is, for example, when the minimum amount of hot water storage is 50 L, when the amount of hot water storage currently is larger than 50 L, the process proceeds to step S71. On the other hand, when the determination in step S70 is not established, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S71, it is determined whether or not there is a hot water supply load request, and when this determination is established, the process proceeds to step S72. When the determination in step S71 is not established, the process proceeds to step S73. In step S72, the boiling operation is performed to boil the hot water for (minimum storage amount + hot water supply load request), and then this routine is ended. On the other hand, in step S73, after boiling water for the minimum amount of hot water storage by boiling operation, this routine is ended.

  In the control shown in FIG. 11, the total amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 can be controlled so that the total amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 is larger than the minimum amount of hot water. And, when the total amount of hot water storage is lower than the minimum amount of hot water storage, the boiling operation can be started. Therefore, no matter how much the hot water supply load request changes, it is possible to keep the hot water for the minimum amount of hot water storage in the hot water storage tank 8, and to control the hot water shortage against unexpected hot water supply load etc. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 36 controls the heating operation by combining all or part of the controls shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 11 described above as appropriate.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the unit price information classified by time zone of four or more different time zones is obtained through communication with the outside, and the boiling operation is controlled based on the unit price information classified by time zone obtained. It is like that. Thereby, even when the power rate system is complicated, the time zone in which the power rate is low and the time zone in which the power rate is high can be grasped in detail in one day, for example, the heating operation is performed using the time zone Can be done in several times. Therefore, even if the time zone of different power rates is subdivided into four or more due to the liberalization of power, etc., the user need not be aware, the boiling operation is performed in small steps at an appropriate timing, and the required amount of stored water is Therefore, the power cost can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the HP unit 7 using a heat pump cycle is illustrated as the heating means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a hot water storage type hot water supply equipped with a heater type, fuel combustion type heating means.

Reference Signs List 1 compressor, 3 water refrigerant heat exchanger, 4 expansion valve, 5 refrigerant piping, 6 air heat exchanger, 7 HP unit (heating means), 8 hot water storage tank, 8a water inlet, 8c hot water inlet, 8d hot water inlet Outlet, 9 water supply piping, 9a 1st water supply piping, 9b 2nd water supply piping, 9c 3rd water supply piping, 10 water outlet piping, 11 three-way valve, 12 heat source pump, 13 hot water supply piping, 14 HP forward piping, 15 HP Return piping, 16 first bypass piping, 17 second bypass piping, 18 four-way valve, 20a hot water introduction piping, 20b hot water lead piping, 20 heat exchanger for bath, 21 hot water supply pipe, 22 hot water mixing valve, 23 bath mixing Valve, 24 1st hot water supply piping, 25 2nd hot water supply piping, 26 Solenoid valve for bath, 27 Flowing pipe, 28 Reflow piping, 29 Bath circulation pump, 30 bath, 31 pressure reducing valve, Reference Signs List 3 tank unit, 34 hot water supply tap, 35 hot water storage type water heater, 36 control unit, 37 flow going temperature sensor, 38 flow return temperature sensor, 39 internet connection, 42, 43 hot water storage temperature sensor, 44 remote control (input means), 45 flow Flow Sensor, 46 Speaker, 47 Microphone, 48 Switch, 60 Display, 70 Outdoor Temperature Sensor, 80 Router, 81 Home Gateway

Claims (7)

With a hot water storage tank for storing hot water,
Heating means for heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank;
And input means for inputting a hot water supply usage amount, a hot water supply temperature and a hot water supply use time desired by the user as a hot water supply load request,
A control unit performing a heating operation of heating the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank by controlling the heating unit so as to store the hot water of the hot water storage temperature and the hot water storage amount necessary to satisfy the hot water supply load request in the hot water storage tank;
Power rate information obtaining means for obtaining time range unit price information of power rates to be used for the heating operation according to time zones, and obtaining time zone price information of four or more different time zones by communication with the outside;
The control unit controls the heating operation based on the unit price information classified by time zone obtained by the power rate information acquiring unit, and performs the heating operation only in a time zone where the power charge is cheaper than other time zones. It is determined whether it is possible to satisfy the hot water supply load request by performing, and when the determination is not satisfied, the other time periods among the other time periods are sequentially ordered from the time period closer to the hot water supply use time. A storage water heater that performs the heating operation until a hot water supply load request is satisfied . Wherein, prior to SL when determination is made, hot-water storage type water heater according to claim 1, wherein the power rate makes the heating operation only in low hours. A plurality of hot water supply modes in which one set of the hot water use amount and the hot water supply temperature are stored as a set are provided, and the hot water supply use time which is the expected use time of the hot water supply mode is set for each hot water supply mode by the input means The hot water storage type hot water heater according to item 1 or 2 . The input unit has a function of receiving information from the control unit and displaying the information.
The control unit causes the input unit to display the unit price information classified by time zone acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit in association with the current time, and causes the input unit to display the operating state of the heating unit. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of 1 to 3 . The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising heating inhibiting means for inhibiting the operation of the heating means until a time zone in which a power unit price is cheaper than a current time zone. The control unit includes a learning unit that learns a difference between the hot water supply load request and an actual hot water supply load generated in response to the hot water supply load request.
The hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the learning means corrects the hot water supply load request inputted by the user based on a learning result of the learning means. The control unit is configured to set the total hot water storage amount stored in the hot water storage tank to the hot water supply load request with respect to the minimum hot water storage amount, based on the minimum hot water storage amount preset to always hold the hot water storage tank. controls the total amount of hot water storage as correspondingly increases only required quantity of water by, when said total amount of hot water storage is lower than the minimum amount of hot water storage is one of claims 1 to 6 for starting the heating operation A hot water storage type water heater as described in 1.

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