JP6811050B2 - Thermal equipment - Google Patents

Description

The techniques disclosed herein relate to thermal equipment.

Patent Document 1 includes heat including a heat pump unit including a heat pump heat source for heating a heat medium, a tank unit including a tank for storing the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and a control device capable of executing a heating operation. The device is disclosed. The control device drives the heat pump heat source and stores the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source in the tank.

JP-A-2015-94505

The heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source increases as the outside air temperature increases. Therefore, if the heating operation can be executed in a time zone when the outside air temperature is high, the energy efficiency of the thermal equipment can be improved.

This specification proposes a technique capable of improving energy efficiency in a heat device equipped with a heat pump heat source.

The heat equipment disclosed in the present specification can communicate with an external device, a heat pump unit having a heat pump heat source for heating a heat medium, a tank unit having a tank for storing a heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and an external device. It is equipped with a control device that can acquire daily temperature information from the device. The control device can perform a heating operation in which the heat pump heat source is driven to store the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source in the tank. In addition, the control device specifies the time when the maximum temperature of the day is reached based on the temperature information acquired from the external device, and starts the heating operation so that the heating operation is executed at the specified time. It is configured to specify the scheduled start time . Further, the control device is configured to specify a second scheduled start time for starting the heating operation according to the past usage record of the heat medium for filling the hot water. In addition, the control device identifies the daily maximum temperature and the temperature different from the daily maximum temperature based on the temperature information, and the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the temperature different from the daily maximum temperature is the predetermined temperature. In the above case, the heating operation is started based on the first scheduled start time, and when the temperature difference is less than the predetermined temperature, the heating operation is started based on the second scheduled start time.

The heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source increases as the outside air temperature increases. Therefore, in a certain day, the heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source becomes the highest at the time when the maximum temperature of the day is reached. According to the above configuration, the control device uses the daily temperature information acquired from the external device to specify the first scheduled start time so that the heating operation is executed at the time when the maximum temperature of the day is reached. Since the heating operation is executed at the time when the maximum temperature of the day is reached, the heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source can be improved.

The figure which shows typically the structure of the hot water supply system 2 which concerns on Example. The figure which shows typically the time zone when hot water supply is performed in a specific household. The flowchart explaining the process of specifying the scheduled start time of the heating operation to be executed before the hot water filling start time B1. The figure which shows typically the 3rd heating start time. The figure which shows the relationship between the outside air temperature and the heating efficiency of a heat pump heat source. The figure which shows the relationship between the elapsed time from execution of a heating operation, and the ratio of the heat radiation amount of water in a tank 30. The flowchart explaining the heat treatment.

The main features of the examples described below are listed. It should be noted that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements and exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Absent.

(Characteristic 1) The temperature different from the maximum daily temperature may be the expected temperature at the second scheduled start time.

The smaller the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the expected temperature at the second scheduled start time, the more the heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source when the heating operation is started at the first scheduled start time, and the case where the heating operation is started at the second scheduled start time. The difference between the heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source and the heat source is small. If the difference in heating efficiency of the heat pump heat source is small, the effect of starting the heating operation at the first scheduled start time instead of the second scheduled start time is also small. According to the above configuration, the control device can start the heating operation based on the second scheduled start time when it is determined that the effect of starting the heating operation at the first scheduled start time is small.

(Characteristic 2) The temperature different from the daily maximum temperature may be the daily minimum temperature.

(Characteristic 3) Even if the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the expected temperature of the second scheduled start time is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature, the time difference between the first scheduled start time and the second scheduled start time is greater than the predetermined time. If it is too long, the heating operation may be started based on the second scheduled start time.

The high-temperature heat medium stored in the tank by the heating operation dissipates heat with the passage of time, and the temperature drops. The longer the elapsed time from the execution of the heating operation, the greater the amount of heat radiated from the heat medium in the tank. Generally, the time from the completion of the heating operation (hereinafter referred to as the second heating operation) started based on the second scheduled start time to the start of use of the heat medium is short. Therefore, the amount of heat radiated from the completion of the second heating operation to the start of use of the heat medium is also small. On the other hand, in general, the time at which the heating operation (hereinafter referred to as the first heating operation) started based on the first scheduled start time is completed is earlier than the completion time of the second heating operation. Therefore, the amount of heat radiated from the completion of the first heating operation to the start of use of the heat medium is relatively large. In this case, the control device needs to reheat the heat medium stored in the tank by executing a heating operation or the like. According to the above configuration, the control device can execute the second heating operation when the time difference is a predetermined time or more. This makes it possible to improve the energy efficiency of the thermal equipment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 2 according to the present embodiment includes an HP (heat pump) unit 4, a tank unit 6, and a burner unit 8.

The HP unit 4 is a heat source that heats water by absorbing heat from the outside air. The HP unit 4 includes a compressor 10, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 16. The HP unit 4 heats water by absorbing heat from the outside air by circulating a refrigerant (for example, a fluorocarbon-based refrigerant) in the order of a compressor 10, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 16. The compressor 10 pressurizes the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure. The condenser 12 cools the refrigerant by heat exchange with water. The HP going path 19 and the HP returning path 21 are connected to both ends of the water flow path of the condenser 12, respectively. The expansion valve 14 depressurizes the refrigerant to a low temperature and a low pressure. The evaporator 16 heats the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the outside air. The HP unit 4 further includes a circulation pump 18 that circulates water in the condenser 12, a forward thermistor 20 that detects the temperature of the water flowing into the condenser 12, and a return thermistor 22 that detects the temperature of the water flowing out of the condenser 12. It includes an HP outside air temperature thermistor 23 that detects the outside air temperature, and an HP controller 24 that controls the operation of each component of the HP unit 4.

The tank unit 6 includes a tank 30, a mixing valve 32, and a bypass control valve 34. The tank 30 is a closed container whose outside is covered with a heat insulating material and which stores water inside. The capacity of the tank 30 of this embodiment is, for example, 100 liters. When the circulation pump 18 of the HP unit 4 is driven, the water at the bottom of the tank 30 is sent to the condenser 12 via the tank going path 31 and the HP going path 19. The water heated by the condenser 12 and heated to a high temperature is returned from the top of the tank 30 into the tank 30 via the HP return path 21 and the tank return path 33. When the water heated by the HP unit 4 flows into the tank 30, a temperature stratification in which a layer of high temperature water is stacked on a layer of low temperature water is formed inside the tank 30. The tank 30 is provided with an upper thermistor 36 that detects the temperature of the upper water, an intermediate thermistor 37 that detects the temperature of the water in the middle portion, and a lower thermistor 38 that detects the temperature of the lower water. In this embodiment, the upper thermistor 36 is located 6 liters from the top of the tank 30, the middle thermistor 37 is located 12 liters from the top of the tank 30, and the lower thermistor 38 is the tank 30. It is located 30 liters from the top of the.

Tap water is supplied to the tank unit 6 via the water supply path 40. A pressure reducing valve 42 for reducing the water supply pressure and a water inlet thermistor 44 for detecting the water supply temperature are attached to the water supply path 40. The water supply path 40 is branched into a tank water supply path 46 that communicates with the bottom of the tank 30 and a tank bypass path 48 that communicates with the mixing valve 32. Check valves 50 and 52 are attached to the tank water supply path 46 and the tank bypass path 48, respectively. Further, a water side water amount sensor 54 for detecting the flow rate of tap water flowing into the mixing valve 32 is attached to the tank bypass path 48. The top of the tank 30 and the mixing valve 32 communicate with each other via the tank hot water passage 56. A check valve 58 and a hot water side water amount sensor 60 for detecting the flow rate of water from the tank 30 flowing into the mixing valve 32 are attached to the hot water discharge path 56 of the tank.

The mixing valve 32 mixes tap water flowing from the tank bypass path 48 and water from the tank 30 flowing from the tank hot water supply path 56, and sends the tap water to the first hot water supply path 62. The mixing valve 32 drives the valve by a stepping motor to adjust the opening degree on the tank bypass path 48 side (opening on the water side) and the opening degree on the tank discharge path 56 side (opening on the hot water side). A mixing thermistor 64 for detecting the temperature of water delivered from the mixing valve 32 is attached to the first hot water supply path 62.

From the tank unit 6, hot water is supplied to hot water supply points such as kitchens, showers, and currants via the second hot water supply path 66. A hot water supply outlet thermistor 68 for detecting the temperature of water supplied to the hot water supply location and a check valve 70 are attached to the second hot water supply path 66. A hot water supply bypass route 72 communicates between the first hot water supply route 62 and the second hot water supply route 66. A bypass control valve 34 is attached to the hot water supply bypass path 72.

The tank unit 6 further includes a tank controller 74. The tank controller 74 controls the operation of each component of the tank unit 6. Further, the tank controller 74 includes a non-volatile memory 75. The non-volatile memory 75 stores the scheduled start time of the heating operation, which will be described later.

The burner unit 8 includes a burner 80, a heat exchanger 82, a bypass servo 84, a water amount servo 86, and a hot water valve 88. The burner 80 is an auxiliary heat source machine that heats the water flowing through the heat exchanger 82 by burning the fuel gas. Fuel gas is supplied to the burner 80 via the gas supply pipe 81. Water from the first hot water supply path 62 of the tank unit 6 flows into the heat exchanger 82 via the burner outbound path 90. The water that has passed through the heat exchanger 82 flows out to the second hot water supply path 66 of the tank unit 6 via the burner return path 92. A water amount servo 86 that adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the burner outbound route 90 and a water amount sensor 91 that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the burner outbound route 90 are attached to the burner outbound route 90. The burner outbound route 90 and the burner return route 92 communicate with each other via the burner bypass route 94. A bypass servo 84 is attached to the connection portion between the burner outbound route 90 and the burner bypass route 94. The bypass servo 84 adjusts the flow rate of water flowing from the burner outbound path 90 to the burner bypass path 94. A burner hot water supply thermistor 96 that detects the temperature of the water flowing out of the heat exchanger 82 is attached to the burner return path 92. From the burner return route 92, the hot water route 98 branches off. In the burner return route 92, a hot water valve 88 is attached to the hot water path 98. From the burner unit 8, hot water is supplied to the bathtub, which is a hot water supply point, via the hot water route 98.

The burner unit 8 further includes a burner controller 100 that controls the operation of each component of the burner unit 8 and a remote controller 102. The remote controller 102 can communicate with the burner controller 100. Further, the remote controller 102 can communicate with the tank controller 74 via the burner controller 100. The remote controller 102 accepts various operation inputs from the user via switches, buttons, and the like. Further, the remote controller 102 notifies the user of various information regarding the setting and operation of the hot water supply system 2 by display or voice. Further, the remote controller 102 can communicate with the management device 192 via the Wi-Fi router 190. The management device 192 is, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The management device 192 is a device that is outside the hot water supply system 2 and is installed inside the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed. The management device 192 manages the supply amount and consumption amount of electric power and fuel in the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed. Further, the management device 192 can be connected to an external network. By connecting to the external network, the management device 192 can acquire the daily temperature information from the external network. The remote controller 102 can acquire daily temperature information by communicating with the management device 192 via the Wi-Fi router 190.

Power is supplied from the commercial power source 108 to the HP unit 4, the tank unit 6, and the burner unit 8 of the hot water supply system 2. Each unit operates using the power supplied from the commercial power source 108.

The HP controller 24 and the tank controller 74 can communicate with each other. The tank controller 74 and the burner controller 100 can communicate with each other. Therefore, when the HP controller 24, the tank controller 74, and the burner controller 100 cooperate to control the hot water supply system 2, the hot water supply system 2 can perform various operations such as heating operation and hot water supply operation. In the following, the HP controller 24, the tank controller 74, and the burner controller 100 are collectively referred to as a controller.

Next, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 will be described. The hot water supply system 2 can execute a heating operation and a hot water supply operation.

(Heating operation)
In the heating operation, the hot water supply system 2 drives the HP unit 4 to boil the water in the tank 30. When the heating operation is started, the HP controller 24 drives the compressor 10 to circulate the refrigerant in the order of the compressor 10, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 14, and the evaporator 16 and also drives the circulation pump 18. Water is circulated between the tank 30 and the condenser 12. As a result, the water sucked from the bottom of the tank 30 is heated to the target temperature TA (for example, 45 ° C.) in the condenser 12 and returned to the top of the tank 30. When the target heating water amount TW of the water in the tank 30 is replaced with water heated to the target temperature TA, the HP controller 24 ends the heating operation. The target heating water amount TW is the amount of water heated to the target temperature TA by the heating operation.

(Hot water supply operation)
In the hot water supply operation, water at the hot water supply set temperature is supplied to the hot water supply location. In particular, the hot water supply operation when the hot water supply location is a bathtub is hereinafter referred to as "hot water filling operation". When the total flow rate (also referred to as hot water supply flow rate) of the flow rate detected by the water side water amount sensor 54 and the flow rate detected by the hot water side water amount sensor 60 becomes the minimum operating flow rate (for example, 2.4 L / min) or more. , It is judged that hot water supply has started by opening the hot water supply location or filling the bathtub with hot water. Then, the controller executes the following non-combustion hot water supply operation or combustion hot water supply operation according to the temperature detected by the upper thermistor 36.

When the temperature detected by the upper thermistor 36 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature, the controller executes the non-combustion hot water supply operation. In the non-combustion hot water supply operation, the controller prohibits the combustion operation of the burner 80 and adjusts the opening degree of the mixing valve 32 so that the temperature detected by the mixing thermistor 64 becomes the hot water supply set temperature. As a result, water whose temperature has been adjusted to the hot water supply set temperature is supplied to the hot water supply location.

If the temperature detected by the upper thermistor 36 is less than the hot water supply set temperature, the controller executes the combustion hot water supply operation. In the combustion hot water supply operation, the controller permits the combustion operation of the burner 80 and mixes the temperature detected by the mixing thermistor 64 so that the temperature is lower than the set temperature of the hot water supply by the minimum heating capacity of the burner 80. The opening degree of the valve 32 is adjusted. In this case, the high-temperature water supplied from the upper part of the tank 30 and the low-temperature water supplied from the water supply path 40 are mixed by the mixing valve 32 and then heated to the hot water supply set temperature by the burner 80 to reach the hot water supply location. Is supplied to.

If the hot water supply flow rate falls below the minimum operating flow rate during the above non-combustion hot water supply operation or combustion hot water supply operation, the controller determines that the hot water supply has ended due to the closing of the hot water supply location or the end of hot water filling in the bathtub. And end the hot water supply operation.

(Processing to specify the scheduled start time of heating operation)
The hot water supply system 2 is configured to start the heating operation when the scheduled start time of the heating operation stored in the non-volatile memory 75 arrives. Therefore, the controller specifies the scheduled start time of the day every 24 hours (every time the time reaches 2:00). The controller stores the specified start time of the day in the non-volatile memory 75. A process for specifying the scheduled start time will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

First, the controller identifies the scheduled start time according to the past water usage record.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller identifies the scheduled start time based on the tendency of hot water supply in a specific household. Specifically, the controller indicates the time information indicating the time when the hot water supply is started and the time when the hot water supply is finished, and the supply indicating the amount of water supplied each time the hot water supply is performed in a specific household. Stores quantity information. The controller stores the time information and the supply amount information for one day as the operation history for one day of a specific household. In this embodiment, the controller stores the operation history of the specific household for the past 7 days. Therefore, the controller erases the operation history of 8 days ago and stores the operation history of the previous day every 24 hours.

Next, the controller identifies the earliest time among the times when the first hot water supply is started in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply start time S1”. For example, the controller specifies 6:00 as the hot water supply start time S1 (see FIG. 2). In the first hot water supply, about 5 L to 20 L of water is supplied. In this case, the controller sets 30 liters as the target heated water amount TW up to the hot water supply start time S1.

In addition, the controller identifies the earliest time among the times when the hot water filling operation is started in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as "hot water filling start time B1". As described above, in this embodiment, the specific household is preset to start the hot water filling operation at 20:00 every day. For example, the controller specifies 20:00 as the hot water filling start time B1 (see FIG. 2). In the hot water filling operation, about 150 L to 180 L of water is supplied. In this case, the controller sets 100 liters (full storage) as the target heating water amount TW up to the hot water filling start time B1.

Further, the controller identifies the latest time among the times when the last hot water supply is completed in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply end time G1”. For example, the controller specifies 0:00 as the hot water supply end time G1 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the controller identifies a first predetermined time α, a second predetermined time β, and a third predetermined time γ based on the target temperature TA and the water supply temperature.

Next, the controller specifies the first scheduled heating start time S0, which is a time before the specified first predetermined time α from the hot water supply start time S1, and the second specified second from the hot water filling start time B1. The second heating start scheduled time B0, which is a time before the predetermined time β, is specified. The controller stores the first scheduled heating start time S0 and the second scheduled heating start time B0 as the scheduled start times in the non-volatile memory 75. Further, the controller specifies the heat pump stop time G0, which is a time before the specified third predetermined time γ from the hot water supply end time G1.

After specifying the scheduled start time according to the past water usage record, the controller further specifies the scheduled start time of the heating operation to be executed before the hot water filling start time B1. A process of specifying the scheduled start time of the heating operation to be executed before the hot water filling start time B1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S12, the controller acquires the daily temperature information from the management device 192. Specifically, the controller transmits a request signal requesting transmission of daily temperature information to the management device 192 via the remote controller 102 and the Wi-Fi router 190. When the management device 192 receives the request signal from the controller, the management device 192 acquires the daily temperature information of the area of the house where the hot water supply system 2 is installed from an external network. Next, the management device 192 transmits the acquired daily temperature information to the controller. The daily temperature information is, for example, a change in temperature every hour.

In step S14, the controller identifies the third heating start scheduled time B0'based on the daily temperature information received from the management device 192. Specifically, the controller specifies the third scheduled heating start time B0'so that the heating operation is executed at the time when the daily air temperature reaches the maximum temperature TH. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the outside air temperature and the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4. As is clear from FIG. 5, the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 increases as the outside air temperature increases. Therefore, at the time when the daily air temperature reaches the maximum temperature TH (hereinafter referred to as time D1), the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 becomes maximum in the day. Therefore, by executing the heating operation at time D1, the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 during the heating operation can be increased.

A method of specifying the third heating start scheduled time B0'will be described with reference to FIG. First, the controller specifies the time when the maximum temperature TH is reached (hereinafter, referred to as time D1) based on the daily temperature information. The controller then identifies the third scheduled heating start time B0'so that the heating operation is performed at time D1. In this embodiment, the controller specifies the third scheduled heating start time B0'so that the time D1 coincides with the time at the center of the start and end of the heating operation. Specifically, the controller specifies the time required for the heating operation, sets half the time required for the heating operation as the fourth predetermined time x, and sets the time before the time D1 to the fourth predetermined time x. Is specified as the third scheduled heating start time B0'. For example, when the target heating water amount TW is 100 liters and the target temperature TA is 45 ° C., the time required for the heating operation is specified as about 2 hours. In this case, the fourth predetermined time x is one hour. As a result, the heating operation can be executed during the time when the temperature is high, and the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 can be improved. Further, the HP unit 4 takes a certain amount of time (for example, 10 minutes) from driving the compressor 10 until the temperature of the refrigerant stabilizes, but by specifying the third heating start scheduled time B0'as described above, , The temperature of the refrigerant of the HP unit 4 can be stabilized by the time D1.

In step S16 of FIG. 3, in the controller, the first temperature difference TD1 between the maximum temperature TH of the day and the first expected temperature TP1 at the second scheduled start time B0 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature T1 (for example, 5 ° C.). Judge whether or not. Specifically, the controller identifies the daily maximum temperature TH based on the daily temperature information. Further, the controller specifies the first expected temperature TP1 at the second scheduled start time B0 based on the daily temperature information and the second scheduled start time B0. The controller then subtracts the first expected temperature TP1 from the maximum temperature TH to identify the first temperature difference TD1 (see FIG. 4). When the first temperature difference TD1 is small, the difference in heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 at each temperature is also small (see FIG. 5). When the difference in the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 is small, the effect of starting the heating operation at the third scheduled heating start time B0'instead of the second scheduled heating start time B0 becomes small. Therefore, the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment is configured to start the heating operation using the third scheduled heating start time B0'only when the first temperature difference TD1 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature T1. There is. Therefore, when the first temperature difference TD1 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature T1 (YES in step S16), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, when the first temperature difference TD1 is less than the first predetermined temperature T1 (NO in step S16), the process proceeds to step S22. In this embodiment, the process of step S16 is executed based on the first temperature difference TD1 of the first expected temperature TP1 at the second scheduled start time B0 and the maximum temperature TH of one day, but one day. The process of step S16 may be executed based on the difference between the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 at the maximum temperature TH and the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 at the first expected temperature TP1 at the second scheduled start time B0. ..

In step S18, the controller determines whether or not the time difference between the second scheduled heating start time B0 and the third scheduled heating start time B0'is less than a predetermined time (for example, 8 hours). FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the elapsed time from the execution of the heating operation and the ratio of the heat radiation amount of the water in the tank 30. Note that FIG. 6 is heat dissipation data when the outside air temperature is 20 ° C. Although the tank 30 is heat-insulated, it cannot be completely heat-insulated, and heat is dissipated from the water in the tank 30 over time. As is clear from FIG. 6, as the elapsed time from the execution of the heating operation becomes longer, the amount of heat dissipated from the water in the tank 30 increases. The time at which the heating operation (hereinafter referred to as the second heating operation) executed based on the second scheduled start time B0 is completed is substantially the same as the hot water filling start time B1. In this case, there is almost no heat dissipation from the water in the tank 30 from the completion of the second heating operation to the hot water filling start time B1. On the other hand, the time at which the third heating start scheduled time B0'(hereinafter referred to as the third heating operation) is completed is earlier than the hot water filling start time B1. Therefore, some heat is dissipated from the water in the tank 30 between the completion of the third heating operation and the hot water filling start time B1. If a part of the water in the tank 30 heated by the third heating operation becomes lower than the target temperature TA due to heat dissipation by the hot water filling start time B1, the controller will be lower than the target temperature TA. It is necessary to reheat the water at the temperature reached to the target temperature TA. Therefore, the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment uses the third heating start scheduled time B0'only when the time difference between the second heating start scheduled time B0 and the third heating start scheduled time B0'is less than a predetermined time. , Start the heating operation. That is, when the time difference is less than the predetermined time (YES in step S18), the process proceeds to step S20, and when the time difference is equal to or more than the predetermined time (NO in step S18), the process proceeds to step S22. The amount of heat radiated from the water in the tank 30 with the passage of time also changes depending on the outside air temperature. The lower the outside air temperature, the larger the amount of heat radiated, and the higher the outside air temperature, the smaller the amount of heat radiated. Therefore, the above predetermined time may be changed according to the expected outside air temperature, the predetermined time is set longer when the expected outside air temperature is high, and the predetermined time is set when the expected outside air temperature is low. May be set short.

In step S20, the controller stores the third heating start scheduled time B0'in the non-volatile memory 75 as the scheduled start time before the hot water filling operation. In this case, the second heating start scheduled time B0 stored in the non-volatile memory 75 may be erased. On the other hand, in step S22, the controller holds the second scheduled heating start time B0 stored in the non-volatile memory 75 without storing the third scheduled heating start time B0'in the non-volatile memory 75.

As described above, the controller specifies the scheduled start time of the heating operation on that day every time the time reaches 2:00. After that, when the scheduled start time stored in the non-volatile memory 75 arrives, the controller starts the heating operation.

(Heat treatment)
Further, when the third heating start scheduled time B0'is stored in the non-volatile memory 75 and the third heating start scheduled time B0' arrives, the controller executes the heat treatment. The heat treatment is a process for determining whether or not to start the heating operation at the third scheduled heating start time B0'. The heat treatment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

In step S32, in the controller, the second temperature difference TD2 between the second expected temperature TP2 at the third scheduled heating start time B0'and the outside air temperature TO detected by the HP outside air temperature thermistor 23 exceeds the second predetermined temperature T2. Judge whether or not it is. The controller specifies the second expected temperature TP2 at the third scheduled heating start time B0'based on the daily air temperature information acquired in S12 of FIG. The controller subtracts the outside air temperature TO from the second expected air temperature TP2 to specify the second temperature difference TD2. In this embodiment, the second predetermined temperature T2 is a fixed value, but the controller may change the second predetermined temperature T2 based on the magnitude of the first temperature difference TD1. For example, when the first temperature difference TD1 is relatively large, the second predetermined temperature T2 may be increased, and when the first temperature difference TD1 is relatively small, the second predetermined temperature T2 may be decreased.

When the second temperature difference TD2 exceeds the second predetermined temperature T2 (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, when the second temperature difference TD2 is equal to or less than the second predetermined temperature T2 (NO in step S32), the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the controller starts the heating operation. Therefore, if NO is determined in step S32, the controller starts the heating operation at the third scheduled heating start time B0'.

In step S34, the controller stops the start of the heating operation and proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the controller stores the second heating start scheduled time B0 in the non-volatile memory 75 as the scheduled start time before the hot water filling operation. As a result, the second scheduled start time B0 is reset as the scheduled start time before the hot water filling operation. Therefore, if YES is determined in step S32, the controller starts the heating operation at the second scheduled start time B0. When the second temperature difference TD2 exceeds the second predetermined temperature T2, the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 when the heating operation is started at the third scheduled start time B0'and the heating at the second scheduled start time B0 The difference in heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 when the operation is started is smaller than the assumption when the scheduled start time of the heating operation is specified. Therefore, the effect of starting the heating operation at the third scheduled start time B0'is also smaller than the assumption when the scheduled start time of the heating operation is specified. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the second temperature difference TD2 exceeds the second predetermined temperature T2, the controller starts the heating operation at the second heating start scheduled time B0 specified according to the actual usage of water. To do.

As described above, the controller specifies the time D1 at which the maximum daily temperature TH is obtained, based on the daily temperature information acquired from the management device 192. Further, the controller specifies a third scheduled heating start time B0'to start the heating operation so that the heating operation is executed at the time D1. The higher the outside air temperature, the higher the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 during the heating operation (see FIG. 5). Therefore, by starting the heating operation at the third scheduled heating start time B0', the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 when executing the heating operation can be increased.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller sets the third scheduled heating start time B0'based on the first temperature difference TD1 of the first expected temperature TP1 of the daily maximum temperature TH and the second scheduled heating start time B0. It is switched whether to start the heating operation by using the second heating start time B0 or to start the heating operation by using the second scheduled start time B0. When the first temperature difference TD1 is small, the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 when the heating operation is started at the third scheduled heating start time B0'and the HP when the heating operation is started at the second scheduled heating start time B0. The difference in heating efficiency of the unit 4 is small (see FIG. 5). Further, when the difference in the heating efficiency of the HP unit 4 is small, the effect of starting the heating operation at the third scheduled start time B0'is also small. According to the above configuration, when the effect of starting the heating operation at the third scheduled heating start time B0'is small, the heating operation is performed using the second scheduled heating start time B0 specified according to the actual usage of water. You can get started.

Further, in the above embodiment, does the controller start the heating operation using the third scheduled heating start time B0'based on the time difference between the second scheduled heating start time B0 and the third scheduled heating start time B0'? , The heating operation is switched using the second scheduled start time B0. When the third heating operation is executed, the ratio of the amount of heat radiated from the water in the tank 30 up to the hot water filling start time B1 is higher than that when the second heating operation is executed (see FIG. 6). The water that has been dissipated by the hot water filling start time B1 and whose temperature has dropped needs to be reheated. Therefore, considering the amount of heat radiated from the water up to the hot water filling start time B1, when the time difference exceeds a predetermined time, it is better to execute the second heating operation instead of the third heating operation to generate the energy of the hot water supply system 2. The efficiency is high. According to the above configuration, the controller can execute the second heating operation when the time difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Thereby, the energy efficiency of the hot water supply system 2 can be improved.

(Correspondence)
Water is an example of a "heat medium". The hot water supply system 2 is an example of "heat equipment". A heat pump cycle composed of a compressor 10, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 16 is an example of a “heat pump heat source”. The management device 192 is an example of an “external device”. The third scheduled start time B0'is an example of the "first scheduled start time". The second scheduled start time B0 and the first expected temperature TP1 are examples of the “second scheduled start time” and the “expected temperature”. The first predetermined temperature T1 is an example of the “predetermined temperature”.

Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, it is determined which of the second scheduled heating start time B0 and the third scheduled heating start time B0'is used to start the heating operation based on the processes of steps S16 and S18. I have decided. Unlike this, the process of either S16 or S18 may be omitted. Further, the process of step S18 may be executed first, and then the process of step S16 may be executed.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the process of step S16 is executed based on the first temperature difference TD1 of the first expected temperature TP1 of the maximum temperature TH and the second scheduled start time B0. Unlike this, the first temperature difference TD1 may be calculated based on the temperature difference between the daily maximum temperature TH and the daily minimum temperature TL included in the temperature information.

The technical elements described herein or in the drawings exhibit their technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification or drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

2: Hot water supply system 4: HP unit 6: Tank unit 8: Burner unit 10: Compressor 12: Condenser 14: Expansion valve 16: Evaporator 18: Circulation pump 19: HP outbound route 20: Outgoing thermistor 21: HP return route 22: Return thermistor 23: HP outside air temperature thermistor 24: HP controller 30: Tank 31: Tank outbound path 32: Mixing valve 33: Tank return path 34: Bypass control valve 36: Upper thermistor 37: Intermediate thermistor 38: Lower thermistor 40 : Water supply path 42: Pressure reducing valve 44: Water inlet thermistor 46: Tank water supply path 48: Tank bypass path 50: Check valve 52: Check valve 54: Water side water amount sensor 56: Tank hot water flow path 58: Check valve 60: Hot water Side water amount sensor 62: 1st hot water supply path 64: Mixing thermistor 66: 2nd hot water supply path 68: Hot water supply outlet thermistor 70: Check valve 72: Hot water supply bypass path 74: Tank controller 75: Non-volatile memory 80: Burner 81: Gas supply Tube 82: Heat exchanger 84: Bypass servo 86: Water volume servo 88: Hot water valve 90: Burner outbound route 91: Water volume sensor 92: Burner return path 94: Burner bypass route 96: Burner hot water supply thermistor 98: Hot water flow path 100: Burner controller 102: Remote control 108: Commercial power supply 190: Wi-Fi router 192: Management device

Claims (4)

It ’s a thermal device,
Heat pump that heats the heat medium A heat pump unit equipped with a heat source and
A tank unit including a tank for storing the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source, and
It is equipped with a control device that can communicate with an external device and can acquire daily temperature information from the external device.
The control device can execute a heating operation in which the heat pump heat source is driven to store the heat medium heated by the heat pump heat source in the tank.
The control device specifies the time when the maximum temperature of the day is reached based on the temperature information acquired from the external device, and performs the heating operation so that the heating operation is executed at the specified time. It is configured to specify the first scheduled start time to start ,
The control device is configured to specify a second scheduled start time for starting the heating operation according to the past usage record of the heat medium for hot water filling.
The control device identifies the maximum temperature of the day and the temperature different from the maximum temperature of the day based on the temperature information, and the maximum temperature is different from the maximum temperature of the day. When the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature, the heating operation is started based on the first scheduled start time, and when the temperature difference is less than the predetermined temperature, the heating operation is started based on the second scheduled start time. A thermal device that starts a heating operation . The thermal device according to claim 1 , wherein the temperature different from the maximum temperature of the day is the expected temperature at the second scheduled start time . The thermal device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature different from the maximum temperature of the day is the minimum temperature of the day. The control device has the second scheduled start time when the time difference between the first scheduled start time and the second scheduled start time is longer than the predetermined time even when the temperature difference is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. The thermal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the heating operation is started based on the above.

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