JP6873003B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply device having a function of hot water filling a bathtub.

Conventionally, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, a hot water supply device having a function of automatically performing hot water filling in a bathtub up to a set water level variably set by a user is generally known. In hot water operation by this type of water heater, hot water is supplied into the bathtub to a water level slightly higher than the hot water supply port formed on the side wall at the bottom of the bathtub, and in this state, it is provided in the water passage connected to the hot water supply port. The water level in the bathtub is detected by the water level sensor. Then, the amount of hot water required to raise the water level in the bathtub from the detected water level to the set water level is calculated, and the calculated amount of hot water is supplied into the bathtub.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-113245 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-1330843

The water level sensor installed in the water passage of the hot water supply device (the water passage connected to the hot water supply port) to detect the water level in the bathtub generally has a change in energization characteristics over time, the pressure state of the bathroom, and the movement of water in the water passage. Even if the amount of hot water in the bathtub is constant (and thus the height of the water surface is constant), variations (errors) in the detected value of the water level are likely to occur.

Therefore, even if the set water level in each hot water filling operation is the same, in each hot water filling operation, the water level in the bathtub is raised to the set water level after the hot water is supplied to the bathtub to a water level slightly higher than the hot water supply port of the bathtub. As the amount of hot water required to raise the water level, the amount of hot water calculated by using the detected value of the water level by the water level sensor tends to vary. As a result, the water level in the bathtub after each hot spring operation is likely to fluctuate.

Therefore, it is desired to eliminate such inconvenience. In particular, in the hot water operation from the state where there is no residual water in the bathtub (the state where the bathtub is empty), if the set water level is the same, the amount of hot water to be supplied to the bathtub should be a constant amount. There is a high need to eliminate the inconvenience of.

The present invention has been made in view of this background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply device capable of hot water filling a bathtub so that the variation of the actual water level with respect to the set water level is eliminated as much as possible. ..

In order to achieve the above object, the water heater of the present invention can detect the water level in the bathtub in a state where the water level in the bathtub is higher than the water level formed at the lower part of the bathtub. With the detector
A hot water amount detection unit that detects the amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub from the hot water supply port, and
A hot water supply control unit that controls hot water supply from the hot water supply port to the bathtub during hot water supply operation in which hot water is supplied to the bathtub so that the water level in the bathtub reaches a preset water level that is variably set in advance. With
The hot water control unit
At the time of the first hot water beam operation, the relationship between the reference water amount, which is the amount of water required for the water level in the bathtub to reach the position above the hot water supply port from the bottom surface of the bathtub, and the water amount and the water level in the bathtub. A function to specify and store the specified bathtub characteristic data by using the water level detection value by the water level inspection detection unit and the hot water amount detection value by the hot water amount detection unit during the execution of the first hot water filling operation. Is configured to have
At the time of the hot water supply operation after the first time, the first hot water supply control process of supplying hot water of a predetermined amount of water equal to or more than the reference water amount into the tub, and the inside of the tub after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. When the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of no residual water, the present invention is executed. The amount of insufficient hot water that matches the amount of water obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount of water from the amount of water in the bathtub when the water level in the bathtub matches the set water level is determined by the water heater without using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit. The second a hot water supply control process of supplying hot water of the determined insufficient hot water amount into the bathtub is executed by using the characteristic data and the set water level, and the residual water after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is executed. When the determination result of the determination process is the determination result of the presence of residual water, the amount of water required to raise the water level in the bathtub from the water level in the bathtub to the set water level after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. The amount of insufficient hot water that matches the above is determined using the bath characteristic data, the value detected by the water level detection unit, and the set water level, and the determined amount of insufficient hot water is supplied into the bath. 2b It is characterized in that it is configured to have a function of executing a hot water supply control process (first invention).

In the present invention, the residual water in the bathtub means the hot water already existing in the bathtub at the start of the hot water beam operation.

According to the first invention, at the time of the hot water supply operation after the first time, hot water having a predetermined amount of water equal to or more than the reference water amount is supplied into the bathtub by the first hot water supply control process, and further, the residual water determination process is performed. Will be executed.

Then, when the determination result of the residual water determination process is the determination result of no residual water, the hot water supply to the set water level is performed in the bathtub by the second a hot water supply control process, and the determination result of the residual water determination process is obtained. If it is a determination result of the presence of residual water, the hot water supply to the set water level is performed in the bathtub by the second b hot water supply control process.

In this case, in the second b hot water supply control process when there is residual water, the insufficient hot water amount is calculated using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit, but the second a hot water supply control process when there is no residual water. Then, the insufficient amount of hot water is calculated without using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit.

Here, in the case of no residual water, the amount of water supplied to the bathtub until the water level in the bathtub matches the set water level is defined by the bathtub characteristic data and the set water level. To. When there is no residual water, the amount of water in the bathtub after the execution of the first hot water supply control process matches the predetermined amount of water.

Therefore, the insufficient amount of hot water in the second a hot water supply control process corresponds to the amount of water obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount of water from the amount of water in the bathtub in a state where the water level in the bathtub matches the set water level. Then, the amount of insufficient hot water can be determined by using the bathtub characteristic data and the set water level without using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit.

Since the amount of insufficient hot water determined in this way does not depend on the detected value of the water level by the water level detecting unit, it is not affected by the detected value and is defined according to the set water level. Therefore, in the case of no residual water, if the set water level is constant, the amount of insufficient hot water supplied to the bathtub by the second a hot water supply control process is constant. As a result, when there is no residual water during each hot water filling operation after the first time, it is possible to prevent the actual water level in the bathtub after the execution of the second a hot water supply control process from fluctuating with respect to the set water level. To.

Therefore, according to the first invention, it is possible to fill the bathtub with hot water so that the variation of the actual water level with respect to the set water level is eliminated as much as possible.

In the first invention, when the set water level is a relative water level with respect to the reference water level which is the water level in the bathtub in a state where the water amount in the bathtub matches the reference water amount, the hot water beam control unit is used. A function of storing the detected value of the water level detected by the water level detection unit as the reference water level when the reference water amount of hot water is supplied into the bath during the first hot water beam operation, and the hot water after the first time. When the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of no residual water during the beam operation, the water level detection unit detects it after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. The function of executing the correction process for correcting the reference water level according to the detected value of the water level is further included, and the first hot water supply control process is executed at the time of the hot water beam operation after the hot water beam operation in which the correction process is executed. When the determination result of the residual water determination process later is the determination result of the presence of residual water, the amount of insufficient hot water is determined by using the reference water level corrected by the correction process in the second b hot water supply control process. (2nd invention).

Here, when the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of no residual water, the amount of water in the bathtub after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is determined. Since it matches the predetermined water amount, the actual water level in the bathtub after the execution of the first hot water supply control process becomes a constant water level corresponding to the predetermined water amount. Therefore, the detected value of the water level detected by the water level detection unit after the execution of the first hot water supply control process during each hot water filling operation in the case of no residual water depends on the time course of the characteristics of the water level detection unit and the like. It will be.

Therefore, in the case of no residual water, the water level detection unit executes the correction process according to the detected value of the water level detected by the water level detection unit after the execution of the first hot water supply control process at each hot water filling operation. The reference water level can be corrected by appropriately reflecting the influence of changes in the characteristics of the above over time.

Then, during the hot water supply operation when there is residual water, the characteristic water level detection unit changes with time by determining the amount of insufficient hot water using the reference water level corrected by the correction process in the second b hot water supply control process. It is possible to suppress the variation in the amount of insufficient hot water due to the influence of the above.

Therefore, according to the second invention, the variation of the actual water level with respect to the set water level can be eliminated as much as possible not only during the hot water filling operation when there is no residual water but also during the hot water filling operation when there is residual water. , It becomes possible to perform hot water filling in the bathtub.

In the second invention, the hot water supply control unit detects the water level detected by the water level detection unit after the execution of the first hot water supply control process in the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. It is configured to determine the presence or absence of residual water in the bathtub based on the value and the degree of difference from the reference water level, and the above-mentioned during the hot water supply operation after the hot water supply operation in which the correction process is executed. In the residual water determination process, it is preferable that the reference water level corrected by the correction process is used (the third invention).

According to this, when determining the presence or absence of residual water in the bathtub based on the degree of difference between the water level detection value detected by the water level detection unit after the execution of the first hot water supply control process and the reference water level. By using the reference water level after the correction by the correction process, it is possible to improve the reliability of the determination result of the residual water determination process.

In the first to third inventions, in the first hot water supply control process, the hot water supply control unit supplies hot water into the bathtub with a water amount smaller than the reference water amount. It is configured to execute n times (n: an integer of 2 or more) until the amount of hot water reaches the predetermined amount of water, and after each hot water supply up to at least (n-1) times, the hot water supply port is placed in the bathtub. The bathtub water amount determination process for determining whether or not hot water having a water level equal to or higher than the above height is executed, and the determination of the bathtub water amount determination process after any of the hot water supply up to the (n-1) th time is performed. If the result is positive, the first hot water supply control process is stopped, and the third hot water supply control process for raising the water level in the bathtub to the set water level is executed. In the third hot water supply control process, the bathtub characteristic determines the amount of insufficient hot water that matches the amount of water required to raise the water level in the bathtub from the water level in the bathtub to the set water level after the execution of the water amount determination process in the bathtub. A mode is adopted in which the water level is determined by using the data, the water level detected by the water level detection unit, and the set water level, and the determined amount of insufficient hot water is supplied into the bathtub. Obtain (fourth invention).

According to this, when the water amount determination process in the bathtub is executed during the execution of the first hot water supply control process and the determination result is affirmative, the first hot water supply control process is stopped and the third hot water supply control process is stopped. The hot water supply control process is executed.

Therefore, when the amount of residual water in the bathtub is relatively large, the first hot water supply control process is stopped when the amount of hot water less than the predetermined amount of water is supplied into the bathtub. To prevent the water level in the bathtub from rising to a water level higher than the set water level due to the completion of the first hot water supply control process when the amount of residual water in the bathtub is relatively large. Is possible.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the hot water supply apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control process which is executed at the time of the first hot water beam operation by the control device of the hot water supply device of embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control process which is executed at the time of the hot water beam operation after the first time by the control device of the hot water supply device of embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control process which is executed at the time of the hot water beam operation after the first time by the control device of the hot water supply device of embodiment. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of hot water filling when there is no residual water in the bathtub, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of hot water filling when there is residual water in the bathtub.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5B. With reference to FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called bath hot water supply device, which can execute a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water to hot water supply points such as a bathroom and a kitchen, and can be used in a bathtub BT of a bathroom. It is possible to perform bath operations such as a hot water beam operation for hot water filling, a reheating operation for heating the hot water in the bathtub BT, and an additional hot water operation for adding hot water to the bathtub BT.

The hot water supply device 1 includes a heat source machine 2 and a remote controller 3 for a user to operate the heat source machine 2.

The heat source machine 2 has a water supply passage 10 for introducing hot water such as tap water into the heat source machine 2 and a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water (hot water) heated in the heat source machine 2 to hot water supply points such as a kitchen and a bathroom. 11 is connected to the bathtub BT, and is connected to the bathtub BT via a circulation water channel 20 that circulates hot water in the bathtub BT (hereinafter referred to as bathtub water) with the heat source machine 2.

Then, in the heat source machine 2, the first heat exchanger 12 and the first burner 13 constituting the heat source portion for heating the hot water for hot water introduced by the water supply channel 10 and the circulation of the bath water through the circulation water channel 20 are circulated. A pump 21, a second heat exchanger 22 and a second burner 23 constituting a heat source unit for heating the bath water, and a control device 40 having a function of controlling the operation of the heat source machine 2 are mounted.

The upstream side of the water supply channel 10 is connected to a water supply source (not shown), and the downstream side of the hot water supply channel 11 is connected to a hot water tap 11a such as a faucet arranged in a kitchen, a bathroom, or the like. Further, a hot water supply temperature sensor 18 for detecting the temperature of hot water supplied to the downstream side of the hot water supply passage 11 (hot water supply temperature) is attached.

The first heat exchanger 12 is provided between the water supply passage 10 and the hot water supply passage 11 so that the hot water supply water from the water supply passage 10 to the hot water supply passage 11 is passed through the first heat exchanger 12. It is dressed up.

The first burner 13 is, for example, a gas burner, and heats the first heat exchanger 12 by the heat of combustion thereof (and thus heats the hot water supply water flowing from the water supply channel 10 through the first heat exchanger 12 to the hot water supply channel 11. ) Is arranged. Then, in the first fuel supply path 14 for supplying the fuel gas to the first burner 13, two solenoid valves 15 and 16 capable of opening and closing the first fuel supply path 14 and the fuel gas to the first burner 13 are provided. A fuel flow control valve 17 such as a proportional valve for adjusting the supply flow rate of the fuel is interposed in order from the upstream side.

The first burner 13 is ignited by driving an ignition device (not shown) with the solenoid valves 15 and 16 controlled to open. Further, during the combustion operation of the first burner 13, combustion air is supplied to the first burner 13 by a combustion fan (not shown).

The circulation water channel 20 is composed of an outward channel side water channel 20a for flowing bathtub water from the heat source machine 2 side to the bathtub BT when the bathtub water is circulated, and a return channel side water channel 20b for flowing bathtub water from the bathtub BT side to the heat source machine 2. The ends of the outward water channel 20a and the return water channel 20b on the bathtub BT side are connected to the hot water supply port Ba formed on the side wall of the lower part of the bathtub BT via the adapter Bb. Further, the ends of the outbound waterway 20a and the inbound waterway 20b on the heat source machine 2 side are connected to the discharge port and the suction port of the circulation pump 21, respectively.

As a result, the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is higher than that of the hot water supply port Ba of the bathtub BT (in other words, the water surface of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is located above the hot water supply port Ba. In the state), by operating the circulation pump 21, the bathtub water is circulated between the bathtub BT and the heat source machine 2 through the circulation water channel 20.

The second heat exchanger 22 is interposed in the middle of the circulation water channel 20, for example, in the middle of the outbound side water channel 20a so that the bathtub water is circulated to the second heat exchanger 22 in the middle of the circulation water channel 20. Has been done.

The second burner 23 is, for example, a gas burner, and the combustion heat thereof heats the second heat exchanger 22 (and thus heats the bath water flowing through the second heat exchanger 22 in the middle of the circulation water channel 20). Is located in. The second fuel supply path 24 for supplying fuel gas to the second burner 23 is branched from a portion of the first fuel supply path 14 between the solenoid valves 15 and 16. The second fuel supply path 24 includes a solenoid valve 26 that opens and closes the second fuel supply path 24, and a fuel flow rate control valve 27 such as a proportional valve that adjusts the supply flow rate of fuel gas to the second burner 23. Are intervened in order from the upstream side.

The second burner 23 is ignited by driving an ignition device (not shown) with the solenoid valves 15 and 26 controlled to open. Further, during the combustion operation of the second burner 23, combustion air is supplied to the second burner 23 by a combustion fan (not shown).

Further, in the circulation water channel 20, a bath temperature sensor 30 that detects the temperature of the hot water in the circulation water channel 20 as the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub BT (hereinafter referred to as the bath temperature), and water flow through the circulation water channel 20. A water flow switch 31 for detecting the presence or absence and a water level sensor 32 as a water level detecting unit for detecting the water level in the bathtub BT are assembled.

In the present embodiment, the bath temperature sensor 30, the water flow switch 31, and the water level sensor 32 are assembled, for example, in the outbound water channel 20a between the second heat exchanger 22 and the circulation pump 21. However, each of the bath temperature sensor 30, the water flow switch 31, and the water level sensor 32 may be assembled in the return channel side water channel 20b.

Here, since the outward water channel 20a and the return water channel 20b of the circulation water channel 20 are connected to the hot water supply port Ba of the bathtub BT, the state in which water flows through the circulation water channel 20 when the circulation pump 21 is operated is determined. The water level of the tub water in the tub BT may be higher than the height of the hot water supply port Ba (in other words, the operation of the circulation pump 21 may cause the tub water in the tub BT to flow into the return channel 20b of the circulation channel 20. Water level).

Further, when the circulation pump 21 is operated, the state in which water does not flow in the circulation water channel 20 is the state in which there is no bath water in the bath BT (the state in which the bath BT is empty) or the water level of the bath water in the bath BT. However, the water level is lower than that of the hot water supply port Ba (in other words, even if the circulation pump 21 is operated, the water level in the tub BT cannot flow into the return side water channel 20b of the circulation water channel 20). ..

Therefore, based on the detection output of the water flow switch 31 (detection output indicating the presence or absence of water flow) when the circulation pump 21 is operating, the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is equal to or higher than the height of the hot water supply port Ba. It is possible to detect whether or not it is.

The water level sensor 32 is a water pressure detection type water level sensor. Therefore, the water level sensor 32 can detect the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT in a state where the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is higher than that of the hot water supply port Ba.

An intermediate portion of the circulating water channel 20, for example, an intermediate portion near the upstream side of the outward channel 20a is connected to the hot water supply channel 11 via the hot water irrigation canal 34. The hot water canal 34 is assembled with a solenoid valve 35 for opening and closing the hot water canal 34 and a water amount sensor 36 for detecting the flow rate of the hot water canal 34.

Therefore, by performing the combustion operation of the first burner 13 while controlling the opening of the electromagnetic valve 35, the hot water supply water (hot water) heated by the first heat exchanger 12 is circulated from the hot water supply channel 11 to the hot water supply channel 34 and the hot water supply channel 34. It is possible to supply hot water to the tub BT through the water channel 20 (that is, to perform hot water filling of the tub BT). In this case, in the present embodiment, the hot water supply to the bathtub BT is performed from the hot water irrigation canal 34 through both the outbound side canal 20a and the inbound canal 20b of the circulation canal 20 (so-called both transports).

Further, when the bathtub BT is filled with hot water, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT can be detected by integrating the water flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 36.

The remote controller 3 includes a display unit 3a for displaying various information related to the operation of the heat source machine 2 and an operation unit 3b composed of a plurality of operation switches and the like, and the control device 40 can communicate with the control device 40. Is wired to. The communication between the remote controller 3 and the control device 40 is not limited to wired communication, and may be performed by wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the operation unit 3b of the remote control 3 has a switch for instructing the control device 40 to start or stop the heat source machine 2, a hot water operation of the bathtub BT, a reheating operation, and addition. A switch for instructing the control device 40 to execute each bath operation such as a hot water operation, a switch for variably setting a target value of the hot water supply temperature, and a bath temperature which is the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT. A switch for variably setting the target value, a switch for variably setting the target value of the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT, and the like are included.

Here, the target value of the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT (hereinafter referred to as the set water level Hs) that can be variably set by the operation of the operation unit 3b of the remote controller 3 is shown by the following equation (1) in more detail. It is a relative water level based on the reference water level H0 described later.

Hs = H0 + hs …… (1)

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, the reference water level H0 is a water level slightly higher than the hot water supply port Ba of the bathtub BT, and is determined at the time of the first hot water operation of the bathtub BT as described later. is there. Further, the reference water level H0 is appropriately updated at the time of hot water operation after the first bathtub BT.

Then, the relative change amount hs (= Hs−H0) of the set water level Hs with respect to the reference water level H0 is a value that can be variably set by the operation of the operation unit 3b of the remote controller 3. The relative change amount hs can be variably set to a plurality of types of values (for example, values at intervals of 20 mm) within a predetermined range (for example, within a range of 50 mm to 270 mm).

The control device 40 is composed of an electronic circuit unit including a microcomputer, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like. The control device 40 is given operation information of the operation unit 3b of the remote controller 3 from the remote controller 3, and also includes the hot water supply temperature sensor 18, the bath temperature sensor 30, the water flow switch 31, the water level sensor 32, the water amount sensor 36, and the like. The detection output of each sensor is input.

The control device 40 has a function of executing various control processes related to the operation of the heat source machine 2 according to the implemented hardware configuration and program (software configuration).

In the present embodiment, the control device 40 has a function as a hot water supply control unit 41 that executes a control process described later with respect to the hot water supply operation, and a hot water amount detection that detects the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT during the hot water supply operation or the like. Includes a function as a unit 42. In this case, the hot water amount detection unit 42 detects the amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub BT by integrating the detected values of the water flow rate indicated by the detection output of the water amount sensor 36 of the hot water canal 34.

The hot water supply device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above. Supplementally, the heat source machine 2 of the hot water supply device 1 of the present embodiment includes the first burner 13 and the second burner 23 as the combustion type heat source, but the heat source machine 2 replaces the combustion type heat source or In addition to the combustion type heat source, for example, an electric type heat source (including a heat pump type heat source) that converts electric energy into heat energy may be provided. Further, the hot water supply device 1 may include a plurality of remote controllers including the remote controller 3.

Next, the control process relating to the hot water filling operation for hot water filling the bathtub BT will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

When the operation unit 3b of the remote controller 3 performs an operation for executing the hot water filling operation, the remote controller 3 gives a command to the control device 40 to execute the hot water filling operation.

At this time, when the hot water supply operation to be executed is the first hot water supply operation after the installation of the hot water supply device 1 and the bathtub BT, the control device 40 controls the hot water supply shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is executed by the part 41.

First, in STEP 1, the hot water supply control unit 41 fills the bathtub BT with hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V1 (for example, 6 liters) in order to supply hot water as so-called priming water to the circulating water channel 20 (supplying hot water). ), The heat source machine 2 is operated.

Specifically, the hot water beam control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water flow channel 34 and starts the combustion operation of the first burner 13. In this case, the fuel supply amount to the first burner 13 (and thus the combustion amount of the first burner 13) is set in advance by the remote control 3 to set the hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 18 (or the bath temperature sensor 30). It is controlled to match or almost match the target value of the bath temperature.

Further, in STEP 1, the hot water amount detection unit 42 of the control device 40 sequentially integrates the water flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 36 after the valve opening control of the solenoid valve 35, and the integrated water amount is supplied to the bathtub BT. The hot water amount is input to the hot water control unit 41 as a detected value. Hereinafter, the amount of hot water detected by the hot water amount detecting unit 42 in this way is referred to as an integrated hot water supply amount.

Then, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the solenoid valve 35 to close when the integrated hot water supply amount reaches the predetermined hot water amount V1, and stops the combustion operation of the first burner 13.

In STEP 1, the operation of the heat source machine 2 is controlled as described above. As a result, hot water (priming water) having a predetermined amount of hot water V1 is supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the circulating water channel 20 via the hot water irrigation canal 34.

The predetermined amount of hot water V1 which is the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT in STEP 1 is a small amount of hot water and most of it is filled in the circulation water channel 20, so that the water level in the bathtub BT is substantially raised in the treatment of STEP1. It does not change. Therefore, in the subsequent processing, the predetermined amount of hot water V1 is not used for calculating the amount of hot water in the bathtub BT.

Supplementally, in STEP 1, hot water for hot water supply having a predetermined amount of hot water V1 may be supplied to the circulating water channel 20 without performing the combustion operation of the first burner 13.

Next, in STEP 2, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes a bathtub water amount determination process, which is a process of determining whether or not there is bathtub water having a water level equal to or higher than the height of the hot water supply port Ba in the bathtub BT. In this bathtub water amount determination process, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the circulation pump 21 and acquires the detection output of the water flow switch 31 in this state. Then, the hot water supply control unit 41 has tub water in the tub BT when the occurrence of water flow in the circulating water channel 20 is continuously detected by the water flow switch 31 (specifically, the height of the hot water supply port Ba). It is determined that there is tub water at a water level above or above), and if not, it is determined that there is no tub water in the tub BT (specifically, there is no tub water at a water level higher than the height of the hot water supply port Ba).

If the judgment result of the water amount judgment process in the bathtub in STEP 2 is affirmative (when it is judged that there is bathtub water), the height of the hot water supply port Ba or higher has already been reached in the bathtub BT before the start of the hot water filling operation. It can be considered that there was bathtub water at the water level of. In this case, the hot water beam control unit 41 then determines that the current bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 30 in STEP 20 is equal to or higher than the set temperature which is the target value preset by the remote controller 3. Determine if it exists. Then, when this determination result is affirmative (when the bath temperature ≥ the set temperature), the hot water beam control unit 41 ends the control process of the hot water beam operation.

When the determination result of STEP 20 is negative (when the bath temperature <set temperature), the hot water beam control unit 41 executes a boiling process of boiling the bathtub water in the bathtub BT in STEP21. After that, the control process of the hot water operation is finished.

In the boiling process of STEP 21, the hot water supply control unit 41 raises the bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 30 to the set temperature for operating the circulation pump 21 and the combustion operation of the second burner 23. Run up to. As a result, the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is heated by the second heat exchanger 22 while circulating through the circulation water channel 20, and the bathtub water is boiled to a set temperature.

If the determination result of the water amount determination process in the bathtub in STEP 2 is affirmative, in the next hot water beam operation, the hot water beam control unit 41 performs the next hot water beam operation as the first hot water beam operation. Assuming that, the control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is executed again.

When the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 2 is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water in the bathtub BT), the hot water supply control unit 41 then sets the predetermined hot water amount V2 (in STEP 3). The process of operating the heat source machine 2 so as to pour (supply) hot water of (for example, 30 liters) into the bathtub BT is executed in the same manner as in STEP 1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches a predetermined hot water amount V2. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V2 is supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Next, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 4 in the same manner as in STEP 2. Then, when the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 4 is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water), the hot water supply control unit 41 sets the predetermined hot water amount V3 (for example, 10 liters) in STEP7. The process of operating the heat source machine 2 so as to further add (supply) the hot water to the bathtub BT is executed in the same manner as in STEP 1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches a predetermined hot water amount V3. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V3 is further supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Then, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 4 again following the process of STEP 7. As a result, the hot water filling of the predetermined amount of hot water V3 in STEP 7 is repeated until it is determined in STEP 4 that there is bath water.

When it is determined in STEP4 that there is bathtub water (when the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP4 becomes affirmative), the hot water supply control unit 41 then determines that the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub BT is the hot water supply port Ba. In order to ensure that the water level is higher than the water level (the water level at which the water surface of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is located above the hot water supply port Ba), the predetermined amount of hot water V4 (for example, 20) is set in STEP5. The process of operating the heat source machine 2 so as to fill the bathtub BT with hot water (liter) is executed in the same manner as in STEP 1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches a predetermined hot water amount V4. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V4 is further supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Next, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 6 in the same manner as in STEP 2.

Here, since the determination result of STEP4 has already been affirmative, the determination result of STEP6 is usually affirmative. However, for example, when the bathtub water in the bathtub BT leaks from the drain port of the bathtub BT, or when a part of the hot water in the bathtub BT is pumped out by the user or the like during the hot water filling operation, etc. In some cases, the determination result of STEP 6 is negative (it is determined that there is no bathtub water).

In this case, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 7 again. However, although the illustration in FIG. 2 is omitted, in the hot water supply control unit 41, when the number of repetitions of the process of STEP 7 (hot water beam of a predetermined amount of hot water V3) exceeds a predetermined upper limit number (or from STEP 3). When the total amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT exceeds a predetermined amount), it is regarded as an abnormal state, and the hot water filling operation is stopped. In this case, the control device 40 notifies the occurrence of the abnormality by displaying information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality on the display unit 3a of the remote controller 3.

When the determination result of STEP 6 is negative, the hot water beam control unit 41 will perform the next hot water beam operation in the next hot water beam operation, as in the case where the determination result of STEP 2 is positive. The operation is regarded as the first hot water operation, and the control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is executed again.

When the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 6 is affirmative (when it is determined that there is bathtub water), the hot water supply control unit 41 then in STEP8, the water level sensor 32 in the bathtub BT. Along with detecting the current water level Hw (acquiring the water level detection value Hw indicated by the detection output of the water level sensor 32), the amount of water currently existing in the bathtub BT (hereinafter referred to as the bathtub water amount W) is calculated.

In this case, the bathtub water amount W is calculated as the total amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT by the treatments of STEPs 3, 5 and 7 so far. For example, when the number of executions of the STEP7 process is 5 times and the number of executions of the STEP5 process is 1 after the STEP3 process, the bathtub water amount W is calculated as W = V2 + (5 · V3) + V4.

Next, in STEP 9, the hot water beam control unit 41 stores the detected value of the current water level Hw acquired in STEP 8 as the reference water level H0 in the first hot water beam operation, and sets the current bathtub water amount W as the reference water amount W0. Retain memory. In this case, the reference water level H0 and the reference water amount W0 are stored and held in a non-volatile memory (or a volatile memory to which power is constantly supplied).

Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, the reference water level H0 means the water level in a state where the bathtub water having the reference water amount W0 is stored in the empty bathtub BT, and the water level in the bathtub BT at that water level. The water level of the bathtub water (hot water) is slightly higher than that of the hot water supply port Ba of the bathtub BT.

Then, although the height of the reference water level H0 (the height from the bottom surface of the bathtub BT) as the water level of the bathtub water of the reference water amount W0 in the bathtub BT is a constant value, the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is detected. The water level detected by the water level sensor 32 is such that the amount of water in the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is constant (and thus the height of the water surface is constant) due to the influence of changes over time in the energization characteristics of the water level sensor 32. However, there is some variation.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reference water level H0 is appropriately updated (corrected) as described later when the hot water beam operation is executed after the first hot water beam operation. In this case, in the first hot spring operation, the value of the reference water level H0 determined in STEP 9 as described above corresponds to the initial value of the reference water level H0. Hereinafter, in the first hot spring operation, the value of the reference water level H0 determined in STEP 9 as described above is referred to as H0 (first time) in order to distinguish it from the updated value.

The hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process of STEP 9 as described above, and then in STEP 10, the heat source machine 2 so as to pour (supply) hot water of a predetermined amount of V5 (for example, 40 liters) into the bathtub BT. Is executed in the same manner as in STEP 1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches a predetermined hot water amount V5. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V5 is further supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Next, the hot water beam control unit 41 detects the current water level Hw in the bathtub BT by the water level sensor 32 in STEP11, and further, in STEP12, the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT at the height of the reference water level H0 (first time). The bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH is calculated and stored in a non-volatile memory (or a volatile memory to which power is constantly supplied). The bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH is calculated by the following equation (2) using the value of the predetermined hot water volume V5, the reference water level H0 (first time), and the current water level Hw detection value (detection value in STEP 11). Will be done.

WH = V5 / (Hw-H0 (first time)) …… (2)

In other words, the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH is the amount of water (volume) required to raise the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT by a unit height from the reference water level H0 (first time).

Next, in STEP 13, the hot water supply control unit 41 sets the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT from the current water level Hw (detected value in STEP 11) to the set water level Hs (= H0 (first time)) preset by the remote controller 3. Calculate the amount of insufficient hot water Va required to raise it to + hs).

This insufficient amount of hot water Va is tentatively calculated on the assumption that the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT at a height equal to or higher than the reference water level H0 (first time) is constant (corresponds to the bathtub standard cross-sectional area WH). Yes, for example, it is calculated by the following equation (3a) using the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH, the set water level Hs, and the current water level Hw (detected value in STEP 11).

Va = WH ・ (Hs-Hw) …… (3a)

The insufficient hot water amount Va is calculated by the following equation (3b) using the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH, the set water level Hs, the reference water level H0 (first time), and the hot water amount V5 supplied to the bathtub BT in STEP10. May be good.

Va = WH · (Hs-H0 (first time)) -V5 …… (3b)

Next, in STEP 14, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the heat source machine 2 so that the hot water of the insufficient hot water amount Va calculated as described above is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT in the same manner as in STEP 1. Execute with.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches the insufficient hot water amount Va. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water of insufficient hot water amount Va is further supplied to the bathtub BT from the hot water supply channel 11 via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Next, in STEP 15, the hot water beam control unit 41 detects the current water level Hw in the bathtub BT by the water level sensor 32, and further, in STEP 16, the bathtub as an increase amount per unit height of the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT. The cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH is calculated, and the ΔWH is stored and held in a non-volatile memory (or a volatile memory to which power is constantly supplied). The bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH is calculated by, for example, the following equation (4), assuming that the bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH is constant at a height equal to or higher than the reference water level H0 (first time).

ΔWH = 2 · WH · (Hs-Hw) / (Hw-H0 (first time)) ² …… (4)

Hw in the formula (4) is a detected value in STEP 15 (detected value of the current water level Hw). When the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT is constant at a height equal to or higher than the reference water level H0 (first time), the set water level Hs and the current water level Hw become equal, so that ΔWH = 0.

Next, in STEP 17, the hot water filling control unit 41 determines whether or not the current water level Hw detection value (detection value in STEP 15) is lower than the set water level Hs. When this determination result is negative (when Hw ≧ Hs), the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 20 described above to end the first hot water beam operation.

If the determination result of STEP 17 is affirmative, the hot water beam control unit 41 then, in STEP 18, the insufficient amount of hot water required to raise the water level of the bathtub water from the current water level Hw to the set water level Hs. Vb is calculated using the current detected value of the water level Hw (here, the detected value in STEP 15), the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH calculated as described above, and the bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH. The insufficient amount of hot water Vb is calculated by, for example, the following equations (5a) and (5b).

Vb = (Hs-Hw) · (Average cross-sectional area) …… (5a)
However,
(Average cross-sectional area)
= WH + (((Hs-Hw) / 2+ (Hw-H0 (first time))) · ΔWH)
…… (5b)

The above (average cross-sectional area) is the average cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT in the height range between the current water level Hw and the set water level Hs. The set water level Hs is a set water level (= H0 (first time) + hs) determined by using H0 (first time) as the value of the reference water level H0 on the right side of the equation (1).

Next, in STEP 19, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the heat source machine 2 so that the hot water of the insufficient hot water amount Vb calculated as described above is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT in the same manner as in STEP 1. Execute with.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches the insufficient hot water amount Vb. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a insufficient amount of hot water Vb is further supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

Next, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 20 described above to end the initial hot water supply operation.

As described above, in the first hot water filling operation, the hot water filling of the bathtub BT is performed so that the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT reaches the set water level Hs, except when it is determined in STEP2 that there is bathtub water. At the same time, the reference water level H0 (first time) as the water level slightly higher than the hot water supply port Ba of the bathtub BT, the reference water amount W0 as the water amount in the bathtub BT at the reference water level H0 (first time), and the reference water level H0 (first time). The bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH as the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT and the bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH as the amount of increase in the cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT per unit height are specified.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH and the bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH are the bathtub characteristic data in the present invention.

Next, each hot water filling operation after the first hot water filling operation is executed as described above will be described. After the first hot water beam operation (excluding the hot water beam operation in which the judgment result of STEP 2 is positive or the judgment result of STEP 6 is negative) is completed, the execution of the hot water beam operation is newly instructed. In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 of the control device 40 executes the control process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, in STEP 31, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the heat source machine 2 so that hot water having a predetermined amount of hot water V1 (for example, 6 liters) as priming water is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT. The processing of STEP 31 is the same as the processing of STEP 1 in the first hot water operation.

Next, in STEP 32, the hot water filling control unit 41 executes the bathtub water amount determination process in the same manner as in STEP 2 in the first hot water filling operation.

When the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 32 is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water), the hot water supply control unit 41 determines the reference water amount W0 specified in the initial hot water supply operation. The hot water is divided into n times (for example, divided into 3 times), and the heat source machine 2 is operated so as to fill the bathtub BT with hot water (hot water supply). Execute the inland water amount determination process.

More specifically, in STEP 33, the hot water supply control unit 41 performs a process of operating the heat source machine 2 so as to hot water (supply) hot water of 1/3 of the reference water amount W0 to the bathtub BT. Execute in the same way as.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the integrated hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 is W0 / 3 of the water amount. Run until you reach.

Then, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP34, and when the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water), STEP33 , 34 and the same processing are executed again in STEP35 and 36. Further, when the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP36 is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water), the same process as STEP33 and 34 is executed again in STEP37 and 38.

Here, if the bathtub BT is empty (when the bathtub water does not exist in the bathtub BT) at the start of the hot water beam operation this time, the processes of STEP 33, 35, and 37 are sequentially executed. As a result, hot water with a standard amount of water W0 is poured into the bathtub BT.

On the other hand, at the start of this hot water operation, there is residual water such as residual hot water from the previous bathing in the bathtub BT, and the amount of residual water reaches the bathtub BT in STEP33, 35, and 37, respectively. When the amount of water supplied is larger than the amount of water of W0 / 3, the determination result of the water amount determination process in the bathtub in any one of STEP 32, 34, and 36 becomes affirmative.

In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 51 in FIG. In STEP 51, the hot water beam control unit 41 determines whether or not the current bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 30 is lower than the set temperature (target value) by a predetermined value α (for example, 3 ° C.). To do.

When the residual water existing in the bathtub BT is cold, the determination result of STEP 51 becomes affirmative. In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the boiling process of raising the bath temperature to the set temperature in STEP 52 in the same manner as in STEP 21, while the bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 30 in STEP 53. Determines if the set temperature has been reached.

When the determination result of STEP 53 becomes affirmative, the hot water supply control unit 41 ends the boiling process and executes the process from STEP 54. Further, even if the determination result of STEP 51 is negative, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 54. In STEP 54, the hot water beam control unit 41 detects the current water level Hw of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT by the water level sensor 32, and further raises the water level in the bathtub BT from the current water level Hw to the set water level Hs in STEP 55. Calculate the amount of insufficient hot water Vc required for this.

In this case, the insufficient hot water amount Vc is the above formula (5a) using the current detected value of the water level Hw (here, the detected value in STEP54), the bathtub reference cross-sectional area WH, and the bathtub cross-sectional area increase rate ΔWH. ) And (5b), it is calculated by the following equations (6a) and (6b) in the same format.

Vc = (Hs-Hw) · (Average cross-sectional area) …… (6a)
However,
(Average cross-sectional area)
= WH + ((Hs-Hw) / 2+ (Hw-H0) · ΔWH)
…… (6b)

In this case, H0 in the formula (6b) is the latest value of the reference water level H0 which is appropriately updated by the process described later, and is generally different from H0 (first time). Further, the set water level Hs in the formulas (6a) and (6b) is a set water level determined by the above formula (1) using the latest value of the reference water level H0.

Next, in STEP 56, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the heat source machine 2 so that the hot water of the insufficient hot water amount Vc calculated as described above is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT in the same manner as in STEP 1. Execute with.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches the insufficient hot water amount Vc. Run up to. As a result, the heated hot water having a insufficient amount of hot water Vc is further supplied from the hot water supply channel 11 to the bathtub BT via the hot water supply channel 34 and the circulation channel 20.

The entire treatment of STEP 55 and 56 corresponds to the third hot water supply control treatment in the present invention.

Next, the hot water beam control unit 41 determines in STEP 43 whether or not the current bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 30 is a temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature, and if the determination result is positive ( When the bath temperature ≥ the set temperature), the control process of the hot water operation is terminated.

If the determination result of STEP43 is negative (when the bath temperature <set temperature), the hot water beam control unit 41 performs the boiling process of boiling the bathtub water in the bathtub BT in the STE44. After executing the same as above, the control process of the hot water operation is terminated.

Next, in the hot water filling operation this time, the processing when the determination result of the water amount determination processing in the bathtub of STEP 38 becomes affirmative after the treatments of STEP 32 to 37 will be described.

If there is no residual water in the bathtub BT at the start of this hot water operation, or even if the residual water is present, the amount of residual water is the bathtub BT in STEP33, 35, 37, respectively. When the amount of hot water supplied to W0 / 3 is less than the amount of hot water in the bathtub BT, basically, the amount of water in each of the bathtubs of STEP32, 34, and 36, except when there is a leak of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT. The determination result of the determination process becomes negative, and the determination result of the water amount determination process in the bathtub of STEP 38 becomes positive. The entire processing of STEP 33, 35, 37 in this case corresponds to the first hot water supply control processing in the present invention.

In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 39. In STEP 39, the hot water filling control unit 41 detects the current water level Hw in the bathtub BT by the water level sensor 32. The detected value of the water level Hw in STEP 39 is stored and held in a non-volatile memory (or a volatile memory to which power is constantly supplied) for the update process of the reference water level H0.

Then, the hot water beam control unit 41 determines in STEP 40 whether or not the detected value of the current water level Hw is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding the predetermined value ε (for example, 20 mm) to the reference water level H0 (latest value). to decide. The treatment of STEP40 is a treatment corresponding to the residual water determination treatment in the present invention.

In this case, if there is no residual water in the bathtub BT or the amount of residual water is sufficiently small at the start of the hot water beam operation this time, the judgment result of STEP40 becomes affirmative (Hw). The value of the predetermined value ε is set in advance in consideration of the error of the water level detection value by the water level sensor 32 and the like so as to be (≦ H0 + ε).

Then, when the determination result of STEP 40 becomes affirmative (when it is determined that there is no residual water), the hot water beam control unit 41 updates (corrects) the value of the reference water level H0 in STEP 41 (this is). , Corresponding to the correction process in the present invention) is executed. In this process, the hot water beam control unit 41 determines the water level Hw detection value Hw (this time) in STEP 39 in the current hot water beam operation and the previous hot water beam operation (specifically, before the previous time when the process from STEP 39 was executed). The reference water level H0 is updated (corrected) by the following equation (7) using the detected value Hw (previous time) of the water level Hw in STEP 39 in the hot water operation).

H0 (after update) = H0 (before update) + (Hw (this time) -Hw (previous)) …… (7)

However, the absolute value of the update amount (correction amount) of the reference water level H0 is limited to a value equal to or less than the predetermined value ΔH0_LIM (for example, 10 mm), and (Hw (this time) −Hw (previous)) <−ΔH0_LIM, or , (Hw (this time) -Hw (previous))> ΔH0_LIM, the value of the reference water level H0 is updated with the value of the second term on the right side of the equation (7) as −ΔH0_LIM and H0_LIM, respectively. ..

Further, in STEP 41, the hot water beam control unit 41 considers that the current water level Hw matches the reference water level H0 (first time) determined at the time of the first hot water beam operation, and sets the water level from the water level matching the reference water level H0 (first time). The insufficient amount of hot water Vd required to raise the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT to the water level Hs is calculated.

Here, when the judgment result of STEP40 is affirmative (when there is no residual water), the amount of hot water in the bathtub BT at the present time (at the time of executing the treatment of STEP41) matches or almost matches the reference water amount W0. The current actual water level of the bathtub water (hot water) in the bathtub BT can be regarded as matching the reference water level H0 (first time) determined at the time of the first hot water beam operation.

Therefore, the amount of insufficient hot water from the current water level in the bathtub BT to the set water level is the amount of insufficient hot water required to raise the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT from the water level matching the reference water level H0 (first time) to the set water level Hs. It can be considered to match Vd. Then, the insufficient amount of hot water Vd is calculated by the following equations (8a) and (8b).

Vd = hs · (average cross-sectional area) …… (8a)
However,
(Average cross-sectional area) = WH + ((hs / 2) · ΔWH) …… (8b)

The above (average cross-sectional area) is the average cross-sectional area of the bathtub BT in the height range between the reference water level H0 and the set water level Hs.

In the above formulas (8a) and (8b), the Hs in the above formulas (6a) and (6b) is set to the set water level (= H0 (first time) + hs) expressed with reference to H0 (first time), and the current water level Hw is set. It is an equation obtained by matching with H0 (first time). Therefore, according to (8a) and (8b), it is considered that the current water level Hw matches the reference water level H0 (first time) determined at the time of the first hot water beam operation, and the water level set from the water level corresponding to the reference water level H0 (first time) is set. The insufficient amount of hot water Vd required to raise the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT to Hs will be calculated.

In other words, the insufficient amount of hot water Vd calculated in this way is the total amount of hot water (= W0 + Vd) in the bathtub BT when the water level in the bathtub BT matches the set water level, and the hot water has been supplied to the bathtub BT up to the present time. It is the amount of hot water obtained by subtracting the reference water amount W0 as the amount of hot water, and is calculated without using the water level detection value by the water level sensor 32.

Next, in STEP 42, the hot water supply control unit 41 operates the heat source machine 2 so that the hot water of the insufficient hot water amount Vd calculated as described above is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT in the same manner as in STEP 1. Execute with.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches the insufficient hot water amount Vd. Run up to. As a result, the hot water supply (hot water supply) up to the set water level Hs (= H0 (first time) + hs) in the bathtub BT is completed.

In this case, the total amount of hot water in the bathtub BT matches or almost matches the total amount of hot water (= W0 + Vd) between the reference water amount W0 and the above-mentioned insufficient hot water amount Vd, and the total hot water amount is the water level according to the water level sensor 32. It does not depend on the detected value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actual water level from fluctuating after the completion of the hot water filling into the bathtub BT.

The entire processing of STEP 41 and 42 corresponds to the second a hot water supply control processing in the present invention.

Next, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 43 described above, and ends the current hot water beam operation.

On the other hand, the situation where the judgment result of STEP40 is negative is that there is residual water (residual water in an amount less than W0 / 3) in the bathtub BT at the start of the hot water beam operation this time (residual water). If yes). In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 describes the insufficient amount of hot water Vc required to raise the water level in the bathtub BT from the current water level Hw to the set water level Hs in the above equations (6a), (6a), which has been described with respect to the STEP 55. Calculate according to 6b).

In this case, the current water level Hw values in the formulas (6a) and (6b) are the detected values in STEP39. Further, the set water level Hs in the formulas (6a) and (6b) is a set water level determined by the above formula (1) using the latest value of the reference water level H0.

Then, the hot water supply control unit 41 executes the process of operating the heat source machine 2 so that the hot water of the insufficient hot water amount Vc calculated in STEP 45 is poured (supplied) into the bathtub BT in the same manner as in STEP 1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches the insufficient hot water amount Vc. Run up to. As a result, the hot water supply (hot water supply) up to the set water level Hs (= H0 + hs) in the bathtub BT is completed.

Next, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 43 described above, and ends the current hot water beam operation.

The entire processing of STEP 45 and 46 corresponds to the second b hot water supply control processing in the present invention.

Next, in the hot water filling operation this time, the processing when the determination result of the water amount determination processing in the bathtub of STEP 38 becomes negative after the treatments of STEP 32 to 37 will be described.

For example, there is a leak of bathtub water in the bathtub BT (leakage from the drainage port, etc.) during the hot spring operation this time, or a part of the bathtub water in the bathtub BT is used by the user, etc. during the hot spring operation. The determination result of the water amount determination process in the bathtub of STEP 38 may be negative when it is pumped up by. In this case, the hot water supply control unit 41 then operates the heat source machine 2 in STEP 47 so as to pour (supply) hot water of a predetermined amount V6 (for example, 10 liters) into the bathtub BT. It is executed in the same manner as in STEP1.

That is, the hot water supply control unit 41 controls the opening of the solenoid valve 35 of the hot water supply channel 34 and the combustion operation of the first burner 13, and the cumulative hot water supply amount detected by the hot water amount detection unit 42 reaches a predetermined hot water amount V6. Run up to.

Next, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the bathtub water amount determination process in STEP 48, and when the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process becomes affirmative (when it is determined that there is bathtub water). , STEP57 detects the current water level Hw in the bathtub BT by the water level sensor 32, and then executes the above-mentioned treatment from STEP45 (calculation of insufficient hot water amount Vc up to the set water level Hs, hot water filling, etc.). End the hot water operation.

If the determination result of STEP48 is negative (when it is determined that there is no bathtub water), the hot water supply control unit 41 fills the bathtub BT with hot water having the predetermined amount of hot water V6 in STEP49 (hot water supply). It is determined whether or not the number of times (the number of times the process of STEP 47 is executed) has reached the predetermined upper limit value Nth. Then, when this determination result is negative, the hot water beam control unit 41 executes the process from STEP 47 again.

Further, when the determination result of STEP 49 becomes affirmative, in STEP 50, the hot water beam control unit 41 considers that an abnormality (error) has occurred and stops the processing of the hot water beam operation this time. In this case, the display unit 3a or the like of the remote controller 3 notifies that an abnormality has occurred.

According to the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that there is no residual water in STEP 40 after supplying hot water having a reference water amount of W0 into the bathtub BT in the hot water operation after the first time, the above formula (8a). ), (8b), the insufficient amount of hot water Vd calculated without using the detected value of the water level is supplied into the bathtub BT, so that the hot water is poured into the bathtub BT in the manner shown in FIG. 5A.

As a result, the actual water level in the bathtub BT after the end of the hot water filling operation becomes the water level corresponding to the set water level Hs, and it is possible to appropriately prevent the set water level Hs from being varied.

Further, in the hot water operation after the first time, when it is determined that there is residual water in STEP 40 after supplying hot water with a reference water amount W0 into the bathtub BT, or depending on the presence of residual water, the above STEP 32, 34, If any of the judgment results of 36 is affirmative (when it is judged that there is bathtub water), the latest standard water level H0 updated (corrected) during the hot water operation, which is judged to have no residual water. Using the values, the insufficient amount of hot water Vc calculated by the above formulas (6a) and (6b) is supplied into the bathtub BT. Therefore, hot water is poured into the bathtub BT in the manner shown in FIG. 5B.

As a result, the influence of the variation of the water level detection value by the water level sensor 32 is reduced, and the actual water level in the bathtub BT after the end of the hot water filling operation can be suppressed from causing the variation with respect to the set water level Hs. it can.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Some other embodiments will be described below.

In the above embodiment, the amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub BT by the entire treatment of STEP 33, 35, 37 corresponding to the first hot water supply control treatment in the present invention is made to match the reference water amount W0. However, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub BT before the treatment of STEP39 is set to a predetermined amount of water (W0 + ΔV) obtained by adding a predetermined amount ΔV to the reference water amount W0, and the water level of the bathtub BT according to the predetermined amount of water (W0 + ΔV) is the hot water supply port Ba. It may be possible to ensure that the water level is higher than that. In this way, the stability of the detected value of the water level Hw detected in STEP 39 is enhanced. As a result, when it is determined in STEP 40 that there is residual water, the reliability of the insufficient amount of hot water Vb calculated in STEP 45 can be improved. Alternatively, when it is determined in STEP 40 that there is no residual water, the reliability of updating (correcting) the reference water level H0 in STEP 41 can be improved.

In this case, the amount of insufficient hot water Vd when it is determined in STEP 40 that there is no residual water can be calculated as the amount of hot water obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount ΔV from the values calculated by the formulas (8a) and (8b). it can.

Further, for example, when the determination result of the bathtub water determination process of STEP 32 in the embodiment is negative, the process of STEP 34 and 36 is omitted, and the reference water amount W0 (or the predetermined water amount (W0 + ΔV)) Hot water may be supplied to the bathtub BT at once.

However, when the residual water amount of the bathtub BT is relatively large (for example, when the water level of the residual water amount is close to the height of the hot water supply port Ba), the hot water of the reference water amount W0 (or the predetermined water amount (W0 + ΔV)) is once added. If there is a possibility that the water level after the hot water supply exceeds the set water level Hs when the hot water is supplied to the bathtub BT, the hot water of the reference water amount W0 (or the predetermined water amount (W0 + ΔV)) is used as in the embodiment. It is desirable to supply hot water to the bathtub BT in multiple times.

1 ... Hot water supply device, 32 ... Water level sensor (water level detection unit), 41 ... Hot water supply control unit, 42 ... Hot water amount detection unit.

Claims (4)

A water level detection unit that can detect the water level in the bathtub in a state where the water level in the bathtub is higher than the hot water supply port formed in the lower part of the bathtub.
A hot water amount detection unit that detects the amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub from the hot water supply port, and
A hot water supply control unit that controls hot water supply from the hot water supply port to the bathtub during hot water supply operation in which hot water is supplied to the bathtub so that the water level in the bathtub reaches a preset water level that is variably set in advance. With
The hot water control unit
At the time of the first hot water beam operation, the relationship between the reference water amount, which is the amount of water required for the water level in the bathtub to reach the position above the hot water supply port from the bottom surface of the bathtub, and the water amount and the water level in the bathtub. A function to specify and store the specified bathtub characteristic data by using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit and the hot water amount detection value by the hot water amount detection unit during the execution of the first hot water filling operation. Configured to have
At the time of the hot water supply operation after the first time, the first hot water supply control process of supplying hot water of a predetermined amount of water equal to or more than the reference water amount into the tub, and the inside of the tub after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. When the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of no residual water, the present invention is executed. The amount of insufficient hot water that matches the amount of water obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount of water from the amount of water in the bathtub when the water level in the bathtub matches the set water level is determined by the water heater without using the water level detection value by the water level detection unit. The second a hot water supply control process of supplying hot water of the determined insufficient hot water amount into the bathtub is executed by using the characteristic data and the set water level, and the residual water after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is executed. When the determination result of the determination process is the determination result of the presence of residual water, the amount of water required to raise the water level in the bathtub from the water level in the bathtub to the set water level after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. The amount of insufficient hot water that matches the above is determined using the bath characteristic data, the value detected by the water level detection unit, and the set water level, and the determined amount of insufficient hot water is supplied into the bath. 2b A hot water supply device characterized in that it is configured to have a function of executing a hot water supply control process. In the hot water supply device according to claim 1,
The set water level is a relative water level with respect to the reference water level which is the water level in the bathtub in a state where the water amount in the bathtub matches the reference water amount.
The hot water supply control unit has a function of storing the detected value of the water level detected by the water level detection unit as the reference water level when hot water of the reference water amount is supplied into the bathtub during the first hot water supply operation. If the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of no residual water during the hot water supply operation after the first time, after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. The function further includes a function of executing a correction process for correcting the reference water level according to the detected value of the water level detected by the water level detection unit, and during the hot water operation after the hot water operation in which the correction process is executed, the said When the determination result of the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process is the determination result of the presence of residual water, the shortage is used in the second b hot water supply control process using the reference water level corrected by the correction process. A hot water supply device characterized in that it is configured to determine the amount of hot water. In the hot water supply device according to claim 2,
The hot water supply control unit has a water level detection value detected by the water level detection unit after the execution of the first hot water supply control process and a reference water level in the residual water determination process after the execution of the first hot water supply control process. In addition to being configured to determine the presence or absence of residual water in the bath based on the degree of difference from the above, in the residual water determination process during the hot water beam operation after the hot water beam operation in which the correction process is executed, the residual water determination process A hot water supply device characterized in that it is configured to use the reference water level after correction by the correction process. In the hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the first hot water supply control process, the hot water supply control unit supplies hot water in the bathtub with a water amount smaller than the reference water amount until the amount of hot water supplied into the bathtub reaches the predetermined water amount. It is configured to be executed once (n: an integer of 2 or more), and after each hot water supply up to at least (n-1) times, hot water having a water level equal to or higher than the height of the hot water supply port is filled in the bathtub. When the bathtub water amount determination process for determining the presence or absence is executed and the determination result of the bathtub water amount determination process after any of the hot water supply up to the (n-1) times is positive, , The first hot water supply control process is stopped, and the third hot water supply control process for raising the water level in the bathtub to the set water level is executed. Further, in the third hot water supply control process, the bathtub is used. The amount of insufficient hot water that matches the amount of water required to raise the water level in the bathtub from the water level in the bathtub to the set water level after the execution of the internal water amount determination process is determined by the bathtub characteristic data and the water level by the water level detection unit. A hot water supply device, which is determined by using the detected value of the above and the set water level, and is configured to supply hot water in the determined insufficient amount of hot water into the bathtub.

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