JP6927104B2 - Hot water storage type water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water storage type water heater that fills a bathtub with hot water using hot water stored in a hot water storage tank.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a hot water storage type hot water supply device that uses medium-temperature water at an intermediate temperature taken out from an intermediate portion of a hot water storage tank for hot water supply. Specifically, this device includes a medium-temperature water mixing valve and a bath mixing valve. The medium-temperature water mixing valve controls the temperature of the high-temperature water supplied to the bath mixing valve by mixing the medium-temperature water near the intermediate position of the hot water storage tank with the high-temperature water from the hot water outlet pipe connected to the upper end of the hot water storage tank. The bath mixing valve supplies hot water at the bath set temperature to the bathtub by mixing the above-mentioned high-temperature hot water and low-temperature water from the water supply pipe. According to this technique, the temperature rise of the low temperature water at the lower part of the hot water storage tank is suppressed by using the medium hot water in the hot water storage tank. This prevents a decrease in boiling efficiency. Further, by using the medium hot water in the hot water storage tank for hot water supply, the use of high temperature water can be suppressed.

JP-A-2009-068818

The technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the medium temperature water cannot be used to the maximum when the temperature of the medium temperature water is lower than the set temperature of the high temperature water. That is, the medium hot water is used as a hot water source for hot water whose temperature is adjusted to a temperature higher than the bath set temperature. Therefore, when the temperature of the medium-temperature water is lower than the set temperature of the high-temperature hot water, it is necessary to mix the medium-temperature water and the high-temperature water taken out from the upper end of the hot water storage tank to adjust the high-temperature water to the set temperature. The generated hot water is mixed with cold water in the bath mixing valve and then supplied to the bathtub. According to such a series of hot water filling operations, the hot water supplied to the bathtub is a mixture of all the hot water, medium hot water and low temperature water, and it is said that the medium hot water can be used to the maximum extent. hard.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a hot water storage type water heater that can make maximum use of medium-temperature water in a hot water storage tank in a hot water filling operation in which hot water is filled in a bathtub. The purpose is to do.

The hot water storage type water supply machine according to the present invention communicates with a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by a heating means, a high-temperature pipe communicating with the upper port of the hot water storage tank, and an intermediate port lower than the upper port. Medium temperature piping, water supply piping that supplies water from the water source to the hot water storage tank, low temperature piping that communicates with the lower port below the intermediate port or in the middle of the water supply piping, bath piping that communicates with the bathtub, medium temperature piping and bath piping A switching device capable of switching between a first flow path form for communicating with and a second flow path form for communicating either one or both of high temperature piping and low temperature piping to the bath piping, and a control device for controlling the switching device. , Equipped with. When the control device performs a hot water filling operation in which the bathtub is filled with hot water of a set temperature and a set amount of hot water, if the temperature of the medium hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the medium temperature pipe is within the allowable temperature range including the set temperature , The switching device is switched to the first flow path form and the medium temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the medium temperature pipe is independently supplied to the bathtub. It is configured to sequentially execute the hot water supply operation of supplying either one or both of the high temperature hot water supplied from the tank through the high temperature pipe and the low temperature water supplied through the low temperature pipe to the bathtub.

According to the hot water storage type water heater of the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water storage type water heater that can make maximum use of the medium hot water in the hot water storage tank in the hot water filling operation of filling the bathtub with hot water.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of hot water storage operation of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of the chasing operation of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of hot water supply operation using the 1st path of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of hot water supply operation using the 2nd path of the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram when executing a medium-temperature water single hot water filling operation in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of performing a high temperature hot water supply operation in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of performing a low temperature hot water supply operation in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. It is a circuit block diagram at the time of executing the mixed hot water addition operation in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart of the routine executed in the hot water storage type water heater of Embodiment 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The elements common to each figure are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The present disclosure may include any combination of configurable configurations among the configurations described in each of the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1.
1. Configuration of hot water storage type water heater FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water storage type water heater according to the first embodiment. In the figure, the lead wire connecting the control unit and each functional component is omitted. The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment has a hot water storage unit 100 and a heat pump unit 200 as a heating means. The hot water storage unit 100 is connected to the heat pump unit 200 via pipes 103 and 131 and electrical wiring (not shown). Further, the hot water storage unit 100 is connected to the bathtub 300 via the bath pipes 145 and 146.

The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment stores the hot water boiled by the heat pump unit 200 in the hot water storage tank 101 in the hot water storage unit 100. Inside the hot water storage tank 101, a temperature stratification can be formed in which the upper layer side has a high temperature and the lower layer side has a low temperature due to the density difference due to the temperature. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 101 is supplied to a hot water supply terminal such as a faucet, a shower, or a bathtub 300 in a kitchen or a washroom, for example.

In the hot water storage unit 100, in addition to the hot water storage tank 101, a pumping heat exchanger 121, a first flow path switching valve 105, a second flow path switching valve 108, a third flow path switching valve 127, and a fourth flow path switching valve 161 , Heat source circulation pump 129, bath circulation pump 124, hot water supply mixing valve 115a, bath mixing valve 115b, control unit 102, and piping for connecting these devices are further incorporated. The repulsion heat exchanger 121 is for heating the bath water by exchanging heat between the heat source water supplied from the hot water storage tank 101 and the bath water circulating from the bathtub 300. The heat source circulation pump 129 is for circulating hot water such as heat source water. The bath circulation pump 124 is for circulating bath water. The hot water supply mixing valve 115a and the bath mixing valve 115b are the mixing ratio of the high temperature water supplied from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 101 to the low temperature water supplied from the water supply pipe 139 and the low temperature pipe 141 or the medium hot water supplied from the medium temperature pipe 112. Is configured to be adjustable. In the following description, when the hot water supply mixing valve 115a and the bath mixing valve 115b are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as "mixing valve 115".

The first flow path switching valve 105 is a flow path switching means having an inlet b port and a d port and an outlet a port and a c port. The second flow path switching valve 108 is a flow path switching means having an f port as an inlet and an e port, a g port, and an h port as outlets. The third flow path switching valve 127 is a flow path switching means having an i-port and a k-port as an inlet and a j-port as an outlet. The fourth flow path switching valve 161 is a flow path switching means having an m port and an n port as an inlet and an l port as an outlet.

Although not shown in detail, the heat pump unit 200 is equipped with a refrigeration cycle capable of absorbing the heat of air and heating water to make hot water. Specifically, the heat pump unit 200 includes an inflow port 206 and an outflow port 205 that serve as inlets and outlets for hot water, a heat exchanger 203 for boiling that exchanges heat between a high-temperature refrigerant and hot water, and an inlet 206 for boiling. The operation of the pipe 202 connecting the heat exchanger 203, the pipe 204 connecting the outlet 205 and the boiling heat exchanger 203, and the compressor, expansion valve, blower fan, etc. (not shown) that make up the refrigeration cycle. It has a control unit 201 for controlling. The control unit 201 is communicably connected to the control unit 102 in the hot water storage unit 100.

The bathtub 300 is provided with a bathtub adapter 301. One ends of the bath pipes 145 and 146 are connected to the bathtub adapter 301, respectively. The other end of the bath pipe 145 is connected to the bath return port 152 of the hot water storage unit 100. The other end of the bath pipe 146 is connected to the bath outlet 153 of the hot water storage unit 100.

The hot water storage tank 101 is provided with a plurality of hot water inlets and outlets. A first upper opening 101a and a second upper opening 101b are provided in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 101. In the lower region of the hot water storage tank 101, a first lower port 101c, a second lower port 101d, and a water inlet 101e are provided. Further, a first intermediate port 101f and a second intermediate port 101g are provided in an intermediate period region located lower than the upper region and higher than the lower region of the hot water storage tank 101.

A first temperature sensor 164 and a second temperature sensor 165 are provided on the outer surface of the hot water storage tank 101. The first temperature sensor 164 is arranged in the middle region of the hot water storage tank 101, and the second temperature sensor 165 is arranged in the upper region of the hot water storage tank 101. The first temperature sensor 164 and the second temperature sensor 165 detect the water temperature at each position.

Next, the valves and pipes included in the hot water storage unit 100 will be described. The upstream of the water supply pipe 139 is connected to the water supply port 151 drawn from the water source. A third temperature sensor 163 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 139. The third temperature sensor 163 detects the temperature of the cold water supplied from the water source. The downstream side of the water supply pipe 139 is branched into the water supply pipe 138 and the low temperature pipe 141. The water supply pipe 138 is connected to the water inlet 101e of the hot water storage tank 101. The low-temperature water supplied from the water source flows from the water supply pipe 138 into the water inlet 101e of the hot water storage tank 101, so that the inside of the hot water storage tank 101 is maintained in a full state.

The upstream of the pipe 134 is connected to the first lower port 101c of the hot water storage tank 101. The downstream of the pipe 134 is connected to the drain plug 135. The drain plug 135 is connected to the drain port 149 by a pipe 137. During normal use, the inside of the hot water storage tank 101 is always kept full with hot water. However, in an emergency when it is necessary to drain the hot water in the hot water storage tank 101, the drain plug 135 is opened. As a result, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 101 is drained from the drain port 149 via the pipe 134, the drain plug 135, and the pipe 137.

The pipe 136 connects the drain plug 135 and the i-port of the third flow path switching valve 127. The pipe 128 connects the j port of the third flow path switching valve 127 and the suction port of the heat source circulation pump 129. The pipe 130 connects the discharge port of the heat source circulation pump 129 and the HP outlet 148. The pipe 131 connects the HP outlet 148 and the inflow port 206 of the heat pump unit 200. The pipe 103 connects the outlet 205 of the heat pump unit 200 and the HP return port 147. The pipe 104 connects the HP return port 147 and the b port of the first flow path switching valve 105. The pipe 106 connects the a port of the first flow path switching valve 105 and the f port of the second flow path switching valve 108. The pipe 132 branches from the middle of the pipe 130 and is connected to the d port of the first flow path switching valve 105. The pipe 133 connects the c port of the first flow path switching valve 105 and the second lower port 101d of the hot water storage tank 101.

The pipe 107 connects the h port of the second flow path switching valve 108 and the second intermediate port 101 g of the hot water storage tank 101. The pipe 110 connects the e-port of the second flow path switching valve 108 and the inlet of the heat source water of the repulsion heat exchanger 121. The pipe 126 connects the outlet of the heat source water of the repulsion heat exchanger 121 and the k port of the third flow path switching valve 127. The pipe 111 connects the second upper port 101b of the hot water storage tank 101 with the middle of the pipe 110. The high temperature pipe 113 connects the first upper port 101a of the hot water storage tank 101 to the hot water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 115a and the bath mixing valve 115b, respectively. The pipe 109 connects the g port of the second flow path switching valve 108 and the middle of the high temperature pipe 113.

The water supply pipe 139 connects the water supply port 151 and the upstream side of the pressure reducing valve 140. The low temperature pipe 141 connects the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 140 and the n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. The water supply pipe 138 connects the middle of the low temperature pipe 141 to the water inlet 101e of the hot water storage tank 101. The medium temperature pipe 112 connects the m port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101. The pipe 162 connects the l port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 to the water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 115a and the bath mixing valve 115b, respectively. The pipe 144 connects the hot water outlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 115a and the hot water supply port 150.

The l port, m port, and n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 function as a water outlet, a medium temperature inlet, and a low temperature inlet, respectively. The medium-temperature water supplied from the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101 through the medium-temperature pipe 112 flows into the m port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. The low temperature water having a temperature lower than that of the medium hot water flows into the n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. In the present embodiment, the low temperature water supplied from the water supply port 151 through the water supply pipe 139 and the low temperature pipe 141 flows into the n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. The fourth flow path switching valve 161 can switch the flow path between the "medium temperature position" and the "low temperature position".

In the "low temperature position", the n port, which is a low temperature inlet, communicates with the l port, which is a water outlet, and the m port, which is a medium temperature inlet, is blocked. In the "low temperature position", the low temperature water from the low temperature pipe 141 flows to the pipe 162. In the following description, the path flowing from the water supply pipe 139 to the mixing valve 115 through the low temperature pipe 141 is referred to as a “first path”.

On the other hand, in the "medium temperature position", the m port, which is the medium temperature inlet, communicates with the l port, which is the water outlet, and the n port, which is the low temperature inlet, is blocked. In the "medium temperature position", the medium temperature water from the medium temperature pipe 112 flows to the pipe 162. In the following description, the path flowing from the water supply pipe 139 to the water side inlet of the mixing valve 115 through the medium temperature pipe 112 is referred to as a “second path”.

The hot water supply mixing valve 115a mixes the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 101 through the high temperature pipe 113 with the water from the l port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 to control the temperature. The temperature-controlled hot water flows into the pipe 144. The hot water passing through the pipe 144 is supplied from the hot water supply port 150 to the faucet, the shower, and the like.

The bath mixing valve 115b mixes high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 101 through the high-temperature pipe 113 with water from the l port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 to control the temperature. The temperature-controlled hot water flows into the bath pipe 119 connected to the hot water outlet of the bath mixing valve 115b. The hot water passing through the bath pipe 119 is supplied to the bathtub 300 via the bath electromagnetic valve 117, the bath flow sensor 118, and the bath pipes 120, 125, 145, 146.

The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 102 as a control device. The control unit 102 is electrically connected to the control unit 201, each actuator, and each sensor described above. The operation of the hot water storage type water heater is controlled by the control unit 102.

2. Hot water storage operation by the hot water storage type water heater The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the present embodiment can execute the hot water storage operation in which the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 200 flows into the hot water storage tank 101. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the hot water storage type water heater according to the first embodiment during hot water storage operation. In hot water storage operation, it is as follows.

The heat pump unit 200 and the heat source circulation pump 129 are operated. The water taken out from the first lower port 101c of the hot water storage tank 101 is the pipe 134, the drain plug 135, the pipe 136, the third flow path switching valve 127, the pipe 128, the heat source circulation pump 129, the pipe 130, and the HP outlet 148. And is guided into the heat pump unit 200 from the inflow port 206 through the pipe 131. The hot water heated in the heat pump unit 200 is discharged from the outflow port 205 to the pipe 103, the HP return port 147, the pipe 104, the first flow path switching valve 105, the pipe 106, the second flow path switching valve 108, the pipe 110, and the like. It flows into the hot water storage tank 101 from the second upper port 101b through the pipe 111. The hot water storage operation is typically carried out mainly in the midnight electric time zone, and the hot water used on the next day is stored in the hot water storage tank 101.

3. Repelling operation by the hot water storage type water heater The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the present embodiment heats the bath water in the bathtub 300 by using the high temperature water stored in the hot water storage tank 101 as the heat source water by the above hot water storage operation. You can perform a chasing operation. FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the hot water storage type water heater according to the first embodiment during the chasing operation. In the chasing operation, it becomes as follows.

In the repelling operation, the heat source circulation pump 129 and the bath circulation pump 124 are operated. As a result, the high-temperature water flowing out from the second upper port 101b of the hot water storage tank 101 is guided to the repelling heat exchanger 121 through the pipes 111 and 110. On the other hand, in the route on the bathtub 300 side, by operating the bath circulation pump 124, the bath water filled in the bathtub 300 is discharged into the bath pipe 145, the bath return port 152, the bath pipe 125, the repelling heat exchanger 121, and the bath. It circulates in a circulation circuit composed of pipe 120, bath outlet 153, and bath pipe 146. In the repulsion heat exchanger 121, the heat of the high-temperature heat source water is transferred to the bath water. As a result, the heat source water becomes medium warm water and the bath water is warmed. The medium-temperature water led out from the repulsion heat exchanger 121 is the pipe 126, the third flow path switching valve 127, the pipe 128, the heat source circulation pump 129, the pipe 132, the first flow path switching valve 105, the pipe 106, and the second flow path. It is returned to the hot water storage tank 101 from the second intermediate port 101 g through the switching valve 108 and the pipe 107. This chasing operation is automatically performed by the control unit 102 by detecting the temperature drop of the bath water stretched in the bathtub 300 by the temperature sensor, or can be arbitrarily performed by the user.

4. Hot water supply operation by the hot water storage type water heater The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the present embodiment can execute the hot water supply operation of supplying hot water of a set temperature to the hot water supply port 150. In the hot water supply operation, when the flow rate sensor 143 for hot water supply detects the water flow, the control unit 102 uses the hot water supply mixing valve 115a so that the temperature of the hot water flowing from the hot water outlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 115a to the pipe 144 becomes the hot water supply set temperature. Adjust the mixing ratio.

Here, in the hot water supply operation, the hot water supply operation using the first route and the hot water supply operation using the second route can be switched by operating the fourth flow path switching valve 161. FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram during hot water supply operation using the first path of the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the hot water supply operation using the first path, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the "low temperature position", so that the low temperature water flowing out from the water supply port 151 to the water supply pipe 139 and the low temperature pipe 141 and the hot water storage tank 101 The hot water from the first upper port 101a is mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 115a. The mixed hot water is supplied to the hot water supply port 150 through the pipe 144 and used for hot water supply. If it is a hot water supply operation using low temperature water, it is possible to perform a hot water supply operation corresponding to a wide range of set temperatures.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram during hot water supply operation using the second path of the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the hot water supply operation using the second path, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the "medium temperature position", so that the medium hot water flowing out from the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101 to the medium temperature pipe 112 and the hot water storage tank The hot water from the first upper port 101a of 101 is mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 115a. The mixed hot water is supplied to the hot water supply port 150 through the pipe 144 and used for hot water supply. When the repelling operation is performed, the amount of medium-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 101 increases. In the present embodiment, since the medium-temperature water flowing out from the hot-water storage tank 101 to the medium-temperature pipe 112 can be used for hot water supply, the amount of medium-temperature water in the hot-water storage tank 101 can be reduced. Therefore, the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 200 can be lowered, and the operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 200 can be improved.

5. Hot water filling operation using medium hot water by a hot water storage type water heater Next, the hot water filling operation using medium hot water, which is a feature of the first embodiment, will be described. The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the present embodiment can execute a hot water filling operation using medium hot water. In this hot water filling operation, when the hot water filling instruction to the control unit 102 is detected, the control unit 102 controls the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b to enter the hot water of the set temperature and the set amount of hot water in the bathtub 300. Put up.

More specifically, the hot water filling operation is composed of a medium hot water single hot water filling operation and a hot water filling operation. The medium-warm water single hot water filling operation in the hot water filling operation is an operation of independently supplying the medium-temperature water flowing out from the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101 to the medium-temperature pipe 112 to the bathtub 300. Further, the hot water filling operation in the hot water filling operation is either high-temperature hot water flowing out from the first upper port 101a of the hot water storage tank 101 to the high-temperature pipe 113 or low-temperature water flowing out from the water supply port 151 to the water supply pipe 139 or the low-temperature pipe 141. This is an operation of supplying one or both of them to the bathtub 300. In the hot water filling operation, the medium hot water single hot water filling operation and the hot water filling operation are executed in order.

FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram when executing a medium-temperature water single hot water filling operation in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the medium-temperature water single hot water filling operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the "medium-temperature position", so that the medium-temperature water flowing out from the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101 to the medium-temperature pipe 112 is the bath mixing valve 115b. It flows into the water side entrance. Further, in the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation, the mixing ratio of the bath mixing valve 115b is adjusted so that the water side inlet and the hot water outlet communicate with each other and the communication between the hot water side inlet and the hot water outlet is cut off. In the following description, the flow path form in which the medium temperature pipe 112 and the bath pipe 119 are communicated with each other by the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b is referred to as a “first flow path form”. In the first flow path form, the medium hot water flowing into the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b is led out from the hot water outlet without being mixed with the hot water flowing into the hot water side inlet. The medium hot water derived from the bath mixing valve 115b is supplied from the bathtub adapter 301 into the bathtub 300 through the bath solenoid valve 117 and the bath pipes 119, 120, 125, 145, 146. When the repelling operation is performed, the amount of medium-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 101 increases. In the case of the medium-temperature water single hot water filling operation, the medium-temperature water flowing out from the hot water storage tank 101 to the medium-temperature pipe 112 can be used as it is for hot water filling, so that the medium-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 101 can be reduced to the maximum. Therefore, the temperature of water entering the heat pump unit 200 can be lowered, and the operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 200 can be improved.

In the above-mentioned single hot water filling operation, the medium hot water in the hot water storage tank 101 is supplied to the bathtub 300 as it is, so that the hot water temperature in the bathtub 300 cannot be adjusted. Therefore, in the hot water filling operation of the first embodiment, the hot water filling operation for bringing the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 300 close to the set temperature is performed before or after the hot water filling operation of the medium hot water alone. The hot water supply operation includes a high temperature hot water supply operation, a low temperature hot water supply operation, and a mixed hot water supply operation.

The high-temperature hot water pouring operation is an operation of supplying the high-temperature hot water flowing out from the first upper port 101a of the hot water storage tank 101 to the high-temperature pipe 113 to the bathtub 300. FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram when performing a high-temperature hot water supply operation in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the high-temperature hot water supply operation, the mixing ratio of the bath mixing valve 115b is adjusted so that the hot water side inlet and the hot water outlet communicate with each other and the communication between the water side inlet and the hot water outlet is cut off. That is, the hot water flowing into the hot water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b is led out from the hot water outlet without being mixed with the water flowing into the water side inlet. The hot water derived from the bath mixing valve 115b is supplied from the bathtub adapter 301 into the bathtub 300 through the bath solenoid valve 117 and the bath pipes 119, 120, 125, 145, 146. According to such a high-temperature hot water filling operation, the high-temperature hot water is poured into the medium-warm water supplied to the bathtub 300 by the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation, so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 300 can be raised.

Next, the low-temperature hot water supply operation is an operation of supplying the low-temperature water flowing out from the water supply port 151 to the water supply pipe 139 and the low-temperature pipe 141 to the bathtub 300. FIG. 8 is a circuit configuration diagram when a low-temperature hot water supply operation is executed in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the low temperature hot water supply operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the “low temperature position”, so that the low temperature water flowing out to the low temperature pipe 141 flows into the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b. Further, in the low temperature hot water supply operation, the mixing ratio of the bath mixing valve 115b is adjusted so that the water side inlet and the hot water outlet communicate with each other and the communication between the hot water side inlet and the hot water outlet is cut off. That is, the low-temperature water flowing into the water-side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b is led out from the hot water outlet without being mixed with the high-temperature hot water flowing into the hot water-side inlet. The low-temperature water derived from the bath mixing valve 115b is supplied from the bathtub adapter 301 into the bathtub 300 through the bath solenoid valve 117 and the bath pipes 119, 120, 125, 145, 146. According to such a low-temperature hot water filling operation, the low-temperature water is poured into the medium-warm water supplied to the bathtub 300 by the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation, so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 300 can be lowered.

Further, in the mixed hot water supply operation, the hot water flowing out from the first upper port 101a of the hot water storage tank 101 to the high temperature pipe 113 and the low temperature water flowing out from the water supply port 151 to the water supply pipe 139 and the low temperature pipe 141 are mixed and the bathtub is used. This is an operation of supplying to 300. FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram when the mixed hot water supply operation is executed in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. In the mixing hot water operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the “low temperature position”, so that the low temperature water flowing out to the low temperature pipe 141 flows into the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b. Further, in the mixing hot water operation, the bath mixing valve 115b is derived from the hot water outlet by mixing the low temperature water flowing into the water side inlet and the high temperature hot water flowing into the hot water side inlet at an arbitrary mixing ratio. The mixed hot water derived from the bath mixing valve 115b is supplied from the bathtub adapter 301 into the bathtub 300 through the bath solenoid valve 117 and the bath pipes 119, 120, 125, 145, 146. According to such a mixed hot water filling operation, the mixed hot water adjusted to an arbitrary temperature is added to the medium hot water supplied to the bathtub 300 by the medium hot water single hot water filling operation, so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 300 is reached. Can be finely adjusted.

As described above, in the high-temperature hot water supply operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b form a flow path in which the high-temperature pipe 113 and the bath pipe 119 communicate with each other. Further, in the low temperature hot water supply operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b form a flow path in which the low temperature pipe 141 and the bath pipe 119 communicate with each other. Further, in the mixing hot water operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b form a flow path in which both the high temperature pipe 113 and the low temperature pipe 141 and the bath pipe 119 communicate with each other. In the following description, all the forms of these flow paths will be referred to as "second flow path form". Further, the configuration of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the bath mixing valve 115b for switching between the first flow path form and the second flow path form is also referred to as a "switching device".

6. Specific processing executed in the hot water filling operation FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a routine executed in the hot water storage type water heater of the first embodiment. The routine shown in FIG. 10 is a routine executed by the control unit 102 when the start of the hot water filling operation of the set temperature and the set hot water amount is instructed. In step S2 of the routine shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the medium temperature water temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 164 is within the range of the set temperature ± 2 ° C. Here, ± 2 ° C. is an allowable temperature range of the medium temperature water temperature that can be used for the operation of filling the medium temperature water alone. This permissible temperature range may be set based on the permissible fluctuation upper limit and the lower limit defined in the JIS standard for performance evaluation of the hot water storage type water heater. Further, the allowable temperature range may be determined in consideration of safety and reduction of user discomfort. If the determination in step S2 does not confirm the establishment, the process proceeds to step S4, and if the establishment is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S6.

If it is not confirmed in the determination of step S2, it is determined that the medium hot water cannot be used for the hot water filling operation, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, a normal hot water filling operation is performed. In the normal hot water filling operation, the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the “low temperature position”, so that the low temperature water flowing out to the low temperature pipe 141 flows into the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b. In the bath mixing valve 115b, the low temperature water flowing into the water side inlet and the high temperature water flowing into the hot water side inlet are mixed. At this time, the mixing ratio of the bath mixing valve 115b is adjusted so as to reach the set temperature of the hot water derived from the hot water outlet of the bath mixing valve 115b.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the determination of step S2, it is determined that the medium hot water can be used for the hot water filling operation, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the medium temperature water temperature is higher than the set temperature. As a result, when the establishment of the determination is confirmed, it is determined that it is necessary to perform the low temperature hot water supply operation as the hot water supply operation, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the amount of medium-warm water filling in the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation and the amount of hot water added in the low-temperature hot water filling operation are calculated based on the following equations (1) and (2). In the following equations (1) and (2), the set hot water filling amount can be used as the target hot water filling amount, and the set hot water filling temperature can be used as the hot water filling target temperature. Further, the medium hot water temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 164 can be used as the medium hot water filling temperature, and the low temperature water temperature detected by the third temperature sensor 163 can be used as the hot water filling temperature.

Medium temperature hot water filling amount [L] = (Target hot water filling amount [L] -Hot water filling amount [L]) x (Hot water filling target temperature [° C] -Hot water filling temperature [° C]) ÷ (Medium hot water filling temperature [L] ℃] -Hot water temperature [℃]) ・ ・ ・ (1)
Hot water filling amount [L] = (Target hot water filling amount [L] -Hot water filling amount [L])-Medium hot water filling amount [L] ... (2)
However, the amount of hot water [L] is the amount of hot water stored in the bathtub.

When the process of step S8 is completed, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the low temperature hot water supply operation is performed based on the hot water supply amount calculated in step S8. When the low temperature hot water supply operation is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S12. In step S12, the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation is performed based on the medium-warm water filling amount calculated in step S8.

When the low temperature hot water supply operation is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S14. In step S14, the bath water filled in the bathtub 300 is circulated. Here, by operating the bath circulation pump 124, the bath water filled in the bathtub 300 is discharged into the bath pipe 145, the bath return port 152, the bath pipe 125, the repelling heat exchanger 121, the bath pipe 120, and the bath outlet. It circulates in a circulation circuit composed of 153 and 146 bath pipes. As a result, the bath water stretched in the bathtub 300 is agitated, and the temperature distribution of the bathwater in the bathtub 300 is made uniform. In the following description, the process of step S14 is also referred to as a stirring operation.

On the other hand, if the determination is not established in step S6, it is determined that it is necessary to perform the high temperature hot water supply operation as the hot water supply operation, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the amount of medium-warm water filling in the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation and the amount of hot water added in the high-temperature hot water filling operation are calculated based on the equations (1) and (2). In the formulas (1) and (2), the hot water temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 165 can be used as the hot water temperature.

When the process of step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation is performed based on the medium-warm water filling amount calculated in step S16. When the operation of filling the medium hot water alone is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S20. In step S20, the high temperature hot water supply operation is performed based on the hot water supply amount calculated in step S16. When the high-temperature hot water filling operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S14, and a stirring operation for circulating the bath water filled in the bathtub 300 is performed.

As described above, according to the hot water filling operation executed in the hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment, the medium hot water can be fully utilized by the medium hot water single hot water filling operation. As a result, the temperature rise of the low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 101 is suppressed, so that a decrease in boiling efficiency can be prevented. In addition, since the medium-temperature water in the hot water storage tank can be used for filling the water, the use of high-temperature water can be suppressed.

Further, according to the hot water filling operation executed in the hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment, when the medium hot water temperature does not belong to the allowable temperature range, the execution of the medium hot water single hot water filling operation is restricted. As a result, it is possible to ensure safety in hot water filling operation and reduce user discomfort.

Further, according to the hot water filling operation executed in the hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment, either the high temperature hot water filling operation or the low temperature hot water filling operation is executed depending on whether or not the medium hot water temperature is higher than the set temperature. You can decide if you should. Further, when the high temperature hot water supply operation is performed, the high temperature hot water supply operation is performed after the medium hot water single hot water filling operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hot water from being supplied to the bathtub 300, which is not filled with bath water, due to the high temperature watering operation. Further, when the low-temperature hot water supply operation is performed, the low-temperature hot water supply operation is performed before the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation. This makes it possible to prevent the bathtub 300, which is not filled with bath water, from being supplied with medium-temperature water having a temperature higher than the set temperature.

7. Deformation Example of Hot Water Storage Type Water Heater The hot water storage type water heater 1 of the first embodiment may adopt a modified mode as follows.

The low-temperature hot water supply operation in step S10 and the high-temperature hot water supply operation in step S16 may be replaced with the mixed hot water supply operation. According to the mixed hot water supply operation, it is possible to hot water the mixed hot water adjusted to an arbitrary temperature, so that it is possible to perform hot water supply at a temperature that does not make the user uncomfortable while taking a bath, for example.

The low-temperature hot water filling operation in step S10 may be executed after the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation in step S12. Similarly, the high-temperature hot water filling operation in step S20 may be executed before the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation in step S18.

In the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation in step S12 and the high-temperature hot water filling operation in step S20, hot water having a temperature higher than the set temperature is supplied to the bathtub 300. Therefore, in these steps, the user may be notified that hot water having a temperature higher than the set temperature is being supplied to the bathtub 300 by using the notification means. As such a notification means, for example, a warning display on the screen of the remote controller, a voice warning, or the like can be adopted.

In the hot water filling operation, the normal hot water filling operation and the medium hot water single hot water filling operation may be combined and executed. For example, in the routine shown in FIG. 10, when the medium temperature water temperature is higher than the set temperature range of ± 2 ° C., a normal hot water filling operation is performed. When a normal hot water filling operation is performed, the temperature of the medium hot water drops due to the hot water being discharged from the hot water storage tank 101. Therefore, in the hot water filling operation, the medium hot water temperature is constantly monitored, and if the medium hot water temperature falls within the set temperature ± 2 ° C during the normal hot water filling operation, the normal hot water filling operation is changed to the medium hot water. It may be possible to shift to a single hot water filling operation. As a result, it is possible to increase the chances of the medium-temperature water-only hot water filling operation in the hot water filling operation.

The medium hot water temperature fluctuates during the hot water filling operation. Therefore, the medium-temperature hot water filling amount and the hot water filling amount may be updated each time during the hot water filling operation. As a result, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 300 can be brought close to the set temperature.

The bath mixing valve 115b and the fourth flow path switching valve 161 may be configured as one switching device for switching the flow path. Specifically, the switching device corresponds to three inlets corresponding to the medium temperature inlet, the low temperature inlet, and the high temperature inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b of the fourth flow path switching valve 161 and the hot water outlet of the bath mixing valve 115b1. It suffices to have a configuration having one outlet and switching the communication state between the three inlets and one outlet.

The low temperature pipe 141 may be configured to connect a lower port lower than the first intermediate port 101f of the hot water storage tank 101 to the n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. According to such a configuration, the low temperature water supplied from the lower port of the hot water storage tank 101 through the low temperature pipe 141 flows into the n port of the fourth flow path switching valve 161. Therefore, when the fourth flow path switching valve 161 is set to the "low temperature position", the low temperature water flowing out from the lower port of the hot water storage tank 101 to the low temperature pipe 141 is allowed to flow into the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 115b. Can be done.

1 Hot water storage type water heater, 100 hot water storage unit, 101 hot water storage tank, 101a first upper port, 101b second upper port, 101c first lower port, 101d second lower port, 101e water inlet, 101f first intermediate port, 101g Second intermediate port, 102 control unit, 103,104,106,107,109,110,111,126,128,130,131,132,133,134,136,137,144,162,202,204 piping, 105 1st flow path switching valve, 108 2nd flow path switching valve, 112 Medium temperature piping, 113 High temperature piping, 115 mixing valve, 115a hot water supply mixing valve, 115b bath mixing valve, 118 bath flow sensor, 119, 120, 125, 145, 146 Bath piping, 121 Expulsion heat exchanger, 124 Bath circulation pump, 127 Third flow path switching valve, 129 Heat source circulation pump, 135 Drain plug, 138, 139 Water supply piping, 141 Low temperature piping, 140 Pressure reducing valve, 143 For hot water supply Flow sensor, 147 HP return port, 148 HP exit port, 149 drain port, 150 hot water supply port, 151 water supply port, 152 bath return port, 153 bath exit port, 161 fourth flow path switching valve, 164 first temperature sensor, 165 Second temperature sensor, 200 heat pump unit, 201 control unit, 203 heat exchanger for boiling, 205 outlet, 206 inlet, 300 bathtub, 301 bathtub adapter

Claims (9)

A hot water storage tank that stores hot water heated by the heating means,
A high-temperature pipe that communicates with the upper port of the hot water storage tank,
A medium-temperature pipe that communicates with the hot water storage tank at an intermediate port lower than the upper port,
A water supply pipe that supplies water from the water source to the hot water storage tank,
A low-temperature pipe that communicates with a lower port lower than the intermediate port or in the middle of the water supply pipe,
The bath piping that communicates with the bathtub and
A switching device capable of switching between a first flow path form in which the medium temperature pipe and the bath pipe are communicated with each other and a second flow path form in which one or both of the high temperature pipe and the low temperature pipe are communicated with the bath pipe. When,
A control device for controlling the switching device is provided.
When the control device performs a hot water filling operation in which a set temperature and a set amount of hot water are filled in the bathtub, the temperature of the medium hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the medium temperature pipe is an allowable temperature including the set temperature. When it is within the range, the switching device is switched to the first flow path form, and the medium temperature water alone supplied from the hot water storage tank through the medium temperature pipe to the bathtub is independently supplied to the bathtub, and the switching is performed. The device is switched to the second flow path form, and one or both of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the high temperature pipe and the low temperature water supplied through the low temperature pipe are supplied to the bathtub. A hot water storage type hot water supply machine characterized in that it is configured to perform hot water supply operation and in order. The hot water supply operation includes a low temperature hot water supply operation of supplying low temperature water supplied through the low temperature pipe to the bathtub.
The control device is
The claim is characterized in that when the temperature of the medium hot water is higher than the set temperature in the hot water filling operation, the medium hot water single hot water filling operation and the low temperature hot water filling operation are sequentially executed. The hot water storage type water heater according to 1. The control device is
In the hot water filling operation, when the medium hot water single hot water filling operation and the low temperature hot water filling operation are performed, the medium hot water single hot water filling operation is executed after the low temperature hot water filling operation is executed. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 2. The hot water supply operation includes a high temperature hot water supply operation of supplying hot water supplied through the high temperature pipe to the bathtub.
The control device is
Claim 1 is characterized in that when the temperature of the medium hot water is lower than the set temperature in the hot water filling operation, the medium hot water single hot water filling operation and the high temperature hot water filling operation are sequentially executed. Hot water storage type water heater described in. The control device is
In the hot water filling operation, when the medium hot water single hot water filling operation and the high temperature hot water filling operation are performed, the medium hot water single hot water filling operation is executed and then the high temperature hot water filling operation is executed. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 4. The control device is configured to execute a stirring operation of stirring the bath water filled in the bathtub after executing the medium-warm water single hot water filling operation and the hot water filling operation. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The switching device is
A medium temperature position having a medium temperature inlet connected to the medium temperature pipe, a low temperature inlet connected to the low temperature pipe, and a water outlet to communicate the medium temperature inlet to the water outlet, and the low temperature inlet to the water outlet. A flow path switching valve that can switch the flow path to a low temperature position that communicates with
It has a hot water side inlet connected to the high temperature pipe, a water side inlet into which water from the water outlet of the flow path switching valve flows in, and a hot water side inlet connected to the bath pipe. It is configured to include a bath mixing valve in which a hot water in which the mixing ratio of the hot water flowing in from the water side inlet and the low temperature water flowing in from the water side inlet is adjusted can be taken out from the hot water outlet.
The flow path switching valve is switched to the medium temperature position, and the high temperature hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet is not led out from the hot water outlet, and the low temperature water flowing in from the water side inlet is drawn out from the hot water outlet. The first flow path form is formed by adjusting the mixing ratio of the bath mixing valve.
Any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second flow path form is formed by switching the flow path switching valve to the low temperature position and adjusting the bath mixing valve to an arbitrary mixing ratio. The hot water storage type water heater described in item 1. Further provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the medium-temperature water, the temperature of the high-temperature hot water, and the temperature of the low-temperature water, respectively.
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the control device uses only the medium-temperature water so that the temperature and the amount of bath water filled in the bathtub become the set temperature and the set amount of hot water in the hot water filling operation. The hot water storage type water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the amount of hot water to be filled in the hot water filling operation and the amount of hot water to be supplied in the hot water filling operation are determined. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a notification means for notifying when hot water having a temperature higher than the set temperature is supplied to the bathtub in the hot water filling operation. Hot water storage type water heater.

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